* linux-nat.c (debug_linux_nat_async): Delete.
[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.
2862
2863 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2864 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2865 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2866 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2867 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2868 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2869
2870 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2871 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2872 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2873 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2874 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2875 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2876 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2877
2878 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2879 only on some platforms.
2880
2881 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2882 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2883 Display current libthread_db search path.
2884
2885 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2886 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2887 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2888 @item set debug libthread-db
2889 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2890 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2891 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2892 @end table
2893
2894 @node Forks
2895 @section Debugging Forks
2896
2897 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2898 @cindex multiple processes
2899 @cindex processes, multiple
2900 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2901 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2902 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2903 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2904 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2905 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2906 will cause it to terminate.
2907
2908 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2909 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2910 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2911 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2912 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2913 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2914 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2915 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2916 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2917 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2918
2919 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2920 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2921 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2922 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2923
2924 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2925 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2926
2927 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2928 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2929
2930 @table @code
2931 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2932 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2933 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2934 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2935 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2936
2937 @table @code
2938 @item parent
2939 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2940 unimpeded. This is the default.
2941
2942 @item child
2943 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2944 unimpeded.
2945
2946 @end table
2947
2948 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2949 @item show follow-fork-mode
2950 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2951 @end table
2952
2953 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2954 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2955 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2956
2957 @table @code
2958 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2959 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2960 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2961 retain debugger control over them both.
2962
2963 @table @code
2964 @item on
2965 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2966 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2967 independently. This is the default.
2968
2969 @item off
2970 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2971 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2972 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2973 is held suspended.
2974
2975 @end table
2976
2977 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2978 @item show detach-on-fork
2979 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2980 @end table
2981
2982 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2983 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2984 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2985 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2986 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2987 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2988
2989 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2990 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2991 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
2992 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2993 and Programs}.
2994
2995 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2996 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2997 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2998 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2999 the child process's @code{main}.
3000
3001 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3002 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3003
3004 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3005 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3006 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3007 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3008 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3009 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3010 command.
3011
3012 @table @code
3013 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3014 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3015
3016 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3017 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3018
3019 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3020
3021 @table @code
3022 @item new
3023 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3024 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3025 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3026 original inferior.
3027
3028 For example:
3029
3030 @smallexample
3031 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3032 (gdb) info inferior
3033 Id Description Executable
3034 * 1 <null> prog1
3035 (@value{GDBP}) run
3036 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3037 Program exited normally.
3038 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3039 Id Description Executable
3040 * 2 <null> prog2
3041 1 <null> prog1
3042 @end smallexample
3043
3044 @item same
3045 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3046 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3047 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3048 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3049 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3050
3051 For example:
3052
3053 @smallexample
3054 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3055 Id Description Executable
3056 * 1 <null> prog1
3057 (@value{GDBP}) run
3058 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3059 Program exited normally.
3060 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3061 Id Description Executable
3062 * 1 <null> prog2
3063 @end smallexample
3064
3065 @end table
3066 @end table
3067
3068 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3069 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3070 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3071
3072 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3073 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3074
3075 @cindex checkpoint
3076 @cindex restart
3077 @cindex bookmark
3078 @cindex snapshot of a process
3079 @cindex rewind program state
3080
3081 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3082 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3083 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3084 later.
3085
3086 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3087 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3088 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3089 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3090 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3091
3092 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3093 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3094 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3095 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3096 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3097 start again from there.
3098
3099 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3100 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3101
3102 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3103
3104 @table @code
3105 @kindex checkpoint
3106 @item checkpoint
3107 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3108 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3109 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3110
3111 @kindex info checkpoints
3112 @item info checkpoints
3113 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3114 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3115 listed:
3116
3117 @table @code
3118 @item Checkpoint ID
3119 @item Process ID
3120 @item Code Address
3121 @item Source line, or label
3122 @end table
3123
3124 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3125 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3126 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3127 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3128 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3129 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3130 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3131
3132 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3133 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3134 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3135 the debugger.
3136
3137 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3138 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3139 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3140
3141 @end table
3142
3143 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3144 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3145 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3146 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3147 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3148 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3149 previously read data can be read again.
3150
3151 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3152 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3153 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3154 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3155 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3156 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3157
3158 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3159 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3160 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3161 different execution path this time.
3162
3163 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3164 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3165 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3166 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3167 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3168 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3169 potentially pose a problem.
3170
3171 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3172
3173 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3174 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3175 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3176 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3177 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3178 next.
3179
3180 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3181 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3182 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3183 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3184 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3185
3186 @node Stopping
3187 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3188
3189 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3190 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3191 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3192
3193 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3194 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3195 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3196 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3197 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3198 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3199 explicitly request this information at any time.
3200
3201 @table @code
3202 @kindex info program
3203 @item info program
3204 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3205 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3206 @end table
3207
3208 @menu
3209 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3210 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3211 * Signals:: Signals
3212 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3213 @end menu
3214
3215 @node Breakpoints
3216 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3217
3218 @cindex breakpoints
3219 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3220 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3221 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3222 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3223 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3224 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3225 program.
3226
3227 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3228 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3229 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3230 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3231 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3232 call).
3233
3234 @cindex watchpoints
3235 @cindex data breakpoints
3236 @cindex memory tracing
3237 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3238 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3239 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3240 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3241 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3242 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3243 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3244 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3245 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3246 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3247 same commands.
3248
3249 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3250 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3251 Automatic Display}.
3252
3253 @cindex catchpoints
3254 @cindex breakpoint on events
3255 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3256 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3257 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3258 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3259 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3260 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3261 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3262
3263 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3264 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3265 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3266 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3267 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3268 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3269 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3270 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3271 enable it again.
3272
3273 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3274 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3275 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3276 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3277 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3278 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3279 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3280
3281 @menu
3282 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3283 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3284 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3285 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3286 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3287 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3288 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3289 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3290 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3291 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3292 @end menu
3293
3294 @node Set Breaks
3295 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3296
3297 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3298 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3299 @c
3300 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3301
3302 @kindex break
3303 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3304 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3305 @cindex latest breakpoint
3306 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3307 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3308 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3309 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3310 convenience variables.
3311
3312 @table @code
3313 @item break @var{location}
3314 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3315 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3316 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3317 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3318 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3319
3320 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3321 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3322 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3323 that situation.
3324
3325 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3326 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3327 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3328
3329 @item break
3330 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3331 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3332 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3333 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3334 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3335 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3336 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3337 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3338 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3339 inside loops.
3340
3341 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3342 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3343 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3344 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3345 existed when your program stopped.
3346
3347 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3348 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3349 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3350 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3351 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3352 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3353 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3354
3355 @kindex tbreak
3356 @item tbreak @var{args}
3357 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3358 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3359 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3360 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3361
3362 @kindex hbreak
3363 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3364 @item hbreak @var{args}
3365 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3366 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3367 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3368 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3369 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3370 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3371 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3372 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3373 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3374 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3375 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3376 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3377 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3378 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3379 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3380 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3381 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3382 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3383
3384 @kindex thbreak
3385 @item thbreak @var{args}
3386 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3387 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3388 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3389 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3390 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3391 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3392 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3393 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3394
3395 @kindex rbreak
3396 @cindex regular expression
3397 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3398 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3399 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3400 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3401 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3402 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3403 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3404 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3405 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3406
3407 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3408 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3409 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3410 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3411 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3412 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3413
3414 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3415 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3416 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3417 classes.
3418
3419 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3420 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3421 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3422
3423 @smallexample
3424 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3425 @end smallexample
3426
3427 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3428 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3429 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3430 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3431 every function in a given file:
3432
3433 @smallexample
3434 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3435 @end smallexample
3436
3437 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3438 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3439
3440 @kindex info breakpoints
3441 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3442 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3443 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3444 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3445 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3446 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3447 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3448
3449 @table @emph
3450 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3451 @item Type
3452 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3453 @item Disposition
3454 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3455 @item Enabled or Disabled
3456 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3457 that are not enabled.
3458 @item Address
3459 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3460 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3461 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3462 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3463 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3464 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3465 @item What
3466 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3467 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3468 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3469 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3470 @end table
3471
3472 @noindent
3473 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3474 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3475 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3476 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3477 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3478 valid location.
3479
3480 @noindent
3481 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3482 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3483 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3484 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3485 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3486
3487 @noindent
3488 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3489 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3490 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3491 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3492 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3493 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3494 @end table
3495
3496 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3497 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3498 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3499 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3500
3501 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3502 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3503 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3504 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3505
3506 @itemize @bullet
3507 @item
3508 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3509 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3510
3511 @item
3512 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3513 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3514
3515 @item
3516 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3517 several places where that function is inlined.
3518 @end itemize
3519
3520 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3521 the relevant locations@footnote{
3522 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3523 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3524 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3525 info with line numbers for them.}.
3526
3527 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3528 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3529 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3530 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3531 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3532 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3533 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3534
3535 For example:
3536
3537 @smallexample
3538 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3539 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3540 stop only if i==1
3541 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3542 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3543 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3544 @end smallexample
3545
3546 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3547 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3548 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3549 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3550 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3551 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3552 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3553 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3554 that belong to that breakpoint.
3555
3556 @cindex pending breakpoints
3557 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3558 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3559 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3560 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3561 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3562 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3563 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3564 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3565 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3566 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3567 is not yet resolved.
3568
3569 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3570 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3571 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3572 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3573 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3574 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3575
3576 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3577 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3578 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3579 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3580
3581 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3582 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3583 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3584
3585 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3586 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3587 address specification to an address:
3588
3589 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3590 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3591 @table @code
3592 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3593 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3594 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3595
3596 @item set breakpoint pending on
3597 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3598 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3599
3600 @item set breakpoint pending off
3601 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3602 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3603 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3604
3605 @item show breakpoint pending
3606 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3607 @end table
3608
3609 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3610 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3611 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3612
3613 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3614 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3615 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3616 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3617 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3618 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3619 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3620 breakpoints.
3621
3622 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3623
3624 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3625 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3626 @table @code
3627 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3628 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3629 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3630 breakpoint must be used.
3631
3632 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3633 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3634 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3635 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3636 @end table
3637
3638 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3639 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3640 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3641 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3642 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3643 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3644 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3645 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3646 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3647
3648 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3649 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3650 @table @code
3651 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3652 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3653 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3654 removed from the target when it stops.
3655
3656 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3657 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3658 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3659 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3660 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3661
3662 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3663 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3664 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3665 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3666 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3667 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3668 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3669 @end table
3670
3671 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3672 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3673 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3674 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3675 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3676 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3677 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3678 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3679
3680
3681 @node Set Watchpoints
3682 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3683
3684 @cindex setting watchpoints
3685 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3686 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3687 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3688 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3689 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3690
3691 @itemize @bullet
3692 @item
3693 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3694
3695 @item
3696 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3697 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3698 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3699
3700 @item
3701 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3702 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3703 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3704 @end itemize
3705
3706 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3707 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3708 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3709 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3710 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3711 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3712 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3713 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3714 the expression changes.
3715
3716 @cindex software watchpoints
3717 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3718 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3719 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3720 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3721 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3722 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3723 culprit.)
3724
3725 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3726 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3727 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3728
3729 @table @code
3730 @kindex watch
3731 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3732 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3733 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3734 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3735 to watch the value of a single variable:
3736
3737 @smallexample
3738 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3739 @end smallexample
3740
3741 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3742 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3743 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3744 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3745 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3746 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3747
3748 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3749 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3750 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3751 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3752 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3753 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3754 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3755 error.
3756
3757 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3758 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3759 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3760 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3761 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3762 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3763 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3764 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3765 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3766 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3767 Examples:
3768
3769 @smallexample
3770 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3771 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3772 @end smallexample
3773
3774 @kindex rwatch
3775 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3776 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3777 by the program.
3778
3779 @kindex awatch
3780 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3781 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3782 or written into by the program.
3783
3784 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3785 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3786 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3787 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3788 @end table
3789
3790 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3791 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3792 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3793 a never-changing value:
3794
3795 @smallexample
3796 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3797 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3798 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3799 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3800 @end smallexample
3801
3802 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3803 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3804 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3805 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3806 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3807 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3808
3809 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3810 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3811 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3812 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3813 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3814 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3815 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3816 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3817
3818 @table @code
3819 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3820 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3821 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3822
3823 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3824 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3825 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3826 @end table
3827
3828 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3829 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3830 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3831
3832 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3833
3834 @smallexample
3835 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3836 @end smallexample
3837
3838 @noindent
3839 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3840
3841 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3842 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3843 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3844 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3845 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3846 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3847 will print a message like this:
3848
3849 @smallexample
3850 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3851 @end smallexample
3852
3853 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3854 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3855 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3856 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3857 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3858 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3859 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3860 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3861
3862 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3863 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3864 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3865 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3866 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3867 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3868
3869 @smallexample
3870 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3871 @end smallexample
3872
3873 @noindent
3874 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3875
3876 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3877 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3878 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3879 expression with separately allocated resources.
3880
3881 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3882 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3883 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3884
3885 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3886 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3887 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3888 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3889 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3890 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3891 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3892 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3893 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3894
3895 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3896 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3897 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3898 watched expression from every thread.
3899
3900 @quotation
3901 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3902 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3903 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3904 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3905 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3906 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3907 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3908 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3909 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3910 @end quotation
3911
3912 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3913
3914 @node Set Catchpoints
3915 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3916 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3917 @cindex exception handlers
3918 @cindex event handling
3919
3920 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3921 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3922 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3923
3924 @table @code
3925 @kindex catch
3926 @item catch @var{event}
3927 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3928 @table @code
3929 @item throw
3930 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3931 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3932
3933 @item catch
3934 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3935
3936 @item exception
3937 @cindex Ada exception catching
3938 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3939 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3940 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3941 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3942 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3943
3944 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3945 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3946 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3947 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3948 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3949 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3950 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3951 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3952
3953 @item exception unhandled
3954 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3955
3956 @item assert
3957 A failed Ada assertion.
3958
3959 @item exec
3960 @cindex break on fork/exec
3961 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3962 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3963
3964 @item syscall
3965 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3966 @cindex break on a system call.
3967 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3968 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3969 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3970 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3971 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3972 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3973 will be caught.
3974
3975 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3976 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3977 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3978 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3979
3980 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3981 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3982 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3983 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3984
3985 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3986 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3987 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3988 available choices.
3989
3990 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3991 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3992 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3993 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3994 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3995 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3996 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3997 behind the OS upgrades).
3998
3999 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4000 arguments to it:
4001
4002 @smallexample
4003 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4004 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4005 (@value{GDBP}) r
4006 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4007
4008 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4009 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4010 (@value{GDBP}) c
4011 Continuing.
4012
4013 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4014 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4015 (@value{GDBP})
4016 @end smallexample
4017
4018 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4019
4020 @smallexample
4021 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4022 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4023 (@value{GDBP}) r
4024 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4025
4026 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4027 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4028 (@value{GDBP}) c
4029 Continuing.
4030
4031 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4032 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4033 (@value{GDBP})
4034 @end smallexample
4035
4036 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4037 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4038 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4039
4040 @smallexample
4041 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4042 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4043 (@value{GDBP}) r
4044 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4045
4046 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4047 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4048 (@value{GDBP}) c
4049 Continuing.
4050
4051 Program exited normally.
4052 (@value{GDBP})
4053 @end smallexample
4054
4055 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4056 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4057 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4058 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4059
4060 @smallexample
4061 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4062 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4063 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4064 (@value{GDBP})
4065 @end smallexample
4066
4067 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4068 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4069 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4070 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4071 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4072 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4073
4074 @smallexample
4075 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4076 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4077 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4078 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4079 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4080 (@value{GDBP})
4081 @end smallexample
4082
4083 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4084
4085 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4086 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4087
4088 @smallexample
4089 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4090 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4091 @end smallexample
4092
4093 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4094
4095 @item fork
4096 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4097 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4098
4099 @item vfork
4100 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4101 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4102
4103 @end table
4104
4105 @item tcatch @var{event}
4106 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4107 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4108
4109 @end table
4110
4111 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4112
4113 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4114 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4115
4116 @itemize @bullet
4117 @item
4118 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4119 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4120 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4121 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4122 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4123 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4124 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4125 disabled within interactive calls.
4126
4127 @item
4128 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4129
4130 @item
4131 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4132 @end itemize
4133
4134 @cindex raise exceptions
4135 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4136 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4137 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4138 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4139 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4140 out where the exception was raised.
4141
4142 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4143 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4144 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4145 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4146
4147 @smallexample
4148 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4149 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4150 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4151 @end smallexample
4152
4153 @noindent
4154 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4155 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4156 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4157
4158 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4159 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4160 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4161 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4162 raised.
4163
4164
4165 @node Delete Breaks
4166 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4167
4168 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4169 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4170 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4171 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4172 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4173 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4174
4175 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4176 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4177 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4178 their breakpoint numbers.
4179
4180 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4181 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4182 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4183
4184 @table @code
4185 @kindex clear
4186 @item clear
4187 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4188 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4189 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4190 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4191
4192 @item clear @var{location}
4193 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4194 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4195 most useful ones are listed below:
4196
4197 @table @code
4198 @item clear @var{function}
4199 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4200 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4201
4202 @item clear @var{linenum}
4203 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4204 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4205 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4206 @end table
4207
4208 @cindex delete breakpoints
4209 @kindex delete
4210 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4211 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4212 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4213 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4214 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4215 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4216 @end table
4217
4218 @node Disabling
4219 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4220
4221 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4222 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4223 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4224 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4225 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4226
4227 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4228 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4229 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4230 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4231 do not know which numbers to use.
4232
4233 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4234 affects all of its locations.
4235
4236 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4237 states of enablement:
4238
4239 @itemize @bullet
4240 @item
4241 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4242 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4243 @item
4244 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4245 @item
4246 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4247 disabled.
4248 @item
4249 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4250 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4251 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4252 @end itemize
4253
4254 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4255 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4256
4257 @table @code
4258 @kindex disable
4259 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4260 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4261 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4262 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4263 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4264 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4265 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4266
4267 @kindex enable
4268 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4270 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4271
4272 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4273 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4274 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4275
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4278 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4279 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4280 @end table
4281
4282 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4283 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4284 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4285 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4286 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4287 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4288 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4289 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4290 Stepping}.)
4291
4292 @node Conditions
4293 @subsection Break Conditions
4294 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4295 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4296
4297 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4298 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4299 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4300 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4301 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4302 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4303 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4304 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4305
4306 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4307 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4308 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4309 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4310 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4311
4312 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4313 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4314 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4315 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4316 one.
4317
4318 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4319 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4320 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4321 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4322 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4323 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4324 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4325 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4326 conditions for the
4327 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4328 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4329
4330 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4331 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4332 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4333 with the @code{condition} command.
4334
4335 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4336 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4337 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4338 catchpoint.
4339
4340 @table @code
4341 @kindex condition
4342 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4343 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4344 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4345 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4346 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4347 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4348 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4349 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4350 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4351 prints an error message:
4352
4353 @smallexample
4354 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4355 @end smallexample
4356
4357 @noindent
4358 @value{GDBN} does
4359 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4360 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4361 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4362
4363 @item condition @var{bnum}
4364 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4365 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4366 @end table
4367
4368 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4369 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4370 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4371 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4372 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4373 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4374 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4375 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4376 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4377 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4378 your program reaches it.
4379
4380 @table @code
4381 @kindex ignore
4382 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4383 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4384 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4385 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4386 takes no action.
4387
4388 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4389 a count of zero.
4390
4391 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4392 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4393 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4394 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4395
4396 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4397 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4398 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4399
4400 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4401 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4402 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4403 Variables}.
4404 @end table
4405
4406 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4407
4408
4409 @node Break Commands
4410 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4411
4412 @cindex breakpoint commands
4413 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4414 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4415 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4416 enable other breakpoints.
4417
4418 @table @code
4419 @kindex commands
4420 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4421 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4422 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4423 @itemx end
4424 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4425 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4426 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4427
4428 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4429 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4430
4431 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4432 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4433 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4434 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4435 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4436 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4437 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4438 Expressions}).
4439 @end table
4440
4441 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4442 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4443
4444 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4445 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4446 that resumes execution.
4447
4448 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4449 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4450 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4451 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4452 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4453
4454 @kindex silent
4455 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4456 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4457 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4458 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4459 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4460 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4461
4462 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4463 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4464 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4465
4466 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4467 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4468
4469 @smallexample
4470 break foo if x>0
4471 commands
4472 silent
4473 printf "x is %d\n",x
4474 cont
4475 end
4476 @end smallexample
4477
4478 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4479 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4480 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4481 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4482 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4483 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4484 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4485
4486 @smallexample
4487 break 403
4488 commands
4489 silent
4490 set x = y + 4
4491 cont
4492 end
4493 @end smallexample
4494
4495 @node Save Breakpoints
4496 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4497
4498 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4499 breakpoints}} command.
4500
4501 @table @code
4502 @kindex save breakpoints
4503 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4504 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4505 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4506 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4507 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4508 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4509 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4510 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4511 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4512 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4513 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4514 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4515 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4516 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4517 that can no longer be recreated.
4518 @end table
4519
4520 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4521 @node Error in Breakpoints
4522 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4523
4524 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4525 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4526
4527 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4528 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4529 @smallexample
4530 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4531 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4532 @end smallexample
4533
4534 @noindent
4535 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4536 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4537 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4538
4539 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4540 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4541
4542 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4543 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4544 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4545
4546 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4547 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4548 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4549 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4550
4551 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4552 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4553 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4554 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4555 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4556 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4557 first in the bundle.
4558
4559 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4560 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4561 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4562 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4563 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4564 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4565 is hit.
4566
4567 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4568 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4569
4570 @smallexample
4571 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4572 @end smallexample
4573
4574 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4575 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4576 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4577 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4578 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4579 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4580 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4581 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4582
4583 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4584 adjusted breakpoints:
4585
4586 @smallexample
4587 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4588 to 0x00010410.
4589 @end smallexample
4590
4591 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4592 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4593 frequently than expected.
4594
4595 @node Continuing and Stepping
4596 @section Continuing and Stepping
4597
4598 @cindex stepping
4599 @cindex continuing
4600 @cindex resuming execution
4601 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4602 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4603 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4604 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4605 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4606 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4607 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4608 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4609
4610 @table @code
4611 @kindex continue
4612 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4613 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4614 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4615 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4616 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4617 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4618 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4619 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4620 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4621 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4622
4623 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4624 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4625 @code{continue} is ignored.
4626
4627 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4628 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4629 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4630 @code{continue}.
4631 @end table
4632
4633 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4634 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4635 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4636 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4637
4638 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4639 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4640 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4641 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4642 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4643 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4644
4645 @table @code
4646 @kindex step
4647 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4648 @item step
4649 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4650 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4651 abbreviated @code{s}.
4652
4653 @quotation
4654 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4655 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4656 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4657 @c distinction here.
4658 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4659 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4660 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4661 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4662 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4663 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4664 below.
4665 @end quotation
4666
4667 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4668 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4669 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4670 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4671 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4672 called within the line.
4673
4674 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4675 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4676 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4677 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4678 was any debugging information about the routine.
4679
4680 @item step @var{count}
4681 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4682 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4683 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4684
4685 @kindex next
4686 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4687 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4688 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4689 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4690 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4691 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4692 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4693 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4694
4695 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4696
4697
4698 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4699 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4700 @c
4701 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4702 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4703 @c function are executed without stopping.
4704
4705 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4706 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4707 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4708
4709 @kindex set step-mode
4710 @item set step-mode
4711 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4712 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4713 @itemx set step-mode on
4714 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4715 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4716 information rather than stepping over it.
4717
4718 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4719 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4720 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4721
4722 @item set step-mode off
4723 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4724 debug information. This is the default.
4725
4726 @item show step-mode
4727 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4728 source line debug information.
4729
4730 @kindex finish
4731 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4732 @item finish
4733 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4734 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4735 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4736
4737 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4738 ,Returning from a Function}).
4739
4740 @kindex until
4741 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4742 @cindex run until specified location
4743 @item until
4744 @itemx u
4745 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4746 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4747 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4748 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4749 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4750 than the address of the jump.
4751
4752 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4753 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4754 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4755 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4756 through the next iteration.
4757
4758 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4759 stack frame.
4760
4761 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4762 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4763 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4764 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4765 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4766
4767 @smallexample
4768 (@value{GDBP}) f
4769 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4770 206 expand_input();
4771 (@value{GDBP}) until
4772 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4773 @end smallexample
4774
4775 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4776 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4777 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4778 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4779 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4780 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4781 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4782
4783 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4784 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4785 argument.
4786
4787 @item until @var{location}
4788 @itemx u @var{location}
4789 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4790 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4791 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4792 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4793 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4794 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4795 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4796 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4797 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4798 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4799 invocations have returned.
4800
4801 @smallexample
4802 94 int factorial (int value)
4803 95 @{
4804 96 if (value > 1) @{
4805 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4806 98 @}
4807 99 return (value);
4808 100 @}
4809 @end smallexample
4810
4811
4812 @kindex advance @var{location}
4813 @itemx advance @var{location}
4814 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4815 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4816 @ref{Specify Location}.
4817 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4818 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4819 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4820 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4821
4822
4823 @kindex stepi
4824 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4825 @item stepi
4826 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4827 @itemx si
4828 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4829
4830 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4831 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4832 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4833 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4834
4835 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4836
4837 @need 750
4838 @kindex nexti
4839 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4840 @item nexti
4841 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4842 @itemx ni
4843 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4844 proceed until the function returns.
4845
4846 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4847 @end table
4848
4849 @node Signals
4850 @section Signals
4851 @cindex signals
4852
4853 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4854 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4855 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4856 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4857 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4858 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4859 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4860 requested an alarm).
4861
4862 @cindex fatal signals
4863 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4864 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4865 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4866 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4867 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4868 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4869
4870 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4871 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4872 signal.
4873
4874 @cindex handling signals
4875 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4876 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4877 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4878 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4879 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4880
4881 @table @code
4882 @kindex info signals
4883 @kindex info handle
4884 @item info signals
4885 @itemx info handle
4886 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4887 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4888 the defined types of signals.
4889
4890 @item info signals @var{sig}
4891 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4892
4893 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4894
4895 @kindex handle
4896 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4897 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4898 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4899 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4900 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4901 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4902 say what change to make.
4903 @end table
4904
4905 @c @group
4906 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4907 Their full names are:
4908
4909 @table @code
4910 @item nostop
4911 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4912 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4913
4914 @item stop
4915 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4916 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4917
4918 @item print
4919 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4920
4921 @item noprint
4922 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4923 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4924
4925 @item pass
4926 @itemx noignore
4927 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4928 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4929 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4930
4931 @item nopass
4932 @itemx ignore
4933 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4934 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4935 @end table
4936 @c @end group
4937
4938 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4939 program until you
4940 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4941 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4942 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4943 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4944 program sees that signal when you continue.
4945
4946 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4947 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4948 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4949 erroneous signals.
4950
4951 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4952 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4953 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4954 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4955 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4956 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4957 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4958 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4959 Program a Signal}.
4960
4961 @cindex extra signal information
4962 @anchor{extra signal information}
4963
4964 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4965 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4966 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4967 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4968 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4969 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4970 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4971 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4972 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4973 system header.
4974
4975 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4976 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4977
4978 @smallexample
4979 @group
4980 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4981 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4982 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4983 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4984 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4985 type = struct @{
4986 int si_signo;
4987 int si_errno;
4988 int si_code;
4989 union @{
4990 int _pad[28];
4991 struct @{...@} _kill;
4992 struct @{...@} _timer;
4993 struct @{...@} _rt;
4994 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4995 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4996 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4997 @} _sifields;
4998 @}
4999 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5000 type = struct @{
5001 void *si_addr;
5002 @}
5003 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5004 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5005 @end group
5006 @end smallexample
5007
5008 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5009
5010 @node Thread Stops
5011 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5012
5013 @cindex stopped threads
5014 @cindex threads, stopped
5015
5016 @cindex continuing threads
5017 @cindex threads, continuing
5018
5019 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5020 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5021 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5022 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5023 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5024 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5025 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5026 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5027 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5028
5029 @menu
5030 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5031 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5032 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5033 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5034 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5035 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5036 @end menu
5037
5038 @node All-Stop Mode
5039 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5040
5041 @cindex all-stop mode
5042
5043 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5044 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5045 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5046 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5047 underfoot.
5048
5049 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5050 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5051 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5052
5053 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5054 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5055 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5056 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5057 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5058 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5059 stops.
5060
5061 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5062 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5063 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5064 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5065
5066 @cindex automatic thread selection
5067 @cindex switching threads automatically
5068 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5069 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5070 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5071 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5072 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5073 thread.
5074
5075 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5076 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5077
5078 @table @code
5079 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5080 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5081 @cindex lock scheduler
5082 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5083 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5084 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5085 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5086 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5087 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5088 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5089 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5090 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5091 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5092 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5093 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5094
5095 @item show scheduler-locking
5096 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5097 @end table
5098
5099 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5100 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5101 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5102 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5103 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5104 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5105 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5106 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5107 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5108 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5109 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5110 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5111 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5112 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5113
5114 @table @code
5115 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5116 @item set schedule-multiple
5117 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5118 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5119 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5120 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5121 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5122 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5123
5124 @item show schedule-multiple
5125 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5126 multiple processes.
5127 @end table
5128
5129 @node Non-Stop Mode
5130 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5131
5132 @cindex non-stop mode
5133
5134 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5135 @c with more details.
5136
5137 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5138 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5139 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5140 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5141 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5142 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5143
5144 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5145 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5146 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5147 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5148 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5149 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5150 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5151 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5152 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5153 independently and simultaneously.
5154
5155 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5156 or attach to your program:
5157
5158 @smallexample
5159 # Enable the async interface.
5160 set target-async 1
5161
5162 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5163 set pagination off
5164
5165 # Finally, turn it on!
5166 set non-stop on
5167 @end smallexample
5168
5169 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5170
5171 @table @code
5172 @kindex set non-stop
5173 @item set non-stop on
5174 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5175 @item set non-stop off
5176 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5177 @kindex show non-stop
5178 @item show non-stop
5179 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5180 @end table
5181
5182 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5183 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5184 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5185 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5186 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5187 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5188 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5189 default.
5190
5191 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5192 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5193 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5194
5195 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5196 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5197 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5198 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5199 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5200
5201 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5202 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5203 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5204 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5205 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5206
5207 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5208
5209 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5210 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5211 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5212 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5213 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5214 previously current thread.
5215
5216 @node Background Execution
5217 @subsection Background Execution
5218
5219 @cindex foreground execution
5220 @cindex background execution
5221 @cindex asynchronous execution
5222 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5223
5224 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5225 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5226 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5227 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5228 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5229 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5230
5231 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5232 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5233 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5234
5235 @table @code
5236 @kindex set target-async
5237 @item set target-async on
5238 Enable asynchronous mode.
5239 @item set target-async off
5240 Disable asynchronous mode.
5241 @kindex show target-async
5242 @item show target-async
5243 Show the current target-async setting.
5244 @end table
5245
5246 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5247 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5248
5249 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5250 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5251 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5252 are:
5253
5254 @table @code
5255 @kindex run&
5256 @item run
5257 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5258
5259 @item attach
5260 @kindex attach&
5261 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5262
5263 @item step
5264 @kindex step&
5265 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5266
5267 @item stepi
5268 @kindex stepi&
5269 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5270
5271 @item next
5272 @kindex next&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5274
5275 @item nexti
5276 @kindex nexti&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5278
5279 @item continue
5280 @kindex continue&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5282
5283 @item finish
5284 @kindex finish&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5286
5287 @item until
5288 @kindex until&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5290
5291 @end table
5292
5293 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5294 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5295 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5296 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5297 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5298 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5299
5300 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5301 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5302
5303 @table @code
5304 @kindex interrupt
5305 @item interrupt
5306 @itemx interrupt -a
5307
5308 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5309 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5310 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5311 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5312 @end table
5313
5314 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5315 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5316
5317 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5318 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5319 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5320
5321 @table @code
5322 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5323 @cindex thread breakpoints
5324 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5325 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5326 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5327 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5328 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5329 specify some source line.
5330
5331 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5332 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5333 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5334 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5335 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5336
5337 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5338 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5339 program.
5340
5341 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5342 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5343 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5344
5345 @smallexample
5346 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5347 @end smallexample
5348
5349 @end table
5350
5351 @node Interrupted System Calls
5352 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5353
5354 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5355 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5356 @cindex premature return from system calls
5357 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5358 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5359 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5360 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5361 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5362 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5363 stop execution.
5364
5365 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5366 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5367 style anyways.
5368
5369 For example, do not write code like this:
5370
5371 @smallexample
5372 sleep (10);
5373 @end smallexample
5374
5375 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5376 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5377
5378 Instead, write this:
5379
5380 @smallexample
5381 int unslept = 10;
5382 while (unslept > 0)
5383 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5384 @end smallexample
5385
5386 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5387 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5388 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5389 @value{GDBN}.
5390
5391 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5392 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5393 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5394 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5395
5396 @node Observer Mode
5397 @subsection Observer Mode
5398
5399 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5400 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5401 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5402 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5403 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5404
5405 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5406 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5407 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5408 mode.
5409
5410 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5411 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5412 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5413 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5414 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5415
5416 @table @code
5417
5418 @kindex observer
5419 @item set observer on
5420 @itemx set observer off
5421 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5422 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5423 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5424 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5425
5426 @item show observer
5427 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5428
5429 @kindex may-write-registers
5430 @item set may-write-registers on
5431 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5432 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5433 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5434 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5435
5436 @item show may-write-registers
5437 Show the current permission to write registers.
5438
5439 @kindex may-write-memory
5440 @item set may-write-memory on
5441 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5442 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5443 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5444 defaults to @code{on}.
5445
5446 @item show may-write-memory
5447 Show the current permission to write memory.
5448
5449 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5450 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5451 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5452 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5453 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5454 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5455
5456 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5457 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5458
5459 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5460 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5461 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5462 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5463 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5464 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5465 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5466
5467 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5468 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5469
5470 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5471 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5472 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5473 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5474 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5475 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5476 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5477
5478 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5480
5481 @kindex may-interrupt
5482 @item set may-interrupt on
5483 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5484 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5485 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5486 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5487 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5488
5489 @item show may-interrupt
5490 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5491
5492 @end table
5493
5494 @node Reverse Execution
5495 @chapter Running programs backward
5496 @cindex reverse execution
5497 @cindex running programs backward
5498
5499 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5500 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5501 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5502 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5503
5504 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5505 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5506 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5507 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5508 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5509 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5510
5511 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5512 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5513 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5514 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5515 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5516 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5517 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5518 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5519 prior values@footnote{
5520 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5521 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5522 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5523
5524 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5525 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5526 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5527 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5528 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5529 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5530 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5531 }.
5532
5533 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5534 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5535
5536 @table @code
5537 @kindex reverse-continue
5538 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5539 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5540 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5541 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5542 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5543 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5544 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5545
5546 @kindex reverse-step
5547 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5548 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5549 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5550 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5551
5552 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5553 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5554 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5555 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5556 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5557 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5558
5559 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5560 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5561
5562 @kindex reverse-stepi
5563 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5564 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5565 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5566 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5567 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5568 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5569 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5570
5571 @kindex reverse-next
5572 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5573 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5574 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5575 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5576 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5577 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5578 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5579 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5580 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5581 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5582
5583 @kindex reverse-nexti
5584 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5585 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5586 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5587 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5588 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5589 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5590 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5591 frame) is reached.
5592
5593 @kindex reverse-finish
5594 @item reverse-finish
5595 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5596 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5597 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5598 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5599
5600 @kindex set exec-direction
5601 @item set exec-direction
5602 Set the direction of target execution.
5603 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5604 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5605 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5606 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5607 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5608 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5609 @item set exec-direction forward
5610 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5611 This is the default.
5612 @end table
5613
5614
5615 @node Process Record and Replay
5616 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5617 @cindex process record and replay
5618 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5619
5620 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5621 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5622 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5623
5624 @cindex replay mode
5625 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5626 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5627 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5628 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5629 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5630 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5631 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5632 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5633 execution log.
5634
5635 @cindex record mode
5636 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5637 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5638 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5639 for future replay.
5640
5641 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5642 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5643 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5644 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5645 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5646 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5647
5648 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5649 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5650 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5651 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5652
5653 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5654 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5655
5656 @table @code
5657 @kindex target record
5658 @kindex record
5659 @kindex rec
5660 @item target record
5661 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5662 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5663 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5664 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5665 the @kbd{target record} command.
5666
5667 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5668
5669 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5670 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5671 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5672 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5673 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5674
5675 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5676 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5677 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5678 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5679 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5680 support these two modes.
5681
5682 @kindex record stop
5683 @kindex rec s
5684 @item record stop
5685 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5686 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5687 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5688
5689 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5690 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5691 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5692 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5693 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5694
5695 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5696 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5697 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5698 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5699 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5700
5701 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5702 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5703
5704 @kindex record save
5705 @item record save @var{filename}
5706 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5707 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5708 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5709
5710 @kindex record restore
5711 @item record restore @var{filename}
5712 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5713 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5714
5715 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5716 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5717 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5718
5719 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5720 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5721 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5722 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5723 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5724 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5725 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5726 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5727
5728 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5729 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5730 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5731
5732 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5733 @item show record insn-number-max
5734 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5735
5736 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5737 @item set record stop-at-limit
5738 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5739 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5740 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5741 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5742 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5743 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5744
5745 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5746 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5747
5748 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5749 @item show record stop-at-limit
5750 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5751
5752 @kindex set record memory-query
5753 @item set record memory-query
5754 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5755 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5756 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5757
5758 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5759 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5760 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5761 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5762 results.
5763
5764 @kindex show record memory-query
5765 @item show record memory-query
5766 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5767
5768 @kindex info record
5769 @item info record
5770 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5771 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5772
5773 @itemize @bullet
5774 @item
5775 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5776 @item
5777 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5778 @item
5779 Highest recorded instruction number.
5780 @item
5781 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5782 @item
5783 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5784 @item
5785 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5786 @end itemize
5787
5788 @kindex record delete
5789 @kindex rec del
5790 @item record delete
5791 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5792 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5793 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5794 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5795 @end table
5796
5797
5798 @node Stack
5799 @chapter Examining the Stack
5800
5801 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5802 stopped and how it got there.
5803
5804 @cindex call stack
5805 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5806 is generated.
5807 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5808 the arguments of the call,
5809 and the local variables of the function being called.
5810 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5811 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5812 stack}.
5813
5814 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5815 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5816
5817 @cindex selected frame
5818 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5819 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5820 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5821 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5822 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5823 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5824
5825 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5826 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5827 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5828
5829 @menu
5830 * Frames:: Stack frames
5831 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5832 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5833 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5834
5835 @end menu
5836
5837 @node Frames
5838 @section Stack Frames
5839
5840 @cindex frame, definition
5841 @cindex stack frame
5842 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5843 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5844 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5845 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5846 which the function is executing.
5847
5848 @cindex initial frame
5849 @cindex outermost frame
5850 @cindex innermost frame
5851 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5852 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5853 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5854 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5855 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5856 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5857 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5858 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5859
5860 @cindex frame pointer
5861 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5862 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5863 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5864 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5865 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5866 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5867
5868 @cindex frame number
5869 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5870 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5871 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5872 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5873 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5874
5875 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5876 @c underflow problems.
5877 @cindex frameless execution
5878 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5879 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5880 @smallexample
5881 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5882 @end smallexample
5883 generates functions without a frame.)
5884 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5885 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5886 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5887 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5888 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5889 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5890 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5891
5892 @table @code
5893 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5894 @cindex current stack frame
5895 @item frame @var{args}
5896 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5897 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5898 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5899 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5900
5901 @kindex select-frame
5902 @cindex selecting frame silently
5903 @item select-frame
5904 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5905 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5906 @code{frame}.
5907 @end table
5908
5909 @node Backtrace
5910 @section Backtraces
5911
5912 @cindex traceback
5913 @cindex call stack traces
5914 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5915 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5916 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5917 stack.
5918
5919 @table @code
5920 @kindex backtrace
5921 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5922 @item backtrace
5923 @itemx bt
5924 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5925 frames in the stack.
5926
5927 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5928 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5929
5930 @item backtrace @var{n}
5931 @itemx bt @var{n}
5932 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5933
5934 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5935 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5936 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5937
5938 @item backtrace full
5939 @itemx bt full
5940 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5941 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5942 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5943 number of frames to print, as described above.
5944 @end table
5945
5946 @kindex where
5947 @kindex info stack
5948 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5949 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5950
5951 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5952 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5953 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5954 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5955 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5956 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5957 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5958 multi-threaded program.
5959
5960 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5961 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5962 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5963 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5964 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5965 line number.
5966
5967 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5968 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5969
5970 @smallexample
5971 @group
5972 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5973 at builtin.c:993
5974 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5975 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5976 at macro.c:71
5977 (More stack frames follow...)
5978 @end group
5979 @end smallexample
5980
5981 @noindent
5982 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5983 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5984 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5985
5986 @noindent
5987 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5988 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5989 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5990 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5991 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5992
5993 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
5994 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5995 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5996 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5997 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5998 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5999 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6000 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6001 such a backtrace might look like:
6002
6003 @smallexample
6004 @group
6005 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6006 at builtin.c:993
6007 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6008 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6009 at macro.c:71
6010 (More stack frames follow...)
6011 @end group
6012 @end smallexample
6013
6014 @noindent
6015 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6016 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6017
6018 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6019 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6020 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6021
6022 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6023 @cindex program entry point
6024 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6025 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6026 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6027 @code{main}@footnote{
6028 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6029 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6030 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6031 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6032 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6033 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6034
6035 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6036 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6037
6038 @table @code
6039 @item set backtrace past-main
6040 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6041 @kindex set backtrace
6042 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6043
6044 @item set backtrace past-main off
6045 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6046 default.
6047
6048 @item show backtrace past-main
6049 @kindex show backtrace
6050 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-entry
6053 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6054 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6055 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6056 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6057
6058 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6059 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6060 application. This is the default.
6061
6062 @item show backtrace past-entry
6063 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6064
6065 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6066 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6067 @cindex backtrace limit
6068 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6069 unlimited.
6070
6071 @item show backtrace limit
6072 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6073 @end table
6074
6075 @node Selection
6076 @section Selecting a Frame
6077
6078 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6079 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6080 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6081 of the stack frame just selected.
6082
6083 @table @code
6084 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6085 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6086 @item frame @var{n}
6087 @itemx f @var{n}
6088 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6089 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6090 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6091 @code{main}.
6092
6093 @item frame @var{addr}
6094 @itemx f @var{addr}
6095 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6096 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6097 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6098 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6099 switches between them.
6100
6101 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6102 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6103
6104 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6105 pointer and a program counter.
6106
6107 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6108 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6109
6110 @kindex up
6111 @item up @var{n}
6112 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6113 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6114 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6115
6116 @kindex down
6117 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6118 @item down @var{n}
6119 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6120 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6121 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6122 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6123 @end table
6124
6125 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6126 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6127 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6128 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6129
6130 @need 1000
6131 For example:
6132
6133 @smallexample
6134 @group
6135 (@value{GDBP}) up
6136 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6137 at env.c:10
6138 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6139 @end group
6140 @end smallexample
6141
6142 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6143 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6144 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6145 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6146 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6147 for details.
6148
6149 @table @code
6150 @kindex down-silently
6151 @kindex up-silently
6152 @item up-silently @var{n}
6153 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6154 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6155 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6156 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6157 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6158 distracting.
6159 @end table
6160
6161 @node Frame Info
6162 @section Information About a Frame
6163
6164 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6165 stack frame.
6166
6167 @table @code
6168 @item frame
6169 @itemx f
6170 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6171 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6172 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6173 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6174 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6175
6176 @kindex info frame
6177 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6178 @item info frame
6179 @itemx info f
6180 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6181 including:
6182
6183 @itemize @bullet
6184 @item
6185 the address of the frame
6186 @item
6187 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6188 @item
6189 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6190 @item
6191 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame's arguments
6194 @item
6195 the address of the frame's local variables
6196 @item
6197 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6198 @item
6199 which registers were saved in the frame
6200 @end itemize
6201
6202 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6203 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6204 the usual conventions.
6205
6206 @item info frame @var{addr}
6207 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6208 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6209 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6210 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6211 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6212 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6213
6214 @kindex info args
6215 @item info args
6216 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6217
6218 @item info locals
6219 @kindex info locals
6220 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6221 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6222 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6223
6224 @kindex info catch
6225 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6226 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6227 @item info catch
6228 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6229 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6230 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6231 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6232 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6233
6234 @end table
6235
6236
6237 @node Source
6238 @chapter Examining Source Files
6239
6240 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6241 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6242 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6243 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6244 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6245 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6246 source files by explicit command.
6247
6248 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6249 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6250 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6251
6252 @menu
6253 * List:: Printing source lines
6254 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6255 * Edit:: Editing source files
6256 * Search:: Searching source files
6257 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6258 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6259 @end menu
6260
6261 @node List
6262 @section Printing Source Lines
6263
6264 @kindex list
6265 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6266 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6267 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6268 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6269 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6270
6271 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6272
6273 @table @code
6274 @item list @var{linenum}
6275 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6276 current source file.
6277
6278 @item list @var{function}
6279 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6280 @var{function}.
6281
6282 @item list
6283 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6284 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6285 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6286 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6287 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6288
6289 @item list -
6290 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6291 @end table
6292
6293 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6294 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6295 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6296
6297 @table @code
6298 @kindex set listsize
6299 @item set listsize @var{count}
6300 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6301 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6302
6303 @kindex show listsize
6304 @item show listsize
6305 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6306 @end table
6307
6308 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6309 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6310 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6311 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6312 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6313
6314 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6315 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6316 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6317 to specify some source line.
6318
6319 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6320
6321 @table @code
6322 @item list @var{linespec}
6323 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6324
6325 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6326 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6327 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6328 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6329 the same source file as the first linespec.
6330
6331 @item list ,@var{last}
6332 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6333
6334 @item list @var{first},
6335 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6336
6337 @item list +
6338 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6339
6340 @item list -
6341 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6342
6343 @item list
6344 As described in the preceding table.
6345 @end table
6346
6347 @node Specify Location
6348 @section Specifying a Location
6349 @cindex specifying location
6350 @cindex linespec
6351
6352 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6353 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6354 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6355 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6356
6357 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6358 @value{GDBN} understands:
6359
6360 @table @code
6361 @item @var{linenum}
6362 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6363
6364 @item -@var{offset}
6365 @itemx +@var{offset}
6366 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6367 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6368 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6369 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6370 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6371 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6372 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6373 linespec.
6374
6375 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6376 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6377
6378 @item @var{function}
6379 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6380 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6381
6382 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6383 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6384
6385 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6386 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6387 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6388 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6389 functions in different source files.
6390
6391 @item @var{label}
6392 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6393 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6394 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6395 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6396 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6397
6398 @item *@var{address}
6399 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6400 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6401 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6402 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6403 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6404 source files.
6405
6406 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6407 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6408 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6409 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6410 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6411 of @var{address}:
6412
6413 @table @code
6414 @item @var{expression}
6415 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6416
6417 @item @var{funcaddr}
6418 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6419 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6420 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6421 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6422 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6423 (although the Pascal form also works).
6424
6425 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6426 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6427
6428 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6429 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6430 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6431 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6432 functions with identical names in different source files.
6433 @end table
6434
6435 @end table
6436
6437
6438 @node Edit
6439 @section Editing Source Files
6440 @cindex editing source files
6441
6442 @kindex edit
6443 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6444 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6445 The editing program of your choice
6446 is invoked with the current line set to
6447 the active line in the program.
6448 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6449 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6450
6451 @table @code
6452 @item edit @var{location}
6453 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6454 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6455 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6456 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6457 command most commonly used:
6458
6459 @table @code
6460 @item edit @var{number}
6461 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6462
6463 @item edit @var{function}
6464 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6465 @end table
6466
6467 @end table
6468
6469 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6470 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6471 @footnote{
6472 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6473 following command-line syntax:
6474 @smallexample
6475 ex +@var{number} file
6476 @end smallexample
6477 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6478 the file where to start editing.}.
6479 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6480 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6481 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6482 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6483 @smallexample
6484 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6485 export EDITOR
6486 gdb @dots{}
6487 @end smallexample
6488 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6489 @smallexample
6490 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6491 gdb @dots{}
6492 @end smallexample
6493
6494 @node Search
6495 @section Searching Source Files
6496 @cindex searching source files
6497
6498 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6499 regular expression.
6500
6501 @table @code
6502 @kindex search
6503 @kindex forward-search
6504 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6505 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6506 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6507 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6508 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6509 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6510 @code{fo}.
6511
6512 @kindex reverse-search
6513 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6514 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6515 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6516 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6517 this command as @code{rev}.
6518 @end table
6519
6520 @node Source Path
6521 @section Specifying Source Directories
6522
6523 @cindex source path
6524 @cindex directories for source files
6525 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6526 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6527 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6528 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6529 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6530 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6531 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6532
6533 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6534 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6535 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6536 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6537 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6538 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6539 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6540 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6541 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6542 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6543 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6544
6545 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6546 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6547 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6548 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6549 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6550 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6551
6552 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6553 source files.
6554
6555 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6556 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6557 each line is in the file.
6558
6559 @kindex directory
6560 @kindex dir
6561 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6562 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6563 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6564
6565 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6566 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6567
6568 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6569 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6570 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6571 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6572 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6573 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6574 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6575 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6576 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6577 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6578 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6579 name to look up the sources.
6580
6581 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6582 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6583 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6584 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6585 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6586 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6587 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6588 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6589
6590 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6591 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6592 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6593 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6594 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6595 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6596 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6597
6598 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6599 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6600 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6601 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6602 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6603 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6604 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6605 command.
6606
6607 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6608 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6609 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6610 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6611 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6612 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6613 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6614
6615 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6616 @cindex default source path substitution
6617 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6618 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6619 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6620 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6621 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6622 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6623 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6624 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6625 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6626 together.
6627
6628 @table @code
6629 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6630 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6631 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6632 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6633 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6634 part of absolute file names) or
6635 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6636 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6637
6638 @kindex cdir
6639 @kindex cwd
6640 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6641 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6642 @cindex compilation directory
6643 @cindex current directory
6644 @cindex working directory
6645 @cindex directory, current
6646 @cindex directory, compilation
6647 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6648 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6649 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6650 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6651 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6652 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6653
6654 @item directory
6655 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6656
6657 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6658 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6659
6660 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6661 @kindex set directories
6662 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6663 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6664
6665 @item show directories
6666 @kindex show directories
6667 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6668
6669 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6670 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6671 @kindex set substitute-path
6672 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6673 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6674 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6675
6676 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6677 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6678
6679 @smallexample
6680 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6681 @end smallexample
6682
6683 @noindent
6684 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6685 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6686 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6687
6688 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6689 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6690 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6691 the substitution.
6692
6693 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6694
6695 @smallexample
6696 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6697 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6698 @end smallexample
6699
6700 @noindent
6701 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6702 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6703 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6704 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6705
6706
6707 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6708 @kindex unset substitute-path
6709 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6710 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6711 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6712
6713 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6714
6715 @item show substitute-path [path]
6716 @kindex show substitute-path
6717 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6718 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6719
6720 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6721 rules.
6722
6723 @end table
6724
6725 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6726 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6727 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6728
6729 @enumerate
6730 @item
6731 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6732
6733 @item
6734 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6735 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6736 directories in one command.
6737 @end enumerate
6738
6739 @node Machine Code
6740 @section Source and Machine Code
6741 @cindex source line and its code address
6742
6743 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6744 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6745 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6746 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6747 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6748 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6749 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6750 well as hex.
6751
6752 @table @code
6753 @kindex info line
6754 @item info line @var{linespec}
6755 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6756 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6757 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6758 @end table
6759
6760 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6761 the object code for the first line of function
6762 @code{m4_changequote}:
6763
6764 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6765 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6766 @smallexample
6767 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6768 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6769 @end smallexample
6770
6771 @noindent
6772 @cindex code address and its source line
6773 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6774 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6775 @smallexample
6776 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6777 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6778 @end smallexample
6779
6780 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6781 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6782 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6783 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6784 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6785 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6786 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6787 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6788 Variables}).
6789
6790 @table @code
6791 @kindex disassemble
6792 @cindex assembly instructions
6793 @cindex instructions, assembly
6794 @cindex machine instructions
6795 @cindex listing machine instructions
6796 @item disassemble
6797 @itemx disassemble /m
6798 @itemx disassemble /r
6799 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6800 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6801 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6802 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6803 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6804 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6805 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6806 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6807 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6808 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6809
6810 @table @code
6811 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6812 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6813 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6814 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6815 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6816 @end table
6817
6818 @noindent
6819 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6820 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6821
6822 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6823 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6824
6825 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6826 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6827 @end table
6828
6829 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6830 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6831
6832 @smallexample
6833 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6834 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6835 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6836 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6837 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6838 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6839 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6840 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6841 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6842 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6843 End of assembler dump.
6844 @end smallexample
6845
6846 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6847 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6848
6849 @smallexample
6850 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6851 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6852 5 @{
6853 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6854 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6855 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6856 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6857 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6858
6859 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6860 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6861 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6862
6863 7 return 0;
6864 8 @}
6865 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6866 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6867 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6868
6869 End of assembler dump.
6870 @end smallexample
6871
6872 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6873
6874 @smallexample
6875 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6876 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6877 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6878 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6879 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6880 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6881 End of assembler dump.
6882 @end smallexample
6883
6884 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6885 mnemonics or other syntax.
6886
6887 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6888 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6889 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6890 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6891 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6892
6893 @table @code
6894 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6895 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6896 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6897 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6898 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6899 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6900
6901 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6902 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6903 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6904 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6905
6906 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6907 @item show disassembly-flavor
6908 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6909 @end table
6910
6911 @table @code
6912 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6913 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6914 @item set disassemble-next-line
6915 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6916 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6917 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6918 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6919 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6920 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6921 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6922 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6923 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6924 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6925 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6926 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6927 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6928 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6929 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6930 instruction.
6931 @end table
6932
6933
6934 @node Data
6935 @chapter Examining Data
6936
6937 @cindex printing data
6938 @cindex examining data
6939 @kindex print
6940 @kindex inspect
6941 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6942 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6943 @c different window or something like that.
6944 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6945 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6946 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6947 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6948 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6949 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6950
6951 @table @code
6952 @item print @var{expr}
6953 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6954 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6955 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6956 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6957 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6958 Formats}.
6959
6960 @item print
6961 @itemx print /@var{f}
6962 @cindex reprint the last value
6963 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6964 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6965 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6966 @end table
6967
6968 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6969 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6970 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6971
6972 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6973 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6974 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6975 Table}.
6976
6977 @menu
6978 * Expressions:: Expressions
6979 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6980 * Variables:: Program variables
6981 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6982 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6983 * Memory:: Examining memory
6984 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6985 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6986 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6987 * Value History:: Value history
6988 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6989 * Registers:: Registers
6990 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6991 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6992 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6993 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6994 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6995 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6996 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6997 character set than GDB does
6998 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6999 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7000 @end menu
7001
7002 @node Expressions
7003 @section Expressions
7004
7005 @cindex expressions
7006 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7007 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7008 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7009 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7010 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7011 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7012 @ref{Compilation}.
7013
7014 @cindex arrays in expressions
7015 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7016 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7017 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7018 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7019 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7020 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7021
7022 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7023 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7024 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7025 languages.
7026
7027 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7028 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7029
7030 @cindex casts, in expressions
7031 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7032 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7033 at that address in memory.
7034 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7035
7036 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7037 to programming languages:
7038
7039 @table @code
7040 @item @@
7041 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7042 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7043
7044 @item ::
7045 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7046 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7047
7048 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7049 @cindex type casting memory
7050 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7051 @cindex casts, to view memory
7052 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7053 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7054 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7055 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7056 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7057 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7058 @end table
7059
7060 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7061 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7062 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7063
7064 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7065 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7066 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7067 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7068 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7069 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7070 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7071
7072 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7073 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7074 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7075 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7076 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7077 as well.
7078
7079 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7080 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7081 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7082 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7083 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7084 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7085 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7086 choices.
7087
7088 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7089 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7090 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7091
7092 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7093 @smallexample
7094 @group
7095 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7096 [0] cancel
7097 [1] all
7098 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7099 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7100 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7101 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7102 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7103 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7104 > 2 4 6
7105 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7106 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7107 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7108 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7109 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7110 breakpoints.
7111 (@value{GDBP})
7112 @end group
7113 @end smallexample
7114
7115 @table @code
7116 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7117 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7118 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7119
7120 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7121 is ambiguous.
7122
7123 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7124 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7125 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7126 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7127 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7128 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7129 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7130 in the use of the menu.
7131
7132 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7133 when an ambiguity is detected.
7134
7135 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7136 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7137
7138 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7139 @item show multiple-symbols
7140 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7141 @end table
7142
7143 @node Variables
7144 @section Program Variables
7145
7146 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7147 in your program.
7148
7149 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7150 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7151
7152 @itemize @bullet
7153 @item
7154 global (or file-static)
7155 @end itemize
7156
7157 @noindent or
7158
7159 @itemize @bullet
7160 @item
7161 visible according to the scope rules of the
7162 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7163 @end itemize
7164
7165 @noindent This means that in the function
7166
7167 @smallexample
7168 foo (a)
7169 int a;
7170 @{
7171 bar (a);
7172 @{
7173 int b = test ();
7174 bar (b);
7175 @}
7176 @}
7177 @end smallexample
7178
7179 @noindent
7180 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7181 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7182 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7183 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7184
7185 @cindex variable name conflict
7186 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7187 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7188 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7189 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7190 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7191 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7192 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7193
7194 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7195 @ifnotinfo
7196 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7197 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7198 @end ifnotinfo
7199 @smallexample
7200 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7201 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7202 @end smallexample
7203
7204 @noindent
7205 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7206 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7207 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7208 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7209
7210 @smallexample
7211 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7212 @end smallexample
7213
7214 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7215 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7216 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7217 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7218 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7219 @c conflict?? --mew
7220
7221 @cindex wrong values
7222 @cindex variable values, wrong
7223 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7224 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7225 @quotation
7226 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7227 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7228 scope, and just before exit.
7229 @end quotation
7230 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7231 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7232 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7233 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7234 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7235 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7236 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7237 variable definitions may be gone.
7238
7239 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7240 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7241 when compiling.
7242
7243 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7244 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7245 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7246 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7247 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7248 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7249 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7250
7251 @smallexample
7252 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7253 @end smallexample
7254
7255 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7256 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7257 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7258 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7259 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7260 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7261 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7262 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7263 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7264 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7265 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7266
7267 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7268 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7269 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7270 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7271
7272 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7273 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7274 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7275 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7276 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7277 For program code
7278
7279 @smallexample
7280 char var0[] = "A";
7281 signed char var1[] = "A";
7282 @end smallexample
7283
7284 You get during debugging
7285 @smallexample
7286 (gdb) print var0
7287 $1 = "A"
7288 (gdb) print var1
7289 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7290 @end smallexample
7291
7292 @node Arrays
7293 @section Artificial Arrays
7294
7295 @cindex artificial array
7296 @cindex arrays
7297 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7298 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7299 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7300 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7301 program.
7302
7303 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7304 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7305 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7306 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7307 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7308 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7309 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7310 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7311 example. If a program says
7312
7313 @smallexample
7314 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7315 @end smallexample
7316
7317 @noindent
7318 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7319
7320 @smallexample
7321 p *array@@len
7322 @end smallexample
7323
7324 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7325 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7326 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7327 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7328 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7329
7330 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7331 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7332 The value need not be in memory:
7333 @smallexample
7334 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7335 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7336 @end smallexample
7337
7338 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7339 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7340 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7341 @smallexample
7342 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7343 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7347 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7348 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7349 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7350 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7351 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7352 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7353 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7354 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7355 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7356
7357 @smallexample
7358 set $i = 0
7359 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7360 @key{RET}
7361 @key{RET}
7362 @dots{}
7363 @end smallexample
7364
7365 @node Output Formats
7366 @section Output Formats
7367
7368 @cindex formatted output
7369 @cindex output formats
7370 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7371 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7372 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7373 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7374 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7375
7376 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7377 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7378 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7379 letters supported are:
7380
7381 @table @code
7382 @item x
7383 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7384 hexadecimal.
7385
7386 @item d
7387 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7388
7389 @item u
7390 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7391
7392 @item o
7393 Print as integer in octal.
7394
7395 @item t
7396 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7397 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7398 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7399 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7400
7401 @item a
7402 @cindex unknown address, locating
7403 @cindex locate address
7404 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7405 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7406 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7407
7408 @smallexample
7409 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7410 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7411 @end smallexample
7412
7413 @noindent
7414 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7415 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7416
7417 @item c
7418 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7419 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7420 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7421 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7422
7423 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7424 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7425 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7426 data.
7427
7428 @item f
7429 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7430 using typical floating point syntax.
7431
7432 @item s
7433 @cindex printing strings
7434 @cindex printing byte arrays
7435 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7436 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7437 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7438 natural types.
7439
7440 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7441 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7442 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7443 array.
7444
7445 @item r
7446 @cindex raw printing
7447 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7448 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7449 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7450 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7451 pretty-printer which might exist.
7452 @end table
7453
7454 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7455
7456 @smallexample
7457 p/x $pc
7458 @end smallexample
7459
7460 @noindent
7461 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7462 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7463
7464 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7465 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7466 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7467
7468 @node Memory
7469 @section Examining Memory
7470
7471 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7472 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7473
7474 @cindex examining memory
7475 @table @code
7476 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7477 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7478 @itemx x @var{addr}
7479 @itemx x
7480 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7481 @end table
7482
7483 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7484 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7485 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7486 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7487 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7488
7489 @table @r
7490 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7491 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7492 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7493 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7494 @c 4.1.2.
7495
7496 @item @var{f}, the display format
7497 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7498 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7499 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7500 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7501 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7502
7503 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7504 The unit size is any of
7505
7506 @table @code
7507 @item b
7508 Bytes.
7509 @item h
7510 Halfwords (two bytes).
7511 @item w
7512 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7513 @item g
7514 Giant words (eight bytes).
7515 @end table
7516
7517 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7518 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7519 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7520 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7521 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7522 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7523 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7524 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7525 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7526 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7527 be altered.
7528
7529 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7530 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7531 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7532 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7533 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7534 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7535 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7536 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7537 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7538 a value from memory).
7539 @end table
7540
7541 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7542 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7543 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7544 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7545 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7546
7547 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7548 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7549 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7550 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7551 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7552
7553 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7554 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7555 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7556 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7557 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7558 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7559 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7560 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7561 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7562
7563 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7564 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7565 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7566 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7567 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7568 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7569 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7570
7571 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7572 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7573
7574 @smallexample
7575 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7576 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7577 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7578 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7579 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7580 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7581 @end smallexample
7582
7583 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7584 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7585 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7586 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7587 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7588 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7589 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7590 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7591 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7592
7593 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7594 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7595 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7596
7597 @cindex remote memory comparison
7598 @cindex verify remote memory image
7599 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7600 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7601 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7602 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7603 situations.
7604
7605 @table @code
7606 @kindex compare-sections
7607 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7608 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7609 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7610 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7611 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7612 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7613 remote request.
7614 @end table
7615
7616 @node Auto Display
7617 @section Automatic Display
7618 @cindex automatic display
7619 @cindex display of expressions
7620
7621 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7622 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7623 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7624 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7625 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7626 The automatic display looks like this:
7627
7628 @smallexample
7629 2: foo = 38
7630 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7631 @end smallexample
7632
7633 @noindent
7634 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7635 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7636 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7637 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7638 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7639 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7640
7641 @table @code
7642 @kindex display
7643 @item display @var{expr}
7644 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7645 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7646
7647 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7648
7649 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7650 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7651 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7652 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7653 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7654
7655 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7656 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7657 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7658 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7659 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7660 @end table
7661
7662 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7663 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7664 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7665
7666 @table @code
7667 @kindex delete display
7668 @kindex undisplay
7669 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7670 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7671 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7672 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7673 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7674 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7675 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7676
7677 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7678 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7679
7680 @kindex disable display
7681 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7682 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7683 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7684 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7685 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7686 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7687 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7688 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7689
7690 @kindex enable display
7691 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7692 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7693 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7694 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7695 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7696 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7697 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7698
7699 @item display
7700 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7701 done when your program stops.
7702
7703 @kindex info display
7704 @item info display
7705 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7706 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7707 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7708 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7709 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7710 @end table
7711
7712 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7713 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7714 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7715 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7716 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7717 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7718 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7719 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7720 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7721 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7722 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7723
7724 @node Print Settings
7725 @section Print Settings
7726
7727 @cindex format options
7728 @cindex print settings
7729 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7730 and symbols are printed.
7731
7732 @noindent
7733 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7734
7735 @table @code
7736 @kindex set print
7737 @item set print address
7738 @itemx set print address on
7739 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7740 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7741 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7742 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7743 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7744 @code{set print address on}:
7745
7746 @smallexample
7747 @group
7748 (@value{GDBP}) f
7749 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7750 at input.c:530
7751 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7752 @end group
7753 @end smallexample
7754
7755 @item set print address off
7756 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7757 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7758
7759 @smallexample
7760 @group
7761 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7762 (@value{GDBP}) f
7763 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7764 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7765 @end group
7766 @end smallexample
7767
7768 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7769 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7770 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7771 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7772
7773 @kindex show print
7774 @item show print address
7775 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7776 @end table
7777
7778 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7779 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7780 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7781 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7782 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7783 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7784 it prints a symbolic address:
7785
7786 @table @code
7787 @item set print symbol-filename on
7788 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7789 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7790 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7791 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7792
7793 @item set print symbol-filename off
7794 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7795 default.
7796
7797 @item show print symbol-filename
7798 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7799 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7800 @end table
7801
7802 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7803 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7804 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7805
7806 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7807 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7808
7809 @table @code
7810 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7811 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7812 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7813 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7814 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7815 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7816
7817 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7818 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7819 symbolic address.
7820 @end table
7821
7822 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7823 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7824 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7825 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7826 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7827 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7828 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7829 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7830
7831 @smallexample
7832 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7833 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7834 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7835 @end smallexample
7836
7837 @quotation
7838 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7839 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7840 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7841 @end quotation
7842
7843 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7844
7845 @table @code
7846 @item set print array
7847 @itemx set print array on
7848 @cindex pretty print arrays
7849 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7850 but uses more space. The default is off.
7851
7852 @item set print array off
7853 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7854
7855 @item show print array
7856 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7857 arrays.
7858
7859 @cindex print array indexes
7860 @item set print array-indexes
7861 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7862 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7863 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7864 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7865
7866 @item set print array-indexes off
7867 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7868
7869 @item show print array-indexes
7870 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7871 arrays.
7872
7873 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7874 @cindex number of array elements to print
7875 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7876 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7877 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7878 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7879 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7880 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7881 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7882
7883 @item show print elements
7884 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7885 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7886
7887 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7888 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7889 @cindex printing frame argument values
7890 @cindex print all frame argument values
7891 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7892 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7893 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7894 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7895 values are:
7896
7897 @table @code
7898 @item all
7899 The values of all arguments are printed.
7900
7901 @item scalars
7902 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7903 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7904 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7905 only scalar arguments are shown:
7906
7907 @smallexample
7908 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7909 at frame-args.c:23
7910 @end smallexample
7911
7912 @item none
7913 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7914 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7915
7916 @smallexample
7917 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7918 at frame-args.c:23
7919 @end smallexample
7920 @end table
7921
7922 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7923 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7924 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7925 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7926 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7927 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7928 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7929 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7930 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7931 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7932
7933 @item show print frame-arguments
7934 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7935
7936 @item set print repeats
7937 @cindex repeated array elements
7938 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7939 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7940 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7941 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7942 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7943 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7944 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7945
7946 @item show print repeats
7947 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7948 elements.
7949
7950 @item set print null-stop
7951 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7952 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7953 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7954 contain only short strings.
7955 The default is off.
7956
7957 @item show print null-stop
7958 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7959 @sc{null} character.
7960
7961 @item set print pretty on
7962 @cindex print structures in indented form
7963 @cindex indentation in structure display
7964 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7965 per line, like this:
7966
7967 @smallexample
7968 @group
7969 $1 = @{
7970 next = 0x0,
7971 flags = @{
7972 sweet = 1,
7973 sour = 1
7974 @},
7975 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7976 @}
7977 @end group
7978 @end smallexample
7979
7980 @item set print pretty off
7981 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7982
7983 @smallexample
7984 @group
7985 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7986 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7987 @end group
7988 @end smallexample
7989
7990 @noindent
7991 This is the default format.
7992
7993 @item show print pretty
7994 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7995
7996 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7997 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7998 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7999 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8000 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8001 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8002 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8003 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8004
8005 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8006 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8007 international character sets, and is the default.
8008
8009 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8010 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8011
8012 @item set print union on
8013 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8014 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8015 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8016
8017 @item set print union off
8018 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8019 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8020 instead.
8021
8022 @item show print union
8023 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8024 structures and other unions.
8025
8026 For example, given the declarations
8027
8028 @smallexample
8029 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8030 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8031 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8032 Bug_forms;
8033
8034 struct thing @{
8035 Species it;
8036 union @{
8037 Tree_forms tree;
8038 Bug_forms bug;
8039 @} form;
8040 @};
8041
8042 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8043 @end smallexample
8044
8045 @noindent
8046 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8047
8048 @smallexample
8049 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8050 @end smallexample
8051
8052 @noindent
8053 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8054
8055 @smallexample
8056 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8057 @end smallexample
8058
8059 @noindent
8060 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8061 and in Pascal.
8062 @end table
8063
8064 @need 1000
8065 @noindent
8066 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8067
8068 @table @code
8069 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8070 @item set print demangle
8071 @itemx set print demangle on
8072 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8073 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8074 linkage. The default is on.
8075
8076 @item show print demangle
8077 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8078
8079 @item set print asm-demangle
8080 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8081 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8082 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8083 The default is off.
8084
8085 @item show print asm-demangle
8086 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8087 or demangled form.
8088
8089 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8090 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8091 @kindex set demangle-style
8092 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8093 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8094 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8095
8096 @table @code
8097 @item auto
8098 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8099
8100 @item gnu
8101 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8102 This is the default.
8103
8104 @item hp
8105 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8106
8107 @item lucid
8108 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8109
8110 @item arm
8111 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8112 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8113 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8114 require further enhancement to permit that.
8115
8116 @end table
8117 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8118
8119 @item show demangle-style
8120 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8121
8122 @item set print object
8123 @itemx set print object on
8124 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8125 @cindex display derived types
8126 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8127 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8128 the virtual function table.
8129
8130 @item set print object off
8131 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8132 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8133
8134 @item show print object
8135 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8136
8137 @item set print static-members
8138 @itemx set print static-members on
8139 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8140 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8141
8142 @item set print static-members off
8143 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8144
8145 @item show print static-members
8146 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8147
8148 @item set print pascal_static-members
8149 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8150 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8151 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8152 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8153
8154 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8155 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8156
8157 @item show print pascal_static-members
8158 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8159
8160 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8161 @item set print vtbl
8162 @itemx set print vtbl on
8163 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8164 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8165 @cindex VTBL display
8166 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8167 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8168 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8169
8170 @item set print vtbl off
8171 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8172
8173 @item show print vtbl
8174 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8175 @end table
8176
8177 @node Pretty Printing
8178 @section Pretty Printing
8179
8180 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8181 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8182 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8183
8184 @menu
8185 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8186 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8187 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8188 @end menu
8189
8190 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8191 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8192
8193 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8194 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8195 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8196
8197 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8198 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8199 pretty-printers with their names.
8200 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8201 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8202 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8203 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8204
8205 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8206 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8207 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8208 do anything special.
8209
8210 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8211
8212 @itemize @bullet
8213 @item
8214 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8215 all inferiors.
8216
8217 @item
8218 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8219 when debugging that program.
8220 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8221
8222 @item
8223 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8224 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8225 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8226 @end itemize
8227
8228 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8229 pretty-printers are selected,
8230
8231 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8232 for new types.
8233
8234 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8235 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8236
8237 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8238
8239 @smallexample
8240 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8241 $1 = @{
8242 static npos = 4294967295,
8243 _M_dataplus = @{
8244 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8245 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8246 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8247 @},
8248 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8249 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8250 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8251 @}
8252 @}
8253 @end smallexample
8254
8255 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8256
8257 @smallexample
8258 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8259 $2 = "abcd"
8260 @end smallexample
8261
8262 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8263 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8264 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8265
8266 @table @code
8267 @kindex info pretty-printer
8268 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8269 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8270 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8271
8272 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8273 whose pretty-printers to list.
8274 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8275 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8276 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8277 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8278 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8279
8280 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8281 to list.
8282
8283 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8284 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8285 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8286 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8287
8288 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8289 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8290 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8291 @end table
8292
8293 Example:
8294
8295 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8296 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8297 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8298 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8299
8300 @smallexample
8301 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8302 library1.so:
8303 foo
8304 library2.so:
8305 bar
8306 bar1
8307 bar2
8308 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8309 library2.so:
8310 bar
8311 bar1
8312 bar2
8313 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8314 1 printer disabled
8315 2 of 3 printers enabled
8316 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8317 library1.so:
8318 foo [disabled]
8319 library2.so:
8320 bar
8321 bar1
8322 bar2
8323 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8324 1 printer disabled
8325 1 of 3 printers enabled
8326 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8327 library1.so:
8328 foo [disabled]
8329 library2.so:
8330 bar
8331 bar1 [disabled]
8332 bar2
8333 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8334 1 printer disabled
8335 0 of 3 printers enabled
8336 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8337 library1.so:
8338 foo [disabled]
8339 library2.so:
8340 bar [disabled]
8341 bar1 [disabled]
8342 bar2
8343 @end smallexample
8344
8345 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8346 as can each individual subprinter.
8347
8348 @node Value History
8349 @section Value History
8350
8351 @cindex value history
8352 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8353 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8354 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8355 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8356 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8357 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8358 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8359 symbol table.
8360
8361 @cindex @code{$}
8362 @cindex @code{$$}
8363 @cindex history number
8364 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8365 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8366 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8367 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8368 history number.
8369
8370 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8371 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8372 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8373 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8374 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8375 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8376 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8377
8378 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8379 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8380
8381 @smallexample
8382 p *$
8383 @end smallexample
8384
8385 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8386 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8387
8388 @smallexample
8389 p *$.next
8390 @end smallexample
8391
8392 @noindent
8393 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8394 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8395
8396 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8397 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8398
8399 @smallexample
8400 print x
8401 set x=5
8402 @end smallexample
8403
8404 @noindent
8405 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8406 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8407
8408 @table @code
8409 @kindex show values
8410 @item show values
8411 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8412 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8413 values} does not change the history.
8414
8415 @item show values @var{n}
8416 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8417
8418 @item show values +
8419 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8420 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8421 @end table
8422
8423 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8424 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8425
8426 @node Convenience Vars
8427 @section Convenience Variables
8428
8429 @cindex convenience variables
8430 @cindex user-defined variables
8431 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8432 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8433 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8434 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8435 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8436
8437 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8438 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8439 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8440 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8441 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8442
8443 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8444 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8445 For example:
8446
8447 @smallexample
8448 set $foo = *object_ptr
8449 @end smallexample
8450
8451 @noindent
8452 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8453 @code{object_ptr}.
8454
8455 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8456 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8457 value with another assignment at any time.
8458
8459 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8460 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8461 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8462 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8463
8464 @table @code
8465 @kindex show convenience
8466 @cindex show all user variables
8467 @item show convenience
8468 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8469 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8470
8471 @kindex init-if-undefined
8472 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8473 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8474 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8475 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8476 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8477 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8478 override default values used in a command script.
8479
8480 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8481 any side-effects do not occur.
8482 @end table
8483
8484 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8485 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8486 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8487
8488 @smallexample
8489 set $i = 0
8490 print bar[$i++]->contents
8491 @end smallexample
8492
8493 @noindent
8494 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8495
8496 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8497 values likely to be useful.
8498
8499 @table @code
8500 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8501 @item $_
8502 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8503 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8504 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8505 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8506 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8507 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8508 to the type of @code{$__}.
8509
8510 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8511 @item $__
8512 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8513 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8514 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8515
8516 @item $_exitcode
8517 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8518 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8519 the program being debugged terminates.
8520
8521 @item $_sdata
8522 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8523 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8524 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8525 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8526 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8527
8528 @item $_siginfo
8529 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8530 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8531 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8532 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8533 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8534
8535 @item $_tlb
8536 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8537 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8538 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8539 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8540 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8541 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8542
8543 @end table
8544
8545 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8546 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8547 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8548
8549 @cindex convenience functions
8550 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8551 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8552 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8553 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8554 @value{GDBN}.
8555
8556 @table @code
8557 @item help function
8558 @kindex help function
8559 @cindex show all convenience functions
8560 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8561 @end table
8562
8563 @node Registers
8564 @section Registers
8565
8566 @cindex registers
8567 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8568 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8569 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8570 your machine.
8571
8572 @table @code
8573 @kindex info registers
8574 @item info registers
8575 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8576 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8577
8578 @kindex info all-registers
8579 @cindex floating point registers
8580 @item info all-registers
8581 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8582 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8583
8584 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8585 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8586 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8587 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8588 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8589 @end table
8590
8591 @cindex stack pointer register
8592 @cindex program counter register
8593 @cindex process status register
8594 @cindex frame pointer register
8595 @cindex standard registers
8596 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8597 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8598 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8599 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8600 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8601 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8602 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8603 you could print the program counter in hex with
8604
8605 @smallexample
8606 p/x $pc
8607 @end smallexample
8608
8609 @noindent
8610 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8611
8612 @smallexample
8613 x/i $pc
8614 @end smallexample
8615
8616 @noindent
8617 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8618 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8619 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8620 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8621 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8622 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8623 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8624
8625 @smallexample
8626 set $sp += 4
8627 @end smallexample
8628
8629 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8630 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8631 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8632 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8633 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8634 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8635 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8636
8637 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8638 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8639 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8640 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8641 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8642 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8643 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8644
8645 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8646 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8647 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8648 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8649 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8650 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8651 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8652 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8653 prints the data in both formats.
8654
8655 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8656 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8657 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8658 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8659 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8660 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8661 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8662
8663 @smallexample
8664 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8665 $1 = @{
8666 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8667 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8668 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8669 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8670 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8671 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8672 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8673 @}
8674 @end smallexample
8675
8676 @noindent
8677 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8678 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8679 value to a @code{struct} member:
8680
8681 @smallexample
8682 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8683 @end smallexample
8684
8685 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8686 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8687 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8688 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8689 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8690 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8691
8692 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8693 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8694 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8695 frame makes no difference.
8696
8697 @node Floating Point Hardware
8698 @section Floating Point Hardware
8699 @cindex floating point
8700
8701 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8702 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8703
8704 @table @code
8705 @kindex info float
8706 @item info float
8707 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8708 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8709 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8710 the ARM and x86 machines.
8711 @end table
8712
8713 @node Vector Unit
8714 @section Vector Unit
8715 @cindex vector unit
8716
8717 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8718 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8719
8720 @table @code
8721 @kindex info vector
8722 @item info vector
8723 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8724 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8725 @end table
8726
8727 @node OS Information
8728 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8729 @cindex OS information
8730
8731 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8732 you debug your program.
8733
8734 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8735 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8736 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8737 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8738 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8739 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8740 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8741 structure.
8742
8743 @table @code
8744 @item info udot
8745 @kindex info udot
8746 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8747 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8748 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8749 the @code{examine} command.
8750 @end table
8751
8752 @cindex auxiliary vector
8753 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8754 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8755 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8756 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8757 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8758 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8759 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8760 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8761 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8762 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8763 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8764 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8765
8766 @table @code
8767 @kindex info auxv
8768 @item info auxv
8769 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8770 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8771 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8772 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8773 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8774 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8775 an unrecognized tag.
8776 @end table
8777
8778 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8779 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8780 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8781 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8782
8783 @table @code
8784 @kindex info os
8785 @item info os
8786 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8787 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8788 report an error.
8789
8790 @kindex info os processes
8791 @item info os processes
8792 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8793 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8794 the command corresponding to the process.
8795 @end table
8796
8797 @node Memory Region Attributes
8798 @section Memory Region Attributes
8799 @cindex memory region attributes
8800
8801 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8802 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8803 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8804 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8805 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8806 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8807 user can override the fetched regions.
8808
8809 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8810 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8811 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8812 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8813 all memory.
8814
8815 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8816 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8817
8818 @table @code
8819 @kindex mem
8820 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8821 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8822 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8823 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8824 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8825 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8826
8827 @item mem auto
8828 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8829 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8830
8831 @kindex delete mem
8832 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8833 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8834 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8835
8836 @kindex disable mem
8837 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8838 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8839 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8840 It may be enabled again later.
8841
8842 @kindex enable mem
8843 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8844 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8845
8846 @kindex info mem
8847 @item info mem
8848 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8849 for each region:
8850
8851 @table @emph
8852 @item Memory Region Number
8853 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8854 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8855 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8856
8857 @item Lo Address
8858 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8859
8860 @item Hi Address
8861 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8862
8863 @item Attributes
8864 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8865 @end table
8866 @end table
8867
8868
8869 @subsection Attributes
8870
8871 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8872 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8873 write accesses to a memory region.
8874
8875 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8876 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8877 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8878
8879 @table @code
8880 @item ro
8881 Memory is read only.
8882 @item wo
8883 Memory is write only.
8884 @item rw
8885 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8886 @end table
8887
8888 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8889 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8890 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8891 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8892 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8893
8894 @table @code
8895 @item 8
8896 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8897 @item 16
8898 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8899 @item 32
8900 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8901 @item 64
8902 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8903 @end table
8904
8905 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8906 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8907 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8908 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8909 @c
8910 @c @table @code
8911 @c @item hwbreak
8912 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8913 @c @item swbreak (default)
8914 @c @end table
8915
8916 @subsubsection Data Cache
8917 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8918 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8919 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8920 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8921 registers.
8922
8923 @table @code
8924 @item cache
8925 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8926 @item nocache
8927 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8928 @end table
8929
8930 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8931 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8932 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8933 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8934 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8935
8936 @table @code
8937 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8938 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8939 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8940 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8941 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8942 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8943 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8944 The default value is @code{on}.
8945 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8946 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8947 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8948 @end table
8949
8950
8951 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8952 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8953 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8954 @c
8955 @c @table @code
8956 @c @item verify
8957 @c @item noverify (default)
8958 @c @end table
8959
8960 @node Dump/Restore Files
8961 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8962 @cindex dump/restore files
8963 @cindex append data to a file
8964 @cindex dump data to a file
8965 @cindex restore data from a file
8966
8967 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8968 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8969 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8970 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8971 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8972 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8973 files.
8974
8975 @table @code
8976
8977 @kindex dump
8978 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8979 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8980 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8981 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8982
8983 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8984 @table @code
8985 @item binary
8986 Raw binary form.
8987 @item ihex
8988 Intel hex format.
8989 @item srec
8990 Motorola S-record format.
8991 @item tekhex
8992 Tektronix Hex format.
8993 @end table
8994
8995 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8996 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8997 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8998 form.
8999
9000 @kindex append
9001 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9002 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9003 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9004 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9005 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9006
9007 @kindex restore
9008 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9009 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9010 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9011 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9012 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9013
9014 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9015 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9016 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9017 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9018 from that location.
9019
9020 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9021 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9022 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9023 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9024
9025 @end table
9026
9027 @node Core File Generation
9028 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9029 @cindex dump core from inferior
9030
9031 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9032 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9033 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9034 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9035 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9036 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9037 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9038
9039 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9040 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9041 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9042
9043 @table @code
9044 @kindex gcore
9045 @kindex generate-core-file
9046 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9047 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9048 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9049 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9050 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9051 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9052
9053 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9054 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9055 @end table
9056
9057 @node Character Sets
9058 @section Character Sets
9059 @cindex character sets
9060 @cindex charset
9061 @cindex translating between character sets
9062 @cindex host character set
9063 @cindex target character set
9064
9065 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9066 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9067 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9068 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9069 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9070 @dfn{target character set}.
9071
9072 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9073 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9074 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9075 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9076 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9077 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9078 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9079 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9080 character and string literals in expressions.
9081
9082 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9083 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9084 target-charset} command, described below.
9085
9086 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9087 support:
9088
9089 @table @code
9090 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9091 @kindex set target-charset
9092 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9093 list of supported target character sets, type
9094 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9095
9096 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9097 @kindex set host-charset
9098 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9099
9100 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9101 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9102 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9103 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9104 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9105
9106 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9107 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9108 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9109
9110 @item set charset @var{charset}
9111 @kindex set charset
9112 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9113 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9114 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9115 for both host and target.
9116
9117 @item show charset
9118 @kindex show charset
9119 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9120
9121 @item show host-charset
9122 @kindex show host-charset
9123 Show the name of the current host character set.
9124
9125 @item show target-charset
9126 @kindex show target-charset
9127 Show the name of the current target character set.
9128
9129 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9130 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9131 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9132 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9133 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9134 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9135
9136 @item show target-wide-charset
9137 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9138 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9139 @end table
9140
9141 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9142 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9143 @file{charset-test.c}:
9144
9145 @smallexample
9146 #include <stdio.h>
9147
9148 char ascii_hello[]
9149 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9150 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9151 char ibm1047_hello[]
9152 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9153 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9154
9155 main ()
9156 @{
9157 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9158 @}
9159 @end smallexample
9160
9161 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9162 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9163 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9164
9165 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9166
9167 @smallexample
9168 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9169 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9170 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9171 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9172 @dots{}
9173 (@value{GDBP})
9174 @end smallexample
9175
9176 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9177 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9178 strings:
9179
9180 @smallexample
9181 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9182 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9183 (@value{GDBP})
9184 @end smallexample
9185
9186 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9187 initial character set:
9188 @smallexample
9189 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9190 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9191 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9192 (@value{GDBP})
9193 @end smallexample
9194
9195 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9196 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9197 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9198 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9199 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9200
9201 @smallexample
9202 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9203 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9204 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9205 $2 = 72 'H'
9206 (@value{GDBP})
9207 @end smallexample
9208
9209 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9210 literals you use in expressions:
9211
9212 @smallexample
9213 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9214 $3 = 43 '+'
9215 (@value{GDBP})
9216 @end smallexample
9217
9218 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9219 character.
9220
9221 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9222 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9223 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9224
9225 @smallexample
9226 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9227 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9228 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9229 $5 = 200 '\310'
9230 (@value{GDBP})
9231 @end smallexample
9232
9233 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9234 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9235
9236 @smallexample
9237 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9238 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9239 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9240 @end smallexample
9241
9242 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9243 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9244 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9245 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9246 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9247
9248 @smallexample
9249 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9250 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9251 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9252 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9253 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9254 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9255 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9256 $7 = 72 '\110'
9257 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9258 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9259 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9260 $9 = 200 'H'
9261 (@value{GDBP})
9262 @end smallexample
9263
9264 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9265 string literals you use in expressions:
9266
9267 @smallexample
9268 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9269 $10 = 78 '+'
9270 (@value{GDBP})
9271 @end smallexample
9272
9273 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9274 character.
9275
9276 @node Caching Remote Data
9277 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9278 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9279
9280 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9281 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9282 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9283 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9284 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9285 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9286 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9287 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9288 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9289 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9290 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9291 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9292 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9293 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9294 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9295
9296 @table @code
9297 @kindex set remotecache
9298 @item set remotecache on
9299 @itemx set remotecache off
9300 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9301 with old scripts.
9302
9303 @kindex show remotecache
9304 @item show remotecache
9305 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9306
9307 @kindex set stack-cache
9308 @item set stack-cache on
9309 @itemx set stack-cache off
9310 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9311 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9312
9313 @kindex show stack-cache
9314 @item show stack-cache
9315 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9316
9317 @kindex info dcache
9318 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9319 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9320 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9321 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9322 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9323 operation.
9324
9325 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9326 printed in hex.
9327 @end table
9328
9329 @node Searching Memory
9330 @section Search Memory
9331 @cindex searching memory
9332
9333 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9334 @code{find} command.
9335
9336 @table @code
9337 @kindex find
9338 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9339 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9340 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9341 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9342 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9343 @end table
9344
9345 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9346 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9347
9348 @table @r
9349 @item @var{s}, search query size
9350 The size of each search query value.
9351
9352 @table @code
9353 @item b
9354 bytes
9355 @item h
9356 halfwords (two bytes)
9357 @item w
9358 words (four bytes)
9359 @item g
9360 giant words (eight bytes)
9361 @end table
9362
9363 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9364 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9365 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9366
9367 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9368 value's type in the current language.
9369 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9370 pattern as a mixture of types.
9371 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9372 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9373 which is typically four bytes.
9374
9375 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9376 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9377 @end table
9378
9379 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9380 (@code{"}).
9381 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9382 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9383
9384 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9385 number of matches found.
9386
9387 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9388 @samp{$_}.
9389 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9390
9391 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9392
9393 @smallexample
9394 void
9395 hello ()
9396 @{
9397 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9398 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9399 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9400 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9401 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9402 @}
9403 @end smallexample
9404
9405 @noindent
9406 you get during debugging:
9407
9408 @smallexample
9409 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9410 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9411 1 pattern found
9412 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9413 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9414 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9415 2 patterns found
9416 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9417 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9418 1 pattern found
9419 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9420 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9421 1 pattern found
9422 (gdb) print $numfound
9423 $1 = 1
9424 (gdb) print $_
9425 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9426 @end smallexample
9427
9428 @node Optimized Code
9429 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9430 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9431 @cindex debugging optimized code
9432
9433 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9434 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9435 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9436 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9437 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9438 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9439 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9440
9441 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9442 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9443 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9444 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9445
9446 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9447 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9448 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9449 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9450 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9451 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9452
9453 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9454 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9455 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9456 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9457 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9458
9459 @menu
9460 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9461 @end menu
9462
9463 @node Inline Functions
9464 @section Inline Functions
9465 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9466
9467 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9468 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9469 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9470 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9471 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9472 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9473 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9474 @code{info frame} command.
9475
9476 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9477 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9478 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9479 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9480 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9481 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9482 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9483 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9484 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9485 local variables in the caller.
9486
9487 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9488 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9489 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9490 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9491 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9492 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9493 instructions are executed.
9494
9495 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9496 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9497 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9498 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9499
9500 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9501 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9502
9503 @itemize @bullet
9504 @item
9505 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9506 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9507 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9508 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9509 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9510 function instead.
9511
9512 @item
9513 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9514 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9515 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9516 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9517 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9518 or inside the inlined function instead.
9519
9520 @item
9521 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9522 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9523 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9524 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9525
9526 @end itemize
9527
9528
9529 @node Macros
9530 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9531
9532 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9533 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9534 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9535 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9536 where it was defined.
9537
9538 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9539 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9540 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9541 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9542
9543 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9544 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9545 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9546 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9547 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9548 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9549 see @ref{List}.
9550
9551 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9552 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9553 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9554
9555 @table @code
9556
9557 @kindex macro expand
9558 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9559 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9560 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9561 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9562 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9563 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9564 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9565 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9566 it can be any string of tokens.
9567
9568 @kindex macro exp1
9569 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9570 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9571 @cindex expand macro once
9572 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9573 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9574 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9575 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9576 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9577 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9578 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9579 can be any string of tokens.
9580
9581 @kindex info macro
9582 @cindex macro definition, showing
9583 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9584 @item info macro @var{macro}
9585 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9586 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9587
9588 @kindex macro define
9589 @cindex user-defined macros
9590 @cindex defining macros interactively
9591 @cindex macros, user-defined
9592 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9593 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9594 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9595 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9596 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9597 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9598 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9599 @var{arglist}.
9600
9601 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9602 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9603 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9604 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9605 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9606
9607 @kindex macro undef
9608 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9609 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9610 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9611 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9612 in the program being debugged.
9613
9614 @kindex macro list
9615 @item macro list
9616 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9617 @end table
9618
9619 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9620 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9621 show our source files:
9622
9623 @smallexample
9624 $ cat sample.c
9625 #include <stdio.h>
9626 #include "sample.h"
9627
9628 #define M 42
9629 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9630
9631 main ()
9632 @{
9633 #define N 28
9634 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9635 #undef N
9636 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9637 #define N 1729
9638 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9639 @}
9640 $ cat sample.h
9641 #define Q <
9642 $
9643 @end smallexample
9644
9645 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9646 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9647 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9648 information.
9649
9650 @smallexample
9651 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9652 $
9653 @end smallexample
9654
9655 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9656
9657 @smallexample
9658 $ gdb -nw sample
9659 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9660 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9661 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9662 (@value{GDBP})
9663 @end smallexample
9664
9665 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9666 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9667 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9668
9669 @smallexample
9670 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9671 3
9672 4 #define M 42
9673 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9674 6
9675 7 main ()
9676 8 @{
9677 9 #define N 28
9678 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9679 11 #undef N
9680 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9681 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9682 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9683 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9684 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9685 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9686 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9687 #define Q <
9688 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9689 expands to: (42 + 1)
9690 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9691 expands to: once (M + 1)
9692 (@value{GDBP})
9693 @end smallexample
9694
9695 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9696 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9697 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9698 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9699
9700 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9701 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9702
9703 @smallexample
9704 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9705 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9706 (@value{GDBP}) run
9707 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9708
9709 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9710 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9711 (@value{GDBP})
9712 @end smallexample
9713
9714 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9715
9716 @smallexample
9717 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9718 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9719 #define N 28
9720 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9721 expands to: 28 < 42
9722 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9723 $1 = 1
9724 (@value{GDBP})
9725 @end smallexample
9726
9727 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9728 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9729 thereof) in force at each point:
9730
9731 @smallexample
9732 (@value{GDBP}) next
9733 Hello, world!
9734 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9735 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9736 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9737 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9738 (@value{GDBP}) next
9739 We're so creative.
9740 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9741 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9742 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9743 #define N 1729
9744 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9745 expands to: 1729 < 42
9746 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9747 $2 = 0
9748 (@value{GDBP})
9749 @end smallexample
9750
9751 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9752 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9753 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9754 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9755
9756 @smallexample
9757 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9758 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9759 -D__STDC__=1
9760 (@value{GDBP})
9761 @end smallexample
9762
9763
9764 @node Tracepoints
9765 @chapter Tracepoints
9766 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9767 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9768
9769 @cindex tracepoints
9770 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9771 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9772 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9773 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9774 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9775 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9776 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9777
9778 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9779 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9780 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9781 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9782 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9783 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9784 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9785 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9786 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9787 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9788 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9789
9790 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9791 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9792 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9793 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9794 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9795 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9796 Packets}.
9797
9798 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9799 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9800 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9801
9802 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9803
9804 @menu
9805 * Set Tracepoints::
9806 * Analyze Collected Data::
9807 * Tracepoint Variables::
9808 * Trace Files::
9809 @end menu
9810
9811 @node Set Tracepoints
9812 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9813
9814 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9815 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9816 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9817 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9818 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9819 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9820 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9821
9822 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9823 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9824 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9825 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9826 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9827 tracepoint was hit.
9828
9829 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9830 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9831 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9832 either.
9833
9834 @cindex fast tracepoints
9835 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9836 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9837 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9838
9839 @cindex static tracepoints
9840 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9841 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9842 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9843 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9844 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9845 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9846 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9847 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9848 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9849 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9850 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9851 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9852 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9853 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
9854 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9855 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9856 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9857 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9858 static tracepoint marker.
9859
9860 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9861 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9862
9863 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9864 conditions and actions.
9865
9866 @menu
9867 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9868 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9869 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9870 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9871 * Trace State Variables::
9872 * Tracepoint Actions::
9873 * Listing Tracepoints::
9874 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9875 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9876 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9877 @end menu
9878
9879 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9880 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9881
9882 @table @code
9883 @cindex set tracepoint
9884 @kindex trace
9885 @item trace @var{location}
9886 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9887 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9888 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9889 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9890 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9891 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9892 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9893 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9894 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9895
9896 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9897
9898 @smallexample
9899 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9900
9901 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9902
9903 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9904
9905 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9906
9907 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9908 @end smallexample
9909
9910 @noindent
9911 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9912
9913 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9914 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9915 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9916 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9917 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9918 information on tracepoint conditions.
9919
9920 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9921 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9922 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9923 @kindex ftrace
9924 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9925 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9926 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9927 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9928 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9929 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9930 message.
9931
9932 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9933 @code{trace}.
9934
9935 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9936 @cindex set static tracepoint
9937 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9938 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9939 @kindex strace
9940 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9941 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9942 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9943 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9944 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9945
9946 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9947 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9948 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9949 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9950 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9951 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9952 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9953 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9954 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9955 tracing engine:
9956
9957 @smallexample
9958 main ()
9959 @{
9960 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9961 @}
9962 @end smallexample
9963
9964 @noindent
9965 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9966 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9967
9968 @smallexample
9969 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9970 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9971 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9972 Data: "str %s"
9973 [etc...]
9974 @end smallexample
9975
9976 @noindent
9977 so you may probe the marker above with:
9978
9979 @smallexample
9980 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9981 @end smallexample
9982
9983 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9984 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9985 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9986 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9987 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9988 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9989 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9990 the @samp{Data:} field.
9991
9992 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9993 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9994 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9995
9996 @vindex $tpnum
9997 @cindex last tracepoint number
9998 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9999 @cindex tracepoint number
10000 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10001 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10002
10003 @kindex delete tracepoint
10004 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10005 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10006 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10007 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10008 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10009
10010 Examples:
10011
10012 @smallexample
10013 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10014
10015 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10016 @end smallexample
10017
10018 @noindent
10019 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10020 @end table
10021
10022 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10023 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10024
10025 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10026
10027 @table @code
10028 @kindex disable tracepoint
10029 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10030 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10031 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10032 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10033 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10034 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10035 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10036 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10037 next trace experiment.
10038
10039 @kindex enable tracepoint
10040 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10041 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10042 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10043 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10044 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10045 next time a trace experiment is run.
10046 @end table
10047
10048 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10049 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10050
10051 @table @code
10052 @kindex passcount
10053 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10054 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10055 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10056 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10057 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10058 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10059 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10060 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10061 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10062 user.
10063
10064 Examples:
10065
10066 @smallexample
10067 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10068 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10069
10070 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10071 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10072 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10073 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10074 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10075 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10076 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10077 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10078 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10079 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10080 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10081 @end smallexample
10082 @end table
10083
10084 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10085 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10086 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10087 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10088
10089 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10090 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10091 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10092 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10093 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10094 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10095 is true.
10096
10097 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10098 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10099 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10100 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10101 just as with breakpoints.
10102
10103 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10104 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10105 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10106 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10107 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10108 accesses, and so forth.
10109
10110 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10111 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10112 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10113 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10114 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10115 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10116 search through.
10117
10118 @smallexample
10119 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10120 @end smallexample
10121
10122 @node Trace State Variables
10123 @subsection Trace State Variables
10124 @cindex trace state variables
10125
10126 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10127 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10128 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10129 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10130 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10131 integers.
10132
10133 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10134 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10135 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10136 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10137
10138 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10139 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10140 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10141 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10142 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10143 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10144 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10145 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10146 variable with the same name.
10147
10148 @table @code
10149
10150 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10151 @kindex tvariable
10152 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10153 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10154 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10155 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10156 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10157 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10158 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10159 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10160 value. The default initial value is 0.
10161
10162 @item info tvariables
10163 @kindex info tvariables
10164 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10165 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10166 currently running.
10167
10168 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10169 @kindex delete tvariable
10170 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10171 are specified.
10172
10173 @end table
10174
10175 @node Tracepoint Actions
10176 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10177
10178 @table @code
10179 @kindex actions
10180 @cindex tracepoint actions
10181 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10182 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10183 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10184 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10185 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10186 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10187 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10188 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10189 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10190 @code{while-stepping}.
10191
10192 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10193 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10194 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10195
10196 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10197 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10198 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10199
10200 @smallexample
10201 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10202
10203 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10204
10205 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10206 @end smallexample
10207
10208 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10209 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10210 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10211 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10212 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10213 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10214 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10215 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10216
10217 @smallexample
10218 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10219 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10220 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10221 > collect bar,baz
10222 > collect $regs
10223 > while-stepping 12
10224 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10225 > end
10226 end
10227 @end smallexample
10228
10229 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10230 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10231 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10232 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10233 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10234 special arguments are supported:
10235
10236 @table @code
10237 @item $regs
10238 Collect all registers.
10239
10240 @item $args
10241 Collect all function arguments.
10242
10243 @item $locals
10244 Collect all local variables.
10245
10246 @item $_sdata
10247 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10248 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10249 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10250 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10251 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10252 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10253 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10254 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10255 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10256
10257 @smallexample
10258 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10259 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10260 @end smallexample
10261
10262 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10263 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10264 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10265 @value{GDBN}.
10266 @end table
10267
10268 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10269 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10270 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10271
10272 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10273 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10274
10275 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10276 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10277 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10278 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10279 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10280 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10281 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10282 action were used.
10283
10284 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10285 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10286 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10287 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10288 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10289 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10290
10291 @smallexample
10292 > while-stepping 12
10293 > collect $regs, myglobal
10294 > end
10295 >
10296 @end smallexample
10297
10298 @noindent
10299 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10300 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10301 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10302 @code{stepping}.
10303
10304 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10305 @kindex set default-collect
10306 @cindex default collection action
10307 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10308 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10309 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10310 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10311 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10312 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10313
10314 @item show default-collect
10315 @kindex show default-collect
10316 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10317 tracepoint hit.
10318
10319 @end table
10320
10321 @node Listing Tracepoints
10322 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10323
10324 @table @code
10325 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10326 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10327 @cindex information about tracepoints
10328 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10329 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10330 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10331 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10332 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10333 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10334
10335 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10336 tracing:
10337
10338 @itemize @bullet
10339 @item
10340 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10341 @end itemize
10342
10343 @smallexample
10344 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10345 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10346 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10347 while-stepping 20
10348 collect globfoo, $regs
10349 end
10350 collect globfoo2
10351 end
10352 pass count 1200
10353 (@value{GDBP})
10354 @end smallexample
10355
10356 @noindent
10357 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10358 @end table
10359
10360 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10361 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10362
10363 @table @code
10364 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10365 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10366 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10367 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10368 program.
10369
10370 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10371
10372 @table @emph
10373 @item Count
10374 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10375 stable identifier.
10376 @item ID
10377 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10378 @item Enabled or Disabled
10379 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10380 that are not enabled.
10381 @item Address
10382 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10383 @item What
10384 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10385 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10386 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10387 will be left blank.
10388 @end table
10389
10390 @noindent
10391 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10392
10393 @table @emph
10394 @item Data
10395 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10396 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10397 marker call.
10398 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10399 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10400 @end table
10401
10402 @smallexample
10403 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10404 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10405 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10406 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10407 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10408 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10409 Data: str %s
10410 (@value{GDBP})
10411 @end smallexample
10412 @end table
10413
10414 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10415 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10416
10417 @table @code
10418 @kindex tstart
10419 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10420 @cindex collected data discarded
10421 @item tstart
10422 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10423 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10424 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10425 experiment.
10426
10427 @kindex tstop
10428 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10429 @item tstop
10430 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10431 stops collecting data.
10432
10433 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10434 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10435 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10436
10437 @kindex tstatus
10438 @cindex status of trace data collection
10439 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10440 @item tstatus
10441 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10442 collection.
10443 @end table
10444
10445 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10446
10447 @smallexample
10448 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10449 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10450 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10451 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10452 > while-stepping 11
10453 > collect $regs
10454 > end
10455 > end
10456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10457 [time passes @dots{}]
10458 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10459 @end smallexample
10460
10461 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
10462 @cindex disconnected tracing
10463 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10464 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10465 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10466 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10467 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10468 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10469 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10470 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10471
10472 @table @code
10473 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10474 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10475 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10476 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10477 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10478 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10479 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10480 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10481
10482 @item show disconnected-tracing
10483 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10484 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10485
10486 @end table
10487
10488 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10489 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10490 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10491 it will continue after reconnection.
10492
10493 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10494 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10495 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10496 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10497 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10498 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10499 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10500 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10501 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10502 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10503
10504 @cindex circular trace buffer
10505 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10506 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10507 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10508 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10509 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10510 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10511 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10512 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10513 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10514 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10515 the next run.
10516
10517 @table @code
10518 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10519 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10520 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10521 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10522 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10523 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10524 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10525
10526 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10527 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10528 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10529 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10530 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10531 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10532
10533 @end table
10534
10535 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10536 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10537
10538 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10539 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10540 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10541 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10542 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10543 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10544 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10545 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10546 mentioned here.
10547
10548 @itemize @bullet
10549
10550 @item
10551 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10552 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10553 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10554 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10555 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10556 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10557 cannot be collected either.
10558
10559 @item
10560 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10561 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10562 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10563 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10564 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10565 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10566 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10567 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10568 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10569 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10570
10571 @item
10572 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10573 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10574 in a misleading way.
10575
10576 @item
10577 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10578 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10579 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10580 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10581 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10582 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10583 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10584 by @code{ptr}.
10585
10586 @item
10587 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10588 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10589 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10590 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10591 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10592 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10593 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10594 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10595 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10596 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10597 invalid address.
10598
10599 @item
10600 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10601 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10602 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10603 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10604 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10605 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10606 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10607 it to zero.
10608
10609 @end itemize
10610
10611 @node Analyze Collected Data
10612 @section Using the Collected Data
10613
10614 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10615 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10616 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10617 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10618 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10619 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10620 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10621 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10622 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10623 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10624 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10625 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10626 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10627 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10628 the buffer will fail.
10629
10630 @menu
10631 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10632 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10633 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10634 @end menu
10635
10636 @node tfind
10637 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10638
10639 @kindex tfind
10640 @cindex select trace snapshot
10641 @cindex find trace snapshot
10642 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10643 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10644 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10645 snapshot is selected.
10646
10647 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10648
10649 @table @code
10650 @item tfind start
10651 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10652 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10653
10654 @item tfind none
10655 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10656
10657 @item tfind end
10658 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10659
10660 @item tfind
10661 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10662
10663 @item tfind -
10664 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10665 retracing earlier steps.
10666
10667 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10668 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10669 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10670 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10671 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10672
10673 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10674 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10675 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10676 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10677 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10678
10679 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10680 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10681 addresses (exclusive).
10682
10683 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10684 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10685 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10686
10687 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10688 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10689 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10690 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10691 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10692 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10693 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10694 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10695 @end table
10696
10697 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10698 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10699 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10700 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10701 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10702 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10703 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10704 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10705 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10706 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10707 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10708 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10709 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10710 tracepoint as the current one.
10711
10712 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10713 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10714 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10715 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10716 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10717
10718 @smallexample
10719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10721 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10722 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10723 > tfind
10724 > end
10725
10726 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10727 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10728 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10729 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10730 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10731 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10732 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10733 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10734 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10735 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10736 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10737 @end smallexample
10738
10739 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10740 the buffer:
10741
10742 @smallexample
10743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10745 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10746 > tfind line
10747 > end
10748
10749 Frame 0, X = 1
10750 Frame 7, X = 2
10751 Frame 13, X = 255
10752 @end smallexample
10753
10754 @node tdump
10755 @subsection @code{tdump}
10756 @kindex tdump
10757 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10758 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10759
10760 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10761 the current trace snapshot.
10762
10763 @smallexample
10764 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10766 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10767 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10768 > end
10769
10770 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10771
10772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10773 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10774 at gdb_test.c:444
10775 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10776
10777 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10778 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10779 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10780 d1 0x18 24
10781 d2 0x80 128
10782 d3 0x33 51
10783 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10784 d5 0x22 34
10785 d6 0xe0 224
10786 d7 0x380035 3670069
10787 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10788 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10789 a2 0x100 256
10790 a3 0x322000 3284992
10791 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10792 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10793 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10794 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10795 ps 0x0 0
10796 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10797 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10798 fpstatus 0x0 0
10799 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10800 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10801 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10802 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10803 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10804 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10805 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10806 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10807 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10808
10809 (@value{GDBP})
10810 @end smallexample
10811
10812 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10813 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10814 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10815 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10816
10817 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10818 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10819 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10820 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10821 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10822 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10823 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10824 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10825 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10826 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10827
10828 @node save tracepoints
10829 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10830 @kindex save tracepoints
10831 @kindex save-tracepoints
10832 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10833
10834 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10835 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10836 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10837 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10838 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10839 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10840
10841 @node Tracepoint Variables
10842 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10843 @cindex tracepoint variables
10844 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10845
10846 @table @code
10847 @vindex $trace_frame
10848 @item (int) $trace_frame
10849 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10850 snapshot is selected.
10851
10852 @vindex $tracepoint
10853 @item (int) $tracepoint
10854 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10855
10856 @vindex $trace_line
10857 @item (int) $trace_line
10858 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10859
10860 @vindex $trace_file
10861 @item (char []) $trace_file
10862 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10863
10864 @vindex $trace_func
10865 @item (char []) $trace_func
10866 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10867 @end table
10868
10869 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10870 use @code{output} instead.
10871
10872 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10873 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10874 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10875 which are managed by the target.
10876
10877 @smallexample
10878 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10879
10880 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10881 > output $trace_file
10882 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10883 > tfind
10884 > end
10885 @end smallexample
10886
10887 @node Trace Files
10888 @section Using Trace Files
10889 @cindex trace files
10890
10891 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10892 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10893 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10894 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10895 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10896
10897 @table @code
10898
10899 @kindex tsave
10900 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10901 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10902 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10903 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10904 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10905 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10906 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10907 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10908 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10909
10910 @kindex target tfile
10911 @kindex tfile
10912 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10913 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10914 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10915 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10916 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10917 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10918 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10919
10920 @end table
10921
10922 @node Overlays
10923 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10924 @cindex overlays
10925
10926 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10927 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10928 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10929 use overlays.
10930
10931 @menu
10932 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10933 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10934 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10935 mapped by asking the inferior.
10936 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10937 @end menu
10938
10939 @node How Overlays Work
10940 @section How Overlays Work
10941 @cindex mapped overlays
10942 @cindex unmapped overlays
10943 @cindex load address, overlay's
10944 @cindex mapped address
10945 @cindex overlay area
10946
10947 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10948 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10949 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10950 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10951 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10952
10953 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10954 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10955 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10956 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10957 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10958 largest overlay as well.
10959
10960 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10961 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10962 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10963 there.
10964
10965 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10966 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10967 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10968
10969 @smallexample
10970 @group
10971 Data Instruction Larger
10972 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10973 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10974 | | | | | |
10975 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10976 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10977 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10978 | and heap | | | | | |
10979 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10980 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10981 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10982 | | | | | |
10983 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10984 address | | | | | |
10985 | overlay | <-' | | |
10986 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10987 | | <---. | | load address
10988 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10989 | | | |
10990 +-----------+ | |
10991 +-----------+
10992 | |
10993 +-----------+
10994
10995 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10996 @end group
10997 @end smallexample
10998
10999 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11000 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11001 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11002 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11003 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11004 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11005 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11006 program and the overlay area.
11007
11008 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11009 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11010 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11011 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11012 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11013 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11014 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11015
11016 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11017 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11018 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11019
11020 @itemize @bullet
11021
11022 @item
11023 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11024 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11025 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11026 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11027
11028 @item
11029 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11030 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11031 your program's performance.
11032
11033 @item
11034 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11035 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11036 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11037 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11038 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11039 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11040 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11041
11042 @item
11043 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11044 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11045 instruction and data spaces.
11046
11047 @end itemize
11048
11049 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11050 improved in many ways:
11051
11052 @itemize @bullet
11053
11054 @item
11055 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11056 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11057 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11058 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11059 area in the usual way.
11060
11061 @item
11062 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11063 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11064
11065 @item
11066 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11067 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11068 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11069 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11070 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11071 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11072 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11073
11074 @end itemize
11075
11076
11077 @node Overlay Commands
11078 @section Overlay Commands
11079
11080 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11081 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11082 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11083 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11084 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11085 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11086
11087 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11088 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11089
11090 @table @code
11091 @item overlay off
11092 @kindex overlay
11093 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11094 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11095 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11096 overlay support is disabled.
11097
11098 @item overlay manual
11099 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11100 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11101 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11102 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11103 commands described below.
11104
11105 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11106 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11107 @cindex map an overlay
11108 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11109 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11110 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11111 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11112 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11113 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11114
11115 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11116 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11117 @cindex unmap an overlay
11118 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11119 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11120 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11121 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11122
11123 @item overlay auto
11124 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11125 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11126 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11127 Overlay Debugging}.
11128
11129 @item overlay load-target
11130 @itemx overlay load
11131 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11132 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11133 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11134 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11135 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11136 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11137
11138 @item overlay list-overlays
11139 @itemx overlay list
11140 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11141 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11142 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11143
11144 @end table
11145
11146 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11147 of the function the address falls in:
11148
11149 @smallexample
11150 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11151 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11152 @end smallexample
11153 @noindent
11154 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11155 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11156 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11157 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11158
11159 @smallexample
11160 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11161 No sections are mapped.
11162 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11163 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11164 @end smallexample
11165 @noindent
11166 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11167 name normally:
11168
11169 @smallexample
11170 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11171 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11172 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11173 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11174 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11175 @end smallexample
11176
11177 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11178 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11179 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11180 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11181 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11182
11183 @itemize @bullet
11184 @item
11185 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11186 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11187 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11188 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11189 @item
11190 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11191 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11192 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11193 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11194 breakpoints properly.
11195 @end itemize
11196
11197
11198 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11199 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11200 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11201
11202 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11203 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11204 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11205 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11206 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11207 current state of the overlays.
11208
11209 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11210 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11211
11212 @table @asis
11213
11214 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11215 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11216
11217 @smallexample
11218 struct
11219 @{
11220 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11221 unsigned long vma;
11222
11223 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11224 unsigned long size;
11225
11226 /* The overlay's load address. */
11227 unsigned long lma;
11228
11229 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11230 zero otherwise. */
11231 unsigned long mapped;
11232 @}
11233 @end smallexample
11234
11235 @item @code{_novlys}:
11236 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11237 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11238
11239 @end table
11240
11241 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11242 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11243 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11244 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11245 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11246 currently mapped.
11247
11248 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11249 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11250 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11251 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11252 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11253 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11254 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11255 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11256 are not being executed.
11257
11258 @node Overlay Sample Program
11259 @section Overlay Sample Program
11260 @cindex overlay example program
11261
11262 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11263 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11264 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11265 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11266 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11267 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11268 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11269
11270 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11271 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11272 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11273 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11274
11275 @table @file
11276 @item overlays.c
11277 The main program file.
11278 @item ovlymgr.c
11279 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11280 @item foo.c
11281 @itemx bar.c
11282 @itemx baz.c
11283 @itemx grbx.c
11284 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11285 @item d10v.ld
11286 @itemx m32r.ld
11287 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11288 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11289 @end table
11290
11291 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11292 cross-compiler like this:
11293
11294 @smallexample
11295 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11296 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11297 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11298 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11299 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11300 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11301 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11302 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11303 @end smallexample
11304
11305 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11306 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11307 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11308
11309
11310 @node Languages
11311 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11312 @cindex languages
11313
11314 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11315 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11316 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11317 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11318 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11319 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11320
11321 @cindex working language
11322 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11323 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11324 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11325 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11326 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11327 language}.
11328
11329 @menu
11330 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11331 * Show:: Displaying the language
11332 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11333 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11334 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11335 @end menu
11336
11337 @node Setting
11338 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11339
11340 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11341 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11342 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11343 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11344 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11345 are printed, etc.
11346
11347 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11348 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11349 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11350 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11351 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11352 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11353 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11354 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11355 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11356 Displaying the Language}.
11357
11358 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11359 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11360 another language. In that case, make the
11361 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11362 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11363 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11364
11365 @menu
11366 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11367 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11368 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11369 @end menu
11370
11371 @node Filenames
11372 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11373
11374 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11375 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11376
11377 @table @file
11378 @item .ada
11379 @itemx .ads
11380 @itemx .adb
11381 @itemx .a
11382 Ada source file.
11383
11384 @item .c
11385 C source file
11386
11387 @item .C
11388 @itemx .cc
11389 @itemx .cp
11390 @itemx .cpp
11391 @itemx .cxx
11392 @itemx .c++
11393 C@t{++} source file
11394
11395 @item .d
11396 D source file
11397
11398 @item .m
11399 Objective-C source file
11400
11401 @item .f
11402 @itemx .F
11403 Fortran source file
11404
11405 @item .mod
11406 Modula-2 source file
11407
11408 @item .s
11409 @itemx .S
11410 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11411 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11412 @end table
11413
11414 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11415 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11416
11417 @node Manually
11418 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11419
11420 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11421 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11422 your program.
11423
11424 @kindex set language
11425 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11426 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11427 a language, such as
11428 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11429 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11430
11431 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11432 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11433 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11434 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11435 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11436 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11437 command such as:
11438
11439 @smallexample
11440 print a = b + c
11441 @end smallexample
11442
11443 @noindent
11444 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11445 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11446 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11447 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11448
11449 @node Automatically
11450 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11451
11452 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11453 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11454 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11455 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11456 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11457 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11458 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11459 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11460 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11461
11462 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11463 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11464 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11465 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11466 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11467
11468 @node Show
11469 @section Displaying the Language
11470
11471 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11472 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11473
11474 @table @code
11475 @item show language
11476 @kindex show language
11477 Display the current working language. This is the
11478 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11479 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11480
11481 @item info frame
11482 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11483 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11484 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11485 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11486 information listed here.
11487
11488 @item info source
11489 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11490 Display the source language of this source file.
11491 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11492 information listed here.
11493 @end table
11494
11495 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11496 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11497 with a language explicitly:
11498
11499 @table @code
11500 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11501 @kindex set extension-language
11502 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11503 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11504
11505 @item info extensions
11506 @kindex info extensions
11507 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11508 @end table
11509
11510 @node Checks
11511 @section Type and Range Checking
11512
11513 @quotation
11514 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11515 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11516 section documents the intended facilities.
11517 @end quotation
11518 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11519
11520 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11521 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11522 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11523 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11524 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11525 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11526 errors when your program is running.
11527
11528 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11529 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11530 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11531 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11532 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11533 automatically based on your program's source language.
11534 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11535 settings of supported languages.
11536
11537 @menu
11538 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11539 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11540 @end menu
11541
11542 @cindex type checking
11543 @cindex checks, type
11544 @node Type Checking
11545 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11546
11547 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11548 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11549 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11550 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11551
11552 @smallexample
11553 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11554 @exdent but
11555 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11556 @end smallexample
11557
11558 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11559 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11560
11561 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11562 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11563 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11564 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11565 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11566 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11567 also issues a warning.
11568
11569 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11570 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11571 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11572 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11573 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11574 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11575
11576 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11577 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11578 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11579 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11580 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11581 details on specific languages.
11582
11583 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11584
11585 @kindex set check type
11586 @kindex show check type
11587 @table @code
11588 @item set check type auto
11589 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11590 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11591 each language.
11592
11593 @item set check type on
11594 @itemx set check type off
11595 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11596 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11597 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11598 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11599 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11600
11601 @item set check type warn
11602 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11603 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11604 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11605 numbers and structures.
11606
11607 @item show type
11608 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11609 is setting it automatically.
11610 @end table
11611
11612 @cindex range checking
11613 @cindex checks, range
11614 @node Range Checking
11615 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11616
11617 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11618 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11619 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11620 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11621 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11622
11623 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11624 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11625 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11626 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11627
11628 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11629 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11630 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11631 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11632 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11633 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11634
11635 @smallexample
11636 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11637 @end smallexample
11638
11639 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11640 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11641 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11642
11643 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11644
11645 @kindex set check range
11646 @kindex show check range
11647 @table @code
11648 @item set check range auto
11649 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11650 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11651 each language.
11652
11653 @item set check range on
11654 @itemx set check range off
11655 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11656 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11657 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11658 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11659
11660 @item set check range warn
11661 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11662 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11663 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11664 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11665 systems).
11666
11667 @item show range
11668 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11669 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11670 @end table
11671
11672 @node Supported Languages
11673 @section Supported Languages
11674
11675 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11676 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11677 @c This is false ...
11678 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11679 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11680 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11681 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11682 language.
11683
11684 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11685 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11686 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11687 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11688 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11689 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11690 language reference or tutorial.
11691
11692 @menu
11693 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11694 * D:: D
11695 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11696 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11697 * Fortran:: Fortran
11698 * Pascal:: Pascal
11699 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11700 * Ada:: Ada
11701 @end menu
11702
11703 @node C
11704 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11705
11706 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11707 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11708
11709 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11710 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11711 together.
11712
11713 @cindex C@t{++}
11714 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11715 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11716 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11717 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11718 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11719 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11720 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11721
11722 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11723 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11724 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11725 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11726 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11727 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11728
11729 @menu
11730 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11731 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11732 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11733 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11734 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11735 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11736 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11737 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11738 @end menu
11739
11740 @node C Operators
11741 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11742
11743 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11744
11745 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11746 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11747 often defined on groups of types.
11748
11749 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11750
11751 @itemize @bullet
11752
11753 @item
11754 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11755 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11756
11757 @item
11758 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11759 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11760
11761 @item
11762 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11763
11764 @item
11765 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11766
11767 @end itemize
11768
11769 @noindent
11770 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11771 in order of increasing precedence:
11772
11773 @table @code
11774 @item ,
11775 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11776 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11777 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11778
11779 @item =
11780 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11781 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11782
11783 @item @var{op}=
11784 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11785 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11786 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11787 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11788 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11789
11790 @item ?:
11791 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11792 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11793 integral type.
11794
11795 @item ||
11796 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11797
11798 @item &&
11799 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11800
11801 @item |
11802 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11803
11804 @item ^
11805 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11806
11807 @item &
11808 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11809
11810 @item ==@r{, }!=
11811 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11812 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11813
11814 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11815 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11816 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11817 and non-zero for true.
11818
11819 @item <<@r{, }>>
11820 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11821
11822 @item @@
11823 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11824
11825 @item +@r{, }-
11826 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11827 pointer types.
11828
11829 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11830 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11831 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11832 integral types.
11833
11834 @item ++@r{, }--
11835 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11836 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11837 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11838 operation takes place.
11839
11840 @item *
11841 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11842 @code{++}.
11843
11844 @item &
11845 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11846
11847 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11848 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11849 to examine the address
11850 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11851 stored.
11852
11853 @item -
11854 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11855 precedence as @code{++}.
11856
11857 @item !
11858 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11859 @code{++}.
11860
11861 @item ~
11862 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11863 @code{++}.
11864
11865
11866 @item .@r{, }->
11867 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11868 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11869 pointer based on the stored type information.
11870 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11871
11872 @item .*@r{, }->*
11873 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11874
11875 @item []
11876 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11877 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11878
11879 @item ()
11880 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11881
11882 @item ::
11883 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11884 and @code{class} types.
11885
11886 @item ::
11887 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11888 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11889 above.
11890 @end table
11891
11892 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11893 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11894 predefined meaning.
11895
11896 @node C Constants
11897 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11898
11899 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11900
11901 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11902 following ways:
11903
11904 @itemize @bullet
11905 @item
11906 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11907 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11908 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11909 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11910 @code{long} value.
11911
11912 @item
11913 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11914 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11915 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11916 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11917 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11918 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11919 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11920 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11921 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11922 constant.
11923
11924 @item
11925 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11926 integral equivalents.
11927
11928 @item
11929 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11930 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11931 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11932 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11933 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11934 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11935 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11936 @samp{\n} for newline.
11937
11938 @item
11939 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11940 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11941 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11942 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11943 characters.
11944
11945 @item
11946 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11947 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11948
11949 @item
11950 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11951 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11952 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11953 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11954 @end itemize
11955
11956 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11957 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11958
11959 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11960 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11961
11962 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11963 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11964 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11965 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11966 @quotation
11967 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11968 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11969 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11970 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11971 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11972 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11973 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11974 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11975 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11976 C@t{++} code.
11977 @end quotation
11978
11979 @enumerate
11980
11981 @cindex member functions
11982 @item
11983 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11984
11985 @smallexample
11986 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11987 @end smallexample
11988
11989 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11990 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11991 @item
11992 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11993 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11994 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11995 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11996
11997 @cindex call overloaded functions
11998 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11999 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12000 @item
12001 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12002 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12003 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12004 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12005 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12006 default arguments.
12007
12008 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12009 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12010 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12011 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12012 number of function arguments.
12013
12014 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12015 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12016 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12017
12018 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12019 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12020 @smallexample
12021 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12022 @end smallexample
12023
12024 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12025 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12026
12027 @cindex reference declarations
12028 @item
12029 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12030 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12031 dereferenced.
12032
12033 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12034 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12035 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12036 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12037 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12038
12039 @item
12040 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12041 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12042 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12043 necessary, for example in an expression like
12044 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12045 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12046 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12047 @end enumerate
12048
12049 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12050 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12051 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12052 invoking user-defined operators.
12053
12054 @node C Defaults
12055 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12056
12057 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12058
12059 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12060 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12061 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12062 selects the working language.
12063
12064 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12065 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12066 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12067 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12068 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12069 for further details.
12070
12071 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12072 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12073 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12074
12075 @node C Checks
12076 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12077
12078 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12079
12080 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12081 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12082 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12083
12084 @itemize @bullet
12085 @item
12086 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12087 enumerated tag.
12088
12089 @item
12090 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12091 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12092
12093 @ignore
12094 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12095 @c FIXME--beers?
12096 @item
12097 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12098 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12099 compilers.)
12100 @end ignore
12101 @end itemize
12102
12103 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12104 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12105 that is not itself an array.
12106
12107 @node Debugging C
12108 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12109
12110 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12111 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12112 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12113 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12114
12115 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12116 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12117 ,Expressions}.
12118
12119 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12120 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12121
12122 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12123
12124 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12125 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12126
12127 @table @code
12128 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12129 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12130 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12131 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12132 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12133 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12134
12135 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12136 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12137 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12138 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12139 classes.
12140 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12141
12142 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12143 @item catch throw
12144 @itemx catch catch
12145 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12146 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12147
12148 @cindex inheritance
12149 @item ptype @var{typename}
12150 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12151 @var{typename}.
12152 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12153
12154 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12155 @item set print demangle
12156 @itemx show print demangle
12157 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12158 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12159 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12160 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12161 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12162
12163 @item set print object
12164 @itemx show print object
12165 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12166 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12167
12168 @item set print vtbl
12169 @itemx show print vtbl
12170 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12171 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12172 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12173 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12174
12175 @kindex set overload-resolution
12176 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12177 @item set overload-resolution on
12178 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12179 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12180 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12181 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12182 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12183 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12184
12185 @item set overload-resolution off
12186 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12187 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12188 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12189 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12190 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12191 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12192 argument types.
12193
12194 @kindex show overload-resolution
12195 @item show overload-resolution
12196 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12197
12198 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12199 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12200 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12201 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12202 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12203 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12204 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12205 @end table
12206
12207 @node Decimal Floating Point
12208 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12209 @cindex decimal floating point format
12210
12211 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12212 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12213 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12214 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12215
12216 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12217 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12218 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12219 target.
12220
12221 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12222 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12223 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12224
12225 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12226 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12227 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12228
12229 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12230 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12231 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12232
12233 @node D
12234 @subsection D
12235
12236 @cindex D
12237 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12238 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12239 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12240
12241 @node Objective-C
12242 @subsection Objective-C
12243
12244 @cindex Objective-C
12245 This section provides information about some commands and command
12246 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12247 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12248 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12249
12250 @menu
12251 * Method Names in Commands::
12252 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12253 @end menu
12254
12255 @node Method Names in Commands
12256 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12257
12258 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12259 names as line specifications:
12260
12261 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12262 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12263 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12264 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12265 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12266 @itemize
12267 @item @code{clear}
12268 @item @code{break}
12269 @item @code{info line}
12270 @item @code{jump}
12271 @item @code{list}
12272 @end itemize
12273
12274 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12275
12276 @smallexample
12277 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12278 @end smallexample
12279
12280 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12281 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12282 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12283 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12284 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12285 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12286 debugged, enter:
12287
12288 @smallexample
12289 break -[Fruit create]
12290 @end smallexample
12291
12292 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12293 enter:
12294
12295 @smallexample
12296 list +[NSText initialize]
12297 @end smallexample
12298
12299 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12300 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12301 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12302 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12303
12304 @smallexample
12305 break create
12306 @end smallexample
12307
12308 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12309 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12310 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12311 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12312 none apply.
12313
12314 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12315 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12316
12317 @smallexample
12318 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12319 @end smallexample
12320
12321 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12322 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12323 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12324 @kindex print-object
12325 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12326
12327 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12328
12329 @smallexample
12330 print -[@var{object} hash]
12331 @end smallexample
12332
12333 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12334 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12335 @noindent
12336 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12337 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12338 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12339 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12340 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12341 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12342
12343 @node OpenCL C
12344 @subsection OpenCL C
12345
12346 @cindex OpenCL C
12347 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12348
12349 @menu
12350 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12351 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12352 * OpenCL C Operators::
12353 @end menu
12354
12355 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12356 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12357
12358 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12359 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12360 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12361 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12362 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12363
12364 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12365 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12366
12367 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12368 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12369 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12370 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12371
12372 @node OpenCL C Operators
12373 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12374
12375 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12376 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12377 vector data types.
12378
12379 @node Fortran
12380 @subsection Fortran
12381 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12382
12383 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12384 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12385
12386 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12387 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12388 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12389 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12390 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12391 underscore.
12392
12393 @menu
12394 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12395 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12396 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12397 @end menu
12398
12399 @node Fortran Operators
12400 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12401
12402 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12403
12404 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12405 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12406 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12407
12408 @table @code
12409 @item **
12410 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12411 of the second one.
12412
12413 @item :
12414 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12415 represent a section of array.
12416
12417 @item %
12418 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12419 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12420 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12421 union type.
12422 @end table
12423
12424 @node Fortran Defaults
12425 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12426
12427 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12428
12429 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12430 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12431 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12432 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12433
12434 @node Special Fortran Commands
12435 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12436
12437 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12438
12439 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12440 such as displaying common blocks.
12441
12442 @table @code
12443 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12444 @kindex info common
12445 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12446 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12447 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12448 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12449 printed.
12450 @end table
12451
12452 @node Pascal
12453 @subsection Pascal
12454
12455 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12456 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12457 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12458 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12459 syntax.
12460
12461 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12462 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12463 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12464
12465 @node Modula-2
12466 @subsection Modula-2
12467
12468 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12469
12470 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12471 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12472 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12473 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12474 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12475 table.
12476
12477 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12478 @menu
12479 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12480 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12481 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12482 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12483 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12484 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12485 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12486 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12487 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12488 @end menu
12489
12490 @node M2 Operators
12491 @subsubsection Operators
12492 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12493
12494 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12495 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12496 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12497 following definitions hold:
12498
12499 @itemize @bullet
12500
12501 @item
12502 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12503 their subranges.
12504
12505 @item
12506 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12507
12508 @item
12509 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12510
12511 @item
12512 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12513 @var{type}}.
12514
12515 @item
12516 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12517
12518 @item
12519 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12520
12521 @item
12522 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12523 @end itemize
12524
12525 @noindent
12526 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12527 increasing precedence:
12528
12529 @table @code
12530 @item ,
12531 Function argument or array index separator.
12532
12533 @item :=
12534 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12535 @var{value}.
12536
12537 @item <@r{, }>
12538 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12539 types.
12540
12541 @item <=@r{, }>=
12542 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12543 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12544 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12545
12546 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12547 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12548 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12549 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12550 comment character.
12551
12552 @item IN
12553 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12554 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12555
12556 @item OR
12557 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12558
12559 @item AND@r{, }&
12560 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12561
12562 @item @@
12563 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12564
12565 @item +@r{, }-
12566 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12567 and difference on set types.
12568
12569 @item *
12570 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12571 on set types.
12572
12573 @item /
12574 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12575 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12576
12577 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12578 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12579 precedence as @code{*}.
12580
12581 @item -
12582 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12583
12584 @item ^
12585 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12586
12587 @item NOT
12588 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12589 @code{^}.
12590
12591 @item .
12592 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12593 precedence as @code{^}.
12594
12595 @item []
12596 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12597
12598 @item ()
12599 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12600 as @code{^}.
12601
12602 @item ::@r{, }.
12603 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12604 @end table
12605
12606 @quotation
12607 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12608 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12609 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12610 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12611 @end quotation
12612
12613
12614 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12615 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12616 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12617
12618 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12619 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12620
12621 @table @var
12622
12623 @item a
12624 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12625
12626 @item c
12627 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12628
12629 @item i
12630 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12631
12632 @item m
12633 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12634 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12635 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12636
12637 @item n
12638 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12639
12640 @item r
12641 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12642
12643 @item t
12644 represents a type.
12645
12646 @item v
12647 represents a variable.
12648
12649 @item x
12650 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12651 explanation of the function for details.
12652 @end table
12653
12654 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12655
12656 @table @code
12657 @item ABS(@var{n})
12658 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12659
12660 @item CAP(@var{c})
12661 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12662 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12663
12664 @item CHR(@var{i})
12665 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12666
12667 @item DEC(@var{v})
12668 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12669
12670 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12671 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12672 new value.
12673
12674 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12675 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12676 set.
12677
12678 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12679 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12680
12681 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12682 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12683
12684 @item INC(@var{v})
12685 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12686
12687 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12688 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12689 new value.
12690
12691 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12692 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12693 there. Returns the new set.
12694
12695 @item MAX(@var{t})
12696 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12697
12698 @item MIN(@var{t})
12699 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12700
12701 @item ODD(@var{i})
12702 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12703
12704 @item ORD(@var{x})
12705 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12706 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12707 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12708 integral, character and enumerated types.
12709
12710 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12711 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12712
12713 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12714 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12715
12716 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12717 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12718
12719 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12720 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12721 @end table
12722
12723 @quotation
12724 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12725 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12726 an error.
12727 @end quotation
12728
12729 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12730 @node M2 Constants
12731 @subsubsection Constants
12732
12733 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12734 ways:
12735
12736 @itemize @bullet
12737
12738 @item
12739 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12740 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12741 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12742 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12743
12744 @item
12745 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12746 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12747 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12748 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12749 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12750 digits.
12751
12752 @item
12753 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12754 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12755 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12756 followed by a @samp{C}.
12757
12758 @item
12759 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12760 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12761 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12762 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12763 sequences.
12764
12765 @item
12766 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12767
12768 @item
12769 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12770 @code{FALSE}.
12771
12772 @item
12773 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12774
12775 @item
12776 Set constants are not yet supported.
12777 @end itemize
12778
12779 @node M2 Types
12780 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12781 @cindex Modula-2 types
12782
12783 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12784 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12785 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12786 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12787 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12788 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12789
12790 The first example contains the following section of code:
12791
12792 @smallexample
12793 VAR
12794 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12795 r: [20..40] ;
12796 @end smallexample
12797
12798 @noindent
12799 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12800 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12801
12802 @smallexample
12803 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12804 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12805 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12806 SET OF CHAR
12807 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12808 21
12809 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12810 [20..40]
12811 @end smallexample
12812
12813 @noindent
12814 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12815
12816 @smallexample
12817 VAR
12818 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12819 @end smallexample
12820
12821 @noindent
12822 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12823
12824 @smallexample
12825 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12826 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12827 @end smallexample
12828
12829 @noindent
12830 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12831 expressions using the debugger.
12832
12833 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12834 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12835
12836 @smallexample
12837 VAR
12838 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12839 @end smallexample
12840
12841 @smallexample
12842 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12843 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12844 @end smallexample
12845
12846 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12847 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12848 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12849 above.
12850
12851 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12852
12853 @smallexample
12854 TYPE
12855 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12856 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12857 VAR
12858 s: t ;
12859 BEGIN
12860 s := blue ;
12861 @end smallexample
12862
12863 @noindent
12864 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12865 and value of a variable.
12866
12867 @smallexample
12868 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12869 $1 = blue
12870 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12871 type = [blue..yellow]
12872 @end smallexample
12873
12874 @noindent
12875 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12876 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12877 their @code{C} counterparts.
12878
12879 @smallexample
12880 VAR
12881 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12882 BEGIN
12883 s[1] := 1 ;
12884 @end smallexample
12885
12886 @smallexample
12887 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12888 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12889 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12890 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12891 @end smallexample
12892
12893 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12894 pointer types as shown in this example:
12895
12896 @smallexample
12897 VAR
12898 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12899 BEGIN
12900 NEW(s) ;
12901 s^[1] := 1 ;
12902 @end smallexample
12903
12904 @noindent
12905 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12906
12907 @smallexample
12908 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12909 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12910 @end smallexample
12911
12912 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12913 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12914 types:
12915
12916 @smallexample
12917 TYPE
12918 foo = RECORD
12919 f1: CARDINAL ;
12920 f2: CHAR ;
12921 f3: myarray ;
12922 END ;
12923
12924 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12925 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12926 VAR
12927 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12928 @end smallexample
12929
12930 @noindent
12931 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12932 below.
12933
12934 @smallexample
12935 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12936 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12937 f1 : CARDINAL;
12938 f2 : CHAR;
12939 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12940 END
12941 @end smallexample
12942
12943 @node M2 Defaults
12944 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12945 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12946
12947 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12948 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12949 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12950 selected the working language.
12951
12952 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12953 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12954 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12955 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12956
12957 @node Deviations
12958 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12959 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12960
12961 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12962 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12963
12964 @itemize @bullet
12965 @item
12966 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12967 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12968 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12969 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12970 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12971 returned a pointer.)
12972
12973 @item
12974 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12975 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12976 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12977 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12978
12979 @item
12980 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12981 argument.
12982
12983 @item
12984 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12985 @end itemize
12986
12987 @node M2 Checks
12988 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12989 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12990
12991 @quotation
12992 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12993 range checking.
12994 @end quotation
12995 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12996
12997 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12998
12999 @itemize @bullet
13000 @item
13001 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13002 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13003
13004 @item
13005 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13006 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13007 @end itemize
13008
13009 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13010 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13011
13012 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13013 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13014
13015 @node M2 Scope
13016 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13017 @cindex scope
13018 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13019 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13020 @ifinfo
13021 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13022 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13023 @end ifinfo
13024 @ifnotinfo
13025 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13026 @end ifnotinfo
13027
13028 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13029 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13030 similar syntax:
13031
13032 @smallexample
13033
13034 @var{module} . @var{id}
13035 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13036 @end smallexample
13037
13038 @noindent
13039 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13040 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13041 identifier within your program, except another module.
13042
13043 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13044 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13045 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13046 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13047
13048 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13049 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13050 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13051 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13052 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13053 @var{module}.
13054
13055 @node GDB/M2
13056 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13057
13058 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13059 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13060 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13061 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13062 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13063 analogue in Modula-2.
13064
13065 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13066 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13067 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13068 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13069 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13070 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13071
13072 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13073 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13074 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13075
13076 @node Ada
13077 @subsection Ada
13078 @cindex Ada
13079
13080 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13081 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13082 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13083 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13084 to be difficult.
13085
13086
13087 @cindex expressions in Ada
13088 @menu
13089 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13090 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13091 in @value{GDBN}.
13092 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13093 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13094 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13095 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13096 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13097 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13098 Profile
13099 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13100 @end menu
13101
13102 @node Ada Mode Intro
13103 @subsubsection Introduction
13104 @cindex Ada mode, general
13105
13106 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13107 syntax, with some extensions.
13108 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13109
13110 @itemize @bullet
13111 @item
13112 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13113 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13114 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13115 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13116
13117 @item
13118 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13119 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13120
13121 @item
13122 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13123 @end itemize
13124
13125 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13126 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13127 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13128 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13129 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13130
13131 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13132 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13133 was translated from an Ada source file.
13134
13135 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13136 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13137 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13138 middle (to allow based literals).
13139
13140 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13141 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13142 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13143 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13144 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13145 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13146
13147 @node Omissions from Ada
13148 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13149 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13150
13151 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13152
13153 @itemize @bullet
13154 @item
13155 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13156
13157 @itemize @minus
13158 @item
13159 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13160 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13161
13162 @item
13163 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13164
13165 @item
13166 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13167
13168 @item
13169 @t{'Tag}.
13170
13171 @item
13172 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13173 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13174
13175 @item
13176 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13177 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13178
13179 @item
13180 @t{'Address}.
13181 @end itemize
13182
13183 @item
13184 The names in
13185 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13186 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13187 not currently available.
13188
13189 @item
13190 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13191 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13192 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13193 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13194 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13195 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13196 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13197 indeterminate values.
13198
13199 @item
13200 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13201 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13202 are not implemented.
13203
13204 @item
13205 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13206 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13207 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13208 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13209 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13210
13211 @smallexample
13212 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13213 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13214 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13215 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13216 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13217 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13218 @end smallexample
13219
13220 Changing a
13221 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13222 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13223 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13224 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13225 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13226 declared to have a type such as:
13227
13228 @smallexample
13229 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13230 Id : Integer;
13231 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13232 end record;
13233 @end smallexample
13234
13235 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13236 assignments:
13237
13238 @smallexample
13239 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13240 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13241 @end smallexample
13242
13243 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13244 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13245 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13246 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13247 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13248 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13249 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13250 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13251
13252 @item
13253 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13254
13255 @item
13256 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13257 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13258 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13259 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13260 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13261 the proper resolution.
13262
13263 @item
13264 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13265
13266 @item
13267 Entry calls are not implemented.
13268
13269 @item
13270 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13271 formats are not supported.
13272
13273 @item
13274 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13275
13276 @item
13277 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13278 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13279 context.
13280 Should your program
13281 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13282 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13283 @end itemize
13284
13285 @node Additions to Ada
13286 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13287 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13288
13289 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13290 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13291
13292 @itemize @bullet
13293 @item
13294 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13295 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13296 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13297 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13298 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13299 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13300 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13301 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13302
13303 @item
13304 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13305 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13306 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13307
13308 @item
13309 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13310 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13311
13312 @item
13313 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13314 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13315 @end itemize
13316
13317 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13318 additions specific to Ada:
13319
13320 @itemize @bullet
13321 @item
13322 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13323 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13324
13325 @smallexample
13326 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13327 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13328 @end smallexample
13329
13330 @item
13331 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13332 the value of its right-hand operand.
13333 This allows, for example,
13334 complex conditional breaks:
13335
13336 @smallexample
13337 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13338 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13339 @end smallexample
13340
13341 @item
13342 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13343 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13344 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13345 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13346 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13347 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13348 in strings. For example,
13349 @smallexample
13350 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13351 @end smallexample
13352 @noindent
13353 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13354 after each period.
13355
13356 @item
13357 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13358 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13359 to write
13360
13361 @smallexample
13362 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13363 @end smallexample
13364
13365 @item
13366 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13367 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13368 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13369 of 3 might print as
13370
13371 @smallexample
13372 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13373 @end smallexample
13374
13375 @noindent
13376 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13377 clause.
13378
13379 @item
13380 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13381 multi-character subsequence of
13382 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13383 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13384 in place of @t{a'length}.
13385
13386 @item
13387 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13388 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13389 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13390 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13391 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13392 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13393 For example,
13394 @smallexample
13395 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13396 @end smallexample
13397
13398 @item
13399 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13400 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13401 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13402 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13403 object.
13404
13405 @end itemize
13406
13407 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13408 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13409
13410 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13411 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13412 before reaching the main procedure.
13413 As defined in the Ada Reference
13414 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13415 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13416 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13417 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13418
13419 @node Ada Tasks
13420 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13421 @cindex Ada, tasking
13422
13423 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13424 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13425
13426 @table @code
13427 @kindex info tasks
13428 @item info tasks
13429 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13430
13431
13432 @smallexample
13433 @iftex
13434 @leftskip=0.5cm
13435 @end iftex
13436 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13437 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13438 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13439 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13440 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13441 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13442
13443 @end smallexample
13444
13445 @noindent
13446 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13447 task currently being inspected.
13448
13449 @table @asis
13450 @item ID
13451 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13452
13453 @item TID
13454 The Ada task ID.
13455
13456 @item P-ID
13457 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13458
13459 @item Pri
13460 The base priority of the task.
13461
13462 @item State
13463 Current state of the task.
13464
13465 @table @code
13466 @item Unactivated
13467 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13468 executing.
13469
13470 @item Runnable
13471 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13472 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13473
13474 @item Terminated
13475 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13476 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13477 terminated themselves.
13478
13479 @item Child Activation Wait
13480 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13481
13482 @item Accept Statement
13483 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13484
13485 @item Waiting on entry call
13486 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13487
13488 @item Async Select Wait
13489 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13490 select statement.
13491
13492 @item Delay Sleep
13493 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13494 alternative open.
13495
13496 @item Child Termination Wait
13497 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13498 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13499 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13500
13501 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13502 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13503 finish terminating.
13504
13505 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13506 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13507 @end table
13508
13509 @item Name
13510 Name of the task in the program.
13511
13512 @end table
13513
13514 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13515 @item info task @var{taskno}
13516 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13517 the following example:
13518 @smallexample
13519 @iftex
13520 @leftskip=0.5cm
13521 @end iftex
13522 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13523 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13524 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13525 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13526 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13527 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13528 Name: task_1
13529 Thread: 0x807f378
13530 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13531 Base Priority: 15
13532 State: Runnable
13533 @end smallexample
13534
13535 @item task
13536 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13537 @cindex current Ada task ID
13538 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13539
13540 @smallexample
13541 @iftex
13542 @leftskip=0.5cm
13543 @end iftex
13544 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13545 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13546 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13547 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13548 (@value{GDBP}) task
13549 [Current task is 2]
13550 @end smallexample
13551
13552 @item task @var{taskno}
13553 @cindex Ada task switching
13554 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13555 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13556 from the current task to the given task.
13557
13558 @smallexample
13559 @iftex
13560 @leftskip=0.5cm
13561 @end iftex
13562 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13563 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13564 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13565 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13566 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13567 [Switching to task 1]
13568 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13569 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13570 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13571 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13572 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13573 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13574 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13575 @end smallexample
13576
13577 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13578 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13579 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13580 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13581 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13582 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13583 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13584 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13585 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13586
13587 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13588 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13589 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13590 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13591 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13592
13593 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13594 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13595 program.
13596
13597 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13598 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13599 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13600
13601 For example,
13602
13603 @smallexample
13604 @iftex
13605 @leftskip=0.5cm
13606 @end iftex
13607 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13608 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13609 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13610 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13611 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13612 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13613 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13614 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13615 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13616 Continuing.
13617 task # 1 running
13618 task # 2 running
13619
13620 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13621 15 flush;
13622 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13623 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13624 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13625 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13626 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13627 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13628 @end smallexample
13629 @end table
13630
13631 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13632 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13633 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13634
13635 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13636 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13637 the platform being used.
13638 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13639 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13640 as usual.
13641
13642 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13643 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13644 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13645 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13646 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13647 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13648
13649 @node Ravenscar Profile
13650 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13651 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13652
13653 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13654 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13655 requirements.
13656
13657 @table @code
13658 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13659 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13660 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13661 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13662 Profile. This is the default.
13663
13664 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13665 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13666 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13667 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13668 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13669 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13670 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13671
13672 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13673 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13674 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13675 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13676
13677 @end table
13678
13679 @node Ada Glitches
13680 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13681 @cindex Ada, problems
13682
13683 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13684 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13685 @value{GDBN},
13686 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13687 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13688
13689 @itemize @bullet
13690 @item
13691 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13692 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13693
13694 @item
13695 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13696 argument lists are treated as positional).
13697
13698 @item
13699 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13700
13701 @item
13702 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13703 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13704 the host machine.
13705
13706 @item
13707 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13708 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13709 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13710 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13711 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13712 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13713 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13714 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13715 you can usually resolve the confusion
13716 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13717 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13718 @end itemize
13719
13720 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13721 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13722 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13723 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13724 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13725 enabled.
13726
13727 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13728 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13729 @table @code
13730
13731 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13732 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13733 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13734 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13735 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13736 This is the default.
13737
13738 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13739 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13740 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13741 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13742 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13743 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13744 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13745
13746 @end table
13747
13748 @node Unsupported Languages
13749 @section Unsupported Languages
13750
13751 @cindex unsupported languages
13752 @cindex minimal language
13753 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13754 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13755 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13756 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13757 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13758 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13759
13760 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13761 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13762 language.
13763
13764 @node Symbols
13765 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13766
13767 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13768 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13769 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13770 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13771 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13772 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13773 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13774
13775 @cindex symbol names
13776 @cindex names of symbols
13777 @cindex quoting names
13778 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13779 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13780 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13781 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13782 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13783 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13784 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13785 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13786
13787 @smallexample
13788 p 'foo.c'::x
13789 @end smallexample
13790
13791 @noindent
13792 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13793
13794 @table @code
13795 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13796 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13797 @kindex set case-sensitive
13798 @item set case-sensitive on
13799 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13800 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13801 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13802 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13803 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13804 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13805 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13806 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13807 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13808 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13809 case-insensitive matches.
13810
13811 @kindex show case-sensitive
13812 @item show case-sensitive
13813 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13814 lookups.
13815
13816 @kindex info address
13817 @cindex address of a symbol
13818 @item info address @var{symbol}
13819 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13820 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13821 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13822 is always stored.
13823
13824 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13825 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13826 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13827
13828 @kindex info symbol
13829 @cindex symbol from address
13830 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13831 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13832 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13833 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13834 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13835
13836 @smallexample
13837 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13838 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13839 @end smallexample
13840
13841 @noindent
13842 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13843 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13844
13845 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13846 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13847
13848 @smallexample
13849 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13850 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13851 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13852 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13853 @end smallexample
13854
13855 @kindex whatis
13856 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13857 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13858 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13859 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13860 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13861 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13862 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13863 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13864 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13865 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13866 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13867
13868 @kindex ptype
13869 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13870 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13871 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13872 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13873
13874 For example, for this variable declaration:
13875
13876 @smallexample
13877 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13878 @end smallexample
13879
13880 @noindent
13881 the two commands give this output:
13882
13883 @smallexample
13884 @group
13885 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13886 type = struct complex
13887 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13888 type = struct complex @{
13889 double real;
13890 double imag;
13891 @}
13892 @end group
13893 @end smallexample
13894
13895 @noindent
13896 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13897 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13898
13899 @cindex incomplete type
13900 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13901 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13902 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13903 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13904 given these declarations:
13905
13906 @smallexample
13907 struct foo;
13908 struct foo *fooptr;
13909 @end smallexample
13910
13911 @noindent
13912 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13913
13914 @smallexample
13915 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13916 $1 = <incomplete type>
13917 @end smallexample
13918
13919 @noindent
13920 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13921 completely specified.
13922
13923 @kindex info types
13924 @item info types @var{regexp}
13925 @itemx info types
13926 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13927 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13928 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13929 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13930 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13931 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13932 name is @code{value}.
13933
13934 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13935 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13936 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13937
13938 @kindex info scope
13939 @cindex local variables
13940 @item info scope @var{location}
13941 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13942 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13943 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13944 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13945 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13946
13947 @smallexample
13948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13949 Scope for command_line_handler:
13950 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13951 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13952 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13953 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13954 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13955 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13956 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13957 @end smallexample
13958
13959 @noindent
13960 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13961 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13962 collect}.
13963
13964 @kindex info source
13965 @item info source
13966 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13967 the function containing the current point of execution:
13968 @itemize @bullet
13969 @item
13970 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13971 @item
13972 the directory it was compiled in,
13973 @item
13974 its length, in lines,
13975 @item
13976 which programming language it is written in,
13977 @item
13978 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13979 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13980 @item
13981 whether the debugging information includes information about
13982 preprocessor macros.
13983 @end itemize
13984
13985
13986 @kindex info sources
13987 @item info sources
13988 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13989 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13990 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13991
13992 @kindex info functions
13993 @item info functions
13994 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13995
13996 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13997 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13998 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13999 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14000 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14001 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14002 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14003 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14004
14005 @kindex info variables
14006 @item info variables
14007 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14008 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14009
14010 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14011 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14012 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14013 @var{regexp}.
14014
14015 @kindex info classes
14016 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14017 @item info classes
14018 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14019 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14020 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14021 expression.
14022
14023 @kindex info selectors
14024 @item info selectors
14025 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14026 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14027 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14028 expression.
14029
14030 @ignore
14031 This was never implemented.
14032 @kindex info methods
14033 @item info methods
14034 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14035 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14036 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14037 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14038 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14039 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14040 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14041 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14042 @end ignore
14043
14044 @cindex reloading symbols
14045 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14046 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14047 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14048 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14049 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14050
14051 @table @code
14052 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14053 @item set symbol-reloading on
14054 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14055 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14056
14057 @item set symbol-reloading off
14058 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14059 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14060 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14061 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14062 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14063 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14064 name.
14065
14066 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14067 @item show symbol-reloading
14068 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14069 @end table
14070
14071 @cindex opaque data types
14072 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14073 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14074 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14075 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14076 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14077 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14078 another source file. The default is on.
14079
14080 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14081 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14082
14083 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14084 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14085 is printed as follows:
14086 @smallexample
14087 @{<no data fields>@}
14088 @end smallexample
14089
14090 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14091 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14092 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14093
14094 @kindex maint print symbols
14095 @cindex symbol dump
14096 @kindex maint print psymbols
14097 @cindex partial symbol dump
14098 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14099 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14100 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14101 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14102 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14103 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14104 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14105 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14106 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14107 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14108 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14109 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14110 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14111 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14112 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14113 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14114 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14115
14116 @kindex maint info symtabs
14117 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14118 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14119 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14120 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14121 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14122 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14123 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14124
14125 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14126 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14127 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14128 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14129 structure in more detail. For example:
14130
14131 @smallexample
14132 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14133 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14134 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14135 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14136 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14137 readin no
14138 fullname (null)
14139 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14140 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14141 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14142 dependencies (none)
14143 @}
14144 @}
14145 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14146 (@value{GDBP})
14147 @end smallexample
14148 @noindent
14149 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14150 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14151 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14152 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14153 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14154
14155 @smallexample
14156 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14157 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14158 line 1574.
14159 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14160 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14161 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14162 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14163 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14164 dirname (null)
14165 fullname (null)
14166 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14167 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14168 debugformat DWARF 2
14169 @}
14170 @}
14171 (@value{GDBP})
14172 @end smallexample
14173 @end table
14174
14175
14176 @node Altering
14177 @chapter Altering Execution
14178
14179 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14180 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14181 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14182 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14183 program.
14184
14185 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14186 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14187 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14188
14189 @menu
14190 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14191 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14192 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14193 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14194 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14195 * Patching:: Patching your program
14196 @end menu
14197
14198 @node Assignment
14199 @section Assignment to Variables
14200
14201 @cindex assignment
14202 @cindex setting variables
14203 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14204 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14205
14206 @smallexample
14207 print x=4
14208 @end smallexample
14209
14210 @noindent
14211 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14212 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14213 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14214 information on operators in supported languages.
14215
14216 @kindex set variable
14217 @cindex variables, setting
14218 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14219 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14220 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14221 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14222 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14223
14224 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14225 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14226 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14227 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14228 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14229 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14230 command @code{set width}:
14231
14232 @smallexample
14233 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14234 type = double
14235 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14236 $4 = 13
14237 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14238 Invalid syntax in expression.
14239 @end smallexample
14240
14241 @noindent
14242 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14243 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14244
14245 @smallexample
14246 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14247 @end smallexample
14248
14249 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14250 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14251 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14252 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14253 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14254 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14255
14256 @smallexample
14257 @group
14258 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14259 type = double
14260 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14261 $1 = 1
14262 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14263 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14264 $2 = 1
14265 (@value{GDBP}) r
14266 The program being debugged has been started already.
14267 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14268 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14269 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14270 Invalid bfd target.
14271 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14272 The current BFD target is "=4".
14273 @end group
14274 @end smallexample
14275
14276 @noindent
14277 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14278 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14279 @code{g}, use
14280
14281 @smallexample
14282 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14283 @end smallexample
14284
14285 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14286 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14287 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14288 same length or shorter.
14289 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14290 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14291
14292 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14293 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14294 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14295 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14296 and representation in memory), and
14297
14298 @smallexample
14299 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14300 @end smallexample
14301
14302 @noindent
14303 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14304
14305 @node Jumping
14306 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14307
14308 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14309 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14310 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14311
14312 @table @code
14313 @kindex jump
14314 @item jump @var{linespec}
14315 @itemx jump @var{location}
14316 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14317 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14318 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14319 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14320 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14321 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14322
14323 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14324 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14325 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14326 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14327 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14328 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14329 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14330 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14331 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14332 @end table
14333
14334 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14335 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14336 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14337 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14338 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14339 example,
14340
14341 @smallexample
14342 set $pc = 0x485
14343 @end smallexample
14344
14345 @noindent
14346 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14347 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14348 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14349
14350 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14351 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14352 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14353 detail.
14354
14355 @c @group
14356 @node Signaling
14357 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14358 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14359
14360 @table @code
14361 @kindex signal
14362 @item signal @var{signal}
14363 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14364 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14365 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14366 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14367
14368 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14369 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14370 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14371 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14372 signal.
14373
14374 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14375 after executing the command.
14376 @end table
14377 @c @end group
14378
14379 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14380 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14381 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14382 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14383 passes the signal directly to your program.
14384
14385
14386 @node Returning
14387 @section Returning from a Function
14388
14389 @table @code
14390 @cindex returning from a function
14391 @kindex return
14392 @item return
14393 @itemx return @var{expression}
14394 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14395 command. If you give an
14396 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14397 value.
14398 @end table
14399
14400 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14401 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14402 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14403 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14404
14405 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14406 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14407 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14408 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14409 of functions.
14410
14411 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14412 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14413 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14414 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14415 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14416
14417 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14418 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14419 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14420 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14421 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14422 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14423 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14424 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14425 assignment into the right register(s).
14426
14427 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14428 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14429 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14430 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14431 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14432 into a @code{long long int}:
14433
14434 @smallexample
14435 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14436 29 return 31;
14437 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14438 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14439 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14440 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14441 (@value{GDBP})
14442 @end smallexample
14443
14444 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14445 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14446 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14447 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14448 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14449 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14450 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14451 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14452
14453 @smallexample
14454 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14455 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14456 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14457 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14458 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14459 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14460 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14461 (@value{GDBP})
14462 @end smallexample
14463
14464 @node Calling
14465 @section Calling Program Functions
14466
14467 @table @code
14468 @cindex calling functions
14469 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14470 @item print @var{expr}
14471 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14472 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14473 debugged.
14474
14475 @kindex call
14476 @item call @var{expr}
14477 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14478 returned values.
14479
14480 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14481 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14482 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14483 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14484 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14485 value history.
14486 @end table
14487
14488 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14489 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14490 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14491 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14492
14493 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14494 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14495 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14496 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14497 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14498 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14499 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14500 in that case is controlled by the
14501 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14502
14503 @table @code
14504 @item set unwindonsignal
14505 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14506 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14507 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14508 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14509 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14510 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14511 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14512 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14513 received.
14514
14515 @item show unwindonsignal
14516 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14517 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14518 @value{GDBN}.
14519
14520 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14521 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14522 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14523 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14524 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14525 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14526 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14527 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14528 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14529 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14530
14531 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14532 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14533 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14534 @value{GDBN}.
14535
14536 @end table
14537
14538 @cindex weak alias functions
14539 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14540 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14541 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14542 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14543 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14544 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14545 function instead.
14546
14547 @node Patching
14548 @section Patching Programs
14549
14550 @cindex patching binaries
14551 @cindex writing into executables
14552 @cindex writing into corefiles
14553
14554 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14555 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14556 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14557 patching your program's binary.
14558
14559 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14560 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14561 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14562 repairs.
14563
14564 @table @code
14565 @kindex set write
14566 @item set write on
14567 @itemx set write off
14568 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14569 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14570 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14571
14572 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14573 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14574 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14575
14576 @item show write
14577 @kindex show write
14578 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14579 as well as reading.
14580 @end table
14581
14582 @node GDB Files
14583 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14584
14585 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14586 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14587 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14588 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14589
14590 @menu
14591 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14592 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14593 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14594 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14595 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14596 @end menu
14597
14598 @node Files
14599 @section Commands to Specify Files
14600
14601 @cindex symbol table
14602 @cindex core dump file
14603
14604 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14605 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14606 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14607 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14608
14609 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14610 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14611 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14612 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14613 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14614 new files are useful.
14615
14616 @table @code
14617 @cindex executable file
14618 @kindex file
14619 @item file @var{filename}
14620 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14621 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14622 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14623 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14624 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14625 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14626 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14627 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14628
14629 @cindex unlinked object files
14630 @cindex patching object files
14631 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14632 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14633 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14634 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14635 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14636 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14637 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14638 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14639
14640 @item file
14641 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14642 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14643
14644 @kindex exec-file
14645 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14646 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14647 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14648 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14649 discard information on the executable file.
14650
14651 @kindex symbol-file
14652 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14653 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14654 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14655 table and program to run from the same file.
14656
14657 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14658 program's symbol table.
14659
14660 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14661 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14662 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14663 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14664 @value{GDBN}.
14665
14666 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14667 executing it once.
14668
14669 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14670 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14671 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14672 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14673 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14674 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14675 optimized code.
14676
14677 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14678 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14679 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14680 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14681 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14682
14683 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14684 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14685 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14686 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14687 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14688 Warnings and Messages}.)
14689
14690 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14691 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14692 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14693 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14694 in stabs format.
14695
14696 @kindex readnow
14697 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14698 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14699 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14700 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14701 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14702 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14703 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14704 entire symbol table available.
14705
14706 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14707 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14708 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14709 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14710 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14711 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14712 @c files.
14713
14714 @kindex core-file
14715 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14716 @itemx core
14717 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14718 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14719 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14720 executable file itself for other parts.
14721
14722 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14723 to be used.
14724
14725 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14726 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14727 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14728 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14729 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14730
14731 @kindex add-symbol-file
14732 @cindex dynamic linking
14733 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14734 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14735 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14736 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14737 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14738 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14739 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14740 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14741 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14742 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14743 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14744 @var{address} as an expression.
14745
14746 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14747 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14748 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14749 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14750 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14751
14752 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14753 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14754 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14755 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14756 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14757 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14758 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14759 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14760 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14761
14762 @itemize @bullet
14763 @item
14764 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14765 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14766 @item
14767 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14768 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14769 @item
14770 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14771 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14772 @end itemize
14773
14774 @noindent
14775 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14776 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14777 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14778 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14779 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14780 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14781 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14782 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14783 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14784 way.
14785
14786 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14787
14788 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14789 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14790 @cindex load symbols from memory
14791 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14792 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14793 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14794 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14795 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14796 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14797 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14798 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14799 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14800
14801 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14802 @kindex assf
14803 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14804 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14805 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14806 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14807 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14808 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14809 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14810 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14811 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14812 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14813
14814 @kindex section
14815 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14816 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14817 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14818 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14819 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14820 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14821 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14822 their addresses.
14823
14824 @kindex info files
14825 @kindex info target
14826 @item info files
14827 @itemx info target
14828 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14829 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14830 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14831 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14832 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14833 current ones.
14834
14835 @kindex maint info sections
14836 @item maint info sections
14837 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14838 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14839 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14840 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14841 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14842 may be arbitrarily combined):
14843
14844 @table @code
14845 @item ALLOBJ
14846 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14847 @item @var{sections}
14848 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14849 @item @var{section-flags}
14850 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14851 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14852 @table @code
14853 @item ALLOC
14854 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14855 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14856 @item LOAD
14857 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14858 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14859 @item RELOC
14860 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14861 @item READONLY
14862 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14863 @item CODE
14864 Section contains executable code only.
14865 @item DATA
14866 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14867 @item ROM
14868 Section will reside in ROM.
14869 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14870 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14871 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14872 Section is not empty.
14873 @item NEVER_LOAD
14874 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14875 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14876 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14877 COFF shared library information.
14878 @item IS_COMMON
14879 Section contains common symbols.
14880 @end table
14881 @end table
14882 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14883 @cindex read-only sections
14884 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14885 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14886 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14887 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14888 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14889 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14890 enhancement to debugging performance.
14891
14892 The default is off.
14893
14894 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14895 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14896 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14897 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14898
14899 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14900 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14901 @end table
14902
14903 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14904 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14905 name and remembers it that way.
14906
14907 @cindex shared libraries
14908 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14909 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14910 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14911
14912 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14913 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14914
14915 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14916 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14917 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14918 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14919 debugging a core file).
14920
14921 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14922 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14923
14924 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14925 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14926 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14927
14928 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14929 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14930 particularly large or there are many of them.
14931
14932 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14933 commands:
14934
14935 @table @code
14936 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14937 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14938 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14939 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14940 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14941 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14942 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14943 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14944
14945 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14946 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14947 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14948 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14949 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14950 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14951 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14952 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14953 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14954
14955 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14956 @item show auto-solib-add
14957 Display the current autoloading mode.
14958 @end table
14959
14960 @cindex load shared library
14961 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14962 command:
14963
14964 @table @code
14965 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14966 @kindex info share
14967 @item info share @var{regex}
14968 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14969 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14970 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14971 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14972
14973 @kindex sharedlibrary
14974 @kindex share
14975 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14976 @itemx share @var{regex}
14977 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14978 Unix regular expression.
14979 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14980 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14981 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14982 loaded.
14983
14984 @item nosharedlibrary
14985 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14986 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14987 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14988 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14989 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14990 discarded.
14991 @end table
14992
14993 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14994 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14995 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14996
14997 @table @code
14998 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14999 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15000 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15001 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15002 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15003 shared library.
15004
15005 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15006 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15007 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15008 library events happen.
15009 @end table
15010
15011 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15012 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15013 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15014 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15015 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15016 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15017 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15018 not.
15019
15020 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15021 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15022 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15023 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15024 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15025
15026 @table @code
15027 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15028 @cindex system root, alternate
15029 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15030 @kindex set sysroot
15031 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15032 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15033 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15034 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15035 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15036 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15037 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15038 under @var{path}.
15039
15040 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15041 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15042 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15043 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15044 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15045 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15046 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15047 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15048 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15049
15050 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15051 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15052 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15053 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15054 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15055
15056 @smallexample
15057 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15058 @end smallexample
15059
15060 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15061 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15062 system:
15063
15064 @smallexample
15065 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15066 @end smallexample
15067
15068 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15069 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15070 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15071 colons:
15072
15073 @smallexample
15074 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15075 @end smallexample
15076
15077 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15078 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15079 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15080 @samp{z}):
15081
15082 @smallexample
15083 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15084 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15085 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15086 @end smallexample
15087
15088 @noindent
15089 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15090 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15091 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15092
15093 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15094 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15095
15096 @smallexample
15097 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15098 @end smallexample
15099
15100 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15101 if you don't want or need to.
15102
15103 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15104 sysroot}.
15105
15106 @cindex default system root
15107 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15108 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15109 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15110 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15111 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15112 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15113 location.
15114
15115 @kindex show sysroot
15116 @item show sysroot
15117 Display the current shared library prefix.
15118
15119 @kindex set solib-search-path
15120 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15121 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15122 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15123 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15124 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15125 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15126 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15127 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15128 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15129 of shared library symbols.
15130
15131 @kindex show solib-search-path
15132 @item show solib-search-path
15133 Display the current shared library search path.
15134
15135 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15136 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15137 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15138 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15139 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15140
15141 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15142 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15143 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15144 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15145 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15146 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15147 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15148 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15149 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15150 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15151 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15152 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15153 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15154 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15155 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15156 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15157 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15158 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15159 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15160 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15161 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15162 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15163
15164 @table @code
15165 @item unix
15166 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15167 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15168 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15169 the forward slash.
15170
15171 @item dos-based
15172 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15173 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15174 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15175 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15176 considered directory separators.
15177
15178 @item auto
15179 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15180 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15181 This is the default.
15182 @end table
15183 @end table
15184
15185
15186 @node Separate Debug Files
15187 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15188 @cindex separate debugging information files
15189 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15190 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15191 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15192 @cindex global debugging information directory
15193 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15194 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15195
15196 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15197 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15198 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15199 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15200 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15201 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15202 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15203
15204 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15205 file:
15206
15207 @itemize @bullet
15208 @item
15209 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15210 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15211 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15212 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15213 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15214 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15215 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15216 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15217
15218 @item
15219 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15220 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15221 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15222 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15223 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15224 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15225 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15226 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15227 below.
15228 @end itemize
15229
15230 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15231 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15232
15233 @itemize @bullet
15234 @item
15235 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15236 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15237 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15238 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15239 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15240
15241 @item
15242 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15243 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15244 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15245 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15246 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15247 hex characters, not 10.)
15248 @end itemize
15249
15250 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15251 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15252 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15253 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15254 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15255 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15256
15257 @itemize @minus
15258 @item
15259 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15260 @item
15261 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15262 @item
15263 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15264 @item
15265 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15266 @end itemize
15267
15268 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15269 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15270
15271 @table @code
15272
15273 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15274 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15275 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15276 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15277 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15278
15279 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15280 @item show debug-file-directory
15281 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15282 information files.
15283
15284 @end table
15285
15286 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15287 @cindex debug link sections
15288 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15289 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15290
15291 @itemize
15292 @item
15293 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15294 a zero byte,
15295 @item
15296 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15297 boundary within the section, and
15298 @item
15299 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15300 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15301 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15302 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15303 @end itemize
15304
15305 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15306 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15307 described above.
15308
15309 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15310 @cindex build ID sections
15311 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15312 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15313 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15314 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15315 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15316 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15317 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15318 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15319 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15320
15321 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15322 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15323 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15324 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15325 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15326 in an ordinary executable.
15327
15328 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15329 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15330 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15331 following commands:
15332
15333 @smallexample
15334 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15335 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15336 @end smallexample
15337
15338 @noindent
15339 These commands remove the debugging
15340 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15341 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15342 two files:
15343
15344 @itemize @bullet
15345 @item
15346 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15347 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15348
15349 @smallexample
15350 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15351 @end smallexample
15352
15353 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15354 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15355 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15356 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15357
15358 @item
15359 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15360 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15361 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15362 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15363 @end itemize
15364
15365 @noindent
15366
15367 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15368 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15369 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15370
15371 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15372 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15373 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15374 @c different ways!
15375 @ifhtml
15376 @display
15377 @html
15378 <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>
15379 + <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
15380 @end html
15381 @end display
15382 @end ifhtml
15383 @ifnothtml
15384 @display
15385 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15386 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15387 @end display
15388 @end ifnothtml
15389
15390 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15391 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15392 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15393 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15394 CRC.
15395
15396 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15397 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15398 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15399 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15400 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15401 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15402
15403 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15404 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15405 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15406 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15407 @code{0xffffffff}.
15408
15409 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15410 @smallexample
15411 unsigned long
15412 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15413 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15414 @{
15415 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15416 @{
15417 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15418 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15419 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15420 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15421 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15422 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15423 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15424 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15425 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15426 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15427 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15428 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15429 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15430 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15431 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15432 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15433 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15434 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15435 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15436 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15437 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15438 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15439 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15440 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15441 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15442 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15443 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15444 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15445 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15446 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15447 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15448 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15449 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15450 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15451 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15452 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15453 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15454 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15455 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15456 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15457 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15458 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15459 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15460 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15461 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15462 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15463 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15464 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15465 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15466 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15467 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15468 0x2d02ef8d
15469 @};
15470 unsigned char *end;
15471
15472 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15473 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15474 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15475 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15476 @}
15477 @end smallexample
15478
15479 @noindent
15480 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15481
15482
15483 @node Index Files
15484 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15485 @cindex index files
15486 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15487
15488 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15489 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15490 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15491 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15492 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15493 startup.
15494
15495 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15496 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15497 using @command{objcopy}.
15498
15499 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15500
15501 @table @code
15502 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15503 @kindex save gdb-index
15504 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15505 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15506 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15507 @var{directory}.
15508 @end table
15509
15510 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15511 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15512
15513 @smallexample
15514 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15515 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15516 @end smallexample
15517
15518 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15519 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15520 currently work for programs using Ada.
15521
15522 @node Symbol Errors
15523 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15524
15525 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15526 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15527 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15528 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15529 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15530 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15531 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15532 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15533 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15534 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15535 Messages}).
15536
15537 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15538
15539 @table @code
15540 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15541
15542 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15543 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15544 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15545 in its outer scope blocks.
15546
15547 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15548 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15549 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15550 function.
15551
15552 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15553
15554 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15555 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15556 do so.
15557
15558 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15559 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15560 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15561 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15562 Messages}.)
15563
15564 @item bad block start address patched
15565
15566 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15567 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15568 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15569
15570 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15571 starting on the previous source line.
15572
15573 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15574
15575 @cindex foo
15576 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15577 larger than the size of the string table.
15578
15579 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15580 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15581 with this name.
15582
15583 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15584
15585 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15586 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15587 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15588
15589 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15590 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15591 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15592 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15593 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15594 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15595
15596 @item stub type has NULL name
15597
15598 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15599
15600 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15601 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15602 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15603 it.
15604
15605 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15606
15607 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15608
15609 @end table
15610
15611 @node Data Files
15612 @section GDB Data Files
15613
15614 @cindex prefix for data files
15615 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15616 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15617
15618 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15619 is currently using.
15620
15621 @table @code
15622 @kindex set data-directory
15623 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15624 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15625 to @var{directory}.
15626
15627 @kindex show data-directory
15628 @item show data-directory
15629 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15630 @end table
15631
15632 @cindex default data directory
15633 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15634 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15635 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15636 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15637 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15638 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15639 location.
15640
15641 The data directory may also be specified with the
15642 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15643 @xref{Mode Options}.
15644
15645 @node Targets
15646 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15647
15648 @cindex debugging target
15649 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15650
15651 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15652 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15653 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15654 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15655 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15656 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15657 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15658 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15659
15660 @cindex target architecture
15661 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15662 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15663 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15664 command.
15665
15666 @table @code
15667 @kindex set architecture
15668 @kindex show architecture
15669 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15670 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15671 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15672 supported architectures.
15673
15674 @item show architecture
15675 Show the current target architecture.
15676
15677 @item set processor
15678 @itemx processor
15679 @kindex set processor
15680 @kindex show processor
15681 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15682 and @code{show architecture}.
15683 @end table
15684
15685 @menu
15686 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15687 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15688 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15689 @end menu
15690
15691 @node Active Targets
15692 @section Active Targets
15693
15694 @cindex stacking targets
15695 @cindex active targets
15696 @cindex multiple targets
15697
15698 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15699 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15700 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15701 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15702 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15703 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15704 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15705 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15706 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15707
15708 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15709 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15710 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15711 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15712
15713 @node Target Commands
15714 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15715
15716 @table @code
15717 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15718 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15719 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15720 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15721 protocol of the target machine.
15722
15723 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15724 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15725 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15726
15727 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15728 after executing the command.
15729
15730 @kindex help target
15731 @item help target
15732 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15733 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15734 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15735
15736 @item help target @var{name}
15737 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15738 select it.
15739
15740 @kindex set gnutarget
15741 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15742 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15743 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15744 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15745 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15746 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15747
15748 @quotation
15749 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15750 you must know the actual BFD name.
15751 @end quotation
15752
15753 @noindent
15754 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15755
15756 @kindex show gnutarget
15757 @item show gnutarget
15758 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15759 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15760 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15761 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15762 @end table
15763
15764 @cindex common targets
15765 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15766 configuration):
15767
15768 @table @code
15769 @kindex target
15770 @item target exec @var{program}
15771 @cindex executable file target
15772 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15773 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15774
15775 @item target core @var{filename}
15776 @cindex core dump file target
15777 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15778 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15779
15780 @item target remote @var{medium}
15781 @cindex remote target
15782 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15783 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15784 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15785
15786 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15787 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15788
15789 @smallexample
15790 target remote /dev/ttya
15791 @end smallexample
15792
15793 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15794 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15795 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15796 clobbered by the download.
15797
15798 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15799 @cindex built-in simulator target
15800 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15801 In general,
15802 @smallexample
15803 target sim
15804 load
15805 run
15806 @end smallexample
15807 @noindent
15808 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15809 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15810 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15811 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15812 Processors}.
15813
15814 @end table
15815
15816 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15817
15818 @table @code
15819
15820 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15821 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15822 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15823
15824 @end table
15825
15826 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15827 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15828
15829 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15830 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15831 various aspects of this process.
15832
15833 @table @code
15834
15835 @item set hash
15836 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15837 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15838 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15839 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15840 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15841 monitor.
15842
15843 @item show hash
15844 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15845 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15846
15847 @item set debug monitor
15848 @kindex set debug monitor
15849 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15850 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15851 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15852
15853 @item show debug monitor
15854 @kindex show debug monitor
15855 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15856 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15857 @end table
15858
15859 @table @code
15860
15861 @kindex load @var{filename}
15862 @item load @var{filename}
15863 @anchor{load}
15864 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15865 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15866 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15867 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15868 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15869 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15870
15871 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15872 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15873 target is @dots{}}''
15874
15875 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15876 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15877 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15878 specifies a fixed address.
15879 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15880
15881 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15882 load programs into flash memory.
15883
15884 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15885 @end table
15886
15887 @node Byte Order
15888 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15889
15890 @cindex choosing target byte order
15891 @cindex target byte order
15892
15893 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15894 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15895 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15896 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15897 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15898 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15899
15900 @table @code
15901 @kindex set endian
15902 @item set endian big
15903 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15904
15905 @item set endian little
15906 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15907
15908 @item set endian auto
15909 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15910 executable.
15911
15912 @item show endian
15913 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15914
15915 @end table
15916
15917 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15918 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15919 target system.
15920
15921
15922 @node Remote Debugging
15923 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15924 @cindex remote debugging
15925
15926 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15927 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15928 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15929 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15930 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15931
15932 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15933 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15934 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15935 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15936 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15937 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15938
15939 Other remote targets may be available in your
15940 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15941
15942 @menu
15943 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15944 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15945 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15946 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15947 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15948 @end menu
15949
15950 @node Connecting
15951 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15952
15953 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15954 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15955 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15956 program as the first argument.
15957
15958 @cindex @code{target remote}
15959 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15960 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15961 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15962 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15963 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15964 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15965
15966 @table @code
15967
15968 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15969 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15970 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15971 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15972
15973 @smallexample
15974 target remote /dev/ttyb
15975 @end smallexample
15976
15977 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15978 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15979 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15980 @code{target} command.
15981
15982 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15983 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15984 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15985 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15986 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15987 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15988 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15989 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15990 target.
15991
15992 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15993 @code{manyfarms}:
15994
15995 @smallexample
15996 target remote manyfarms:2828
15997 @end smallexample
15998
15999 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16000 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16001 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16002 port 1234 on your local machine:
16003
16004 @smallexample
16005 target remote :1234
16006 @end smallexample
16007 @noindent
16008
16009 Note that the colon is still required here.
16010
16011 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16012 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16013 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16014 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16015
16016 @smallexample
16017 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16018 @end smallexample
16019
16020 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16021 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16022 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16023 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16024
16025 @item target remote | @var{command}
16026 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16027 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16028 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16029 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16030 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16031 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16032 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16033 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16034
16035 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16036 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16037 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16038
16039 @end table
16040
16041 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16042 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16043 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16044 need to use @kbd{run}.
16045
16046 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16047 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16048 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16049 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16050 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16051 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16052 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16053
16054 @smallexample
16055 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16056 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16057 @end smallexample
16058
16059 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16060 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16061 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16062 goes back to waiting.
16063
16064 @table @code
16065 @kindex detach (remote)
16066 @item detach
16067 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16068 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16069 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16070 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16071 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16072
16073 @kindex disconnect
16074 @item disconnect
16075 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16076 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16077 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16078 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16079 another target.
16080
16081 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16082 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16083 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16084 @kindex monitor
16085 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16086 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16087 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16088 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16089 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16090 and implement.
16091 @end table
16092
16093 @node File Transfer
16094 @section Sending files to a remote system
16095 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16096 @cindex file transfer
16097 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16098
16099 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16100 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16101 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16102 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16103 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16104 the only way to upload or download files.
16105
16106 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16107
16108 @table @code
16109 @kindex remote put
16110 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16111 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16112 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16113
16114 @kindex remote get
16115 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16116 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16117 on the host system.
16118
16119 @kindex remote delete
16120 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16121 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16122
16123 @end table
16124
16125 @node Server
16126 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16127
16128 @kindex gdbserver
16129 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16130 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16131 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16132 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16133
16134 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16135 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16136 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16137 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16138 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16139 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16140 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16141 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16142 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16143 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16144 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16145 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16146 choice for debugging.
16147
16148 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16149 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16150 protocol.
16151
16152 @quotation
16153 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16154 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16155 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16156 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16157 @code{gdbserver}.
16158 @end quotation
16159
16160 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16161 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16162 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16163
16164 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16165 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16166 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16167 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16168 system does all the symbol handling.
16169
16170 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16171 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16172 syntax is:
16173
16174 @smallexample
16175 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16176 @end smallexample
16177
16178 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16179 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16180 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16181 @file{/dev/com1}:
16182
16183 @smallexample
16184 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16185 @end smallexample
16186
16187 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16188 with it.
16189
16190 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16191
16192 @smallexample
16193 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16194 @end smallexample
16195
16196 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16197 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16198 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16199 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16200 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16201 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16202 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16203 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16204 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16205 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16206 @code{target remote} command.
16207
16208 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16209 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16210 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16211
16212 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16213 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16214
16215 @smallexample
16216 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16217 @end smallexample
16218
16219 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16220 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16221
16222 @pindex pidof
16223 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16224 @code{pidof} utility:
16225
16226 @smallexample
16227 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16228 @end smallexample
16229
16230 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16231 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16232 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16233
16234 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16235 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16236 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16237
16238 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16239 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16240 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16241 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16242
16243 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16244 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16245 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16246 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16247 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16248 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16249 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16250 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16251 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16252
16253 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16254 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16255 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16256 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16257 the program you want to debug.
16258
16259 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16260 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16261 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16262 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16263 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16264 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16265
16266 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16267
16268 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
16269
16270 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
16271 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
16272 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
16273 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
16274 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
16275 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
16276 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
16277 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
16278
16279 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
16280 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
16281 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
16282
16283 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
16284 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
16285 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
16286 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
16287 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
16288 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
16289 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
16290 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
16291 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
16292 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
16293 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
16294 instance closes its port after the first connection.
16295
16296 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16297
16298 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16299 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16300 status information about the debugging process.
16301 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16302 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16303 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16304 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16305
16306 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
16307 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16308 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16309 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16310 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16311
16312 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16313 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16314 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16315 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16316
16317 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16318 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16319 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16320 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16321
16322 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16323 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16324 environment:
16325
16326 @smallexample
16327 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16328 @end smallexample
16329
16330 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16331
16332 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16333
16334 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16335 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16336 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16337 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16338
16339 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16340 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16341 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16342 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16343 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16344 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16345 programs.
16346
16347 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16348 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16349 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16350 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16351 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16352 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16353 already on the target.
16354
16355 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16356 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16357 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16358
16359 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16360 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16361 Here are the available commands.
16362
16363 @table @code
16364 @item monitor help
16365 List the available monitor commands.
16366
16367 @item monitor set debug 0
16368 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16369 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16370
16371 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16372 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16373 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16374 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16375
16376 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16377 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16378 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16379 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16380 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16381 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
16382
16383 @item monitor exit
16384 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16385 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16386 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16387 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16388 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16389
16390 @end table
16391
16392 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16393 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16394
16395 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16396 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16397
16398 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16399 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16400 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16401 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16402 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16403 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16404 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16405 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16406 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16407 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16408 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16409 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16410
16411 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16412
16413 @table @code
16414 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16415
16416 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16417 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16418 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16419
16420 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16421
16422 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16423 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16424 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16425 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16426 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16427 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16428
16429 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16430
16431 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16432 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16433 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16434 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16435 command for that. For example:
16436
16437 @smallexample
16438 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16439 @end smallexample
16440
16441 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16442 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16443 @end table
16444
16445 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16446 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16447 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16448 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16449 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16450 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16451 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16452 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16453 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16454 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16455
16456 @smallexample
16457 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16458 @end smallexample
16459
16460 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16461
16462 @smallexample
16463 $ gdb myprogram
16464 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16465 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16466 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16467 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16468 @end smallexample
16469
16470 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16471 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16472 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16473 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16474 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16475 tracing.
16476
16477 @node Remote Configuration
16478 @section Remote Configuration
16479
16480 @kindex set remote
16481 @kindex show remote
16482 This section documents the configuration options available when
16483 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16484 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16485 system-call-allowed}.
16486
16487 @table @code
16488 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16489 @cindex address size for remote targets
16490 @cindex bits in remote address
16491 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16492 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16493 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16494 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16495
16496 @item show remoteaddresssize
16497 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16498
16499 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16500 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16501 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16502 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16503 remote targets.
16504
16505 @item show remotebaud
16506 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16507
16508 @item set remotebreak
16509 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16510 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16511 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16512 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16513 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16514 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16515 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16516 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16517
16518 @item show remotebreak
16519 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16520 interrupt the remote program.
16521
16522 @item set remoteflow on
16523 @itemx set remoteflow off
16524 @kindex set remoteflow
16525 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16526 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16527
16528 @item show remoteflow
16529 @kindex show remoteflow
16530 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16531
16532 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16533 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16534 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16535 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16536 @code{ascii}.
16537
16538 @item show remotelogbase
16539 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16540 protocol.
16541
16542 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16543 @cindex record serial communications on file
16544 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16545 default is not to record at all.
16546
16547 @item show remotelogfile.
16548 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16549 serial communications.
16550
16551 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16552 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16553 @cindex remote timeout
16554 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16555 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16556
16557 @item show remotetimeout
16558 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16559 responses.
16560
16561 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16562 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16563 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16564 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16565 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16566 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16567 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16568 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16569
16570 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16571 @itemx show remote exec-file
16572 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16573 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16574 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16575 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16576 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16577 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16578
16579 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16580 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16581 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16582 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16583 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16584 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16585 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16586 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16587 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16588 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16589
16590 @item show interrupt-sequence
16591 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16592 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16593 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16594 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16595
16596 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16597 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16598 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16599 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16600 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16601 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16602
16603 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16604 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16605 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16606
16607 @kindex set tcp
16608 @kindex show tcp
16609 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16610 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16611 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16612 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16613 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16614 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16615 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16616 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16617 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16618
16619 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16620 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16621
16622 @item show tcp auto-retry
16623 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16624
16625 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16626 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16627 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16628 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16629 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16630 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16631 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16632 value.
16633
16634 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16635 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16636 @end table
16637
16638 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16639 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16640 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16641 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16642 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16643 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16644 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16645 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16646 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16647
16648 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16649 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16650 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16651 @value{GDBN} developers.
16652
16653 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16654 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16655 are:
16656
16657 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16658 @item Command Name
16659 @tab Remote Packet
16660 @tab Related Features
16661
16662 @item @code{fetch-register}
16663 @tab @code{p}
16664 @tab @code{info registers}
16665
16666 @item @code{set-register}
16667 @tab @code{P}
16668 @tab @code{set}
16669
16670 @item @code{binary-download}
16671 @tab @code{X}
16672 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16673
16674 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16675 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16676 @tab @code{info auxv}
16677
16678 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16679 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16680 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16681
16682 @item @code{attach}
16683 @tab @code{vAttach}
16684 @tab @code{attach}
16685
16686 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16687 @tab @code{vCont}
16688 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16689
16690 @item @code{run}
16691 @tab @code{vRun}
16692 @tab @code{run}
16693
16694 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16695 @tab @code{Z0}
16696 @tab @code{break}
16697
16698 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16699 @tab @code{Z1}
16700 @tab @code{hbreak}
16701
16702 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16703 @tab @code{Z2}
16704 @tab @code{watch}
16705
16706 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16707 @tab @code{Z3}
16708 @tab @code{rwatch}
16709
16710 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16711 @tab @code{Z4}
16712 @tab @code{awatch}
16713
16714 @item @code{target-features}
16715 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16716 @tab @code{set architecture}
16717
16718 @item @code{library-info}
16719 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16720 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16721
16722 @item @code{memory-map}
16723 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16724 @tab @code{info mem}
16725
16726 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16727 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16728 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16729
16730 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16731 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16732 @tab @code{info spu}
16733
16734 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16735 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16736 @tab @code{info spu}
16737
16738 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16739 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16740 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16741
16742 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16743 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16744 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16745
16746 @item @code{threads}
16747 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16748 @tab @code{info threads}
16749
16750 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16751 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16752 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16753
16754 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16755 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16756 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16757
16758 @item @code{search-memory}
16759 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16760 @tab @code{find}
16761
16762 @item @code{supported-packets}
16763 @tab @code{qSupported}
16764 @tab Remote communications parameters
16765
16766 @item @code{pass-signals}
16767 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16768 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16769
16770 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16771 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16772 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16773
16774 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16775 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16776 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16777
16778 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16779 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16780 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16781
16782 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16783 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16784 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16785
16786 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16787 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16788 @tab @code{remote delete}
16789
16790 @item @code{noack-packet}
16791 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16792 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16793
16794 @item @code{osdata}
16795 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16796 @tab @code{info os}
16797
16798 @item @code{query-attached}
16799 @tab @code{qAttached}
16800 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16801
16802 @item @code{traceframe-info}
16803 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16804 @tab Traceframe info
16805 @end multitable
16806
16807 @node Remote Stub
16808 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16809
16810 @cindex debugging stub, example
16811 @cindex remote stub, example
16812 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16813 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16814 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16815 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16816 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16817 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16818 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16819 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16820
16821 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16822 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16823 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16824 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16825 program, you need:
16826
16827 @enumerate
16828 @item
16829 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16830 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16831 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16832
16833 @item
16834 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16835 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16836
16837 @item
16838 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16839 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16840 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16841 documentation.
16842 @end enumerate
16843
16844 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16845 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16846 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16847
16848 @table @emph
16849 @item On the host,
16850 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16851 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16852 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16853
16854 @item On the target,
16855 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16856 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16857 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16858
16859 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16860 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16861 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16862 @end table
16863
16864 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16865 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16866 @sc{sparc} boards.
16867
16868 @cindex remote serial stub list
16869 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16870
16871 @table @code
16872
16873 @item i386-stub.c
16874 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16875 @cindex Intel
16876 @cindex i386
16877 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16878
16879 @item m68k-stub.c
16880 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16881 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16882 @cindex m680x0
16883 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16884
16885 @item sh-stub.c
16886 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16887 @cindex Renesas
16888 @cindex SH
16889 For Renesas SH architectures.
16890
16891 @item sparc-stub.c
16892 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16893 @cindex Sparc
16894 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16895
16896 @item sparcl-stub.c
16897 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16898 @cindex Fujitsu
16899 @cindex SparcLite
16900 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16901
16902 @end table
16903
16904 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16905 recently added stubs.
16906
16907 @menu
16908 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16909 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16910 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16911 @end menu
16912
16913 @node Stub Contents
16914 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16915
16916 @cindex remote serial stub
16917 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16918 subroutines:
16919
16920 @table @code
16921 @item set_debug_traps
16922 @findex set_debug_traps
16923 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16924 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16925 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16926 beginning of your program.
16927
16928 @item handle_exception
16929 @findex handle_exception
16930 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16931 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16932 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16933 run when a trap is triggered.
16934
16935 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16936 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16937 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16938 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16939 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16940 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16941 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16942 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16943 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16944 machine.
16945
16946 @item breakpoint
16947 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16948 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16949 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16950 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16951 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16952 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16953 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16954 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16955 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16956 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16957 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16958
16959 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16960 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16961 start of your debugging session.
16962 @end table
16963
16964 @node Bootstrapping
16965 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16966
16967 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16968 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16969 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16970 debugging target machine.
16971
16972 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16973 serial port.
16974
16975 @table @code
16976 @item int getDebugChar()
16977 @findex getDebugChar
16978 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16979 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16980 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16981
16982 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16983 @findex putDebugChar
16984 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16985 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16986 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16987 @end table
16988
16989 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16990 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16991 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16992 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16993 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16994 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16995 remote system to stop.
16996
16997 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16998 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16999 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17000 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17001
17002 Other routines you need to supply are:
17003
17004 @table @code
17005 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17006 @findex exceptionHandler
17007 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17008 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17009 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17010 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17011 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17012 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17013 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17014 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17015 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17016 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17017 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17018 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17019 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17020
17021 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17022 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17023 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17024 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17025 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17026
17027 @item void flush_i_cache()
17028 @findex flush_i_cache
17029 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17030 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17031 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17032
17033 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17034 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17035 @end table
17036
17037 @noindent
17038 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17039
17040 @table @code
17041 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17042 @findex memset
17043 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17044 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17045 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17046 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17047 @end table
17048
17049 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17050 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17051 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17052 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17053
17054
17055 @node Debug Session
17056 @subsection Putting it All Together
17057
17058 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17059 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17060 steps.
17061
17062 @enumerate
17063 @item
17064 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17065 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17066 @display
17067 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17068 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17069 @end display
17070
17071 @item
17072 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17073
17074 @smallexample
17075 set_debug_traps();
17076 breakpoint();
17077 @end smallexample
17078
17079 @item
17080 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17081 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17082
17083 @smallexample
17084 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17085 @end smallexample
17086
17087 @noindent
17088 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17089 function in your program, that function is called when
17090 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17091 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17092 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17093
17094 @item
17095 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17096 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17097
17098 @item
17099 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17100 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17101
17102 @item
17103 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17104 @c document that. FIXME.
17105 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17106 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17107
17108 @item
17109 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17110 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17111
17112 @end enumerate
17113
17114 @node Configurations
17115 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17116
17117 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17118 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17119 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17120
17121 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17122 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17123 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17124 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17125 are quite different from each other.
17126
17127 @menu
17128 * Native::
17129 * Embedded OS::
17130 * Embedded Processors::
17131 * Architectures::
17132 @end menu
17133
17134 @node Native
17135 @section Native
17136
17137 This section describes details specific to particular native
17138 configurations.
17139
17140 @menu
17141 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17142 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17143 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17144 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17145 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17146 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17147 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17148 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17149 @end menu
17150
17151 @node HP-UX
17152 @subsection HP-UX
17153
17154 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17155 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17156 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17157
17158
17159 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17160 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17161
17162 @cindex libkvm
17163 @cindex kernel memory image
17164 @cindex kernel crash dump
17165
17166 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17167 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17168 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17169 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17170 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17171 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17172 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17173 @code{kvm} target:
17174
17175 @smallexample
17176 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17177 @end smallexample
17178
17179 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17180 argument:
17181
17182 @smallexample
17183 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17184 @end smallexample
17185
17186 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17187 available:
17188
17189 @table @code
17190 @kindex kvm
17191 @item kvm pcb
17192 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17193
17194 @item kvm proc
17195 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17196 modern FreeBSD systems.
17197 @end table
17198
17199 @node SVR4 Process Information
17200 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17201 @cindex /proc
17202 @cindex examine process image
17203 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17204
17205 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17206 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17207 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17208 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17209 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17210 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17211 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17212 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17213 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17214
17215 @table @code
17216 @kindex info proc
17217 @cindex process ID
17218 @item info proc
17219 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17220 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17221 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17222 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17223 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17224 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17225 executable file's absolute file name.
17226
17227 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17228 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17229 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17230 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17231 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17232 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17233
17234 @item info proc mappings
17235 @cindex memory address space mappings
17236 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17237 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17238 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17239 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17240 memory access rights to that range.
17241
17242 @item info proc stat
17243 @itemx info proc status
17244 @cindex process detailed status information
17245 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17246 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17247 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17248 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17249 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17250 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17251 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17252
17253 @item info proc all
17254 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17255 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17256
17257 @ignore
17258 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17259 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17260 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17261 @kindex info proc times
17262 @item info proc times
17263 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17264 its children.
17265
17266 @kindex info proc id
17267 @item info proc id
17268 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17269 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17270 @end ignore
17271
17272 @item set procfs-trace
17273 @kindex set procfs-trace
17274 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17275 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17276
17277 @item show procfs-trace
17278 @kindex show procfs-trace
17279 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17280
17281 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17282 @kindex set procfs-file
17283 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17284 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17285 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17286 standard output.
17287
17288 @item show procfs-file
17289 @kindex show procfs-file
17290 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17291
17292 @item proc-trace-entry
17293 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17294 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17295 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17296 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17297 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17298 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17299 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17300 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17301 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17302
17303 @item info pidlist
17304 @kindex info pidlist
17305 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17306 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17307 processes and all the threads within each process.
17308
17309 @item info meminfo
17310 @kindex info meminfo
17311 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17312 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17313 @end table
17314
17315 @node DJGPP Native
17316 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17317 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17318 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17319 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17320
17321 @cindex DPMI
17322 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17323 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17324 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17325 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17326
17327 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17328 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17329 subsection describes those commands.
17330
17331 @table @code
17332 @kindex info dos
17333 @item info dos
17334 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17335 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17336
17337 @kindex sysinfo
17338 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17339 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17340 @item info dos sysinfo
17341 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17342 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17343 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17344
17345 @cindex GDT
17346 @cindex LDT
17347 @cindex IDT
17348 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17349 @cindex descriptor tables display
17350 @item info dos gdt
17351 @itemx info dos ldt
17352 @itemx info dos idt
17353 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17354 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17355 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17356 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17357 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17358 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17359 rights.
17360
17361 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17362 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17363 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17364 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17365 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17366
17367 @cindex garbled pointers
17368 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17369 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17370 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17371 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17372 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17373 debugged program's data segment:
17374
17375 @smallexample
17376 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17377 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17378 @end smallexample
17379
17380 @noindent
17381 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17382 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17383
17384 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17385 @item info dos pde
17386 @itemx info dos pte
17387 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17388 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17389 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17390 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17391 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17392 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17393 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17394 that is currently in use.
17395
17396 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17397 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17398 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17399 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17400 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17401 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17402 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17403
17404 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17405 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17406 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17407 controller.
17408
17409 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17410
17411 @cindex physical address from linear address
17412 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17413 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17414 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17415 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17416 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17417 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17418 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17419
17420 @smallexample
17421 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17422 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17423 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17424 @end smallexample
17425
17426 @noindent
17427 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17428 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17429 attributes of that page.
17430
17431 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17432 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17433 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17434 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17435 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17436 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17437
17438 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17439 transfer buffer:
17440
17441 @smallexample
17442 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17443 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17444 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17445 @end smallexample
17446
17447 @noindent
17448 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17449 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17450 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17451 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17452 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17453
17454 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17455 @end table
17456
17457 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17458 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17459 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17460 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17461
17462 @table @code
17463 @kindex set com1base
17464 @kindex set com1irq
17465 @kindex set com2base
17466 @kindex set com2irq
17467 @kindex set com3base
17468 @kindex set com3irq
17469 @kindex set com4base
17470 @kindex set com4irq
17471 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17472 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17473 port.
17474
17475 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17476 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17477 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17478
17479 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17480 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17481 other 3 COM ports.
17482
17483 @kindex show com1base
17484 @kindex show com1irq
17485 @kindex show com2base
17486 @kindex show com2irq
17487 @kindex show com3base
17488 @kindex show com3irq
17489 @kindex show com4base
17490 @kindex show com4irq
17491 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17492 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17493 lines used by the COM ports.
17494
17495 @item info serial
17496 @kindex info serial
17497 @cindex DOS serial port status
17498 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17499 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17500 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17501 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17502 @end table
17503
17504
17505 @node Cygwin Native
17506 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17507 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17508 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17509 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17510
17511 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17512 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17513
17514 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17515 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17516 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17517 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17518 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17519 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17520 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17521 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17522
17523 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17524 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17525 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17526
17527 @table @code
17528 @kindex info w32
17529 @item info w32
17530 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17531 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17532
17533 @item info w32 selector
17534 This command displays information returned by
17535 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17536 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17537 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17538 Without argument, this command displays information
17539 about the six segment registers.
17540
17541 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17542 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17543 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17544 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17545
17546 @kindex info dll
17547 @item info dll
17548 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17549
17550 @kindex dll-symbols
17551 @item dll-symbols
17552 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17553 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17554
17555 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17556 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17557 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17558 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17559 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17560 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17561 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17562 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17563 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17564 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17565 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17566
17567 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17568 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17569 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17570 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17571
17572 @kindex set new-console
17573 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17574 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17575 be started in a new console on next start.
17576 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17577 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17578
17579 @kindex show new-console
17580 @item show new-console
17581 Displays whether a new console is used
17582 when the debuggee is started.
17583
17584 @kindex set new-group
17585 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17586 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17587 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17588 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17589 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17590
17591 @kindex show new-group
17592 @item show new-group
17593 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17594
17595 @kindex set debugevents
17596 @item set debugevents
17597 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17598 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17599 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17600 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17601 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17602
17603 @kindex set debugexec
17604 @item set debugexec
17605 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17606 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17607
17608 @kindex set debugexceptions
17609 @item set debugexceptions
17610 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17611 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17612
17613 @kindex set debugmemory
17614 @item set debugmemory
17615 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17616 and writes by the debugger.
17617
17618 @kindex set shell
17619 @item set shell
17620 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17621 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17622
17623 @kindex show shell
17624 @item show shell
17625 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17626
17627 @end table
17628
17629 @menu
17630 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17631 @end menu
17632
17633 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17634 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17635 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17636 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17637
17638 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17639 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17640 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17641 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17642 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17643 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17644 ``minimal symbols''.
17645
17646 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17647 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17648 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17649 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17650 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17651 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17652 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17653 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17654 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17655 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17656
17657 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17658
17659 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17660 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17661 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17662 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17663 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17664 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17665 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17666 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17667 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17668
17669 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17670 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17671 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17672 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17673 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17674 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17675
17676 @smallexample
17677 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17678 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17679
17680 Non-debugging symbols:
17681 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17682 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17683 @end smallexample
17684
17685 @smallexample
17686 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17687 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17688
17689 Non-debugging symbols:
17690 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17691 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17692 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17693 [etc...]
17694 @end smallexample
17695
17696 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17697
17698 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17699 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17700 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17701 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17702 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17703 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17704 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17705
17706 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17707 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17708 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17709 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17710 problem:
17711
17712 @smallexample
17713 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17714 $1 = 268572168
17715 @end smallexample
17716
17717 @smallexample
17718 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17719 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17720 @end smallexample
17721
17722 And two possible solutions:
17723
17724 @smallexample
17725 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17726 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17727 @end smallexample
17728
17729 @smallexample
17730 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17731 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17732 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17733 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17734 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17735 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17736 @end smallexample
17737
17738 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17739 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17740 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17741 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17742 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17743
17744 @smallexample
17745 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17746 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17747 @end smallexample
17748
17749 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17750 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17751 safe.
17752
17753 @node Hurd Native
17754 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17755 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17756
17757 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17758 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17759
17760 @table @code
17761 @item set signals
17762 @itemx set sigs
17763 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17764 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17765 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17766 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17767 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17768 @code{signals}.
17769
17770 @item show signals
17771 @itemx show sigs
17772 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17773 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17774 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17775
17776 @item set signal-thread
17777 @itemx set sigthread
17778 @kindex set signal-thread
17779 @kindex set sigthread
17780 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17781 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17782 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17783 signal-thread}.
17784
17785 @item show signal-thread
17786 @itemx show sigthread
17787 @kindex show signal-thread
17788 @kindex show sigthread
17789 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17790 delivered a signal.
17791
17792 @item set stopped
17793 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17794 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17795 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17796 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17797
17798 @item show stopped
17799 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17800 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17801 stopped.
17802
17803 @item set exceptions
17804 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17805 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17806 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17807 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17808 trapping on.
17809
17810 @item show exceptions
17811 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17812 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17813
17814 @item set task pause
17815 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17816 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17817 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17818 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17819 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17820 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17821 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17822 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17823 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17824
17825 @item show task pause
17826 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17827 Show the current state of task suspension.
17828
17829 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17830 @cindex task suspend count
17831 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17832 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17833 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17834
17835 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17836 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17837
17838 @item set task exception-port
17839 @itemx set task excp
17840 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17841 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17842 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17843 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17844
17845 @item set noninvasive
17846 @cindex noninvasive task options
17847 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17848 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17849 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17850 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17851
17852 @item info send-rights
17853 @itemx info receive-rights
17854 @itemx info port-rights
17855 @itemx info port-sets
17856 @itemx info dead-names
17857 @itemx info ports
17858 @itemx info psets
17859 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17860 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17861 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17862 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17863 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17864 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17865 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17866 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17867 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17868
17869 @item set thread pause
17870 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17871 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17872 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17873 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17874 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17875 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17876 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17877 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17878 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17879 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17880 only the current thread.
17881
17882 @item show thread pause
17883 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17884 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17885
17886 @item set thread run
17887 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17888
17889 @item show thread run
17890 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17891
17892 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17893 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17894 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17895 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17896 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17897 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17898 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17899
17900 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17901 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17902 detaching.
17903
17904 @item set thread exception-port
17905 @itemx set thread excp
17906 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17907 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17908 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17909
17910 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17911 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17912 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17913 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17914
17915 @item set thread default
17916 @itemx show thread default
17917 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17918 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17919 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17920 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17921 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17922 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17923 the non-default commands.
17924 @end table
17925
17926
17927 @node Neutrino
17928 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17929 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17930
17931 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17932 Neutrino target:
17933
17934 @table @code
17935 @item set debug nto-debug
17936 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17937 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17938 Neutrino support.
17939
17940 @item show debug nto-debug
17941 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17942 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17943 @end table
17944
17945 @node Darwin
17946 @subsection Darwin
17947 @cindex Darwin
17948
17949 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17950
17951 @table @code
17952 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17953 @kindex set debug darwin
17954 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17955 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17956
17957 @item show debug darwin
17958 @kindex show debug darwin
17959 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17960
17961 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17962 @kindex set debug mach-o
17963 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17964 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17965 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17966 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17967 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17968 usage.
17969
17970 @item show debug mach-o
17971 @kindex show debug mach-o
17972 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17973
17974 @item set mach-exceptions on
17975 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17976 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17977 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17978 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17979 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17980 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17981
17982 @item show mach-exceptions
17983 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17984 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17985 @end table
17986
17987
17988 @node Embedded OS
17989 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17990
17991 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17992 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17993 architectures.
17994
17995 @menu
17996 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17997 @end menu
17998
17999 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18000 various real-time operating systems.
18001
18002 @node VxWorks
18003 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18004
18005 @cindex VxWorks
18006
18007 @table @code
18008
18009 @kindex target vxworks
18010 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18011 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18012 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18013
18014 @end table
18015
18016 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18017 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18018
18019 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18020 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18021 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18022 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18023 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18024 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18025 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18026
18027 @table @code
18028 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18029 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18030 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18031 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18032 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18033 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18034 of a thin network line.
18035 @end table
18036
18037 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18038 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18039 procedures.
18040
18041 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18042 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18043 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18044 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18045 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18046 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18047 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18048 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18049 manual.
18050 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18051
18052 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18053 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18054 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18055 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18056
18057 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18058
18059 @smallexample
18060 (vxgdb)
18061 @end smallexample
18062
18063 @menu
18064 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18065 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18066 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18067 @end menu
18068
18069 @node VxWorks Connection
18070 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18071
18072 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18073 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18074
18075 @smallexample
18076 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18077 @end smallexample
18078
18079 @need 750
18080 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18081
18082 @smallexample
18083 Attaching remote machine across net...
18084 Connected to tt.
18085 @end smallexample
18086
18087 @need 1000
18088 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18089 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18090 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18091 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18092 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18093
18094 @smallexample
18095 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18096 @end smallexample
18097
18098 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18099 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18100 command again.
18101
18102 @node VxWorks Download
18103 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18104
18105 @cindex download to VxWorks
18106 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18107 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18108 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18109 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18110 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18111 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18112 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18113 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18114 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18115 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18116 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18117 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18118 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18119 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18120 program, type this on VxWorks:
18121
18122 @smallexample
18123 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18124 @end smallexample
18125
18126 @noindent
18127 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18128
18129 @smallexample
18130 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18131 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18132 @end smallexample
18133
18134 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18135
18136 @smallexample
18137 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18138 @end smallexample
18139
18140 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18141 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18142 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18143 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18144 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18145 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18146 table.)
18147
18148 @node VxWorks Attach
18149 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18150
18151 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18152 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18153 follows:
18154
18155 @smallexample
18156 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18157 @end smallexample
18158
18159 @noindent
18160 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18161 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18162 the time of attachment.
18163
18164 @node Embedded Processors
18165 @section Embedded Processors
18166
18167 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18168 configurations.
18169
18170 @cindex send command to simulator
18171 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18172 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18173
18174 @table @code
18175 @item sim @var{command}
18176 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18177 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18178 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18179 acceptable commands.
18180 @end table
18181
18182
18183 @menu
18184 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18185 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18186 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18187 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18188 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18189 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18190 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18191 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18192 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18193 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18194 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18195 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18196 * CRIS:: CRIS
18197 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18198 @end menu
18199
18200 @node ARM
18201 @subsection ARM
18202 @cindex ARM RDI
18203
18204 @table @code
18205 @kindex target rdi
18206 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18207 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18208 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18209 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18210
18211 @kindex target rdp
18212 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18213 ARM Demon monitor.
18214
18215 @end table
18216
18217 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18218
18219 @table @code
18220 @item set arm disassembler
18221 @kindex set arm
18222 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18223 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18224
18225 @item show arm disassembler
18226 @kindex show arm
18227 Show the current disassembly style.
18228
18229 @item set arm apcs32
18230 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18231 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18232
18233 @item show arm apcs32
18234 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18235
18236 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18237 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18238 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18239
18240 @table @code
18241 @item auto
18242 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18243 @item softfpa
18244 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18245 processors.
18246 @item fpa
18247 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18248 @item softvfp
18249 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18250 @item vfp
18251 VFP co-processor.
18252 @end table
18253
18254 @item show arm fpu
18255 Show the current type of the FPU.
18256
18257 @item set arm abi
18258 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18259
18260 @item show arm abi
18261 Show the currently used ABI.
18262
18263 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18264 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18265 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18266 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18267 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18268 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18269 register).
18270
18271 @item show arm fallback-mode
18272 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18273
18274 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18275 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18276 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18277 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18278 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18279
18280 @item show arm force-mode
18281 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18282
18283 @item set debug arm
18284 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18285 target support subsystem.
18286
18287 @item show debug arm
18288 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18289 @end table
18290
18291 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18292 using the RDI interface:
18293
18294 @table @code
18295 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18296 @kindex rdilogfile
18297 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18298 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18299 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18300 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18301 @file{rdi.log}.
18302
18303 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18304 @kindex rdilogenable
18305 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18306 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18307 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18308 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18309 are logged to a file.
18310
18311 @item set rdiromatzero
18312 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18313 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18314 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18315 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18316 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18317 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18318
18319 @item show rdiromatzero
18320 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18321 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18322
18323 @item set rdiheartbeat
18324 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18325 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18326 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18327 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18328 well as the Angel monitor.
18329
18330 @item show rdiheartbeat
18331 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18332 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18333 @end table
18334
18335 @table @code
18336 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18337 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18338
18339 @table @code
18340 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18341 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18342 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18343 The default value is @code{all}.
18344
18345 @table @code
18346 @item none
18347 @item demon
18348 @item angel
18349 @item redboot
18350 @item all
18351 @end table
18352 @end table
18353 @end table
18354
18355 @node M32R/D
18356 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18357
18358 @table @code
18359 @kindex target m32r
18360 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18361 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18362
18363 @kindex target m32rsdi
18364 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18365 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18366 @end table
18367
18368 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18369
18370 @table @code
18371 @item set download-path @var{path}
18372 @kindex set download-path
18373 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18374 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18375
18376 @item show download-path
18377 @kindex show download-path
18378 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18379
18380 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18381 @kindex set board-address
18382 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18383 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18384
18385 @item show board-address
18386 @kindex show board-address
18387 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18388
18389 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18390 @kindex set server-address
18391 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18392 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18393 host machine.
18394
18395 @item show server-address
18396 @kindex show server-address
18397 Display the IP address of the download server.
18398
18399 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18400 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18401 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18402 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18403 executable file is uploaded.
18404
18405 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18406 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18407 Test the @code{upload} command.
18408 @end table
18409
18410 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18411
18412 @table @code
18413 @item sdireset
18414 @kindex sdireset
18415 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18416 This command resets the SDI connection.
18417
18418 @item sdistatus
18419 @kindex sdistatus
18420 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18421
18422 @item debug_chaos
18423 @kindex debug_chaos
18424 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18425 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18426
18427 @item use_debug_dma
18428 @kindex use_debug_dma
18429 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18430
18431 @item use_mon_code
18432 @kindex use_mon_code
18433 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18434
18435 @item use_ib_break
18436 @kindex use_ib_break
18437 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18438
18439 @item use_dbt_break
18440 @kindex use_dbt_break
18441 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18442 @end table
18443
18444 @node M68K
18445 @subsection M68k
18446
18447 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18448 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18449
18450 @table @code
18451
18452 @kindex target dbug
18453 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18454 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18455
18456 @end table
18457
18458 @node MicroBlaze
18459 @subsection MicroBlaze
18460 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18461 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18462
18463 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18464 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18465 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18466 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18467 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18468 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18469 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18470 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18471 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18472 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18473 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18474
18475 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18476
18477 @table @code
18478 @item target remote :1234
18479 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18480 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18481
18482 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18483 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18484 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18485
18486 @item load
18487 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18488
18489 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18490 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18491
18492 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18493 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18494 @end table
18495
18496 @node MIPS Embedded
18497 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18498
18499 @cindex MIPS boards
18500 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18501 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18502 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18503
18504 @need 1000
18505 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18506
18507 @table @code
18508 @item target mips @var{port}
18509 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18510 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18511 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18512 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18513 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18514 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18515 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18516
18517 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18518 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18519 debugger:
18520
18521 @smallexample
18522 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18523 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18524 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18525 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18526 (@value{GDBP}) run
18527 @end smallexample
18528
18529 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18530 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18531 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18532 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18533 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18534
18535 @item target pmon @var{port}
18536 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18537 PMON ROM monitor.
18538
18539 @item target ddb @var{port}
18540 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18541 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18542
18543 @item target lsi @var{port}
18544 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18545 LSI variant of PMON.
18546
18547 @kindex target r3900
18548 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18549 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18550
18551 @kindex target array
18552 @item target array @var{dev}
18553 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18554
18555 @end table
18556
18557
18558 @noindent
18559 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18560
18561 @table @code
18562 @item set mipsfpu double
18563 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18564 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18565 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18566 @itemx show mipsfpu
18567 @kindex set mipsfpu
18568 @kindex show mipsfpu
18569 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18570 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18571 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18572 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18573 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18574 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18575 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18576 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18577 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18578 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18579 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18580 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18581 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18582
18583 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18584 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18585 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18586
18587 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18588 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18589
18590 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18591 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18592 @itemx show timeout
18593 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18594 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18595 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18596 @kindex set timeout
18597 @kindex show timeout
18598 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18599 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18600 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18601 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18602 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18603 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18604 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18605 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18606 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18607 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18608
18609 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18610 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18611 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18612 to run before stopping.
18613
18614 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18615 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18616 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18617 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18618 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18619 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18620
18621 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18622 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18623 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18624 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18625
18626 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18627 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18628 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18629 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18630 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18631 @table @asis
18632 @item pmon target
18633 @samp{PMON}
18634 @item ddb target
18635 @samp{NEC010}
18636 @item lsi target
18637 @samp{PMON>}
18638 @end table
18639
18640 @item show monitor-prompt
18641 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18642 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18643 remote monitor.
18644
18645 @item set monitor-warnings
18646 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18647 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18648 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18649 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18650 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18651
18652 @item show monitor-warnings
18653 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18654 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18655
18656 @item pmon @var{command}
18657 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18658 @cindex send PMON command
18659 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18660 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18661 @end table
18662
18663 @node OpenRISC 1000
18664 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18665 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18666
18667 @cindex or1k boards
18668 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18669 about platform and commands.
18670
18671 @table @code
18672
18673 @kindex target jtag
18674 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18675
18676 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18677 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18678 connected via parallel port to the board.
18679
18680 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18681
18682 @kindex or1ksim
18683 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18684 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18685 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18686
18687 @kindex info or1k spr
18688 @item info or1k spr
18689 Displays spr groups.
18690
18691 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18692 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18693 Displays register names in selected group.
18694
18695 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18696 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18697 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18698 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18699 Shows information about specified spr register.
18700
18701 @kindex spr
18702 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18703 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18704 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18705 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18706 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18707 @end table
18708
18709 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18710 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18711 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18712 triggers can be set using:
18713 @table @code
18714 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18715 Load effective address/data
18716 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18717 Store effective address/data
18718 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18719 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18720 @item $FETCH
18721 Fetch data
18722 @end table
18723
18724 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18725 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18726
18727 @code{htrace} commands:
18728 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18729 @table @code
18730 @kindex hwatch
18731 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18732 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18733 or Data. For example:
18734
18735 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18736
18737 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18738
18739 @kindex htrace
18740 @item htrace info
18741 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18742
18743 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18744 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18745
18746 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18747 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18748
18749 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18750 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18751
18752 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18753 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18754 triggered.
18755
18756 @item htrace enable
18757 @itemx htrace disable
18758 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18759
18760 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18761 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18762
18763 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18764 will be written there.
18765
18766 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18767 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18768
18769 @item htrace mode continuous
18770 Set continuous trace mode.
18771
18772 @item htrace mode suspend
18773 Set suspend trace mode.
18774
18775 @end table
18776
18777 @node PowerPC Embedded
18778 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18779
18780 @cindex DVC register
18781 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18782 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18783
18784 @smallexample
18785 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18786 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18787 @end smallexample
18788
18789 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18790 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18791 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18792 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18793 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18794 or newer.
18795
18796 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18797 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18798 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18799 watching variables of scalar types.
18800
18801 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18802 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18803
18804 @smallexample
18805 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18806 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18807 @end smallexample
18808
18809 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
18810 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
18811
18812 @cindex ranged breakpoint
18813 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
18814 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
18815 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
18816 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
18817 use the @code{break-range} command.
18818
18819 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18820
18821 @table @code
18822 @kindex break-range
18823 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
18824 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
18825 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
18826 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
18827 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
18828 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
18829 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
18830 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
18831 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
18832
18833 @kindex set powerpc
18834 @item set powerpc soft-float
18835 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18836 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18837 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18838 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18839
18840 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18841 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18842 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18843 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18844 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18845 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18846 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18847 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18848
18849 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18850 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18851 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18852 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18853 address of its first byte.
18854
18855 @kindex target dink32
18856 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18857 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18858
18859 @kindex target ppcbug
18860 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18861 @kindex target ppcbug1
18862 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18863 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18864
18865 @kindex target sds
18866 @item target sds @var{dev}
18867 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18868 @end table
18869
18870 @cindex SDS protocol
18871 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18872 by @value{GDBN}:
18873
18874 @table @code
18875 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18876 @kindex set sdstimeout
18877 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18878 default is 2 seconds.
18879
18880 @item show sdstimeout
18881 @kindex show sdstimeout
18882 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18883
18884 @item sds @var{command}
18885 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18886 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18887 @end table
18888
18889
18890 @node PA
18891 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18892
18893 @table @code
18894
18895 @kindex target op50n
18896 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18897 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18898
18899 @kindex target w89k
18900 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18901 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18902
18903 @end table
18904
18905 @node Sparclet
18906 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18907
18908 @cindex Sparclet
18909
18910 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18911 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18912 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18913 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18914 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18915
18916 @table @code
18917 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18918 @kindex remotetimeout
18919 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18920 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18921 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18922 @end table
18923
18924 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18925 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18926 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18927 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18928 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18929
18930 @smallexample
18931 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18932 @end smallexample
18933
18934 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18935
18936 @smallexample
18937 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18938 @end smallexample
18939
18940 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18941 Once you have set
18942 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18943 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18944 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18945
18946 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18947
18948 @smallexample
18949 (gdbslet)
18950 @end smallexample
18951
18952 @menu
18953 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18954 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18955 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18956 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18957 @end menu
18958
18959 @node Sparclet File
18960 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18961
18962 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18963
18964 @smallexample
18965 (gdbslet) file prog
18966 @end smallexample
18967
18968 @need 1000
18969 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18970 @value{GDBN} locates
18971 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18972 path.
18973 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18974 files will be searched as well.
18975 @value{GDBN} locates
18976 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18977 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18978 If it fails
18979 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18980
18981 @smallexample
18982 prog: No such file or directory.
18983 @end smallexample
18984
18985 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18986 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18987 @code{target} command again.
18988
18989 @node Sparclet Connection
18990 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18991
18992 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18993 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18994
18995 @smallexample
18996 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18997 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18998 main () at ../prog.c:3
18999 @end smallexample
19000
19001 @need 750
19002 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19003
19004 @smallexample
19005 Connected to ttya.
19006 @end smallexample
19007
19008 @node Sparclet Download
19009 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19010
19011 @cindex download to Sparclet
19012 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19013 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19014 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19015 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19016 command.
19017 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19018 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19019 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19020 of each of the file's sections.
19021 For instance, if the program
19022 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19023 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19024
19025 @smallexample
19026 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19027 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19028 @end smallexample
19029
19030 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19031 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19032 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19033
19034 @node Sparclet Execution
19035 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19036
19037 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19038 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19039 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19040 manual for the list of commands.
19041
19042 @smallexample
19043 (gdbslet) b main
19044 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19045 (gdbslet) run
19046 Starting program: prog
19047 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19048 3 char *symarg = 0;
19049 (gdbslet) step
19050 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19051 (gdbslet)
19052 @end smallexample
19053
19054 @node Sparclite
19055 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19056
19057 @table @code
19058
19059 @kindex target sparclite
19060 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19061 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19062 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19063 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19064 remote protocol.
19065
19066 @end table
19067
19068 @node Z8000
19069 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19070
19071 @cindex Z8000
19072 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19073 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19074
19075 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19076 a Z8000 simulator.
19077
19078 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19079 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19080 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19081 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19082
19083 @table @code
19084 @item target sim @var{args}
19085 @kindex sim
19086 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19087 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19088 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19089 @end table
19090
19091 @noindent
19092 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19093 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19094 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19095 to run your program, and so on.
19096
19097 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19098 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19099 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19100
19101 @table @code
19102
19103 @item cycles
19104 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19105
19106 @item insts
19107 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19108
19109 @item time
19110 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19111
19112 @end table
19113
19114 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19115 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19116 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19117 simulated clock ticks.
19118
19119 @node AVR
19120 @subsection Atmel AVR
19121 @cindex AVR
19122
19123 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19124 following AVR-specific commands:
19125
19126 @table @code
19127 @item info io_registers
19128 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19129 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19130 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19131 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19132 @end table
19133
19134 @node CRIS
19135 @subsection CRIS
19136 @cindex CRIS
19137
19138 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19139 following CRIS-specific commands:
19140
19141 @table @code
19142 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19143 @cindex CRIS version
19144 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19145 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19146 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19147
19148 @item show cris-version
19149 Show the current CRIS version.
19150
19151 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19152 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19153 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19154 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19155 @code{R59}.
19156
19157 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19158 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19159
19160 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19161 @cindex CRIS mode
19162 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19163 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19164 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19165
19166 @item show cris-mode
19167 Show the current CRIS mode.
19168 @end table
19169
19170 @node Super-H
19171 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19172 @cindex Super-H
19173
19174 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19175 commands:
19176
19177 @table @code
19178 @item regs
19179 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19180 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19181
19182 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19183 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19184 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19185 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19186 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19187 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19188 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19189 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19190 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19191 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19192 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19193 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19194
19195 @item show sh calling-convention
19196 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19197 Show the current calling convention setting.
19198
19199 @end table
19200
19201
19202 @node Architectures
19203 @section Architectures
19204
19205 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19206 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19207
19208 @menu
19209 * i386::
19210 * A29K::
19211 * Alpha::
19212 * MIPS::
19213 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19214 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19215 * PowerPC::
19216 @end menu
19217
19218 @node i386
19219 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19220
19221 @table @code
19222 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19223 @kindex set struct-convention
19224 @cindex struct return convention
19225 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19226 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19227 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19228 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19229 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19230 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19231 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19232 be returned in a register.
19233
19234 @item show struct-convention
19235 @kindex show struct-convention
19236 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19237 from functions.
19238 @end table
19239
19240 @node A29K
19241 @subsection A29K
19242
19243 @table @code
19244
19245 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19246 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19247 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19248 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19249 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19250 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19251 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19252 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19253 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19254 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19255 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19256 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19257 hexadecimal.
19258
19259 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19260 @item show rstack_high_address
19261 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19262 processors.
19263
19264 @end table
19265
19266 @node Alpha
19267 @subsection Alpha
19268
19269 See the following section.
19270
19271 @node MIPS
19272 @subsection MIPS
19273
19274 @cindex stack on Alpha
19275 @cindex stack on MIPS
19276 @cindex Alpha stack
19277 @cindex MIPS stack
19278 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19279 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19280 find the beginning of a function.
19281
19282 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19283 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19284 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19285 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19286 commands:
19287
19288 @table @code
19289 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19290 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19291 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19292 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19293 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19294 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19295 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19296 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19297
19298 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19299 Display the current limit.
19300 @end table
19301
19302 @noindent
19303 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19304 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19305
19306 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19307 programs:
19308
19309 @table @code
19310 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19311 @kindex set mips abi
19312 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19313 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19314 values of @var{arg} are:
19315
19316 @table @samp
19317 @item auto
19318 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19319 default).
19320 @item o32
19321 @item o64
19322 @item n32
19323 @item n64
19324 @item eabi32
19325 @item eabi64
19326 @item auto
19327 @end table
19328
19329 @item show mips abi
19330 @kindex show mips abi
19331 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19332
19333 @item set mipsfpu
19334 @itemx show mipsfpu
19335 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19336
19337 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19338 @kindex set mips mask-address
19339 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19340 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19341 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19342 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19343 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19344
19345 @item show mips mask-address
19346 @kindex show mips mask-address
19347 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19348 not.
19349
19350 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19351 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19352 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19353 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19354 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19355 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19356
19357 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19358 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19359 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19360
19361 @item set debug mips
19362 @kindex set debug mips
19363 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19364 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19365
19366 @item show debug mips
19367 @kindex show debug mips
19368 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19369 @end table
19370
19371
19372 @node HPPA
19373 @subsection HPPA
19374 @cindex HPPA support
19375
19376 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19377 following special commands:
19378
19379 @table @code
19380 @item set debug hppa
19381 @kindex set debug hppa
19382 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19383 messages are to be displayed.
19384
19385 @item show debug hppa
19386 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19387
19388 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19389 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19390 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19391 given @var{address}.
19392
19393 @end table
19394
19395
19396 @node SPU
19397 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19398 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19399 @cindex SPU
19400
19401 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19402 it provides the following special commands:
19403
19404 @table @code
19405 @item info spu event
19406 @kindex info spu
19407 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19408 and pending event status.
19409
19410 @item info spu signal
19411 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19412 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19413 notification channels.
19414
19415 @item info spu mailbox
19416 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19417 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19418 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19419
19420 @item info spu dma
19421 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19422 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19423 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19424
19425 @item info spu proxydma
19426 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19427 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19428 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19429
19430 @end table
19431
19432 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19433 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19434 special commands:
19435
19436 @table @code
19437 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19438 @kindex set spu
19439 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19440 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19441 function. The default is @code{off}.
19442
19443 @item show spu stop-on-load
19444 @kindex show spu
19445 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19446
19447 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19448 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19449 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19450 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19451 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19452 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19453
19454 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19455 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19456
19457 @end table
19458
19459 @node PowerPC
19460 @subsection PowerPC
19461 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19462
19463 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19464 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19465 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19466 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19467 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19468
19469 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19470 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19471 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19472
19473 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19474 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19475
19476
19477 @node Controlling GDB
19478 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19479
19480 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19481 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19482 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19483 described here.
19484
19485 @menu
19486 * Prompt:: Prompt
19487 * Editing:: Command editing
19488 * Command History:: Command history
19489 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19490 * Numbers:: Numbers
19491 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19492 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19493 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19494 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19495 @end menu
19496
19497 @node Prompt
19498 @section Prompt
19499
19500 @cindex prompt
19501
19502 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19503 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19504 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19505 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19506 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19507 which one you are talking to.
19508
19509 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19510 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19511 or a prompt that does not.
19512
19513 @table @code
19514 @kindex set prompt
19515 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19516 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19517
19518 @kindex show prompt
19519 @item show prompt
19520 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19521 @end table
19522
19523 @node Editing
19524 @section Command Editing
19525 @cindex readline
19526 @cindex command line editing
19527
19528 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19529 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19530 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19531 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19532 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19533 debugging sessions.
19534
19535 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19536 command @code{set}.
19537
19538 @table @code
19539 @kindex set editing
19540 @cindex editing
19541 @item set editing
19542 @itemx set editing on
19543 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19544
19545 @item set editing off
19546 Disable command line editing.
19547
19548 @kindex show editing
19549 @item show editing
19550 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19551 @end table
19552
19553 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19554 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19555 @end ifset
19556 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19557 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19558 @end ifclear
19559 for more details about the Readline
19560 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19561 encouraged to read that chapter.
19562
19563 @node Command History
19564 @section Command History
19565 @cindex command history
19566
19567 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19568 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19569 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19570 history facility.
19571
19572 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19573 package, to provide the history facility.
19574 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19575 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19576 @end ifset
19577 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19578 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19579 @end ifclear
19580 for the detailed description of the History library.
19581
19582 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19583 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19584 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19585 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19586 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19587 pressed on a line by itself.
19588
19589 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19590 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19591 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19592 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19593
19594 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19595 history.
19596
19597 @table @code
19598 @cindex history substitution
19599 @cindex history file
19600 @kindex set history filename
19601 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19602 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19603 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19604 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19605 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19606 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19607 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19608 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19609 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19610 is not set.
19611
19612 @cindex save command history
19613 @kindex set history save
19614 @item set history save
19615 @itemx set history save on
19616 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19617 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19618
19619 @item set history save off
19620 Stop recording command history in a file.
19621
19622 @cindex history size
19623 @kindex set history size
19624 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19625 @item set history size @var{size}
19626 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19627 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19628 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19629 @end table
19630
19631 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19632 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19633 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19634 @end ifset
19635 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19636 @xref{Event Designators},
19637 @end ifclear
19638 for more details.
19639
19640 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19641 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19642 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19643 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19644 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19645 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19646 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19647 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19648
19649 The commands to control history expansion are:
19650
19651 @table @code
19652 @item set history expansion on
19653 @itemx set history expansion
19654 @kindex set history expansion
19655 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19656
19657 @item set history expansion off
19658 Disable history expansion.
19659
19660 @c @group
19661 @kindex show history
19662 @item show history
19663 @itemx show history filename
19664 @itemx show history save
19665 @itemx show history size
19666 @itemx show history expansion
19667 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19668 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19669 @c @end group
19670 @end table
19671
19672 @table @code
19673 @kindex show commands
19674 @cindex show last commands
19675 @cindex display command history
19676 @item show commands
19677 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19678
19679 @item show commands @var{n}
19680 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19681
19682 @item show commands +
19683 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19684 @end table
19685
19686 @node Screen Size
19687 @section Screen Size
19688 @cindex size of screen
19689 @cindex pauses in output
19690
19691 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19692 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19693 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19694 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19695 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19696 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19697 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19698 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19699
19700 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19701 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19702 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19703 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19704 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19705 width} commands:
19706
19707 @table @code
19708 @kindex set height
19709 @kindex set width
19710 @kindex show width
19711 @kindex show height
19712 @item set height @var{lpp}
19713 @itemx show height
19714 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19715 @itemx show width
19716 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19717 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19718 commands display the current settings.
19719
19720 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19721 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19722 file or to an editor buffer.
19723
19724 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19725 from wrapping its output.
19726
19727 @item set pagination on
19728 @itemx set pagination off
19729 @kindex set pagination
19730 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19731 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19732 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19733 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19734
19735 @item show pagination
19736 @kindex show pagination
19737 Show the current pagination mode.
19738 @end table
19739
19740 @node Numbers
19741 @section Numbers
19742 @cindex number representation
19743 @cindex entering numbers
19744
19745 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19746 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19747 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19748 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19749 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19750 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19751 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19752 both input and output with the commands described below.
19753
19754 @table @code
19755 @kindex set input-radix
19756 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19757 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19758 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19759 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19760 example, any of
19761
19762 @smallexample
19763 set input-radix 012
19764 set input-radix 10.
19765 set input-radix 0xa
19766 @end smallexample
19767
19768 @noindent
19769 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19770 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19771 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19772 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19773 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19774 change the radix.
19775
19776 @kindex set output-radix
19777 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19778 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19779 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19780 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19781
19782 @kindex show input-radix
19783 @item show input-radix
19784 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19785
19786 @kindex show output-radix
19787 @item show output-radix
19788 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19789
19790 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19791 @itemx show radix
19792 @kindex set radix
19793 @kindex show radix
19794 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19795 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19796 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19797 default value of 10.
19798
19799 @end table
19800
19801 @node ABI
19802 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19803
19804 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19805 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19806 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19807 current ABI.
19808
19809 @cindex OS ABI
19810 @kindex set osabi
19811 @kindex show osabi
19812
19813 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19814 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19815 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19816 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19817 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19818 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19819 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19820 platform provides.
19821
19822 @table @code
19823 @item show osabi
19824 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19825
19826 @item set osabi
19827 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19828
19829 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19830 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19831 @end table
19832
19833 @cindex float promotion
19834
19835 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19836 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19837 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19838 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19839 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19840 @code{double} and then passed.
19841
19842 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19843 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19844 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19845
19846 @table @code
19847 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19848 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19849 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19850 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19851 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19852
19853 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19854 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19855 functions.
19856
19857 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19858 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19859 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19860 @end table
19861
19862 @kindex set cp-abi
19863 @kindex show cp-abi
19864 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19865 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19866 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19867 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19868 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19869 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19870 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19871 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19872 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19873 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19874 ``auto''.
19875
19876 @table @code
19877 @item show cp-abi
19878 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19879
19880 @item set cp-abi
19881 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19882
19883 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19884 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19885 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19886 @end table
19887
19888 @node Messages/Warnings
19889 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19890
19891 @cindex verbose operation
19892 @cindex optional warnings
19893 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19894 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19895 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19896 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19897
19898 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19899 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19900 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19901
19902 @table @code
19903 @kindex set verbose
19904 @item set verbose on
19905 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19906
19907 @item set verbose off
19908 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19909
19910 @kindex show verbose
19911 @item show verbose
19912 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19913 @end table
19914
19915 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19916 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19917 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19918 Symbol Files}).
19919
19920 @table @code
19921
19922 @kindex set complaints
19923 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19924 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19925 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19926 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19927 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19928
19929 @kindex show complaints
19930 @item show complaints
19931 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19932
19933 @end table
19934
19935 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19936 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19937 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19938 you try to run a program which is already running:
19939
19940 @smallexample
19941 (@value{GDBP}) run
19942 The program being debugged has been started already.
19943 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19944 @end smallexample
19945
19946 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19947 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19948
19949 @table @code
19950
19951 @kindex set confirm
19952 @cindex flinching
19953 @cindex confirmation
19954 @cindex stupid questions
19955 @item set confirm off
19956 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19957 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19958 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19959
19960 @item set confirm on
19961 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19962
19963 @kindex show confirm
19964 @item show confirm
19965 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19966
19967 @end table
19968
19969 @cindex command tracing
19970 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19971 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19972 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19973 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19974
19975 @table @code
19976 @kindex set trace-commands
19977 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19978 @item set trace-commands on
19979 Enable command tracing.
19980 @item set trace-commands off
19981 Disable command tracing.
19982 @item show trace-commands
19983 Display the current state of command tracing.
19984 @end table
19985
19986 @node Debugging Output
19987 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19988 @cindex optional debugging messages
19989
19990 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19991 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19992 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19993 section documents those commands.
19994
19995 @table @code
19996 @kindex set exec-done-display
19997 @item set exec-done-display
19998 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19999 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20000 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20001 @kindex show exec-done-display
20002 @item show exec-done-display
20003 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20004 notification.
20005 @kindex set debug
20006 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20007 @cindex architecture debugging info
20008 @item set debug arch
20009 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20010 @kindex show debug
20011 @item show debug arch
20012 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20013 @item set debug aix-thread
20014 @cindex AIX threads
20015 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20016 module.
20017 @item show debug aix-thread
20018 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20019 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20020 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20021 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20022 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20023 A value of zero turns off the display.
20024 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20025 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20026 @item set debug displaced
20027 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20028 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20029 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20030 @item show debug displaced
20031 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20032 related to displaced stepping.
20033 @item set debug event
20034 @cindex event debugging info
20035 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20036 default is off.
20037 @item show debug event
20038 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20039 info.
20040 @item set debug expression
20041 @cindex expression debugging info
20042 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20043 expression parsing. The default is off.
20044 @item show debug expression
20045 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20046 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20047 @item set debug frame
20048 @cindex frame debugging info
20049 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20050 default is off.
20051 @item show debug frame
20052 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20053 info.
20054 @item set debug gnu-nat
20055 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20056 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20057 @item show debug gnu-nat
20058 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20059 @item set debug infrun
20060 @cindex inferior debugging info
20061 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20062 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20063 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20064 @item show debug infrun
20065 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20066 @item set debug jit
20067 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20068 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20069 @item show debug jit
20070 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20071 @item set debug lin-lwp
20072 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20073 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20074 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20075 @item show debug lin-lwp
20076 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20077 @item set debug observer
20078 @cindex observer debugging info
20079 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20080 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20081 @item show debug observer
20082 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20083 @item set debug overload
20084 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20085 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20086 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20087 is off.
20088 @item show debug overload
20089 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20090 debugging info.
20091 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20092 @cindex debug expression parser
20093 @item set debug parser
20094 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20095 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20096 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20097 details. The default is off.
20098 @item show debug parser
20099 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20100 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20101 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20102 @cindex debug remote protocol
20103 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20104 @cindex display remote packets
20105 @item set debug remote
20106 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20107 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20108 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20109 @item show debug remote
20110 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20111 @item set debug serial
20112 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20113 default is off.
20114 @item show debug serial
20115 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20116 info.
20117 @item set debug solib-frv
20118 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20119 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20120 @item show debug solib-frv
20121 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20122 messages.
20123 @item set debug target
20124 @cindex target debugging info
20125 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20126 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20127 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20128 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20129 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20130 @item show debug target
20131 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20132 info.
20133 @item set debug timestamp
20134 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20135 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20136 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20137 message.
20138 @item show debug timestamp
20139 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20140 debugging info.
20141 @item set debugvarobj
20142 @cindex variable object debugging info
20143 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20144 info. The default is off.
20145 @item show debugvarobj
20146 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20147 debugging info.
20148 @item set debug xml
20149 @cindex XML parser debugging
20150 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20151 @item show debug xml
20152 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20153 @end table
20154
20155 @node Other Misc Settings
20156 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20157 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20158
20159 @table @code
20160 @kindex set interactive-mode
20161 @item set interactive-mode
20162 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20163 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20164 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20165 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20166 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20167 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20168 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20169 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20170
20171 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20172 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20173 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20174 inside a cygwin window.
20175
20176 @kindex show interactive-mode
20177 @item show interactive-mode
20178 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20179 @end table
20180
20181 @node Extending GDB
20182 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20183 @cindex extending GDB
20184
20185 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20186 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20187 Python scripting language.
20188
20189 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20190 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20191 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20192 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20193 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20194 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20195
20196 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20197 setting:
20198
20199 @table @code
20200 @kindex set script-extension
20201 @kindex show script-extension
20202 @item set script-extension off
20203 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20204
20205 @item set script-extension soft
20206 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20207 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20208 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20209 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20210
20211 @item set script-extension strict
20212 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20213 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20214 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20215
20216 @item show script-extension
20217 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20218
20219 @end table
20220
20221 @menu
20222 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20223 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20224 @end menu
20225
20226 @node Sequences
20227 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20228
20229 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20230 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20231 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20232 files.
20233
20234 @menu
20235 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20236 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20237 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20238 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20239 @end menu
20240
20241 @node Define
20242 @subsection User-defined Commands
20243
20244 @cindex user-defined command
20245 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20246 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20247 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20248 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20249 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20250 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20251
20252 @smallexample
20253 define adder
20254 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20255 end
20256 @end smallexample
20257
20258 @noindent
20259 To execute the command use:
20260
20261 @smallexample
20262 adder 1 2 3
20263 @end smallexample
20264
20265 @noindent
20266 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20267 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20268 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20269 functions calls.
20270
20271 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20272 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20273 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20274 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20275
20276 @smallexample
20277 define adder
20278 if $argc == 2
20279 print $arg0 + $arg1
20280 end
20281 if $argc == 3
20282 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20283 end
20284 end
20285 @end smallexample
20286
20287 @table @code
20288
20289 @kindex define
20290 @item define @var{commandname}
20291 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20292 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20293 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20294 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20295 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20296 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20297
20298 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20299 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20300 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20301
20302 @kindex document
20303 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20304 @item document @var{commandname}
20305 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20306 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20307 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20308 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20309 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20310 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20311
20312 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20313 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20314 does not change the documentation.
20315
20316 @kindex dont-repeat
20317 @cindex don't repeat command
20318 @item dont-repeat
20319 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20320 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20321 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20322
20323 @kindex help user-defined
20324 @item help user-defined
20325 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20326 (if any) for each.
20327
20328 @kindex show user
20329 @item show user
20330 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20331 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20332 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20333 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20334
20335 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20336 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20337 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20338 @item show max-user-call-depth
20339 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20340 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20341 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20342 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20343 @end table
20344
20345 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20346 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20347
20348 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20349 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20350 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20351
20352 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20353 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20354 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20355 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20356
20357 @node Hooks
20358 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20359 @cindex command hooks
20360 @cindex hooks, for commands
20361 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20362
20363 @kindex hook
20364 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20365 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20366 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20367 before that command.
20368
20369 @cindex hooks, post-command
20370 @kindex hookpost
20371 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20372 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20373 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20374 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20375 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20376
20377 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20378 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20379
20380 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20381 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20382
20383 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20384 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20385 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20386 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20387 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20388
20389 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20390 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20391 you could define:
20392
20393 @smallexample
20394 define hook-stop
20395 handle SIGALRM nopass
20396 end
20397
20398 define hook-run
20399 handle SIGALRM pass
20400 end
20401
20402 define hook-continue
20403 handle SIGALRM pass
20404 end
20405 @end smallexample
20406
20407 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20408 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20409 you could define:
20410
20411 @smallexample
20412 define hook-echo
20413 echo <<<---
20414 end
20415
20416 define hookpost-echo
20417 echo --->>>\n
20418 end
20419
20420 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20421 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20422 (@value{GDBP})
20423
20424 @end smallexample
20425
20426 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20427 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20428 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20429 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20430 @c or not?
20431 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20432 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20433 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20434
20435 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20436 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20437 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20438
20439 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20440 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20441
20442 @node Command Files
20443 @subsection Command Files
20444
20445 @cindex command files
20446 @cindex scripting commands
20447 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20448 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20449 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20450 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20451 terminal.
20452
20453 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20454 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20455 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20456 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20457 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20458
20459 @table @code
20460 @kindex source
20461 @cindex execute commands from a file
20462 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20463 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20464 @end table
20465
20466 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20467 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20468 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20469 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20470 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20471
20472 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20473 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20474 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20475 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20476 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20477 is not relevant to scripts.
20478
20479 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20480 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20481 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20482 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20483 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20484 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20485 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20486 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20487 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20488 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20489 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20490 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20491 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20492 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20493
20494 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20495 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20496 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20497
20498 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20499 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20500 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20501 when called from command files.
20502
20503 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20504 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20505 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20506 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20507 the next command.
20508
20509 @smallexample
20510 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20511 @end smallexample
20512
20513 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20514 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20515 would be directed to @file{log}.
20516
20517 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20518 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20519 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20520 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20521 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20522 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20523 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20524 conditionally, etc.
20525
20526 @table @code
20527 @kindex if
20528 @kindex else
20529 @item if
20530 @itemx else
20531 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20532 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20533 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20534 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20535 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20536 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20537 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20538
20539 @kindex while
20540 @item while
20541 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20542 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20543 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20544 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20545 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20546 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20547
20548 @kindex loop_break
20549 @item loop_break
20550 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20551 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20552 line.
20553
20554 @kindex loop_continue
20555 @item loop_continue
20556 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20557 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20558 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20559 the controlling expression.
20560
20561 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20562 @item end
20563 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20564 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20565 @end table
20566
20567
20568 @node Output
20569 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20570
20571 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20572 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20573 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20574 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20575 want.
20576
20577 @table @code
20578 @kindex echo
20579 @item echo @var{text}
20580 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20581 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20582 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20583 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20584 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20585 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20586 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20587 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20588 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20589 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20590 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20591
20592 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20593 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20594
20595 @smallexample
20596 echo This is some text\n\
20597 which is continued\n\
20598 onto several lines.\n
20599 @end smallexample
20600
20601 produces the same output as
20602
20603 @smallexample
20604 echo This is some text\n
20605 echo which is continued\n
20606 echo onto several lines.\n
20607 @end smallexample
20608
20609 @kindex output
20610 @item output @var{expression}
20611 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20612 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20613 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20614 on expressions.
20615
20616 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20617 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20618 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20619 Formats}, for more information.
20620
20621 @kindex printf
20622 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20623 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20624 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20625 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20626 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20627 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20628 executing the code below:
20629
20630 @smallexample
20631 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20632 @end smallexample
20633
20634 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20635 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20636 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20637 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20638 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20639 printed.
20640
20641 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20642
20643 @smallexample
20644 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20645 @end smallexample
20646
20647 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20648 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20649 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20650
20651 @itemize @bullet
20652 @item
20653 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20654
20655 @item
20656 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20657 width.
20658
20659 @item
20660 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20661 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20662
20663 @item
20664 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20665 supported.
20666
20667 @item
20668 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20669
20670 @item
20671 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20672 @end itemize
20673
20674 @noindent
20675 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20676 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20677 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20678 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20679
20680 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20681 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20682 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20683 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20684 supported.
20685
20686 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20687 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20688 together with a floating point specifier.
20689 letters:
20690
20691 @itemize @bullet
20692 @item
20693 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20694
20695 @item
20696 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20697
20698 @item
20699 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20700 @end itemize
20701
20702 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20703 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20704 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20705
20706 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20707 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20708
20709 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20710 @smallexample
20711 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20712 @end smallexample
20713
20714 @kindex eval
20715 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20716 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20717 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20718
20719 @end table
20720
20721 @node Python
20722 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20723 @cindex python scripting
20724 @cindex scripting with python
20725
20726 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20727 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20728 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20729
20730 @cindex python directory
20731 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20732 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20733 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20734 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20735 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20736 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20737
20738 @menu
20739 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20740 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20741 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20742 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20743 @end menu
20744
20745 @node Python Commands
20746 @subsection Python Commands
20747 @cindex python commands
20748 @cindex commands to access python
20749
20750 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20751 and one related setting:
20752
20753 @table @code
20754 @kindex python
20755 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20756 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20757
20758 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20759 argument as a Python command. For example:
20760
20761 @smallexample
20762 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20763 23
20764 @end smallexample
20765
20766 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20767 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20768 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20769 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20770 containing @code{end}. For example:
20771
20772 @smallexample
20773 (@value{GDBP}) python
20774 Type python script
20775 End with a line saying just "end".
20776 >print 23
20777 >end
20778 23
20779 @end smallexample
20780
20781 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20782 @item maint set python print-stack
20783 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20784 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20785 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20786 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20787 disabled.
20788 @end table
20789
20790 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20791 interpreter:
20792
20793 @table @code
20794 @item source @file{script-name}
20795 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20796 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20797 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20798
20799 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20800 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20801 and thus is always available.
20802 @end table
20803
20804 @node Python API
20805 @subsection Python API
20806 @cindex python api
20807 @cindex programming in python
20808
20809 @cindex python stdout
20810 @cindex python pagination
20811 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20812 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20813 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20814 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20815 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20816
20817 @menu
20818 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20819 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20820 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20821 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20822 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20823 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20824 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20825 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20826 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20827 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20828 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20829 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20830 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20831 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20832 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20833 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20834 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20835 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20836 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20837 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20838 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20839 @end menu
20840
20841 @node Basic Python
20842 @subsubsection Basic Python
20843
20844 @cindex python functions
20845 @cindex python module
20846 @cindex gdb module
20847 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20848 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20849 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20850 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20851
20852 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20853 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20854 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20855 @end defvar
20856
20857 @findex gdb.execute
20858 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20859 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20860 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20861 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20862
20863 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20864 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20865 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20866
20867 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20868 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20869 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20870 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20871 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20872 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20873 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20874 @end defun
20875
20876 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20877 @defun breakpoints
20878 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20879 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20880 @end defun
20881
20882 @findex gdb.parameter
20883 @defun parameter parameter
20884 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20885 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20886 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20887 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20888
20889 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20890 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
20891 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
20892 type, and returned.
20893 @end defun
20894
20895 @findex gdb.history
20896 @defun history number
20897 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20898 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20899 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20900 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20901 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20902 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20903 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
20904 raised.
20905
20906 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20907 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20908 @end defun
20909
20910 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20911 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20912 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20913 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20914 @var{expression} must be a string.
20915
20916 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20917 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20918 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20919 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20920 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20921 @end defun
20922
20923 @findex gdb.post_event
20924 @defun post_event event
20925 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20926 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20927 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20928 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20929 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20930 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20931
20932 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20933 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20934 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20935 this. For example:
20936
20937 @smallexample
20938 (@value{GDBP}) python
20939 >import threading
20940 >
20941 >class Writer():
20942 > def __init__(self, message):
20943 > self.message = message;
20944 > def __call__(self):
20945 > gdb.write(self.message)
20946 >
20947 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20948 > def run (self):
20949 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20950 >
20951 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20952 > def run (self):
20953 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20954 >
20955 >MyThread1().start()
20956 >MyThread2().start()
20957 >end
20958 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20959 @end smallexample
20960 @end defun
20961
20962 @findex gdb.write
20963 @defun write string @r{[}stream{]}
20964 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
20965 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
20966 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
20967 values are:
20968
20969 @table @code
20970 @findex STDOUT
20971 @findex gdb.STDOUT
20972 @item STDOUT
20973 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
20974
20975 @findex STDERR
20976 @findex gdb.STDERR
20977 @item STDERR
20978 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
20979
20980 @findex STDLOG
20981 @findex gdb.STDLOG
20982 @item STDLOG
20983 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
20984 @end table
20985
20986 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20987 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
20988 relevant stream.
20989 @end defun
20990
20991 @findex gdb.flush
20992 @defun flush
20993 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
20994 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
20995 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
20996 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
20997 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
20998 stream values are:
20999
21000 @table @code
21001 @findex STDOUT
21002 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21003 @item STDOUT
21004 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21005
21006 @findex STDERR
21007 @findex gdb.STDERR
21008 @item STDERR
21009 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21010
21011 @findex STDLOG
21012 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21013 @item STDLOG
21014 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21015
21016 @end table
21017
21018 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21019 call this function for the relevant stream.
21020 @end defun
21021
21022 @findex gdb.target_charset
21023 @defun target_charset
21024 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21025 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21026 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21027 @end defun
21028
21029 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21030 @defun target_wide_charset
21031 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21032 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21033 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21034 never returned.
21035 @end defun
21036
21037 @findex gdb.solib_name
21038 @defun solib_name address
21039 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21040 as a string, or @code{None}.
21041 @end defun
21042
21043 @findex gdb.decode_line
21044 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21045 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21046 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21047 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21048 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21049 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21050 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21051 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21052 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21053 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21054 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21055 @end defun
21056
21057 @node Exception Handling
21058 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21059 @cindex python exceptions
21060 @cindex exceptions, python
21061
21062 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21063 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21064 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21065 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21066 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21067 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21068 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21069
21070 @smallexample
21071 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21072 Traceback (most recent call last):
21073 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21074 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21075 @end smallexample
21076
21077 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21078 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21079 Python exception depends on the error.
21080
21081 @ftable @code
21082 @item gdb.error
21083 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21084 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21085 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21086
21087 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21088 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21089
21090 @item gdb.MemoryError
21091 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21092 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21093
21094 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21095 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21096 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21097 @end ftable
21098
21099 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21100 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21101 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21102 traceback.
21103
21104 @findex gdb.GdbError
21105 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21106 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21107 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21108 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21109 to handle this case. Example:
21110
21111 @smallexample
21112 (gdb) python
21113 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21114 > """Greet the whole world."""
21115 > def __init__ (self):
21116 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21117 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21118 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21119 > if len (argv) != 0:
21120 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21121 > print "Hello, World!"
21122 >HelloWorld ()
21123 >end
21124 (gdb) hello-world 42
21125 hello-world takes no arguments
21126 @end smallexample
21127
21128 @node Values From Inferior
21129 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21130 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21131 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21132
21133 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21134 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21135 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21136 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21137 fetching values when necessary.
21138
21139 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21140 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21141 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21142
21143 @smallexample
21144 bar = some_val + 2
21145 @end smallexample
21146
21147 @noindent
21148 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21149 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21150
21151 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21152 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21153 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21154 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21155
21156 @smallexample
21157 bar = some_val['foo']
21158 @end smallexample
21159
21160 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21161
21162 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21163 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21164 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21165 by that prototype.
21166
21167 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21168 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21169 execute this function, call it like so:
21170
21171 @smallexample
21172 result = some_val (10,20)
21173 @end smallexample
21174
21175 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21176 @code{gdb.Value}.
21177
21178 The following attributes are provided:
21179
21180 @table @code
21181 @defivar Value address
21182 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21183 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21184 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21185 @end defivar
21186
21187 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21188 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
21189 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21190 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21191 @end defivar
21192
21193 @defivar Value type
21194 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21195 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21196 @end defivar
21197
21198 @defivar Value dynamic_type
21199 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21200 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21201 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21202 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21203 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21204 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21205 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21206 type.
21207
21208 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21209 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21210 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21211 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21212 @end defivar
21213 @end table
21214
21215 The following methods are provided:
21216
21217 @table @code
21218 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21219 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21220 this object initializer. Specifically:
21221
21222 @table @asis
21223 @item Python boolean
21224 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21225 language.
21226
21227 @item Python integer
21228 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21229 current architecture.
21230
21231 @item Python long
21232 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21233 current architecture.
21234
21235 @item Python float
21236 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21237 current architecture.
21238
21239 @item Python string
21240 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21241 target encoding.
21242
21243 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21244 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21245
21246 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21247 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21248 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21249 its result is used.
21250 @end table
21251 @end defmethod
21252
21253 @defmethod Value cast type
21254 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21255 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21256 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21257 reason, this method throws an exception.
21258 @end defmethod
21259
21260 @defmethod Value dereference
21261 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21262 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21263 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21264
21265 @smallexample
21266 int *foo;
21267 @end smallexample
21268
21269 @noindent
21270 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21271 @code{foo} points to like this:
21272
21273 @smallexample
21274 bar = foo.dereference ()
21275 @end smallexample
21276
21277 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21278 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21279 @end defmethod
21280
21281 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21282 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21283 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21284 @end defmethod
21285
21286 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21287 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21288 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21289 @end defmethod
21290
21291 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21292 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21293 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21294 throw an exception.
21295
21296 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21297 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21298 language.
21299
21300 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21301 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21302 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21303 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21304 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21305
21306 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21307 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21308 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21309 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21310 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21311 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21312 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21313 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21314 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21315
21316 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21317 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21318
21319 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21320 fetched and converted to the given length.
21321 @end defmethod
21322
21323 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21324 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21325 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21326 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21327
21328 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21329 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21330 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21331 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21332 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21333
21334 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21335 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21336 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21337 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21338 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21339 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21340
21341 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21342 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21343 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21344 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21345 @end defmethod
21346 @end table
21347
21348 @node Types In Python
21349 @subsubsection Types In Python
21350 @cindex types in Python
21351 @cindex Python, working with types
21352
21353 @tindex gdb.Type
21354 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21355 @code{gdb.Type}.
21356
21357 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21358 module:
21359
21360 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21361 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21362 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21363 type to look up. It must be a string.
21364
21365 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21366 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21367
21368 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21369 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21370 @end defun
21371
21372 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21373
21374 @table @code
21375 @defivar Type code
21376 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21377 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21378 @end defivar
21379
21380 @defivar Type sizeof
21381 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21382 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21383 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21384 @end defivar
21385
21386 @defivar Type tag
21387 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21388 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21389 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21390 @code{None} is returned.
21391 @end defivar
21392 @end table
21393
21394 The following methods are provided:
21395
21396 @table @code
21397 @defmethod Type fields
21398 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21399 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21400 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21401 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21402 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21403 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21404
21405 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21406 @table @code
21407 @item bitpos
21408 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21409 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21410 position of the field.
21411
21412 @item name
21413 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21414
21415 @item artificial
21416 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21417 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21418 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21419
21420 @item is_base_class
21421 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21422 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21423 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21424 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21425
21426 @item bitsize
21427 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21428 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21429 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21430
21431 @item type
21432 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21433 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21434 @end table
21435 @end defmethod
21436
21437 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21438 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21439 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21440 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21441 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21442 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21443 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21444 @end defmethod
21445
21446 @defmethod Type const
21447 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21448 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21449 @end defmethod
21450
21451 @defmethod Type volatile
21452 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21453 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21454 @end defmethod
21455
21456 @defmethod Type unqualified
21457 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21458 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21459 @code{volatile}.
21460 @end defmethod
21461
21462 @defmethod Type range
21463 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21464 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21465 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21466 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21467 @end defmethod
21468
21469 @defmethod Type reference
21470 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21471 type.
21472 @end defmethod
21473
21474 @defmethod Type pointer
21475 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21476 type.
21477 @end defmethod
21478
21479 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21480 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21481 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21482 @end defmethod
21483
21484 @defmethod Type target
21485 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21486 of this type.
21487
21488 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21489 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21490 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21491 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21492 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21493 target type is the aliased type.
21494
21495 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21496 exception.
21497 @end defmethod
21498
21499 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21500 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21501 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21502 @var{n}th template argument.
21503
21504 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21505 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21506
21507 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21508 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21509 @end defmethod
21510 @end table
21511
21512
21513 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21514 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21515 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21516
21517 @table @code
21518 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21519 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21520 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21521 The type is a pointer.
21522
21523 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21524 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21525 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21526 The type is an array.
21527
21528 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21529 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21530 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21531 The type is a structure.
21532
21533 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21534 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21535 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21536 The type is a union.
21537
21538 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21539 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21540 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21541 The type is an enum.
21542
21543 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21544 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21545 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21546 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21547
21548 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21549 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21550 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21551 The type is a function.
21552
21553 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21554 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21555 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21556 The type is an integer type.
21557
21558 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21559 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21560 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21561 A floating point type.
21562
21563 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21564 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21565 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21566 The special type @code{void}.
21567
21568 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21569 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21570 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21571 A Pascal set type.
21572
21573 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21574 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21575 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21576 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21577
21578 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21579 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21580 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21581 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21582 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21583
21584 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21585 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21586 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21587 A string of bits.
21588
21589 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21590 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21591 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21592 An unknown or erroneous type.
21593
21594 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21595 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21596 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21597 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21598
21599 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21600 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21601 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21602 A pointer-to-member-function.
21603
21604 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21605 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21606 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21607 A pointer-to-member.
21608
21609 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21610 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21611 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21612 A reference type.
21613
21614 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21615 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21616 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21617 A character type.
21618
21619 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21620 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21621 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21622 A boolean type.
21623
21624 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21625 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21626 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21627 A complex float type.
21628
21629 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21630 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21631 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21632 A typedef to some other type.
21633
21634 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21635 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21636 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21637 A C@t{++} namespace.
21638
21639 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21640 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21641 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21642 A decimal floating point type.
21643
21644 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21645 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21646 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21647 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21648 convenience functions.
21649 @end table
21650
21651 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21652 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21653
21654 @node Pretty Printing API
21655 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21656
21657 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21658
21659 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21660 specific interface, defined here.
21661
21662 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21663 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21664 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21665
21666 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21667 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21668 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21669 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21670 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21671
21672 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21673 as though the value has no children.
21674 @end defop
21675
21676 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21677 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21678 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21679 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21680 printed.
21681
21682 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21683 string.
21684
21685 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21686
21687 @table @samp
21688 @item array
21689 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21690 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21691 @code{set print array}.
21692
21693 @item map
21694 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21695 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21696 values.
21697
21698 @item string
21699 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21700 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21701 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21702 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21703 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21704 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21705 @end table
21706 @end defop
21707
21708 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21709 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21710 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21711
21712 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21713 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21714 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21715 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21716 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21717 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21718 the result of @code{children}.
21719
21720 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21721
21722 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21723 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21724 another pretty-printer.
21725
21726 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21727 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21728 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21729 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21730 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21731
21732 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21733 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21734
21735 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21736 @end defop
21737
21738 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21739 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21740
21741 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21742 @defun default_visualizer value
21743 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21744 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21745 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21746 @end defun
21747
21748 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21749 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21750
21751 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21752 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21753 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21754 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21755 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21756 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21757 attribute.
21758
21759 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21760 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21761 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21762 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21763 @code{None}.
21764
21765 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21766 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21767 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21768 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21769 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21770 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21771 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21772 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21773 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21774 object is returned.
21775
21776 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21777 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21778 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21779 object is returned.
21780
21781 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21782 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21783 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21784
21785 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21786 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21787 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21788 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21789 with a broken printer.
21790
21791 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21792 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21793 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21794 the printer is enabled.
21795
21796 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21797 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21798 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21799
21800 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21801 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21802
21803 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21804 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21805 must provide.
21806
21807 @smallexample
21808 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21809 "Print a std::string"
21810
21811 def __init__(self, val):
21812 self.val = val
21813
21814 def to_string(self):
21815 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21816
21817 def display_hint(self):
21818 return 'string'
21819 @end smallexample
21820
21821 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21822 example above might be written.
21823
21824 @smallexample
21825 def str_lookup_function(val):
21826 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21827 if lookup_tag == None:
21828 return None
21829 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21830 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21831 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21832 return None
21833 @end smallexample
21834
21835 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21836 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21837 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21838 returns @code{None}.
21839
21840 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21841 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21842 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21843 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21844 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21845 different names.
21846
21847 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21848 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21849 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21850 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21851 the current objfile.
21852
21853 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21854 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21855 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21856 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21857 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21858 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21859 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21860 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21861 inferior.
21862
21863 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21864 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21865
21866 @smallexample
21867 def register_printers(objfile):
21868 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21869 @end smallexample
21870
21871 @noindent
21872 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21873
21874 @smallexample
21875 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21876 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21877 @end smallexample
21878
21879 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21880 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21881 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21882 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21883 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21884
21885 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21886 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21887 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21888 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21889 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21890 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21891
21892 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21893 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21894 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21895
21896 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21897
21898 @smallexample
21899 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21900 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21901 @end smallexample
21902
21903 Here are the printers:
21904
21905 @smallexample
21906 class fooPrinter:
21907 """Print a foo object."""
21908
21909 def __init__(self, val):
21910 self.val = val
21911
21912 def to_string(self):
21913 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21914 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21915
21916 class barPrinter:
21917 """Print a bar object."""
21918
21919 def __init__(self, val):
21920 self.val = val
21921
21922 def to_string(self):
21923 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21924 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21925 @end smallexample
21926
21927 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21928 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21929 the object that handles the lookup.
21930
21931 @smallexample
21932 import gdb.printing
21933
21934 def build_pretty_printer():
21935 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21936 "my_library")
21937 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21938 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21939 return pp
21940 @end smallexample
21941
21942 And here is the autoload support:
21943
21944 @smallexample
21945 import gdb.printing
21946 import my_library
21947 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21948 gdb.current_objfile(),
21949 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21950 @end smallexample
21951
21952 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21953 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21954
21955 @smallexample
21956 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21957 my_library.so:
21958 my_library
21959 foo
21960 bar
21961 @end smallexample
21962
21963 @node Inferiors In Python
21964 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21965 @cindex inferiors in Python
21966
21967 @findex gdb.Inferior
21968 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21969 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21970 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21971 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21972
21973 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21974 module:
21975
21976 @defun inferiors
21977 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21978 @end defun
21979
21980 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21981
21982 @table @code
21983 @defivar Inferior num
21984 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21985 @end defivar
21986
21987 @defivar Inferior pid
21988 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21989 system.
21990 @end defivar
21991
21992 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21993 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21994 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21995 @end defivar
21996 @end table
21997
21998 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21999
22000 @table @code
22001 @defmethod Inferior is_valid
22002 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22003 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22004 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22005 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22006 at the time the method is called.
22007 @end defmethod
22008
22009 @defmethod Inferior threads
22010 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22011 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22012 return an empty tuple.
22013 @end defmethod
22014
22015 @findex gdb.read_memory
22016 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
22017 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22018 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22019 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22020 function.
22021 @end defmethod
22022
22023 @findex gdb.write_memory
22024 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
22025 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22026 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22027 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22028 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22029 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22030 @end defmethod
22031
22032 @findex gdb.search_memory
22033 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
22034 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22035 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
22036 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
22037 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22038 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
22039 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
22040 the pattern could not be found.
22041 @end defmethod
22042 @end table
22043
22044 @node Events In Python
22045 @subsubsection Events In Python
22046 @cindex inferior events in Python
22047
22048 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
22049 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
22050 the inferior.
22051
22052 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
22053 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
22054 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
22055
22056 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
22057 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
22058 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
22059 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
22060
22061 @table @code
22062 @defmethod EventRegistry connect object
22063 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
22064 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
22065 @end defmethod
22066
22067 @defmethod EventRegistry disconnect object
22068 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
22069 will no longer receive notifications of events.
22070 @end defmethod
22071 @end table
22072
22073 Here is an example:
22074
22075 @smallexample
22076 def exit_handler (event):
22077 print "event type: exit"
22078 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22079
22080 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22081 @end smallexample
22082
22083 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22084 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22085 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22086 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22087 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22088 the inferior.
22089
22090 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22091 details of the events they emit:
22092
22093 @table @code
22094
22095 @item events.cont
22096 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22097
22098 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22099 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22100 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22101 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22102 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22103 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22104
22105 @table @code
22106 @defivar ThreadEvent inferior_thread
22107 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22108 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22109 @end defivar
22110 @end table
22111
22112 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22113
22114 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22115 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22116
22117 @item events.exited
22118 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22119 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has one attribute:
22120 @table @code
22121 @defivar ExitedEvent exit_code
22122 An integer representing the exit code which the inferior has returned.
22123 @end defivar
22124 @end table
22125
22126 @item events.stop
22127 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22128
22129 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22130 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22131 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22132 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22133
22134 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22135
22136 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22137 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22138
22139 @table @code
22140 @defivar SignalEvent stop_signal
22141 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22142 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22143 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22144 @end defivar
22145 @end table
22146
22147 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22148
22149 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that a breakpoint has been hit, and
22150 has the following attributes:
22151
22152 @table @code
22153 @defivar BreakpointEvent breakpoint
22154 A reference to the breakpoint that was hit of type @code{gdb.Breakpoint}.
22155 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22156 @end defivar
22157 @end table
22158
22159 @end table
22160
22161 @node Threads In Python
22162 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22163 @cindex threads in python
22164
22165 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22166 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22167 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22168
22169 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22170 module:
22171
22172 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22173 @defun selected_thread
22174 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22175 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22176 @end defun
22177
22178 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22179
22180 @table @code
22181 @defivar InferiorThread name
22182 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22183 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22184 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22185 returns @code{None}.
22186
22187 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22188 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22189 user-specified thread name.
22190 @end defivar
22191
22192 @defivar InferiorThread num
22193 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22194 @end defivar
22195
22196 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
22197 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22198 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22199 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22200 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22201 does not use that identifier.
22202 @end defivar
22203 @end table
22204
22205 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22206
22207 @table @code
22208 @defmethod InferiorThread is_valid
22209 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22210 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22211 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22212 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22213 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22214 @end defmethod
22215
22216 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
22217 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22218 by this object.
22219 @end defmethod
22220
22221 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
22222 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22223 @end defmethod
22224
22225 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
22226 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22227 @end defmethod
22228
22229 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
22230 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22231 @end defmethod
22232 @end table
22233
22234 @node Commands In Python
22235 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22236
22237 @cindex commands in python
22238 @cindex python commands
22239 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22240 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22241 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22242
22243 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
22244 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22245 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22246 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22247
22248 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22249 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22250 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22251 an exception is raised.
22252
22253 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22254
22255 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22256 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22257 new command in the help system.
22258
22259 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22260 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22261 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22262 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22263 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22264 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22265
22266 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22267 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22268 registered.
22269
22270 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22271 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22272 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22273 not documented.'' is used.
22274 @end defmethod
22275
22276 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22277 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
22278 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22279 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22280 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22281 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22282 @end defmethod
22283
22284 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22285 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22286
22287 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22288 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22289
22290 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22291 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22292 that the command came from elsewhere.
22293
22294 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22295 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22296
22297 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22298 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22299 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22300 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22301 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22302 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22303 Example:
22304
22305 @smallexample
22306 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22307 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22308 @end smallexample
22309
22310 @end defmethod
22311
22312 @cindex completion of Python commands
22313 @defmethod Command complete text word
22314 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22315 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22316 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22317 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22318 complete}).
22319
22320 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22321 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22322 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22323 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22324
22325 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22326 @itemize @bullet
22327 @item
22328 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22329 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22330 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22331 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22332 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22333 sequence are ignored.
22334
22335 @item
22336 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22337 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22338 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22339
22340 @item
22341 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22342 completions.
22343 @end itemize
22344 @end defmethod
22345
22346 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22347 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22348 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22349 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22350 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22351 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22352
22353 @table @code
22354 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22355 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22356 @item COMMAND_NONE
22357 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22358 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22359
22360 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22361 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22362 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
22363 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22364 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22365 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22366 commands in this category.
22367
22368 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22369 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22370 @item COMMAND_DATA
22371 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22372 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22373 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22374 in this category.
22375
22376 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22377 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22378 @item COMMAND_STACK
22379 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22380 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22381 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22382 list of commands in this category.
22383
22384 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22385 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22386 @item COMMAND_FILES
22387 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22388 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22389 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22390 commands in this category.
22391
22392 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22393 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22394 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22395 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22396 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22397 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22398 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22399 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22400 commands in this category.
22401
22402 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22403 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22404 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22405 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22406 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22407 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22408 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22409
22410 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22411 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22412 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22413 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22414 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22415 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22416 this category.
22417
22418 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22419 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22420 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22421 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22422 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22423 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22424 commands in this category.
22425
22426 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22427 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22428 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22429 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22430 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22431 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22432 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22433 category.
22434
22435 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22436 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22437 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22438 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22439 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22440 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22441 commands in this category.
22442 @end table
22443
22444 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22445 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22446 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22447 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22448
22449 @table @code
22450 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22451 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22452 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22453 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22454
22455 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22456 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22457 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22458 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22459
22460 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22461 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22462 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22463 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22464 @xref{Specify Location}.
22465
22466 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22467 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22468 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22469 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22470 command names.
22471
22472 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22473 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22474 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22475 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22476 as the source.
22477 @end table
22478
22479 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22480 implemented in Python:
22481
22482 @smallexample
22483 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22484 """Greet the whole world."""
22485
22486 def __init__ (self):
22487 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22488
22489 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22490 print "Hello, World!"
22491
22492 HelloWorld ()
22493 @end smallexample
22494
22495 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22496 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22497 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22498 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22499
22500 @node Parameters In Python
22501 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22502
22503 @cindex parameters in python
22504 @cindex python parameters
22505 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22506 @tindex Parameter
22507 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22508 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22509 class.
22510
22511 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22512 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22513
22514 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22515 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22516 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22517 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22518 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22519
22520 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22521 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22522 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22523 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22524
22525 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22526 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22527 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22528 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22529 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22530 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22531 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22532
22533 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22534 can be found, an exception is raised.
22535
22536 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22537 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22538 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22539
22540 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22541 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22542 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22543 completion.
22544
22545 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22546 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22547 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22548
22549 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22550 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22551
22552 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22553 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22554 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22555 @end defmethod
22556
22557 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22558 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22559 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22560 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22561 have no effect.
22562 @end defivar
22563
22564 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22565 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22566 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22567 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22568 have no effect.
22569 @end defivar
22570
22571 @defivar Parameter value
22572 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22573 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22574 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22575 @end defivar
22576
22577 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
22578 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
22579
22580 @defop Operation {parameter} get_set_string self
22581 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
22582 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
22583 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
22584 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
22585 @end defop
22586
22587 @defop Operation {parameter} get_show_string self svalue
22588 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
22589 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
22590 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
22591 current value. This method must return a string.
22592 @end defop
22593
22594 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22595 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22596 module:
22597
22598 @table @code
22599 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22600 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22601 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22602 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22603 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22604
22605 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22606 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22607 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22608 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22609 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22610 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22611
22612 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22613 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22614 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22615 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22616 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22617
22618 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22619 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22620 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22621 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22622 to mean ``unlimited''.
22623
22624 @findex PARAM_STRING
22625 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22626 @item PARAM_STRING
22627 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22628 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22629 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22630 host charset.
22631
22632 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22633 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22634 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22635 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22636 passed through untranslated.
22637
22638 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22639 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22640 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22641 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22642
22643 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22644 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22645 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22646 The value is a filename. This is just like
22647 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22648
22649 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22650 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22651 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22652 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22653 is interpreted as itself.
22654
22655 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22656 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22657 @item PARAM_ENUM
22658 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22659 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22660 @end table
22661
22662 @node Functions In Python
22663 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22664
22665 @cindex writing convenience functions
22666 @cindex convenience functions in python
22667 @cindex python convenience functions
22668 @tindex gdb.Function
22669 @tindex Function
22670 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22671 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22672 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22673
22674 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22675 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22676 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22677 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22678 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22679 the given @var{name}.
22680
22681 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22682 string for the new class.
22683 @end defmethod
22684
22685 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22686 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22687 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22688 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22689 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22690 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22691 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22692 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22693
22694 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22695 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22696 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22697 @end defmethod
22698
22699 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22700 be implemented in Python:
22701
22702 @smallexample
22703 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22704 """Return string to greet someone.
22705 Takes a name as argument."""
22706
22707 def __init__ (self):
22708 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22709
22710 def invoke (self, name):
22711 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22712
22713 Greet ()
22714 @end smallexample
22715
22716 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22717 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22718 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22719 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22720
22721 @node Progspaces In Python
22722 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22723
22724 @cindex progspaces in python
22725 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22726 @tindex Progspace
22727 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22728 of an address space.
22729 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22730 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22731 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22732 about program spaces.
22733
22734 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22735 @code{gdb} module:
22736
22737 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22738 @defun current_progspace
22739 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22740 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22741 @end defun
22742
22743 @findex gdb.progspaces
22744 @defun progspaces
22745 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22746 @end defun
22747
22748 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22749 class.
22750
22751 @defivar Progspace filename
22752 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22753 @end defivar
22754
22755 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22756 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22757 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22758 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22759 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22760 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22761 information.
22762 @end defivar
22763
22764 @node Objfiles In Python
22765 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22766
22767 @cindex objfiles in python
22768 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22769 @tindex Objfile
22770 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22771 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22772 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22773 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22774 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22775
22776 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22777 @code{gdb} module:
22778
22779 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22780 @defun current_objfile
22781 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22782 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22783 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22784 this function returns @code{None}.
22785 @end defun
22786
22787 @findex gdb.objfiles
22788 @defun objfiles
22789 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22790 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22791 @end defun
22792
22793 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22794 class.
22795
22796 @defivar Objfile filename
22797 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22798 @end defivar
22799
22800 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22801 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22802 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22803 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22804 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22805 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22806 information.
22807 @end defivar
22808
22809 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
22810
22811 @defmethod Objfile is_valid
22812 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
22813 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
22814 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
22815 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
22816 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22817 @end defmethod
22818
22819 @node Frames In Python
22820 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22821
22822 @cindex frames in python
22823 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22824 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22825 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22826 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22827 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22828 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22829
22830 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22831 operator, like:
22832
22833 @smallexample
22834 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22835 True
22836 @end smallexample
22837
22838 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22839
22840 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22841 @defun selected_frame
22842 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22843 @end defun
22844
22845 @findex gdb.newest_frame
22846 @defun newest_frame
22847 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22848 @end defun
22849
22850 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22851 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22852 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22853 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22854 @end defun
22855
22856 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22857
22858 @table @code
22859 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22860 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22861 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22862 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22863 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22864 @end defmethod
22865
22866 @defmethod Frame name
22867 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22868 obtained.
22869 @end defmethod
22870
22871 @defmethod Frame type
22872 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
22873 @table @code
22874 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
22875 An ordinary stack frame.
22876
22877 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
22878 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
22879 inferior function call.
22880
22881 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
22882 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
22883 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
22884
22885 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
22886 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
22887 it calls into a signal handler.
22888
22889 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
22890 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
22891
22892 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
22893 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
22894 newest frame.
22895 @end table
22896 @end defmethod
22897
22898 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22899 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22900 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22901 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22902 function to a string.
22903 @end defmethod
22904
22905 @defmethod Frame pc
22906 Returns the frame's resume address.
22907 @end defmethod
22908
22909 @defmethod Frame block
22910 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22911 @end defmethod
22912
22913 @defmethod Frame function
22914 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22915 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22916 @end defmethod
22917
22918 @defmethod Frame older
22919 Return the frame that called this frame.
22920 @end defmethod
22921
22922 @defmethod Frame newer
22923 Return the frame called by this frame.
22924 @end defmethod
22925
22926 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22927 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22928 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22929 @end defmethod
22930
22931 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22932 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22933 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22934 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22935 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22936 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22937 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22938 @end defmethod
22939
22940 @defmethod Frame select
22941 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22942 Stack}.
22943 @end defmethod
22944 @end table
22945
22946 @node Blocks In Python
22947 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22948
22949 @cindex blocks in python
22950 @tindex gdb.Block
22951
22952 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22953 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22954 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22955 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22956 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22957 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22958 stack.
22959
22960 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22961 module:
22962
22963 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22964 @defun block_for_pc pc
22965 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22966 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22967 will return @code{None}.
22968 @end defun
22969
22970 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
22971
22972 @table @code
22973 @defmethod Block is_valid
22974 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
22975 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
22976 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
22977 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
22978 the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
22979 the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
22980 context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
22981 @end defmethod
22982 @end table
22983
22984 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22985
22986 @table @code
22987 @defivar Block start
22988 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22989 @end defivar
22990
22991 @defivar Block end
22992 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22993 @end defivar
22994
22995 @defivar Block function
22996 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22997 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22998 attribute is not writable.
22999 @end defivar
23000
23001 @defivar Block superblock
23002 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
23003 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23004 @end defivar
23005 @end table
23006
23007 @node Symbols In Python
23008 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
23009
23010 @cindex symbols in python
23011 @tindex gdb.Symbol
23012
23013 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
23014 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
23015 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
23016 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
23017
23018 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23019 module:
23020
23021 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
23022 @defun lookup_symbol name @r{[}block@r{]} @r{[}domain@r{]}
23023 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
23024 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
23025 arguments.
23026
23027 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
23028 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
23029 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
23030 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
23031 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
23032 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
23033 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
23034 in this chapter.
23035
23036 The result is a tuple of two elements.
23037 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23038 is not found.
23039 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
23040 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
23041 otherwise it is @code{False}.
23042 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
23043 @end defun
23044
23045 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
23046 @defun lookup_global_symbol name @r{[}domain@r{]}
23047 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
23048 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
23049
23050 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
23051 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
23052 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
23053 module and described later in this chapter.
23054
23055 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23056 is not found.
23057 @end defun
23058
23059 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
23060
23061 @table @code
23062 @defivar Symbol symtab
23063 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
23064 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
23065 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23066 @end defivar
23067
23068 @defivar Symbol name
23069 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
23070 @end defivar
23071
23072 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
23073 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
23074 This attribute is not writable.
23075 @end defivar
23076
23077 @defivar Symbol print_name
23078 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23079 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23080 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23081 @end defivar
23082
23083 @defivar Symbol addr_class
23084 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23085 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23086 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23087 @end defivar
23088
23089 @defivar Symbol is_argument
23090 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23091 @end defivar
23092
23093 @defivar Symbol is_constant
23094 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23095 @end defivar
23096
23097 @defivar Symbol is_function
23098 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23099 @end defivar
23100
23101 @defivar Symbol is_variable
23102 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23103 @end defivar
23104 @end table
23105
23106 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23107
23108 @table @code
23109 @defmethod Symbol is_valid
23110 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23111 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23112 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23113 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23114 invalid at the time the method is called.
23115 @end defmethod
23116 @end table
23117
23118 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23119 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23120
23121 @table @code
23122 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23123 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23124 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23125 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23126 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23127 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23128 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23129 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23130 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23131 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23132 type values.
23133 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23134 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23135 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23136 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23137 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23138 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23139 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23140 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23141 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23142 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23143 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23144 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23145 contains everything minus functions and types.
23146 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23147 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23148 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23149 This domain contains all functions.
23150 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23151 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23152 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23153 This domain contains all types.
23154 @end table
23155
23156 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23157 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23158
23159 @table @code
23160 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23161 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23162 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23163 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23164 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23165 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23166 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23167 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23168 Value is constant int.
23169 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23170 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23171 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23172 Value is at a fixed address.
23173 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23174 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23175 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23176 Value is in a register.
23177 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23178 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23179 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23180 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23181 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23182 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23183 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23184 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23185 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23186 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23187 offset, not the value itself.
23188 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23189 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23190 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23191 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23192 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23193 itself.
23194 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23195 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23196 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23197 Value is a local variable.
23198 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23199 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23200 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23201 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23202 have this class.
23203 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23204 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23205 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23206 Value is a block.
23207 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23208 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23209 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23210 Value is a byte-sequence.
23211 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23212 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23213 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23214 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23215 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23216 referenced.
23217 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23218 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23219 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23220 The value does not actually exist in the program.
23221 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23222 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23223 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23224 The value's address is a computed location.
23225 @end table
23226
23227 @node Symbol Tables In Python
23228 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23229
23230 @cindex symbol tables in python
23231 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23232 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23233
23234 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23235 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23236 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23237 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23238 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23239
23240 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23241 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23242
23243 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23244
23245 @table @code
23246 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
23247 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23248 This attribute is not writable.
23249 @end defivar
23250
23251 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
23252 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23253 writable.
23254 @end defivar
23255
23256 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
23257 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23258 attribute is not writable.
23259 @end defivar
23260 @end table
23261
23262 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23263
23264 @table @code
23265 @defmethod Symtab_and_line is_valid
23266 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23267 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23268 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23269 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23270 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23271 invalid at the time the method is called.
23272 @end defmethod
23273 @end table
23274
23275 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23276
23277 @table @code
23278 @defivar Symtab filename
23279 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23280 @end defivar
23281
23282 @defivar Symtab objfile
23283 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23284 This attribute is not writable.
23285 @end defivar
23286 @end table
23287
23288 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23289
23290 @table @code
23291 @defmethod Symtab is_valid
23292 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23293 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23294 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23295 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23296 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23297 @end defmethod
23298
23299 @defmethod Symtab fullname
23300 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23301 @end defmethod
23302 @end table
23303
23304 @node Breakpoints In Python
23305 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23306
23307 @cindex breakpoints in python
23308 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23309
23310 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23311 class.
23312
23313 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
23314 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23315 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23316 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23317 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23318 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23319 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23320 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23321 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23322 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23323 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23324 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23325 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23326 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23327 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23328 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
23329 @end defmethod
23330
23331 @defop Operation {gdb.Breakpoint} stop (self)
23332 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23333 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23334 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23335 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23336 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23337 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23338 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23339
23340 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23341 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23342 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23343 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23344 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23345 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23346
23347 Example @code{stop} implementation:
23348
23349 @smallexample
23350 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23351 def stop (self):
23352 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23353 if inf_val == 3:
23354 return True
23355 return False
23356 @end smallexample
23357 @end defop
23358
23359 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23360 @code{gdb} module:
23361
23362 @table @code
23363 @findex WP_READ
23364 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23365 @item WP_READ
23366 Read only watchpoint.
23367
23368 @findex WP_WRITE
23369 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23370 @item WP_WRITE
23371 Write only watchpoint.
23372
23373 @findex WP_ACCESS
23374 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23375 @item WP_ACCESS
23376 Read/Write watchpoint.
23377 @end table
23378
23379 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
23380 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23381 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23382 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23383 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23384 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23385 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23386 @end defmethod
23387
23388 @defmethod Breakpoint delete
23389 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23390 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23391 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23392 @end defmethod
23393
23394 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
23395 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23396 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23397 @end defivar
23398
23399 @defivar Breakpoint silent
23400 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23401 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23402
23403 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23404 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23405 @code{silent} attribute.
23406 @end defivar
23407
23408 @defivar Breakpoint thread
23409 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23410 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23411 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23412 @end defivar
23413
23414 @defivar Breakpoint task
23415 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23416 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23417 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23418 is writable.
23419 @end defivar
23420
23421 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23422 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23423 This attribute is writable.
23424 @end defivar
23425
23426 @defivar Breakpoint number
23427 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23428 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23429 @end defivar
23430
23431 @defivar Breakpoint type
23432 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23433 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23434 writable.
23435 @end defivar
23436
23437 @defivar Breakpoint visible
23438 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23439 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23440 attribute is not writable.
23441 @end defivar
23442
23443 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23444 module:
23445
23446 @table @code
23447 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23448 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23449 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
23450 Normal code breakpoint.
23451
23452 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23453 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23454 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
23455 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23456
23457 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23458 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23459 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23460 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23461
23462 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23463 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23464 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23465 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23466
23467 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23468 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23469 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23470 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23471 @end table
23472
23473 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23474 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23475 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23476 @end defivar
23477
23478 @defivar Breakpoint location
23479 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23480 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23481 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23482 attribute is not writable.
23483 @end defivar
23484
23485 @defivar Breakpoint expression
23486 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23487 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23488 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23489 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23490 @end defivar
23491
23492 @defivar Breakpoint condition
23493 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23494 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23495 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23496 @end defivar
23497
23498 @defivar Breakpoint commands
23499 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23500 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23501 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23502 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23503 @end defivar
23504
23505 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23506 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23507
23508 @cindex lazy strings in python
23509 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23510
23511 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23512 encoded until it is needed.
23513
23514 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23515 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23516 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23517 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23518 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23519 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23520 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23521 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23522 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23523
23524 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23525
23526 @defmethod LazyString value
23527 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23528 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23529 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23530 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23531 @end defmethod
23532
23533 @defivar LazyString address
23534 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23535 writable.
23536 @end defivar
23537
23538 @defivar LazyString length
23539 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23540 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23541 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23542 @end defivar
23543
23544 @defivar LazyString encoding
23545 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23546 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23547 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23548 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23549 is not writable.
23550 @end defivar
23551
23552 @defivar LazyString type
23553 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23554 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23555 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23556 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23557 writable.
23558 @end defivar
23559
23560 @node Auto-loading
23561 @subsection Auto-loading
23562 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23563
23564 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23565 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23566 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23567 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23568
23569 @menu
23570 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23571 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23572 * Which flavor to choose?::
23573 @end menu
23574
23575 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23576 debugging commands and scripts.
23577
23578 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23579
23580 @table @code
23581 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23582 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23583 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23584
23585 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23586 @item show auto-load-scripts
23587 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23588 @end table
23589
23590 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23591 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23592 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23593 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23594
23595 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23596 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23597 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23598
23599 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23600 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23601 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23602 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23603 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23604 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23605
23606 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23607 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23608 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23609 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23610
23611 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23612 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23613 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23614 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23615 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23616
23617 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23618 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23619 @var{objfile} is opened.
23620 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23621 is evaluated more than once.
23622
23623 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23624 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23625 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23626
23627 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23628 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23629 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23630 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23631
23632 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23633 current directory and then along the source search path
23634 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23635 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23636 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23637
23638 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23639 for example, this GCC macro:
23640
23641 @example
23642 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23643 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23644 asm("\
23645 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23646 .byte 1\n\
23647 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23648 .popsection \n\
23649 ");
23650 @end example
23651
23652 @noindent
23653 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23654
23655 @example
23656 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23657 @end example
23658
23659 The script name may include directories if desired.
23660
23661 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23662 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23663
23664 @node Which flavor to choose?
23665 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23666
23667 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23668 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23669
23670 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23671
23672 @itemize @bullet
23673 @item
23674 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23675
23676 @item
23677 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23678
23679 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23680 in the source search path.
23681 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23682 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23683
23684 @item
23685 Doesn't require source code additions.
23686 @end itemize
23687
23688 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23689
23690 @itemize @bullet
23691 @item
23692 Works with static linking.
23693
23694 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23695 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23696 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23697 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23698
23699 @item
23700 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23701
23702 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23703 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23704
23705 @item
23706 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23707
23708 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23709 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23710 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23711 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23712 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23713 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23714 @end itemize
23715
23716 @node Python modules
23717 @subsection Python modules
23718 @cindex python modules
23719
23720 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23721
23722 @menu
23723 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23724 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23725 @end menu
23726
23727 @node gdb.printing
23728 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23729 @cindex gdb.printing
23730
23731 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23732 pretty-printers.
23733
23734 @table @code
23735 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23736 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23737 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23738 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23739
23740 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23741 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23742 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23743
23744 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23745 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23746 regular expressions.
23747 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23748
23749 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23750 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23751 @end table
23752
23753 @node gdb.types
23754 @subsubsection gdb.types
23755 @cindex gdb.types
23756
23757 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23758 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23759
23760 @table @code
23761 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23762 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23763 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23764
23765 C@t{++} example:
23766
23767 @smallexample
23768 typedef const int const_int;
23769 const_int foo (3);
23770 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23771 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23772 @end smallexample
23773
23774 Then in gdb:
23775
23776 @smallexample
23777 (gdb) start
23778 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23779 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23780 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23781 int
23782 @end smallexample
23783
23784 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23785 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23786 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23787
23788 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23789 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23790 @end table
23791
23792 @node Interpreters
23793 @chapter Command Interpreters
23794 @cindex command interpreters
23795
23796 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23797 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23798 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23799
23800 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23801 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23802 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23803 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23804
23805 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23806 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23807 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23808 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23809
23810 @table @code
23811 @item console
23812 @cindex console interpreter
23813 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23814 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23815 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23816
23817 @item mi
23818 @cindex mi interpreter
23819 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23820 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23821 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23822 Interface}.
23823
23824 @item mi2
23825 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23826 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23827
23828 @item mi1
23829 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23830 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23831
23832 @end table
23833
23834 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23835 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23836 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23837 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23838 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23839 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23840 the IDE inoperable!
23841
23842 @kindex interpreter-exec
23843 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23844 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23845 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23846 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23847
23848 @smallexample
23849 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23850 @end smallexample
23851
23852 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23853 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23854
23855 @node TUI
23856 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23857 @cindex TUI
23858 @cindex Text User Interface
23859
23860 @menu
23861 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23862 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23863 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23864 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23865 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23866 @end menu
23867
23868 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23869 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23870 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23871 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23872 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23873 is available.
23874
23875 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23876 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23877 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23878 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23879 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23880 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23881
23882 @node TUI Overview
23883 @section TUI Overview
23884
23885 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23886
23887 @table @emph
23888 @item command
23889 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23890 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23891 managed using readline.
23892
23893 @item source
23894 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23895 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23896
23897 @item assembly
23898 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23899
23900 @item register
23901 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23902 when their values change.
23903 @end table
23904
23905 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23906 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23907 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23908 indicates the breakpoint type:
23909
23910 @table @code
23911 @item B
23912 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23913
23914 @item b
23915 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23916
23917 @item H
23918 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23919
23920 @item h
23921 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23922 @end table
23923
23924 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23925
23926 @table @code
23927 @item +
23928 Breakpoint is enabled.
23929
23930 @item -
23931 Breakpoint is disabled.
23932 @end table
23933
23934 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23935 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23936 changes.
23937
23938 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23939 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23940 layouts:
23941
23942 @itemize @bullet
23943 @item
23944 source only,
23945
23946 @item
23947 assembly only,
23948
23949 @item
23950 source and assembly,
23951
23952 @item
23953 source and registers, or
23954
23955 @item
23956 assembly and registers.
23957 @end itemize
23958
23959 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23960
23961 @table @emph
23962 @item target
23963 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23964 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23965
23966 @item process
23967 Gives the current process or thread number.
23968 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23969
23970 @item function
23971 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23972 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23973 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23974 the string @code{??} is displayed.
23975
23976 @item line
23977 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23978 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23979
23980 @item pc
23981 Indicates the current program counter address.
23982 @end table
23983
23984 @node TUI Keys
23985 @section TUI Key Bindings
23986 @cindex TUI key bindings
23987
23988 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23989 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23990 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
23991 @end ifset
23992 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23993 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
23994 @end ifclear
23995 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
23996 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
23997
23998 @table @kbd
23999 @kindex C-x C-a
24000 @item C-x C-a
24001 @kindex C-x a
24002 @itemx C-x a
24003 @kindex C-x A
24004 @itemx C-x A
24005 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24006 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24007 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24008 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24009 The screen is then refreshed.
24010
24011 @kindex C-x 1
24012 @item C-x 1
24013 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24014 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24015 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24016
24017 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24018
24019 @kindex C-x 2
24020 @item C-x 2
24021 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24022 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24023 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24024 previous layout and the new one.
24025
24026 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24027
24028 @kindex C-x o
24029 @item C-x o
24030 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24031 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24032 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24033
24034 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24035
24036 @kindex C-x s
24037 @item C-x s
24038 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24039 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24040 @end table
24041
24042 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24043
24044 @table @asis
24045 @kindex PgUp
24046 @item @key{PgUp}
24047 Scroll the active window one page up.
24048
24049 @kindex PgDn
24050 @item @key{PgDn}
24051 Scroll the active window one page down.
24052
24053 @kindex Up
24054 @item @key{Up}
24055 Scroll the active window one line up.
24056
24057 @kindex Down
24058 @item @key{Down}
24059 Scroll the active window one line down.
24060
24061 @kindex Left
24062 @item @key{Left}
24063 Scroll the active window one column left.
24064
24065 @kindex Right
24066 @item @key{Right}
24067 Scroll the active window one column right.
24068
24069 @kindex C-L
24070 @item @kbd{C-L}
24071 Refresh the screen.
24072 @end table
24073
24074 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24075 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24076 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24077 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24078 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24079
24080 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24081 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24082 @cindex TUI single key mode
24083
24084 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24085 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24086 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24087
24088 @table @kbd
24089 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24090 @item c
24091 continue
24092
24093 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24094 @item d
24095 down
24096
24097 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24098 @item f
24099 finish
24100
24101 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24102 @item n
24103 next
24104
24105 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24106 @item q
24107 exit the SingleKey mode.
24108
24109 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24110 @item r
24111 run
24112
24113 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24114 @item s
24115 step
24116
24117 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24118 @item u
24119 up
24120
24121 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24122 @item v
24123 info locals
24124
24125 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24126 @item w
24127 where
24128 @end table
24129
24130 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24131 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24132 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24133 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24134 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24135 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24136
24137
24138 @node TUI Commands
24139 @section TUI-specific Commands
24140 @cindex TUI commands
24141
24142 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24143 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24144 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24145 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24146
24147 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24148 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24149 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24150 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24151 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24152
24153 @table @code
24154 @item info win
24155 @kindex info win
24156 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24157
24158 @item layout next
24159 @kindex layout
24160 Display the next layout.
24161
24162 @item layout prev
24163 Display the previous layout.
24164
24165 @item layout src
24166 Display the source window only.
24167
24168 @item layout asm
24169 Display the assembly window only.
24170
24171 @item layout split
24172 Display the source and assembly window.
24173
24174 @item layout regs
24175 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24176
24177 @item focus next
24178 @kindex focus
24179 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24180
24181 @item focus prev
24182 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24183
24184 @item focus src
24185 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24186
24187 @item focus asm
24188 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24189
24190 @item focus regs
24191 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24192
24193 @item focus cmd
24194 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24195
24196 @item refresh
24197 @kindex refresh
24198 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24199
24200 @item tui reg float
24201 @kindex tui reg
24202 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24203
24204 @item tui reg general
24205 Show the general registers in the register window.
24206
24207 @item tui reg next
24208 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24209 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24210 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24211 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24212
24213 @item tui reg system
24214 Show the system registers in the register window.
24215
24216 @item update
24217 @kindex update
24218 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24219
24220 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24221 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24222 @kindex winheight
24223 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24224 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24225 decrease it.
24226
24227 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24228 @kindex tabset
24229 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24230 @end table
24231
24232 @node TUI Configuration
24233 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24234 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24235
24236 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24237
24238 @table @code
24239 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24240 @kindex set tui border-kind
24241 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24242 The possible values are the following:
24243 @table @code
24244 @item space
24245 Use a space character to draw the border.
24246
24247 @item ascii
24248 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24249
24250 @item acs
24251 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24252 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24253 @end table
24254
24255 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24256 @kindex set tui border-mode
24257 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24258 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24259 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24260 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24261 @table @code
24262 @item normal
24263 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24264
24265 @item standout
24266 Use standout mode.
24267
24268 @item reverse
24269 Use reverse video mode.
24270
24271 @item half
24272 Use half bright mode.
24273
24274 @item half-standout
24275 Use half bright and standout mode.
24276
24277 @item bold
24278 Use extra bright or bold mode.
24279
24280 @item bold-standout
24281 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24282 @end table
24283 @end table
24284
24285 @node Emacs
24286 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24287
24288 @cindex Emacs
24289 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24290 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24291 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24292 @value{GDBN}.
24293
24294 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24295 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24296 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24297 created Emacs buffer.
24298 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24299
24300 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24301 things:
24302
24303 @itemize @bullet
24304 @item
24305 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24306 the GUD buffer.
24307
24308 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24309 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24310
24311 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24312 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24313 in this way.
24314
24315 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24316 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24317 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24318 stop.
24319
24320 @item
24321 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24322
24323 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24324 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24325 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24326 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24327 and the source.
24328
24329 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24330 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24331 @end itemize
24332
24333 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24334 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24335 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24336 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24337
24338 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24339 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24340 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24341 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24342 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24343 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24344 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24345 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24346 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24347
24348 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24349 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24350 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24351 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24352
24353 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24354 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24355 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24356 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24357 one you want.
24358
24359 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24360 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24361
24362 @table @kbd
24363 @item C-h m
24364 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24365
24366 @item C-c C-s
24367 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24368 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24369
24370 @item C-c C-n
24371 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24372 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24373 to show the current file and location.
24374
24375 @item C-c C-i
24376 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24377 display window accordingly.
24378
24379 @item C-c C-f
24380 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24381 @code{finish} command.
24382
24383 @item C-c C-r
24384 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24385 command.
24386
24387 @item C-c <
24388 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24389 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24390 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24391
24392 @item C-c >
24393 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24394 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24395 @end table
24396
24397 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24398 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24399
24400 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24401 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24402 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24403 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24404 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24405 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24406 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24407
24408 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24409 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24410 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24411 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24412 frame.
24413
24414 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24415 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24416 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24417 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24418 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24419 to correspond properly with the code.
24420
24421 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24422 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24423 Emacs Manual}).
24424
24425 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24426 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24427 @ignore
24428 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24429 @kindex Epoch
24430 @kindex inspect
24431
24432 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24433 called the @code{epoch}
24434 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24435 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24436 each value is printed in its own window.
24437 @end ignore
24438
24439
24440 @node GDB/MI
24441 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24442
24443 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24444
24445 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24446 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24447 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24448 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24449 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24450 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24451
24452 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24453 in the form of a reference manual.
24454
24455 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24456 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24457 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24458
24459 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24460
24461 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24462 This chapter uses the following notation:
24463
24464 @itemize @bullet
24465 @item
24466 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24467
24468 @item
24469 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24470 it may or may not be given.
24471
24472 @item
24473 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24474 may repeat zero or more times.
24475
24476 @item
24477 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24478 may repeat one or more times.
24479
24480 @item
24481 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24482 @end itemize
24483
24484 @ignore
24485 @heading Dependencies
24486 @end ignore
24487
24488 @menu
24489 * GDB/MI General Design::
24490 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24491 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24492 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24493 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24494 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24495 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24496 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24497 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24498 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24499 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24500 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24501 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24502 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24503 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24504 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24505 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24506 @ignore
24507 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24508 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24509 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24510 @end ignore
24511 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24512 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24513 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24514 @end menu
24515
24516 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24517 @node GDB/MI General Design
24518 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24519 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24520
24521 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24522 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24523 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24524 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24525 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24526 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24527 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24528 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24529 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24530 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24531
24532 The important examples of notifications are:
24533 @itemize @bullet
24534
24535 @item
24536 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24537 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24538 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24539 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24540 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24541 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24542 command itself was successfully executed.
24543
24544 @item
24545 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24546 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24547 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24548 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24549 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24550 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24551
24552 @item
24553 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24554 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24555 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24556 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24557 orthogonal frontend design.
24558
24559 @end itemize
24560
24561 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24562 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24563 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24564 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24565 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24566 the user interface.
24567
24568
24569 @menu
24570 * Context management::
24571 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24572 * Thread groups::
24573 @end menu
24574
24575 @node Context management
24576 @subsection Context management
24577
24578 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24579 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24580 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24581 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24582 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24583 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24584 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24585 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24586 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24587
24588 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24589 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24590 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24591 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24592 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24593 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24594 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24595 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24596 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24597 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24598 for thread and frame to operate on.
24599
24600 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24601 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24602 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24603 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24604 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24605 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24606 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24607 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24608 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24609 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24610
24611 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24612 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24613 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24614 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24615 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24616 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24617 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24618 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24619 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24620 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24621 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24622 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24623 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24624 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24625 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24626 @samp{--frame} options.
24627
24628 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24629 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24630
24631 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24632 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24633 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24634 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24635 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24636 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24637 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24638 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24639 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24640
24641 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24642 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24643 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24644 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24645 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24646 are running.
24647
24648 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24649 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24650 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24651 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24652 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24653 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24654 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24655 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24656 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24657 @samp{--thread} option).
24658
24659 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24660 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24661 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24662 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24663
24664 @node Thread groups
24665 @subsection Thread groups
24666 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24667 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24668 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24669 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24670 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24671
24672 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24673 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24674 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24675 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24676 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24677 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24678 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24679 into processes.
24680
24681 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24682 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24683 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24684 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24685 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24686 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24687 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24688 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24689 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24690 the members of specific thread group.
24691
24692 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24693 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24694 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24695 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24696 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24697 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24698 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24699 after attaching to that thread group.
24700
24701 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24702 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24703 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24704 such thread groups.
24705
24706 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24707 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24708 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24709
24710 @menu
24711 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24712 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24713 @end menu
24714
24715 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24716 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24717
24718 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24719 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24720 @table @code
24721 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24722 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24723
24724 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24725 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24726 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24727
24728 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24729 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24730 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24731
24732 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24733 "any sequence of digits"
24734
24735 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24736 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24737
24738 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24739 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24740
24741 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24742 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24743
24744 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24745 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24746 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24747
24748 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24749 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24750
24751 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24752 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24753 @end table
24754
24755 @noindent
24756 Notes:
24757
24758 @itemize @bullet
24759 @item
24760 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24761 output is described below.
24762
24763 @item
24764 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24765 finishes.
24766
24767 @item
24768 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24769 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24770 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24771 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24772 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24773 @end itemize
24774
24775 Pragmatics:
24776
24777 @itemize @bullet
24778 @item
24779 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24780
24781 @item
24782 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24783 @end itemize
24784
24785 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24786 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24787
24788 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24789 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24790 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24791 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24792 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24793 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24794
24795 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24796 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24797 @var{token}.
24798
24799 @table @code
24800 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24801 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24802
24803 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24804 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24805
24806 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24807 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24808
24809 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24810 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24811
24812 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24813 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24814
24815 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24816 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24817
24818 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24819 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24820
24821 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24822 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24823
24824 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24825 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24826
24827 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24828 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24829 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24830
24831 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24832 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24833
24834 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24835 @code{ @var{string} }
24836
24837 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24838 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24839
24840 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24841 @code{@var{c-string}}
24842
24843 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24844 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24845
24846 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24847 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24848 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24849
24850 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24851 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24852
24853 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24854 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24855
24856 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24857 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24858
24859 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24860 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24861
24862 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24863 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24864
24865 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24866 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24867 @end table
24868
24869 @noindent
24870 Notes:
24871
24872 @itemize @bullet
24873 @item
24874 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24875
24876 @item
24877 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24878 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24879 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24880 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24881 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24882 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24883 prior command.
24884
24885 @item
24886 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24887 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24888 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24889 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24890
24891 @item
24892 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24893 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24894 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24895 @samp{*}.
24896
24897 @item
24898 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24899 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24900 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24901 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24902
24903 @item
24904 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24905 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24906 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24907 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24908
24909 @item
24910 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24911 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24912 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24913
24914 @item
24915 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24916 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24917 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24918 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24919
24920 @item
24921 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24922 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24923 @var{values}.
24924
24925
24926 @end itemize
24927
24928 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24929 details about the various output records.
24930
24931 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24932 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24933 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24934
24935 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24936 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24937
24938 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24939 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24940 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24941 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24942 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24943 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24944
24945 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24946 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24947 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24948
24949 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24950 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24951 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24952 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24953
24954 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24955 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24956
24957 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24958 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24959 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24960 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24961 might change.
24962
24963 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24964 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24965 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24966 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24967
24968 @itemize @bullet
24969 @item
24970 New MI commands may be added.
24971
24972 @item
24973 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24974
24975 @item
24976 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24977 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24978
24979 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24980 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24981
24982 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24983 @c resolve inconsistencies.
24984 @end itemize
24985
24986 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24987 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24988 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24989 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24990 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24991
24992 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24993 @c version?
24994
24995 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24996 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24997 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24998 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24999 @cindex mailing lists
25000
25001 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25002 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25003 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25004
25005 @menu
25006 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25007 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25008 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25009 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25010 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25011 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25012 @end menu
25013
25014 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25015 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25016
25017 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25018 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25019 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25020 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25021
25022 @table @code
25023 @findex ^done
25024 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25025 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25026 values.
25027
25028 @item "^running"
25029 @findex ^running
25030 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25031 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25032 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25033 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25034 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25035 which threads are resumed.
25036
25037 @item "^connected"
25038 @findex ^connected
25039 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25040
25041 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
25042 @findex ^error
25043 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
25044 error message.
25045
25046 @item "^exit"
25047 @findex ^exit
25048 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25049
25050 @end table
25051
25052 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25053 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25054
25055 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25056 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25057 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25058 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25059 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25060
25061 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25062 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25063 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25064 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25065 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25066
25067 @table @code
25068 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25069 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25070 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25071
25072 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25073 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25074 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25075 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25076
25077 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25078 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25079 internals.
25080 @end table
25081
25082 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25083 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25084
25085 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25086 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25087 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25088 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25089 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25090 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25091
25092 The following is the list of possible async records:
25093
25094 @table @code
25095
25096 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25097 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25098 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25099 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25100 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25101 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25102 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25103 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25104 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25105 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25106
25107 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25108 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25109 following values:
25110
25111 @table @code
25112 @item breakpoint-hit
25113 A breakpoint was reached.
25114 @item watchpoint-trigger
25115 A watchpoint was triggered.
25116 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25117 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25118 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25119 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25120 @item function-finished
25121 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25122 @item location-reached
25123 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25124 @item watchpoint-scope
25125 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25126 @item end-stepping-range
25127 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25128 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25129 @item exited-signalled
25130 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25131 @item exited
25132 The inferior exited.
25133 @item exited-normally
25134 The inferior exited normally.
25135 @item signal-received
25136 A signal was received by the inferior.
25137 @end table
25138
25139 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25140 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25141 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25142 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25143 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25144 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25145 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25146 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25147 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25148 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25149 if such information is not available.
25150
25151 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25152 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25153 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25154 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25155 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25156 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25157 cannot be used in any way.
25158
25159 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25160 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25161 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25162 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25163 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25164 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25165
25166 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
25167 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25168 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25169 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25170 thread group.
25171
25172 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25173 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25174 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25175 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25176 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25177
25178 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25179 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25180 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25181 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25182 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25183 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25184 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25185
25186 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25187 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25188 that thread.
25189
25190 @item =library-loaded,...
25191 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25192 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25193 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25194 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25195 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25196 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25197 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25198 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25199 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25200 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25201 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25202 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25203 thread groups.
25204
25205 @item =library-unloaded,...
25206 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25207 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25208 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25209 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25210 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25211 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25212 thread groups.
25213
25214 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25215 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25216 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
25217 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25218 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25219 user.
25220
25221 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25222 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
25223
25224 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25225 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25226
25227 @end table
25228
25229 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25230 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25231
25232 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25233 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25234 fields:
25235
25236 @table @code
25237 @item level
25238 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25239 zero. This field is always present.
25240
25241 @item func
25242 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25243 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25244
25245 @item addr
25246 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25247
25248 @item file
25249 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25250 address. This field may be absent.
25251
25252 @item line
25253 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25254 may be absent.
25255
25256 @item from
25257 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25258 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25259
25260 @end table
25261
25262 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
25263 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25264
25265 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25266 uses a tuple with the following fields:
25267
25268 @table @code
25269 @item id
25270 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25271 always present.
25272
25273 @item target-id
25274 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25275
25276 @item details
25277 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25278 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25279 frontend. This field is optional.
25280
25281 @item state
25282 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25283 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25284
25285 @item core
25286 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25287 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25288 @end table
25289
25290 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
25291 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
25292
25293 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
25294 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
25295 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
25296 the @code{exception-name} field.
25297
25298 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25299 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25300 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25301 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25302
25303 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25304 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25305 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25306 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25307
25308 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25309 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25310
25311 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25312
25313 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25314 information of the breakpoint.
25315
25316 @smallexample
25317 -> -break-insert main
25318 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25319 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25320 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25321 <- (gdb)
25322 @end smallexample
25323
25324 @subheading Program Execution
25325
25326 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25327 reason that execution stopped.
25328
25329 @smallexample
25330 -> -exec-run
25331 <- ^running
25332 <- (gdb)
25333 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25334 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25335 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25336 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25337 <- (gdb)
25338 -> -exec-continue
25339 <- ^running
25340 <- (gdb)
25341 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25342 <- (gdb)
25343 @end smallexample
25344
25345 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25346
25347 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25348
25349 @smallexample
25350 -> (gdb)
25351 <- -gdb-exit
25352 <- ^exit
25353 @end smallexample
25354
25355 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25356 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25357 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25358 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25359 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25360 fails to exit in reasonable time.
25361
25362 @subheading A Bad Command
25363
25364 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25365
25366 @smallexample
25367 -> -rubbish
25368 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25369 <- (gdb)
25370 @end smallexample
25371
25372
25373 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25374 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25375 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25376
25377 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25378 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25379
25380 @subheading Motivation
25381
25382 The motivation for this collection of commands.
25383
25384 @subheading Introduction
25385
25386 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25387
25388 @subheading Commands
25389
25390 For each command in the block, the following is described:
25391
25392 @subsubheading Synopsis
25393
25394 @smallexample
25395 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25396 @end smallexample
25397
25398 @subsubheading Result
25399
25400 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25401
25402 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25403
25404 @subsubheading Example
25405
25406 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25407 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25408
25409
25410 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25411 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25412 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25413
25414 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25415 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25416 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25417 breakpoints.
25418
25419 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25420 @findex -break-after
25421
25422 @subsubheading Synopsis
25423
25424 @smallexample
25425 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25426 @end smallexample
25427
25428 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25429 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25430 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25431 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25432
25433 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25434
25435 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25436
25437 @subsubheading Example
25438
25439 @smallexample
25440 (gdb)
25441 -break-insert main
25442 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25443 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25444 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25445 (gdb)
25446 -break-after 1 3
25447 ~
25448 ^done
25449 (gdb)
25450 -break-list
25451 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25452 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25453 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25454 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25455 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25456 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25457 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25458 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25459 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25460 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25461 (gdb)
25462 @end smallexample
25463
25464 @ignore
25465 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25466 @findex -break-catch
25467 @end ignore
25468
25469 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25470 @findex -break-commands
25471
25472 @subsubheading Synopsis
25473
25474 @smallexample
25475 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25476 @end smallexample
25477
25478 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25479 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25480 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25481 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25482 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25483 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25484
25485 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25486
25487 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25488
25489 @subsubheading Example
25490
25491 @smallexample
25492 (gdb)
25493 -break-insert main
25494 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25495 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25496 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25497 (gdb)
25498 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25499 ^done
25500 (gdb)
25501 @end smallexample
25502
25503 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25504 @findex -break-condition
25505
25506 @subsubheading Synopsis
25507
25508 @smallexample
25509 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25510 @end smallexample
25511
25512 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25513 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25514 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25515 command below).
25516
25517 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25518
25519 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25520
25521 @subsubheading Example
25522
25523 @smallexample
25524 (gdb)
25525 -break-condition 1 1
25526 ^done
25527 (gdb)
25528 -break-list
25529 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25530 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25531 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25532 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25533 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25534 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25535 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25536 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25537 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25538 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25539 (gdb)
25540 @end smallexample
25541
25542 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25543 @findex -break-delete
25544
25545 @subsubheading Synopsis
25546
25547 @smallexample
25548 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25549 @end smallexample
25550
25551 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25552 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25553
25554 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25555
25556 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25557
25558 @subsubheading Example
25559
25560 @smallexample
25561 (gdb)
25562 -break-delete 1
25563 ^done
25564 (gdb)
25565 -break-list
25566 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25567 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25568 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25569 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25570 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25571 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25572 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25573 body=[]@}
25574 (gdb)
25575 @end smallexample
25576
25577 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25578 @findex -break-disable
25579
25580 @subsubheading Synopsis
25581
25582 @smallexample
25583 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25584 @end smallexample
25585
25586 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25587 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25588
25589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25590
25591 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25592
25593 @subsubheading Example
25594
25595 @smallexample
25596 (gdb)
25597 -break-disable 2
25598 ^done
25599 (gdb)
25600 -break-list
25601 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25602 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25603 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25604 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25605 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25606 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25607 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25608 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25609 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25610 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25611 (gdb)
25612 @end smallexample
25613
25614 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25615 @findex -break-enable
25616
25617 @subsubheading Synopsis
25618
25619 @smallexample
25620 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25621 @end smallexample
25622
25623 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25624
25625 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25626
25627 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25628
25629 @subsubheading Example
25630
25631 @smallexample
25632 (gdb)
25633 -break-enable 2
25634 ^done
25635 (gdb)
25636 -break-list
25637 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25638 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25639 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25640 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25641 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25642 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25643 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25644 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25645 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25646 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25647 (gdb)
25648 @end smallexample
25649
25650 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25651 @findex -break-info
25652
25653 @subsubheading Synopsis
25654
25655 @smallexample
25656 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25657 @end smallexample
25658
25659 @c REDUNDANT???
25660 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25661
25662 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25663
25664 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25665
25666 @subsubheading Example
25667 N.A.
25668
25669 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25670 @findex -break-insert
25671
25672 @subsubheading Synopsis
25673
25674 @smallexample
25675 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25676 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25677 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25678 @end smallexample
25679
25680 @noindent
25681 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25682
25683 @itemize @bullet
25684 @item function
25685 @c @item +offset
25686 @c @item -offset
25687 @c @item linenum
25688 @item filename:linenum
25689 @item filename:function
25690 @item *address
25691 @end itemize
25692
25693 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25694
25695 @table @samp
25696 @item -t
25697 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25698 @item -h
25699 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25700 @item -c @var{condition}
25701 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25702 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25703 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25704 @item -f
25705 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25706 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25707 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25708 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25709 cannot be parsed.
25710 @item -d
25711 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25712 @item -a
25713 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25714 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25715 @end table
25716
25717 @subsubheading Result
25718
25719 The result is in the form:
25720
25721 @smallexample
25722 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25723 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25724 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25725 times="@var{times}"@}
25726 @end smallexample
25727
25728 @noindent
25729 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25730 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25731 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25732 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25733 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25734 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25735 which use the same output).
25736
25737 Note: this format is open to change.
25738 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25739
25740 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25741
25742 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25743 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25744
25745 @subsubheading Example
25746
25747 @smallexample
25748 (gdb)
25749 -break-insert main
25750 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25751 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25752 (gdb)
25753 -break-insert -t foo
25754 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25755 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25756 (gdb)
25757 -break-list
25758 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25759 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25760 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25761 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25762 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25763 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25764 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25765 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25766 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25767 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25768 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25769 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25770 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25771 (gdb)
25772 -break-insert -r foo.*
25773 ~int foo(int, int);
25774 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25775 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25776 (gdb)
25777 @end smallexample
25778
25779 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25780 @findex -break-list
25781
25782 @subsubheading Synopsis
25783
25784 @smallexample
25785 -break-list
25786 @end smallexample
25787
25788 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25789
25790 @table @samp
25791 @item Number
25792 number of the breakpoint
25793 @item Type
25794 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25795 @item Disposition
25796 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25797 or @samp{nokeep}
25798 @item Enabled
25799 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25800 @item Address
25801 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25802 @item What
25803 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25804 name, line number
25805 @item Times
25806 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25807 @end table
25808
25809 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25810 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25811
25812 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25813
25814 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25815
25816 @subsubheading Example
25817
25818 @smallexample
25819 (gdb)
25820 -break-list
25821 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25822 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25823 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25824 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25825 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25826 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25827 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25828 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25829 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25830 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25831 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25832 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25833 (gdb)
25834 @end smallexample
25835
25836 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25837
25838 @smallexample
25839 (gdb)
25840 -break-list
25841 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25842 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25843 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25844 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25845 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25846 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25847 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25848 body=[]@}
25849 (gdb)
25850 @end smallexample
25851
25852 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25853 @findex -break-passcount
25854
25855 @subsubheading Synopsis
25856
25857 @smallexample
25858 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25859 @end smallexample
25860
25861 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25862 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25863 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25864 command @samp{passcount}.
25865
25866 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25867 @findex -break-watch
25868
25869 @subsubheading Synopsis
25870
25871 @smallexample
25872 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25873 @end smallexample
25874
25875 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25876 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25877 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25878 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25879 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25880 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25881 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25882 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25883
25884 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25885 breakpoints inserted.
25886
25887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25888
25889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25890 @samp{rwatch}.
25891
25892 @subsubheading Example
25893
25894 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25895
25896 @smallexample
25897 (gdb)
25898 -break-watch x
25899 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25900 (gdb)
25901 -exec-continue
25902 ^running
25903 (gdb)
25904 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25905 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25906 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25907 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25908 (gdb)
25909 @end smallexample
25910
25911 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25912 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25913 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25914
25915 @smallexample
25916 (gdb)
25917 -break-watch C
25918 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25919 (gdb)
25920 -exec-continue
25921 ^running
25922 (gdb)
25923 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25924 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25925 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25926 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25927 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25928 (gdb)
25929 -exec-continue
25930 ^running
25931 (gdb)
25932 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25933 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25934 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25935 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25936 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25937 (gdb)
25938 @end smallexample
25939
25940 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25941 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25942 deleted.
25943
25944 @smallexample
25945 (gdb)
25946 -break-watch C
25947 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25948 (gdb)
25949 -break-list
25950 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25951 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25952 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25953 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25954 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25955 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25956 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25957 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25958 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25959 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25960 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25961 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25962 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25963 (gdb)
25964 -exec-continue
25965 ^running
25966 (gdb)
25967 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25968 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25969 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25970 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25971 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25972 (gdb)
25973 -break-list
25974 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25975 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25976 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25977 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25978 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25979 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25980 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25981 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25982 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25983 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25984 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25985 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25986 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25987 (gdb)
25988 -exec-continue
25989 ^running
25990 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25991 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25992 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25993 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25994 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25995 (gdb)
25996 -break-list
25997 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25998 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25999 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26000 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26001 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26002 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26003 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26004 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26005 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26006 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26007 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26008 times="1"@}]@}
26009 (gdb)
26010 @end smallexample
26011
26012 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26013 @node GDB/MI Program Context
26014 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26015
26016 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26017 @findex -exec-arguments
26018
26019
26020 @subsubheading Synopsis
26021
26022 @smallexample
26023 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26024 @end smallexample
26025
26026 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26027 @samp{-exec-run}.
26028
26029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26030
26031 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26032
26033 @subsubheading Example
26034
26035 @smallexample
26036 (gdb)
26037 -exec-arguments -v word
26038 ^done
26039 (gdb)
26040 @end smallexample
26041
26042
26043 @ignore
26044 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26045 @findex -exec-show-arguments
26046
26047 @subsubheading Synopsis
26048
26049 @smallexample
26050 -exec-show-arguments
26051 @end smallexample
26052
26053 Print the arguments of the program.
26054
26055 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26056
26057 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26058
26059 @subsubheading Example
26060 N.A.
26061 @end ignore
26062
26063
26064 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26065 @findex -environment-cd
26066
26067 @subsubheading Synopsis
26068
26069 @smallexample
26070 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26071 @end smallexample
26072
26073 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26074
26075 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26076
26077 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26078
26079 @subsubheading Example
26080
26081 @smallexample
26082 (gdb)
26083 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26084 ^done
26085 (gdb)
26086 @end smallexample
26087
26088
26089 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26090 @findex -environment-directory
26091
26092 @subsubheading Synopsis
26093
26094 @smallexample
26095 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26096 @end smallexample
26097
26098 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26099 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26100 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26101 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26102 occurs as normal.
26103 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26104 multiple directories in a single command
26105 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26106 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26107 If blanks are needed as
26108 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26109 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26110 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26111 character must not be used
26112 in any directory name.
26113 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26114
26115 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26116
26117 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26118
26119 @subsubheading Example
26120
26121 @smallexample
26122 (gdb)
26123 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26124 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26125 (gdb)
26126 -environment-directory ""
26127 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26128 (gdb)
26129 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26130 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26131 (gdb)
26132 -environment-directory -r
26133 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26134 (gdb)
26135 @end smallexample
26136
26137
26138 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26139 @findex -environment-path
26140
26141 @subsubheading Synopsis
26142
26143 @smallexample
26144 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26145 @end smallexample
26146
26147 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26148 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26149 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26150 supplied in addition to the
26151 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26152 occurs as normal.
26153 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26154 multiple directories in a single command
26155 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26156 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26157 If blanks are needed as
26158 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26159 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26160 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26161 character must not be used
26162 in any directory name.
26163 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26164
26165
26166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26167
26168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26169
26170 @subsubheading Example
26171
26172 @smallexample
26173 (gdb)
26174 -environment-path
26175 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
26176 (gdb)
26177 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26178 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26179 (gdb)
26180 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26181 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26182 (gdb)
26183 @end smallexample
26184
26185
26186 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26187 @findex -environment-pwd
26188
26189 @subsubheading Synopsis
26190
26191 @smallexample
26192 -environment-pwd
26193 @end smallexample
26194
26195 Show the current working directory.
26196
26197 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26198
26199 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26200
26201 @subsubheading Example
26202
26203 @smallexample
26204 (gdb)
26205 -environment-pwd
26206 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26207 (gdb)
26208 @end smallexample
26209
26210 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26211 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26212 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26213
26214
26215 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26216 @findex -thread-info
26217
26218 @subsubheading Synopsis
26219
26220 @smallexample
26221 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26222 @end smallexample
26223
26224 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26225 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26226 threads. When printing information about all threads,
26227 also reports the current thread.
26228
26229 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26230
26231 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26232 about all threads.
26233
26234 @subsubheading Result
26235
26236 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26237 defined for a given thread:
26238
26239 @table @samp
26240 @item current
26241 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26242
26243 @item id
26244 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26245
26246 @item target-id
26247 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26248
26249 @item details
26250 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26251 field is optional.
26252
26253 @item name
26254 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26255 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26256 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26257 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26258 field is omitted.
26259
26260 @item frame
26261 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26262
26263 @item state
26264 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
26265 values:
26266
26267 @table @code
26268 @item stopped
26269 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
26270 threads.
26271
26272 @item running
26273 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
26274 threads.
26275
26276 @end table
26277
26278 @item core
26279 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
26280 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
26281
26282 @end table
26283
26284 @subsubheading Example
26285
26286 @smallexample
26287 -thread-info
26288 ^done,threads=[
26289 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26290 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
26291 args=[]@},state="running"@},
26292 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26293 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
26294 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26295 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
26296 state="running"@}],
26297 current-thread-id="1"
26298 (gdb)
26299 @end smallexample
26300
26301 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26302 @findex -thread-list-ids
26303
26304 @subsubheading Synopsis
26305
26306 @smallexample
26307 -thread-list-ids
26308 @end smallexample
26309
26310 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26311 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26312
26313 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26314 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26315
26316 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26317
26318 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26319
26320 @subsubheading Example
26321
26322 @smallexample
26323 (gdb)
26324 -thread-list-ids
26325 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26326 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26327 (gdb)
26328 @end smallexample
26329
26330
26331 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26332 @findex -thread-select
26333
26334 @subsubheading Synopsis
26335
26336 @smallexample
26337 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26338 @end smallexample
26339
26340 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26341 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26342
26343 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26344 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
26345
26346 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26347
26348 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26349
26350 @subsubheading Example
26351
26352 @smallexample
26353 (gdb)
26354 -exec-next
26355 ^running
26356 (gdb)
26357 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26358 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26359 (gdb)
26360 -thread-list-ids
26361 ^done,
26362 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26363 number-of-threads="3"
26364 (gdb)
26365 -thread-select 3
26366 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
26367 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26368 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26369 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26370 (gdb)
26371 @end smallexample
26372
26373 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26374 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
26375 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26376
26377 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26378 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26379 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26380 other cases.
26381
26382 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26383 @findex -exec-continue
26384
26385 @subsubheading Synopsis
26386
26387 @smallexample
26388 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26389 @end smallexample
26390
26391 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26392 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26393 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26394 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26395 @itemize @bullet
26396 @item
26397 breakpoints or watchpoints
26398 @item
26399 signals or exceptions
26400 @item
26401 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26402 @item
26403 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26404 @end itemize
26405 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26406 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26407 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26408 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26409 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26410 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26411
26412 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26413
26414 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26415
26416 @subsubheading Example
26417
26418 @smallexample
26419 -exec-continue
26420 ^running
26421 (gdb)
26422 @@Hello world
26423 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26424 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26425 line="13"@}
26426 (gdb)
26427 @end smallexample
26428
26429
26430 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26431 @findex -exec-finish
26432
26433 @subsubheading Synopsis
26434
26435 @smallexample
26436 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26437 @end smallexample
26438
26439 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26440 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26441 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26442 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26443 function was called.
26444
26445 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26446
26447 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26448
26449 @subsubheading Example
26450
26451 Function returning @code{void}.
26452
26453 @smallexample
26454 -exec-finish
26455 ^running
26456 (gdb)
26457 @@hello from foo
26458 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26459 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26460 (gdb)
26461 @end smallexample
26462
26463 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26464 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26465 value itself.
26466
26467 @smallexample
26468 -exec-finish
26469 ^running
26470 (gdb)
26471 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26472 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26473 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26474 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26475 (gdb)
26476 @end smallexample
26477
26478
26479 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26480 @findex -exec-interrupt
26481
26482 @subsubheading Synopsis
26483
26484 @smallexample
26485 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26486 @end smallexample
26487
26488 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26489 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26490 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26491 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26492 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26493
26494 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26495 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26496 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26497 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26498
26499 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26500 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26501 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26502 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26503
26504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26505
26506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26507
26508 @subsubheading Example
26509
26510 @smallexample
26511 (gdb)
26512 111-exec-continue
26513 111^running
26514
26515 (gdb)
26516 222-exec-interrupt
26517 222^done
26518 (gdb)
26519 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26520 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26521 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26522 (gdb)
26523
26524 (gdb)
26525 -exec-interrupt
26526 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26527 (gdb)
26528 @end smallexample
26529
26530 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26531 @findex -exec-jump
26532
26533 @subsubheading Synopsis
26534
26535 @smallexample
26536 -exec-jump @var{location}
26537 @end smallexample
26538
26539 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26540 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26541 different forms of @var{location}.
26542
26543 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26544
26545 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26546
26547 @subsubheading Example
26548
26549 @smallexample
26550 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26551 *running,thread-id="all"
26552 ^running
26553 @end smallexample
26554
26555
26556 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26557 @findex -exec-next
26558
26559 @subsubheading Synopsis
26560
26561 @smallexample
26562 -exec-next [--reverse]
26563 @end smallexample
26564
26565 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26566 of the next source line is reached.
26567
26568 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26569 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26570 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26571 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26572 source line where the function was called.
26573
26574
26575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26576
26577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26578
26579 @subsubheading Example
26580
26581 @smallexample
26582 -exec-next
26583 ^running
26584 (gdb)
26585 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26586 (gdb)
26587 @end smallexample
26588
26589
26590 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26591 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26592
26593 @subsubheading Synopsis
26594
26595 @smallexample
26596 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26597 @end smallexample
26598
26599 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26600 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26601 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26602 printed as well.
26603
26604 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26605 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26606 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26607 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26608 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26609
26610 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26611
26612 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26613
26614 @subsubheading Example
26615
26616 @smallexample
26617 (gdb)
26618 -exec-next-instruction
26619 ^running
26620
26621 (gdb)
26622 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26623 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26624 (gdb)
26625 @end smallexample
26626
26627
26628 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26629 @findex -exec-return
26630
26631 @subsubheading Synopsis
26632
26633 @smallexample
26634 -exec-return
26635 @end smallexample
26636
26637 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26638 Displays the new current frame.
26639
26640 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26641
26642 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26643
26644 @subsubheading Example
26645
26646 @smallexample
26647 (gdb)
26648 200-break-insert callee4
26649 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26650 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26651 (gdb)
26652 000-exec-run
26653 000^running
26654 (gdb)
26655 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26656 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26657 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26658 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26659 (gdb)
26660 205-break-delete
26661 205^done
26662 (gdb)
26663 111-exec-return
26664 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26665 args=[@{name="strarg",
26666 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26667 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26668 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26669 (gdb)
26670 @end smallexample
26671
26672
26673 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26674 @findex -exec-run
26675
26676 @subsubheading Synopsis
26677
26678 @smallexample
26679 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26680 @end smallexample
26681
26682 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26683 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26684 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26685 the program has exited exceptionally.
26686
26687 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26688 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26689 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26690 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26691
26692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26693
26694 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26695
26696 @subsubheading Examples
26697
26698 @smallexample
26699 (gdb)
26700 -break-insert main
26701 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26702 (gdb)
26703 -exec-run
26704 ^running
26705 (gdb)
26706 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26707 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26708 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26709 (gdb)
26710 @end smallexample
26711
26712 @noindent
26713 Program exited normally:
26714
26715 @smallexample
26716 (gdb)
26717 -exec-run
26718 ^running
26719 (gdb)
26720 x = 55
26721 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26722 (gdb)
26723 @end smallexample
26724
26725 @noindent
26726 Program exited exceptionally:
26727
26728 @smallexample
26729 (gdb)
26730 -exec-run
26731 ^running
26732 (gdb)
26733 x = 55
26734 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26735 (gdb)
26736 @end smallexample
26737
26738 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26739 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26740
26741 @smallexample
26742 (gdb)
26743 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26744 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26745 @end smallexample
26746
26747
26748 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26749
26750
26751 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26752 @findex -exec-step
26753
26754 @subsubheading Synopsis
26755
26756 @smallexample
26757 -exec-step [--reverse]
26758 @end smallexample
26759
26760 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26761 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26762 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26763 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26764 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26765 previously executed source line.
26766
26767 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26768
26769 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26770
26771 @subsubheading Example
26772
26773 Stepping into a function:
26774
26775 @smallexample
26776 -exec-step
26777 ^running
26778 (gdb)
26779 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26780 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26781 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26782 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26783 (gdb)
26784 @end smallexample
26785
26786 Regular stepping:
26787
26788 @smallexample
26789 -exec-step
26790 ^running
26791 (gdb)
26792 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26793 (gdb)
26794 @end smallexample
26795
26796
26797 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26798 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26799
26800 @subsubheading Synopsis
26801
26802 @smallexample
26803 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26804 @end smallexample
26805
26806 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26807 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26808 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26809 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26810 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26811 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26812 as well.
26813
26814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26815
26816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26817
26818 @subsubheading Example
26819
26820 @smallexample
26821 (gdb)
26822 -exec-step-instruction
26823 ^running
26824
26825 (gdb)
26826 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26827 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26828 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26829 (gdb)
26830 -exec-step-instruction
26831 ^running
26832
26833 (gdb)
26834 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26835 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26836 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26837 (gdb)
26838 @end smallexample
26839
26840
26841 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26842 @findex -exec-until
26843
26844 @subsubheading Synopsis
26845
26846 @smallexample
26847 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26848 @end smallexample
26849
26850 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26851 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26852 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26853 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26854
26855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26856
26857 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26858
26859 @subsubheading Example
26860
26861 @smallexample
26862 (gdb)
26863 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26864 ^running
26865 (gdb)
26866 x = 55
26867 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26868 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26869 (gdb)
26870 @end smallexample
26871
26872 @ignore
26873 @subheading -file-clear
26874 Is this going away????
26875 @end ignore
26876
26877 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26878 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26879 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26880
26881
26882 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26883 @findex -stack-info-frame
26884
26885 @subsubheading Synopsis
26886
26887 @smallexample
26888 -stack-info-frame
26889 @end smallexample
26890
26891 Get info on the selected frame.
26892
26893 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26894
26895 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26896 (without arguments).
26897
26898 @subsubheading Example
26899
26900 @smallexample
26901 (gdb)
26902 -stack-info-frame
26903 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26904 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26905 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26906 (gdb)
26907 @end smallexample
26908
26909 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26910 @findex -stack-info-depth
26911
26912 @subsubheading Synopsis
26913
26914 @smallexample
26915 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26916 @end smallexample
26917
26918 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26919 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26920
26921 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26922
26923 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26924
26925 @subsubheading Example
26926
26927 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26928
26929 @smallexample
26930 (gdb)
26931 -stack-info-depth
26932 ^done,depth="12"
26933 (gdb)
26934 -stack-info-depth 4
26935 ^done,depth="4"
26936 (gdb)
26937 -stack-info-depth 12
26938 ^done,depth="12"
26939 (gdb)
26940 -stack-info-depth 11
26941 ^done,depth="11"
26942 (gdb)
26943 -stack-info-depth 13
26944 ^done,depth="12"
26945 (gdb)
26946 @end smallexample
26947
26948 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26949 @findex -stack-list-arguments
26950
26951 @subsubheading Synopsis
26952
26953 @smallexample
26954 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26955 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26956 @end smallexample
26957
26958 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26959 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26960 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26961 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26962 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26963 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26964 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26965 which case only existing frames will be returned.
26966
26967 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26968 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26969 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26970 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26971 structures and unions.
26972
26973 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26974 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26975
26976 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26977
26978 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26979 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26980 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26981
26982 @subsubheading Example
26983
26984 @smallexample
26985 (gdb)
26986 -stack-list-frames
26987 ^done,
26988 stack=[
26989 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26990 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26991 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26992 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26993 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26994 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26995 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26996 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26997 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26998 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26999 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27000 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27001 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27002 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27003 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27004 (gdb)
27005 -stack-list-arguments 0
27006 ^done,
27007 stack-args=[
27008 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27009 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27010 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27011 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27012 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27013 (gdb)
27014 -stack-list-arguments 1
27015 ^done,
27016 stack-args=[
27017 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27018 frame=@{level="1",
27019 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27020 frame=@{level="2",args=[
27021 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27022 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27023 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27024 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27025 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27026 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27027 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27028 (gdb)
27029 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27030 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27031 (gdb)
27032 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27033 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27034 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27035 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27036 (gdb)
27037 @end smallexample
27038
27039 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27040
27041
27042 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27043 @findex -stack-list-frames
27044
27045 @subsubheading Synopsis
27046
27047 @smallexample
27048 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27049 @end smallexample
27050
27051 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27052 following info:
27053
27054 @table @samp
27055 @item @var{level}
27056 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27057 @item @var{addr}
27058 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27059 @item @var{func}
27060 Function name.
27061 @item @var{file}
27062 File name of the source file where the function lives.
27063 @item @var{fullname}
27064 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27065 @item @var{line}
27066 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27067 @item @var{from}
27068 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27069 if the frame's function is not known.
27070 @end table
27071
27072 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27073 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27074 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27075 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27076 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27077 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27078 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
27079
27080 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27081
27082 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27083
27084 @subsubheading Example
27085
27086 Full stack backtrace:
27087
27088 @smallexample
27089 (gdb)
27090 -stack-list-frames
27091 ^done,stack=
27092 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27093 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27094 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27095 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27096 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27097 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27098 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27099 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27100 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27101 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27102 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27103 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27104 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27105 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27106 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27107 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27108 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27109 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27110 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27111 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27112 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27113 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27114 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27115 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27116 (gdb)
27117 @end smallexample
27118
27119 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27120
27121 @smallexample
27122 (gdb)
27123 -stack-list-frames 3 5
27124 ^done,stack=
27125 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27126 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27127 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27128 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27129 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27130 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27131 (gdb)
27132 @end smallexample
27133
27134 Show a single frame:
27135
27136 @smallexample
27137 (gdb)
27138 -stack-list-frames 3 3
27139 ^done,stack=
27140 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27141 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27142 (gdb)
27143 @end smallexample
27144
27145
27146 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27147 @findex -stack-list-locals
27148
27149 @subsubheading Synopsis
27150
27151 @smallexample
27152 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27153 @end smallexample
27154
27155 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27156 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27157 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27158 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27159 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27160 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27161 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27162 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27163 more detail.
27164
27165 This command is deprecated in favor of the
27166 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27167
27168 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27169
27170 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27171
27172 @subsubheading Example
27173
27174 @smallexample
27175 (gdb)
27176 -stack-list-locals 0
27177 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27178 (gdb)
27179 -stack-list-locals --all-values
27180 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27181 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27182 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
27183 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27184 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27185 (gdb)
27186 @end smallexample
27187
27188 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
27189 @findex -stack-list-variables
27190
27191 @subsubheading Synopsis
27192
27193 @smallexample
27194 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
27195 @end smallexample
27196
27197 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
27198 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27199 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27200 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27201 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27202 structures and unions.
27203
27204 @subsubheading Example
27205
27206 @smallexample
27207 (gdb)
27208 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
27209 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
27210 (gdb)
27211 @end smallexample
27212
27213
27214 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
27215 @findex -stack-select-frame
27216
27217 @subsubheading Synopsis
27218
27219 @smallexample
27220 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
27221 @end smallexample
27222
27223 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
27224 the stack.
27225
27226 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
27227 option to every command.
27228
27229 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27230
27231 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
27232 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
27233
27234 @subsubheading Example
27235
27236 @smallexample
27237 (gdb)
27238 -stack-select-frame 2
27239 ^done
27240 (gdb)
27241 @end smallexample
27242
27243 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27244 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
27245 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
27246
27247 @ignore
27248
27249 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27250
27251 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
27252 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
27253 used by @code{Insight}.
27254
27255 The two main reasons for that are:
27256
27257 @enumerate 1
27258 @item
27259 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
27260
27261 @item
27262 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
27263 now).
27264 @end enumerate
27265
27266 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
27267 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
27268 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
27269 hints about their use.
27270
27271 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
27272 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
27273 least, the following operations:
27274
27275 @itemize @bullet
27276 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
27277 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
27278 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
27279 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
27280 @end itemize
27281
27282 @end ignore
27283
27284 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
27285
27286 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27287
27288 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
27289 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
27290 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
27291 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
27292 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
27293 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
27294 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
27295 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
27296 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
27297 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
27298 object, or to change display format.
27299
27300 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27301 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27302 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27303 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27304 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27305 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27306 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27307 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27308 child will be created.
27309
27310 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27311 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27312 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27313 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27314 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27315
27316 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27317 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27318 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27319 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27320 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27321 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27322 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27323 variables that frontend has created.
27324
27325 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27326 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27327 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27328 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27329 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27330 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27331 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27332 implicitly updated.
27333
27334 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27335 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27336 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27337 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27338 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27339 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27340 frame. Consider this example:
27341
27342 @smallexample
27343 void do_work(...)
27344 @{
27345 struct work_state state;
27346
27347 if (...)
27348 do_work(...);
27349 @}
27350 @end smallexample
27351
27352 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27353 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
27354 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27355 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27356 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27357
27358 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27359 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27360 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27361 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27362 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27363 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27364
27365 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27366 access this functionality:
27367
27368 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27369 @item @strong{Operation}
27370 @tab @strong{Description}
27371
27372 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27373 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27374 @item @code{-var-create}
27375 @tab create a variable object
27376 @item @code{-var-delete}
27377 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27378 @item @code{-var-set-format}
27379 @tab set the display format of this variable
27380 @item @code{-var-show-format}
27381 @tab show the display format of this variable
27382 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27383 @tab tells how many children this object has
27384 @item @code{-var-list-children}
27385 @tab return a list of the object's children
27386 @item @code{-var-info-type}
27387 @tab show the type of this variable object
27388 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
27389 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27390 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27391 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27392 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27393 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27394 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27395 @tab get the value of this variable
27396 @item @code{-var-assign}
27397 @tab set the value of this variable
27398 @item @code{-var-update}
27399 @tab update the variable and its children
27400 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27401 @tab set frozeness attribute
27402 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27403 @tab set range of children to display on update
27404 @end multitable
27405
27406 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27407 how it can be used.
27408
27409 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27410
27411 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27412 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
27413
27414 @smallexample
27415 -enable-pretty-printing
27416 @end smallexample
27417
27418 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27419 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27420 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27421 request that this functionality be enabled.
27422
27423 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27424
27425 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27426 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27427
27428 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27429 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27430
27431 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27432 @findex -var-create
27433
27434 @subsubheading Synopsis
27435
27436 @smallexample
27437 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27438 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27439 @end smallexample
27440
27441 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27442 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27443 register.
27444
27445 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27446 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27447 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27448 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27449 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27450
27451 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27452 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27453 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27454 object must be created.
27455
27456 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27457 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27458
27459 @itemize @bullet
27460 @item
27461 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27462
27463 @item
27464 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27465
27466 @item
27467 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27468 @end itemize
27469
27470 @cindex dynamic varobj
27471 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27472 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27473 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27474 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27475 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27476 compatibility for existing clients.
27477
27478 @subsubheading Result
27479
27480 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27481 are:
27482
27483 @table @samp
27484 @item name
27485 The name of the varobj.
27486
27487 @item numchild
27488 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27489 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27490 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27491
27492 @item value
27493 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27494 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27495 will not be interesting.
27496
27497 @item type
27498 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27499 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27500
27501 @item thread-id
27502 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27503 thread's identifier.
27504
27505 @item has_more
27506 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27507 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27508
27509 @item dynamic
27510 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27511 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27512 then this attribute will not be present.
27513
27514 @item displayhint
27515 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27516 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27517 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27518 @end table
27519
27520 Typical output will look like this:
27521
27522 @smallexample
27523 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27524 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27525 @end smallexample
27526
27527
27528 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27529 @findex -var-delete
27530
27531 @subsubheading Synopsis
27532
27533 @smallexample
27534 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27535 @end smallexample
27536
27537 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27538 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27539
27540 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27541
27542
27543 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27544 @findex -var-set-format
27545
27546 @subsubheading Synopsis
27547
27548 @smallexample
27549 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27550 @end smallexample
27551
27552 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27553 @var{format-spec}.
27554
27555 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27556 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27557
27558 @smallexample
27559 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27560 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27561 @end smallexample
27562
27563 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27564 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27565 for pointers, etc.).
27566
27567 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27568 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27569
27570 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27571 @findex -var-show-format
27572
27573 @subsubheading Synopsis
27574
27575 @smallexample
27576 -var-show-format @var{name}
27577 @end smallexample
27578
27579 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27580
27581 @smallexample
27582 @var{format} @expansion{}
27583 @var{format-spec}
27584 @end smallexample
27585
27586
27587 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27588 @findex -var-info-num-children
27589
27590 @subsubheading Synopsis
27591
27592 @smallexample
27593 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27594 @end smallexample
27595
27596 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27597
27598 @smallexample
27599 numchild=@var{n}
27600 @end smallexample
27601
27602 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27603 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27604 be available.
27605
27606
27607 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27608 @findex -var-list-children
27609
27610 @subsubheading Synopsis
27611
27612 @smallexample
27613 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27614 @end smallexample
27615 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27616
27617 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27618 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27619 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27620 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27621 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27622 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27623 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27624 and unions.
27625
27626 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27627 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27628 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27629 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27630 reported.
27631
27632 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27633 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27634 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27635 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27636 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27637 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27638 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27639 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27640 the visible items.
27641
27642 For each child the following results are returned:
27643
27644 @table @var
27645
27646 @item name
27647 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27648
27649 @item exp
27650 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27651 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27652
27653 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27654 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27655
27656 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27657 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27658 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27659 type and value are not present.
27660
27661 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27662 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27663 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27664
27665 @item numchild
27666 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27667 0.
27668
27669 @item type
27670 The type of the child.
27671
27672 @item value
27673 If values were requested, this is the value.
27674
27675 @item thread-id
27676 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27677 Otherwise this result is not present.
27678
27679 @item frozen
27680 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27681 @end table
27682
27683 The result may have its own attributes:
27684
27685 @table @samp
27686 @item displayhint
27687 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27688 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27689 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27690
27691 @item has_more
27692 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27693 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27694 @end table
27695
27696 @subsubheading Example
27697
27698 @smallexample
27699 (gdb)
27700 -var-list-children n
27701 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27702 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27703 (gdb)
27704 -var-list-children --all-values n
27705 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27706 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27707 @end smallexample
27708
27709
27710 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27711 @findex -var-info-type
27712
27713 @subsubheading Synopsis
27714
27715 @smallexample
27716 -var-info-type @var{name}
27717 @end smallexample
27718
27719 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27720 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27721 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27722
27723 @smallexample
27724 type=@var{typename}
27725 @end smallexample
27726
27727
27728 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27729 @findex -var-info-expression
27730
27731 @subsubheading Synopsis
27732
27733 @smallexample
27734 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27735 @end smallexample
27736
27737 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27738 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27739 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27740
27741 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27742 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27743
27744 @smallexample
27745 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27746 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27747 @end smallexample
27748
27749 @noindent
27750 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27751
27752 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27753 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27754 is of limited use.
27755
27756 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27757 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27758
27759 @subsubheading Synopsis
27760
27761 @smallexample
27762 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27763 @end smallexample
27764
27765 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27766 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27767 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27768 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27769 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27770 watchpoint from a variable object.
27771
27772 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27773 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27774
27775 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27776 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27777 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27778 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27779 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27780 @smallexample
27781 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27782 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27783 @end smallexample
27784
27785 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27786 @findex -var-show-attributes
27787
27788 @subsubheading Synopsis
27789
27790 @smallexample
27791 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27792 @end smallexample
27793
27794 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27795
27796 @smallexample
27797 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27798 @end smallexample
27799
27800 @noindent
27801 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27802
27803 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27804 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27805
27806 @subsubheading Synopsis
27807
27808 @smallexample
27809 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27810 @end smallexample
27811
27812 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27813 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27814 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27815 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27816 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27817 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27818 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27819
27820 @smallexample
27821 value=@var{value}
27822 @end smallexample
27823
27824 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27825 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27826
27827 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27828 @findex -var-assign
27829
27830 @subsubheading Synopsis
27831
27832 @smallexample
27833 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27834 @end smallexample
27835
27836 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27837 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27838 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27839 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27840
27841 @subsubheading Example
27842
27843 @smallexample
27844 (gdb)
27845 -var-assign var1 3
27846 ^done,value="3"
27847 (gdb)
27848 -var-update *
27849 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27850 (gdb)
27851 @end smallexample
27852
27853 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27854 @findex -var-update
27855
27856 @subsubheading Synopsis
27857
27858 @smallexample
27859 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27860 @end smallexample
27861
27862 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27863 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27864 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27865 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27866 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27867 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27868 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27869 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27870 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27871 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27872 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27873 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27874 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27875
27876 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27877 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27878 diagnostic.
27879
27880 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27881 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27882
27883 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27884 @samp{changelist}.
27885
27886 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27887
27888 @table @samp
27889 @item name
27890 The name of the varobj.
27891
27892 @item value
27893 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27894 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27895
27896 @item in_scope
27897 @anchor{-var-update}
27898 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27899
27900 @table @code
27901 @item "true"
27902 The variable object's current value is valid.
27903
27904 @item "false"
27905 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27906 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27907 scope.
27908
27909 @item "invalid"
27910 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27911 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27912 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27913 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27914 objects.
27915 @end table
27916
27917 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27918 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27919
27920 @item type_changed
27921 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27922 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27923 be @samp{false}.
27924
27925 @item new_type
27926 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27927 hold the new type.
27928
27929 @item new_num_children
27930 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27931 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27932
27933 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27934 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27935 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27936 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27937 children which may be available.
27938
27939 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27940 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27941 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27942 only happen at the end of the update range).
27943
27944 @item displayhint
27945 The display hint, if any.
27946
27947 @item has_more
27948 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27949 available outside the varobj's update range.
27950
27951 @item dynamic
27952 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27953 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27954 then this attribute will not be present.
27955
27956 @item new_children
27957 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27958 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27959 be listed in this attribute.
27960 @end table
27961
27962 @subsubheading Example
27963
27964 @smallexample
27965 (gdb)
27966 -var-assign var1 3
27967 ^done,value="3"
27968 (gdb)
27969 -var-update --all-values var1
27970 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27971 type_changed="false"@}]
27972 (gdb)
27973 @end smallexample
27974
27975 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27976 @findex -var-set-frozen
27977 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27978
27979 @subsubheading Synopsis
27980
27981 @smallexample
27982 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27983 @end smallexample
27984
27985 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27986 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27987 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27988 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27989 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27990 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27991 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27992 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27993 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27994 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27995 @code{-var-update} does.
27996
27997 @subsubheading Example
27998
27999 @smallexample
28000 (gdb)
28001 -var-set-frozen V 1
28002 ^done
28003 (gdb)
28004 @end smallexample
28005
28006 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28007 @findex -var-set-update-range
28008 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28009
28010 @subsubheading Synopsis
28011
28012 @smallexample
28013 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28014 @end smallexample
28015
28016 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28017 @code{-var-update}.
28018
28019 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28020 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28021 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28022 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28023
28024 @subsubheading Example
28025
28026 @smallexample
28027 (gdb)
28028 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
28029 ^done
28030 @end smallexample
28031
28032 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28033 @findex -var-set-visualizer
28034 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28035
28036 @subsubheading Synopsis
28037
28038 @smallexample
28039 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28040 @end smallexample
28041
28042 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28043
28044 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28045 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28046
28047 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28048 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28049 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28050 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28051 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28052 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28053 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28054
28055 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28056 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28057 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28058 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28059
28060 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28061 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
28062 can be used to check this.
28063
28064 @subsubheading Example
28065
28066 Resetting the visualizer:
28067
28068 @smallexample
28069 (gdb)
28070 -var-set-visualizer V None
28071 ^done
28072 @end smallexample
28073
28074 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28075
28076 @smallexample
28077 (gdb)
28078 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28079 ^done
28080 @end smallexample
28081
28082 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28083 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28084
28085 @smallexample
28086 (gdb)
28087 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28088 ^done
28089 @end smallexample
28090
28091 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28092 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28093 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28094
28095 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28096 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28097 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28098 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28099
28100 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28101 @c @subheading -data-assign
28102 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28103 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
28104 @c set variable
28105 @c @subsubheading Example
28106 @c N.A.
28107
28108 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28109 @findex -data-disassemble
28110
28111 @subsubheading Synopsis
28112
28113 @smallexample
28114 -data-disassemble
28115 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28116 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28117 -- @var{mode}
28118 @end smallexample
28119
28120 @noindent
28121 Where:
28122
28123 @table @samp
28124 @item @var{start-addr}
28125 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28126 @item @var{end-addr}
28127 is the end address
28128 @item @var{filename}
28129 is the name of the file to disassemble
28130 @item @var{linenum}
28131 is the line number to disassemble around
28132 @item @var{lines}
28133 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28134 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28135 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28136 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28137 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28138 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28139 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28140 are displayed.
28141 @item @var{mode}
28142 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28143 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28144 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28145 @end table
28146
28147 @subsubheading Result
28148
28149 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28150
28151 @itemize @bullet
28152 @item Address
28153 @item Func-name
28154 @item Offset
28155 @item Instruction
28156 @end itemize
28157
28158 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28159 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28160
28161 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28162
28163 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28164
28165 @subsubheading Example
28166
28167 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28168
28169 @smallexample
28170 (gdb)
28171 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28172 ^done,
28173 asm_insns=[
28174 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28175 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28176 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28177 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28178 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28179 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28180 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28181 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28182 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28183 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28184 (gdb)
28185 @end smallexample
28186
28187 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
28188 @code{main}.
28189
28190 @smallexample
28191 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
28192 ^done,asm_insns=[
28193 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28194 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28195 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28196 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28197 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28198 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28199 [@dots{}]
28200 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
28201 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
28202 (gdb)
28203 @end smallexample
28204
28205 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
28206
28207 @smallexample
28208 (gdb)
28209 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
28210 ^done,asm_insns=[
28211 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28212 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28213 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28214 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28215 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28216 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
28217 (gdb)
28218 @end smallexample
28219
28220 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
28221
28222 @smallexample
28223 (gdb)
28224 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
28225 ^done,asm_insns=[
28226 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
28227 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28228 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28229 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28230 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
28231 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
28232 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28233 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28234 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28235 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28236 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28237 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
28238 (gdb)
28239 @end smallexample
28240
28241
28242 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
28243 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
28244
28245 @subsubheading Synopsis
28246
28247 @smallexample
28248 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
28249 @end smallexample
28250
28251 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
28252 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
28253 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
28254
28255 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28256
28257 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
28258 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
28259 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
28260
28261 @subsubheading Example
28262
28263 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
28264 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
28265 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
28266 output.
28267
28268 @smallexample
28269 211-data-evaluate-expression A
28270 211^done,value="1"
28271 (gdb)
28272 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
28273 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
28274 (gdb)
28275 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
28276 411^done,value="4"
28277 (gdb)
28278 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
28279 511^done,value="4"
28280 (gdb)
28281 @end smallexample
28282
28283
28284 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
28285 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
28286
28287 @subsubheading Synopsis
28288
28289 @smallexample
28290 -data-list-changed-registers
28291 @end smallexample
28292
28293 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
28294
28295 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28296
28297 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
28298 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
28299
28300 @subsubheading Example
28301
28302 On a PPC MBX board:
28303
28304 @smallexample
28305 (gdb)
28306 -exec-continue
28307 ^running
28308
28309 (gdb)
28310 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28311 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28312 line="5"@}
28313 (gdb)
28314 -data-list-changed-registers
28315 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28316 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28317 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28318 (gdb)
28319 @end smallexample
28320
28321
28322 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28323 @findex -data-list-register-names
28324
28325 @subsubheading Synopsis
28326
28327 @smallexample
28328 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28329 @end smallexample
28330
28331 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28332 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28333 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28334 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28335 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28336 include empty register names.
28337
28338 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28339
28340 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28341 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28342 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28343
28344 @subsubheading Example
28345
28346 For the PPC MBX board:
28347 @smallexample
28348 (gdb)
28349 -data-list-register-names
28350 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28351 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28352 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28353 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28354 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28355 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28356 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28357 (gdb)
28358 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28359 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28360 (gdb)
28361 @end smallexample
28362
28363 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28364 @findex -data-list-register-values
28365
28366 @subsubheading Synopsis
28367
28368 @smallexample
28369 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28370 @end smallexample
28371
28372 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28373 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28374 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28375 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28376
28377 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28378
28379 @table @code
28380 @item x
28381 Hexadecimal
28382 @item o
28383 Octal
28384 @item t
28385 Binary
28386 @item d
28387 Decimal
28388 @item r
28389 Raw
28390 @item N
28391 Natural
28392 @end table
28393
28394 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28395
28396 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28397 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28398
28399 @subsubheading Example
28400
28401 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28402 don't appear in the actual output):
28403
28404 @smallexample
28405 (gdb)
28406 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
28407 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28408 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28409 (gdb)
28410 -data-list-register-values x
28411 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28412 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28413 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28414 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28415 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28416 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28417 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28418 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28419 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28420 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28421 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28422 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28423 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28424 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28425 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28426 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28427 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28428 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28429 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28430 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28431 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28432 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28433 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28434 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28435 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28436 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28437 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28438 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28439 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28440 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28441 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28442 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28443 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28444 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28445 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28446 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28447 (gdb)
28448 @end smallexample
28449
28450
28451 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28452 @findex -data-read-memory
28453
28454 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28455
28456 @subsubheading Synopsis
28457
28458 @smallexample
28459 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28460 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28461 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28462 @end smallexample
28463
28464 @noindent
28465 where:
28466
28467 @table @samp
28468 @item @var{address}
28469 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28470 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28471 quoted using the C convention.
28472
28473 @item @var{word-format}
28474 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28475 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28476 ,Output Formats}).
28477
28478 @item @var{word-size}
28479 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28480
28481 @item @var{nr-rows}
28482 The number of rows in the output table.
28483
28484 @item @var{nr-cols}
28485 The number of columns in the output table.
28486
28487 @item @var{aschar}
28488 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28489 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28490 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28491 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28492
28493 @item @var{byte-offset}
28494 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28495 @end table
28496
28497 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28498 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28499 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28500 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28501 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28502 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28503 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28504 @samp{addr}.
28505
28506 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28507 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28508 @samp{prev-page}.
28509
28510 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28511
28512 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28513 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28514
28515 @subsubheading Example
28516
28517 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28518 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28519 word. Display each word in hex.
28520
28521 @smallexample
28522 (gdb)
28523 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28524 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28525 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28526 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28527 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28528 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28529 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28530 (gdb)
28531 @end smallexample
28532
28533 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28534 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28535
28536 @smallexample
28537 (gdb)
28538 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28539 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28540 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28541 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28542 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28543 (gdb)
28544 @end smallexample
28545
28546 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28547 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28548 used as the non-printable character.
28549
28550 @smallexample
28551 (gdb)
28552 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28553 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28554 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28555 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28556 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28557 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28558 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28559 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28560 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28561 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28562 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28563 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28564 (gdb)
28565 @end smallexample
28566
28567 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28568 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28569
28570 @subsubheading Synopsis
28571
28572 @smallexample
28573 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28574 @var{address} @var{count}
28575 @end smallexample
28576
28577 @noindent
28578 where:
28579
28580 @table @samp
28581 @item @var{address}
28582 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28583 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28584 quoted using the C convention.
28585
28586 @item @var{count}
28587 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28588
28589 @item @var{byte-offset}
28590 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28591 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28592 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28593 perform address arithmetics itself.
28594
28595 @end table
28596
28597 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28598 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28599 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28600 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28601 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28602 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28603
28604 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28605 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28606 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28607 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28608 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28609 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28610 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28611 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28612
28613 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28614 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28615 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28616 and has the following fields:
28617
28618 @table @code
28619 @item begin
28620 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28621
28622 @item end
28623 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28624
28625 @item offset
28626 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28627 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28628
28629 @item contents
28630 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28631
28632 @end table
28633
28634
28635
28636 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28637
28638 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28639
28640 @subsubheading Example
28641
28642 @smallexample
28643 (gdb)
28644 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28645 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28646 end="0xbffff15e",
28647 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28648 (gdb)
28649 @end smallexample
28650
28651
28652 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28653 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28654
28655 @subsubheading Synopsis
28656
28657 @smallexample
28658 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28659 @end smallexample
28660
28661 @noindent
28662 where:
28663
28664 @table @samp
28665 @item @var{address}
28666 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28667 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28668 quoted using the C convention.
28669
28670 @item @var{contents}
28671 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28672
28673 @end table
28674
28675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28676
28677 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28678
28679 @subsubheading Example
28680
28681 @smallexample
28682 (gdb)
28683 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28684 ^done
28685 (gdb)
28686 @end smallexample
28687
28688
28689 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28690 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28691 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28692
28693 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28694 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28695
28696 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28697 @findex -trace-find
28698
28699 @subsubheading Synopsis
28700
28701 @smallexample
28702 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28703 @end smallexample
28704
28705 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28706 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28707 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28708
28709 @table @samp
28710
28711 @item none
28712 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28713
28714 @item frame-number
28715 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28716 that index.
28717
28718 @item tracepoint-number
28719 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28720 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28721
28722 @item pc
28723 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28724 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28725 address.
28726
28727 @item pc-inside-range
28728 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28729 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28730 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28731
28732 @item pc-outside-range
28733 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28734 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28735 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28736
28737 @item line
28738 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28739 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28740 the specified location.
28741
28742 @end table
28743
28744 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28745 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28746
28747 @table @samp
28748 @item found
28749 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28750 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28751
28752 @item traceframe
28753 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28754 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28755
28756 @item tracepoint
28757 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28758 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28759
28760 @item frame
28761 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28762 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28763 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28764
28765 @end table
28766
28767 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28768
28769 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28770
28771 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28772 @findex -trace-define-variable
28773
28774 @subsubheading Synopsis
28775
28776 @smallexample
28777 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28778 @end smallexample
28779
28780 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28781 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28782 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28783 with the @samp{$} character.
28784
28785 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28786
28787 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28788
28789 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28790 @findex -trace-list-variables
28791
28792 @subsubheading Synopsis
28793
28794 @smallexample
28795 -trace-list-variables
28796 @end smallexample
28797
28798 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28799 table has the following fields:
28800
28801 @table @samp
28802 @item name
28803 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28804
28805 @item initial
28806 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28807 field is always present.
28808
28809 @item current
28810 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28811 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28812 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28813 presently running.
28814
28815 @end table
28816
28817 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28818
28819 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28820
28821 @subsubheading Example
28822
28823 @smallexample
28824 (gdb)
28825 -trace-list-variables
28826 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28827 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28828 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28829 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28830 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28831 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28832 (gdb)
28833 @end smallexample
28834
28835 @subheading -trace-save
28836 @findex -trace-save
28837
28838 @subsubheading Synopsis
28839
28840 @smallexample
28841 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28842 @end smallexample
28843
28844 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28845 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28846 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28847 to perform the save.
28848
28849 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28850
28851 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28852
28853
28854 @subheading -trace-start
28855 @findex -trace-start
28856
28857 @subsubheading Synopsis
28858
28859 @smallexample
28860 -trace-start
28861 @end smallexample
28862
28863 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28864 have any fields.
28865
28866 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28867
28868 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28869
28870 @subheading -trace-status
28871 @findex -trace-status
28872
28873 @subsubheading Synopsis
28874
28875 @smallexample
28876 -trace-status
28877 @end smallexample
28878
28879 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28880 the following fields:
28881
28882 @table @samp
28883
28884 @item supported
28885 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28886 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28887 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28888 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28889 started. This field is always present.
28890
28891 @item running
28892 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28893 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28894 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28895
28896 @item stop-reason
28897 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28898 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28899 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28900 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28901 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28902 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28903 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28904 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28905 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28906
28907 @item stopping-tracepoint
28908 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28909 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28910 @samp{passcount}.
28911
28912 @item frames
28913 @itemx frames-created
28914 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28915 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28916 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28917 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28918
28919 @item buffer-size
28920 @itemx buffer-free
28921 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28922 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28923
28924 @item circular
28925 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28926 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28927 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28928 and may fill up.
28929
28930 @item disconnected
28931 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28932 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28933 that the trace run will stop.
28934
28935 @end table
28936
28937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28938
28939 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28940
28941 @subheading -trace-stop
28942 @findex -trace-stop
28943
28944 @subsubheading Synopsis
28945
28946 @smallexample
28947 -trace-stop
28948 @end smallexample
28949
28950 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28951 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28952 @samp{running} fields are not output.
28953
28954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28955
28956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28957
28958
28959 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28960 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28961 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28962
28963
28964 @ignore
28965 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28966 @findex -symbol-info-address
28967
28968 @subsubheading Synopsis
28969
28970 @smallexample
28971 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28972 @end smallexample
28973
28974 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28975
28976 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28977
28978 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28979
28980 @subsubheading Example
28981 N.A.
28982
28983
28984 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28985 @findex -symbol-info-file
28986
28987 @subsubheading Synopsis
28988
28989 @smallexample
28990 -symbol-info-file
28991 @end smallexample
28992
28993 Show the file for the symbol.
28994
28995 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28996
28997 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28998 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
28999
29000 @subsubheading Example
29001 N.A.
29002
29003
29004 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
29005 @findex -symbol-info-function
29006
29007 @subsubheading Synopsis
29008
29009 @smallexample
29010 -symbol-info-function
29011 @end smallexample
29012
29013 Show which function the symbol lives in.
29014
29015 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29016
29017 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
29018
29019 @subsubheading Example
29020 N.A.
29021
29022
29023 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
29024 @findex -symbol-info-line
29025
29026 @subsubheading Synopsis
29027
29028 @smallexample
29029 -symbol-info-line
29030 @end smallexample
29031
29032 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
29033
29034 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29035
29036 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
29037 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
29038
29039 @subsubheading Example
29040 N.A.
29041
29042
29043 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
29044 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
29045
29046 @subsubheading Synopsis
29047
29048 @smallexample
29049 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
29050 @end smallexample
29051
29052 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
29053
29054 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29055
29056 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
29057
29058 @subsubheading Example
29059 N.A.
29060
29061
29062 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
29063 @findex -symbol-list-functions
29064
29065 @subsubheading Synopsis
29066
29067 @smallexample
29068 -symbol-list-functions
29069 @end smallexample
29070
29071 List the functions in the executable.
29072
29073 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29074
29075 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
29076 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29077
29078 @subsubheading Example
29079 N.A.
29080 @end ignore
29081
29082
29083 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
29084 @findex -symbol-list-lines
29085
29086 @subsubheading Synopsis
29087
29088 @smallexample
29089 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
29090 @end smallexample
29091
29092 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
29093 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
29094 ascending PC order.
29095
29096 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29097
29098 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29099
29100 @subsubheading Example
29101 @smallexample
29102 (gdb)
29103 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
29104 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29105 (gdb)
29106 @end smallexample
29107
29108
29109 @ignore
29110 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29111 @findex -symbol-list-types
29112
29113 @subsubheading Synopsis
29114
29115 @smallexample
29116 -symbol-list-types
29117 @end smallexample
29118
29119 List all the type names.
29120
29121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29122
29123 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29124 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29125
29126 @subsubheading Example
29127 N.A.
29128
29129
29130 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29131 @findex -symbol-list-variables
29132
29133 @subsubheading Synopsis
29134
29135 @smallexample
29136 -symbol-list-variables
29137 @end smallexample
29138
29139 List all the global and static variable names.
29140
29141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29142
29143 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29144
29145 @subsubheading Example
29146 N.A.
29147
29148
29149 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29150 @findex -symbol-locate
29151
29152 @subsubheading Synopsis
29153
29154 @smallexample
29155 -symbol-locate
29156 @end smallexample
29157
29158 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29159
29160 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29161
29162 @subsubheading Example
29163 N.A.
29164
29165
29166 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29167 @findex -symbol-type
29168
29169 @subsubheading Synopsis
29170
29171 @smallexample
29172 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29173 @end smallexample
29174
29175 Show type of @var{variable}.
29176
29177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29178
29179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29180 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29181
29182 @subsubheading Example
29183 N.A.
29184 @end ignore
29185
29186
29187 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29188 @node GDB/MI File Commands
29189 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
29190
29191 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
29192 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
29193
29194 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
29195 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
29196
29197 @subsubheading Synopsis
29198
29199 @smallexample
29200 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
29201 @end smallexample
29202
29203 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
29204 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
29205 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
29206 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
29207 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
29208 notification.
29209
29210 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29211
29212 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
29213
29214 @subsubheading Example
29215
29216 @smallexample
29217 (gdb)
29218 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29219 ^done
29220 (gdb)
29221 @end smallexample
29222
29223
29224 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
29225 @findex -file-exec-file
29226
29227 @subsubheading Synopsis
29228
29229 @smallexample
29230 -file-exec-file @var{file}
29231 @end smallexample
29232
29233 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
29234 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
29235 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
29236 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
29237 notification.
29238
29239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29240
29241 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
29242
29243 @subsubheading Example
29244
29245 @smallexample
29246 (gdb)
29247 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29248 ^done
29249 (gdb)
29250 @end smallexample
29251
29252
29253 @ignore
29254 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
29255 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
29256
29257 @subsubheading Synopsis
29258
29259 @smallexample
29260 -file-list-exec-sections
29261 @end smallexample
29262
29263 List the sections of the current executable file.
29264
29265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29266
29267 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
29268 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
29269 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
29270
29271 @subsubheading Example
29272 N.A.
29273 @end ignore
29274
29275
29276 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
29277 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
29278
29279 @subsubheading Synopsis
29280
29281 @smallexample
29282 -file-list-exec-source-file
29283 @end smallexample
29284
29285 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
29286 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
29287 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
29288 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
29289
29290 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29291
29292 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
29293
29294 @subsubheading Example
29295
29296 @smallexample
29297 (gdb)
29298 123-file-list-exec-source-file
29299 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
29300 (gdb)
29301 @end smallexample
29302
29303
29304 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29305 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29306
29307 @subsubheading Synopsis
29308
29309 @smallexample
29310 -file-list-exec-source-files
29311 @end smallexample
29312
29313 List the source files for the current executable.
29314
29315 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29316 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29317
29318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29319
29320 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29321 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29322
29323 @subsubheading Example
29324 @smallexample
29325 (gdb)
29326 -file-list-exec-source-files
29327 ^done,files=[
29328 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29329 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29330 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29331 (gdb)
29332 @end smallexample
29333
29334 @ignore
29335 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29336 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29337
29338 @subsubheading Synopsis
29339
29340 @smallexample
29341 -file-list-shared-libraries
29342 @end smallexample
29343
29344 List the shared libraries in the program.
29345
29346 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29347
29348 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29349
29350 @subsubheading Example
29351 N.A.
29352
29353
29354 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29355 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
29356
29357 @subsubheading Synopsis
29358
29359 @smallexample
29360 -file-list-symbol-files
29361 @end smallexample
29362
29363 List symbol files.
29364
29365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29366
29367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29368
29369 @subsubheading Example
29370 N.A.
29371 @end ignore
29372
29373
29374 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29375 @findex -file-symbol-file
29376
29377 @subsubheading Synopsis
29378
29379 @smallexample
29380 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29381 @end smallexample
29382
29383 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29384 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29385 produced, except for a completion notification.
29386
29387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29388
29389 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29390
29391 @subsubheading Example
29392
29393 @smallexample
29394 (gdb)
29395 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29396 ^done
29397 (gdb)
29398 @end smallexample
29399
29400 @ignore
29401 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29402 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29403 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29404
29405 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29406
29407 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
29408
29409 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29410
29411 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29412
29413 @c @subheading -overlay-map
29414
29415 @c @subheading -overlay-off
29416
29417 @c @subheading -overlay-on
29418
29419 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29420
29421 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29422 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29423 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29424
29425 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29426
29427 @c @subheading -signal-handle
29428
29429 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29430
29431 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29432 @end ignore
29433
29434
29435 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29436 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29437 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29438
29439
29440 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29441 @findex -target-attach
29442
29443 @subsubheading Synopsis
29444
29445 @smallexample
29446 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29447 @end smallexample
29448
29449 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29450 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29451 group, the id previously returned by
29452 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29453
29454 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29455
29456 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29457
29458 @subsubheading Example
29459 @smallexample
29460 (gdb)
29461 -target-attach 34
29462 =thread-created,id="1"
29463 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29464 ^done
29465 (gdb)
29466 @end smallexample
29467
29468 @ignore
29469 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29470 @findex -target-compare-sections
29471
29472 @subsubheading Synopsis
29473
29474 @smallexample
29475 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29476 @end smallexample
29477
29478 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29479 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29480
29481 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29482
29483 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29484
29485 @subsubheading Example
29486 N.A.
29487 @end ignore
29488
29489
29490 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29491 @findex -target-detach
29492
29493 @subsubheading Synopsis
29494
29495 @smallexample
29496 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29497 @end smallexample
29498
29499 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29500 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29501 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29502
29503 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29504
29505 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29506
29507 @subsubheading Example
29508
29509 @smallexample
29510 (gdb)
29511 -target-detach
29512 ^done
29513 (gdb)
29514 @end smallexample
29515
29516
29517 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29518 @findex -target-disconnect
29519
29520 @subsubheading Synopsis
29521
29522 @smallexample
29523 -target-disconnect
29524 @end smallexample
29525
29526 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29527 generally not resumed.
29528
29529 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29530
29531 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29532
29533 @subsubheading Example
29534
29535 @smallexample
29536 (gdb)
29537 -target-disconnect
29538 ^done
29539 (gdb)
29540 @end smallexample
29541
29542
29543 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29544 @findex -target-download
29545
29546 @subsubheading Synopsis
29547
29548 @smallexample
29549 -target-download
29550 @end smallexample
29551
29552 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29553 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29554
29555 @table @samp
29556 @item section
29557 The name of the section.
29558 @item section-sent
29559 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29560 @item section-size
29561 The size of the section.
29562 @item total-sent
29563 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29564 @item total-size
29565 The size of the overall executable to download.
29566 @end table
29567
29568 @noindent
29569 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29570 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29571
29572 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29573 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29574
29575 @table @samp
29576 @item section
29577 The name of the section.
29578 @item section-size
29579 The size of the section.
29580 @item total-size
29581 The size of the overall executable to download.
29582 @end table
29583
29584 @noindent
29585 At the end, a summary is printed.
29586
29587 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29588
29589 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29590
29591 @subsubheading Example
29592
29593 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29594 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29595
29596 @smallexample
29597 (gdb)
29598 -target-download
29599 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29600 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29601 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29602 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29603 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29604 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29605 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29606 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29607 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29608 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29609 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29610 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29611 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29612 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29613 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29614 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29615 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29616 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29617 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29618 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29619 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29620 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29621 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29622 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29623 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29624 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29625 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29626 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29627 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29628 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29629 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29630 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29631 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29632 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29633 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29634 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29635 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29636 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29637 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29638 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29639 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29640 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29641 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29642 write-rate="429"
29643 (gdb)
29644 @end smallexample
29645
29646
29647 @ignore
29648 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29649 @findex -target-exec-status
29650
29651 @subsubheading Synopsis
29652
29653 @smallexample
29654 -target-exec-status
29655 @end smallexample
29656
29657 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29658 not, for instance).
29659
29660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29661
29662 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29663
29664 @subsubheading Example
29665 N.A.
29666
29667
29668 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29669 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29670
29671 @subsubheading Synopsis
29672
29673 @smallexample
29674 -target-list-available-targets
29675 @end smallexample
29676
29677 List the possible targets to connect to.
29678
29679 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29680
29681 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29682
29683 @subsubheading Example
29684 N.A.
29685
29686
29687 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29688 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29689
29690 @subsubheading Synopsis
29691
29692 @smallexample
29693 -target-list-current-targets
29694 @end smallexample
29695
29696 Describe the current target.
29697
29698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29699
29700 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29701 other things).
29702
29703 @subsubheading Example
29704 N.A.
29705
29706
29707 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29708 @findex -target-list-parameters
29709
29710 @subsubheading Synopsis
29711
29712 @smallexample
29713 -target-list-parameters
29714 @end smallexample
29715
29716 @c ????
29717 @end ignore
29718
29719 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29720
29721 No equivalent.
29722
29723 @subsubheading Example
29724 N.A.
29725
29726
29727 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29728 @findex -target-select
29729
29730 @subsubheading Synopsis
29731
29732 @smallexample
29733 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29734 @end smallexample
29735
29736 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29737
29738 @table @samp
29739 @item @var{type}
29740 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29741 @item @var{parameters}
29742 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29743 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29744 @end table
29745
29746 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29747 which the target program is, in the following form:
29748
29749 @smallexample
29750 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29751 args=[@var{arg list}]
29752 @end smallexample
29753
29754 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29755
29756 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29757
29758 @subsubheading Example
29759
29760 @smallexample
29761 (gdb)
29762 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29763 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29764 (gdb)
29765 @end smallexample
29766
29767 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29768 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29769 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29770
29771
29772 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29773 @findex -target-file-put
29774
29775 @subsubheading Synopsis
29776
29777 @smallexample
29778 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29779 @end smallexample
29780
29781 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29782 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29783
29784 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29785
29786 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29787
29788 @subsubheading Example
29789
29790 @smallexample
29791 (gdb)
29792 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29793 ^done
29794 (gdb)
29795 @end smallexample
29796
29797
29798 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29799 @findex -target-file-get
29800
29801 @subsubheading Synopsis
29802
29803 @smallexample
29804 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29805 @end smallexample
29806
29807 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29808 on the host system.
29809
29810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29811
29812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29813
29814 @subsubheading Example
29815
29816 @smallexample
29817 (gdb)
29818 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29819 ^done
29820 (gdb)
29821 @end smallexample
29822
29823
29824 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29825 @findex -target-file-delete
29826
29827 @subsubheading Synopsis
29828
29829 @smallexample
29830 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29831 @end smallexample
29832
29833 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29834
29835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29836
29837 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29838
29839 @subsubheading Example
29840
29841 @smallexample
29842 (gdb)
29843 -target-file-delete remotefile
29844 ^done
29845 (gdb)
29846 @end smallexample
29847
29848
29849 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29850 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29851 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29852
29853 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29854
29855 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29856 @findex -gdb-exit
29857
29858 @subsubheading Synopsis
29859
29860 @smallexample
29861 -gdb-exit
29862 @end smallexample
29863
29864 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29865
29866 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29867
29868 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29869
29870 @subsubheading Example
29871
29872 @smallexample
29873 (gdb)
29874 -gdb-exit
29875 ^exit
29876 @end smallexample
29877
29878
29879 @ignore
29880 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29881 @findex -exec-abort
29882
29883 @subsubheading Synopsis
29884
29885 @smallexample
29886 -exec-abort
29887 @end smallexample
29888
29889 Kill the inferior running program.
29890
29891 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29892
29893 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29894
29895 @subsubheading Example
29896 N.A.
29897 @end ignore
29898
29899
29900 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29901 @findex -gdb-set
29902
29903 @subsubheading Synopsis
29904
29905 @smallexample
29906 -gdb-set
29907 @end smallexample
29908
29909 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29910 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29911
29912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29913
29914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29915
29916 @subsubheading Example
29917
29918 @smallexample
29919 (gdb)
29920 -gdb-set $foo=3
29921 ^done
29922 (gdb)
29923 @end smallexample
29924
29925
29926 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29927 @findex -gdb-show
29928
29929 @subsubheading Synopsis
29930
29931 @smallexample
29932 -gdb-show
29933 @end smallexample
29934
29935 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29936
29937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29938
29939 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29940
29941 @subsubheading Example
29942
29943 @smallexample
29944 (gdb)
29945 -gdb-show annotate
29946 ^done,value="0"
29947 (gdb)
29948 @end smallexample
29949
29950 @c @subheading -gdb-source
29951
29952
29953 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29954 @findex -gdb-version
29955
29956 @subsubheading Synopsis
29957
29958 @smallexample
29959 -gdb-version
29960 @end smallexample
29961
29962 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29963
29964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29965
29966 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29967 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29968
29969 @subsubheading Example
29970
29971 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29972 @c box in TeX.
29973 @smallexample
29974 (gdb)
29975 -gdb-version
29976 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
29977 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29978 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29979 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29980 ~ certain conditions.
29981 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29982 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29983 ~ details.
29984 ~This GDB was configured as
29985 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29986 ^done
29987 (gdb)
29988 @end smallexample
29989
29990 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29991 @findex -list-features
29992
29993 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29994 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29995 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29996 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29997 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29998 startup.
29999
30000 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
30001 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
30002 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
30003 is given below.
30004
30005 Example output:
30006
30007 @smallexample
30008 (gdb) -list-features
30009 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
30010 @end smallexample
30011
30012 The current list of features is:
30013
30014 @table @samp
30015 @item frozen-varobjs
30016 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
30017 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
30018 of @code{-varobj-create}.
30019 @item pending-breakpoints
30020 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
30021 @item python
30022 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
30023 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
30024 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
30025 @item thread-info
30026 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
30027 @item data-read-memory-bytes
30028 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
30029 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
30030
30031 @end table
30032
30033 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
30034 @findex -list-target-features
30035
30036 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
30037 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
30038 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
30039 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
30040 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
30041 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
30042 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
30043 Example output:
30044
30045 @smallexample
30046 (gdb) -list-features
30047 ^done,result=["async"]
30048 @end smallexample
30049
30050 The current list of features is:
30051
30052 @table @samp
30053 @item async
30054 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
30055 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
30056 while the target is running.
30057
30058 @item reverse
30059 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
30060 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30061
30062 @end table
30063
30064 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
30065 @findex -list-thread-groups
30066
30067 @subheading Synopsis
30068
30069 @smallexample
30070 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
30071 @end smallexample
30072
30073 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
30074 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
30075 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
30076 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
30077 top-level thread groups.
30078
30079 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
30080 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
30081 available on the target.
30082
30083 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
30084 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
30085 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
30086 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
30087 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
30088 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
30089 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
30090 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
30091
30092 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
30093 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
30094 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
30095 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
30096 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
30097 @samp{threads} field.
30098
30099 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30100 the following caveats:
30101
30102 @itemize @bullet
30103 @item
30104 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30105 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30106 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30107
30108 @item
30109 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30110 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30111 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30112 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30113 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30114 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30115
30116 @end itemize
30117
30118 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30119 have the following fields:
30120
30121 @table @code
30122 @item id
30123 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30124 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30125 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30126
30127 @item type
30128 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30129 valid type.
30130
30131 @item pid
30132 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30133 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30134
30135 @item num_children
30136 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30137 absent for an available thread group.
30138
30139 @item threads
30140 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30141 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30142 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30143
30144 @item cores
30145 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30146 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30147 such information is not available.
30148
30149 @item executable
30150 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30151 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30152 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30153
30154 @end table
30155
30156 @subheading Example
30157
30158 @smallexample
30159 @value{GDBP}
30160 -list-thread-groups
30161 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30162 -list-thread-groups 17
30163 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30164 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30165 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30166 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30167 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30168 -list-thread-groups --available
30169 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30170 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30171 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30172 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30173 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30174 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30175 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30176 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30177 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30178 @end smallexample
30179
30180
30181 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30182 @findex -add-inferior
30183
30184 @subheading Synopsis
30185
30186 @smallexample
30187 -add-inferior
30188 @end smallexample
30189
30190 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
30191 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
30192 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
30193 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
30194 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
30195 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
30196
30197 @subheading Example
30198
30199 @smallexample
30200 @value{GDBP}
30201 -add-inferior
30202 ^done,thread-group="i3"
30203 @end smallexample
30204
30205 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
30206 @findex -interpreter-exec
30207
30208 @subheading Synopsis
30209
30210 @smallexample
30211 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
30212 @end smallexample
30213 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
30214
30215 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
30216
30217 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30218
30219 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
30220
30221 @subheading Example
30222
30223 @smallexample
30224 (gdb)
30225 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
30226 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
30227 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
30228 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
30229 ^done
30230 (gdb)
30231 @end smallexample
30232
30233 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
30234 @findex -inferior-tty-set
30235
30236 @subheading Synopsis
30237
30238 @smallexample
30239 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30240 @end smallexample
30241
30242 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
30243
30244 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30245
30246 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
30247
30248 @subheading Example
30249
30250 @smallexample
30251 (gdb)
30252 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30253 ^done
30254 (gdb)
30255 @end smallexample
30256
30257 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
30258 @findex -inferior-tty-show
30259
30260 @subheading Synopsis
30261
30262 @smallexample
30263 -inferior-tty-show
30264 @end smallexample
30265
30266 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
30267
30268 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30269
30270 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
30271
30272 @subheading Example
30273
30274 @smallexample
30275 (gdb)
30276 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30277 ^done
30278 (gdb)
30279 -inferior-tty-show
30280 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
30281 (gdb)
30282 @end smallexample
30283
30284 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
30285 @findex -enable-timings
30286
30287 @subheading Synopsis
30288
30289 @smallexample
30290 -enable-timings [yes | no]
30291 @end smallexample
30292
30293 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
30294 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
30295 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
30296 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
30297
30298 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30299
30300 No equivalent.
30301
30302 @subheading Example
30303
30304 @smallexample
30305 (gdb)
30306 -enable-timings
30307 ^done
30308 (gdb)
30309 -break-insert main
30310 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30311 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30312 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30313 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30314 (gdb)
30315 -enable-timings no
30316 ^done
30317 (gdb)
30318 -exec-run
30319 ^running
30320 (gdb)
30321 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30322 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30323 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30324 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30325 (gdb)
30326 @end smallexample
30327
30328 @node Annotations
30329 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30330
30331 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30332 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30333 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30334 relatively high level.
30335
30336 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30337 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30338
30339 @ignore
30340 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30341 @end ignore
30342
30343 @menu
30344 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30345 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30346 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30347 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30348 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30349 * Annotations for Running::
30350 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30351 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30352 @end menu
30353
30354 @node Annotations Overview
30355 @section What is an Annotation?
30356 @cindex annotations
30357
30358 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30359 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30360 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30361 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30362 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30363 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30364 cannot contain newline characters.
30365
30366 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30367 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30368 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30369 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30370 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30371 means those three characters as output.
30372
30373 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30374 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30375 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30376 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30377 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30378 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30379 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30380 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30381 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30382
30383 @table @code
30384 @kindex set annotate
30385 @item set annotate @var{level}
30386 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30387 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30388
30389 @item show annotate
30390 @kindex show annotate
30391 Show the current annotation level.
30392 @end table
30393
30394 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30395
30396 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30397
30398 @smallexample
30399 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30400 GNU gdb 6.0
30401 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30402 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30403 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30404 under certain conditions.
30405 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30406 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30407 for details.
30408 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30409
30410 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30411 (@value{GDBP})
30412 ^Z^Zprompt
30413 @kbd{quit}
30414
30415 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30416 $
30417 @end smallexample
30418
30419 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30420 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30421 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30422 output from @value{GDBN}.
30423
30424 @node Server Prefix
30425 @section The Server Prefix
30426 @cindex server prefix
30427
30428 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30429 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30430 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30431 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30432 a transparent manner.
30433
30434 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30435 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30436 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30437 @code{print} command.
30438
30439 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30440 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30441
30442 @node Prompting
30443 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30444
30445 @cindex annotations for prompts
30446 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30447 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30448 over, etc.
30449
30450 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30451 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30452 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30453 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30454 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30455 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30456 features the following annotations:
30457
30458 @smallexample
30459 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30460 ^Z^Zprompt
30461 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30462 @end smallexample
30463
30464 The input types are
30465
30466 @table @code
30467 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30468 @findex prompt annotation
30469 @findex post-prompt annotation
30470 @item prompt
30471 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30472
30473 @findex pre-commands annotation
30474 @findex commands annotation
30475 @findex post-commands annotation
30476 @item commands
30477 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30478 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30479
30480 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30481 @findex overload-choice annotation
30482 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30483 @item overload-choice
30484 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30485
30486 @findex pre-query annotation
30487 @findex query annotation
30488 @findex post-query annotation
30489 @item query
30490 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30491
30492 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30493 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30494 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30495 @item prompt-for-continue
30496 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30497 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30498 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30499 presence of annotations.
30500 @end table
30501
30502 @node Errors
30503 @section Errors
30504 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30505
30506 @findex quit annotation
30507 @smallexample
30508 ^Z^Zquit
30509 @end smallexample
30510
30511 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30512
30513 @findex error annotation
30514 @smallexample
30515 ^Z^Zerror
30516 @end smallexample
30517
30518 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30519
30520 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30521 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30522 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30523 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30524 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30525 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30526 to the top level.
30527
30528 @findex error-begin annotation
30529 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30530
30531 @smallexample
30532 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30533 @end smallexample
30534
30535 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30536 message.
30537
30538 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30539 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30540 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30541
30542 @node Invalidation
30543 @section Invalidation Notices
30544
30545 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30546 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30547 changed.
30548
30549 @table @code
30550 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30551 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30552
30553 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30554 have changed.
30555
30556 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30557 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30558
30559 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30560 deleted a breakpoint.
30561 @end table
30562
30563 @node Annotations for Running
30564 @section Running the Program
30565 @cindex annotations for running programs
30566
30567 @findex starting annotation
30568 @findex stopping annotation
30569 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30570 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30571
30572 @smallexample
30573 ^Z^Zstarting
30574 @end smallexample
30575
30576 is output. When the program stops,
30577
30578 @smallexample
30579 ^Z^Zstopped
30580 @end smallexample
30581
30582 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30583 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30584
30585 @table @code
30586 @findex exited annotation
30587 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30588 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30589 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30590
30591 @findex signalled annotation
30592 @findex signal-name annotation
30593 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30594 @findex signal-string annotation
30595 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30596 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30597 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30598 annotation continues:
30599
30600 @smallexample
30601 @var{intro-text}
30602 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30603 @var{name}
30604 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30605 @var{middle-text}
30606 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30607 @var{string}
30608 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30609 @var{end-text}
30610 @end smallexample
30611
30612 @noindent
30613 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30614 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30615 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30616 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30617 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30618
30619 @findex signal annotation
30620 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30621 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30622 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30623 terminated with it.
30624
30625 @findex breakpoint annotation
30626 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30627 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30628
30629 @findex watchpoint annotation
30630 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30631 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30632 @end table
30633
30634 @node Source Annotations
30635 @section Displaying Source
30636 @cindex annotations for source display
30637
30638 @findex source annotation
30639 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30640
30641 @smallexample
30642 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30643 @end smallexample
30644
30645 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30646 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30647 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30648 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30649 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30650 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30651 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30652 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30653 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30654 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30655 depend on the language).
30656
30657 @node JIT Interface
30658 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30659 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30660 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30661
30662 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30663 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30664 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30665 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30666
30667 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30668 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30669 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30670 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30671 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30672 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30673
30674 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30675 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30676 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30677 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30678 LLVM JIT.
30679
30680 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30681 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30682 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30683 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30684 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30685 out about additional code.
30686
30687 @menu
30688 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30689 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30690 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30691 @end menu
30692
30693 @node Declarations
30694 @section JIT Declarations
30695
30696 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30697 implement the interface:
30698
30699 @smallexample
30700 typedef enum
30701 @{
30702 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30703 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30704 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30705 @} jit_actions_t;
30706
30707 struct jit_code_entry
30708 @{
30709 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30710 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30711 const char *symfile_addr;
30712 uint64_t symfile_size;
30713 @};
30714
30715 struct jit_descriptor
30716 @{
30717 uint32_t version;
30718 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30719 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30720 uint32_t action_flag;
30721 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30722 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30723 @};
30724
30725 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30726 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30727
30728 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30729 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30730 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30731 @end smallexample
30732
30733 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30734 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30735 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30736
30737 @node Registering Code
30738 @section Registering Code
30739
30740 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30741
30742 @itemize @bullet
30743 @item
30744 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30745 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30746
30747 @item
30748 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30749 file.
30750
30751 @item
30752 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30753
30754 @item
30755 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30756
30757 @item
30758 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30759 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30760 @end itemize
30761
30762 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30763 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30764 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30765 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30766
30767 @node Unregistering Code
30768 @section Unregistering Code
30769
30770 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30771
30772 @itemize @bullet
30773 @item
30774 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30775
30776 @item
30777 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30778
30779 @item
30780 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30781 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30782 @end itemize
30783
30784 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30785 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30786
30787 @node GDB Bugs
30788 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30789 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30790 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30791
30792 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30793
30794 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30795 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30796 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30797 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30798
30799 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30800 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30801
30802 @menu
30803 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30804 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30805 @end menu
30806
30807 @node Bug Criteria
30808 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30809 @cindex bug criteria
30810
30811 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30812
30813 @itemize @bullet
30814 @cindex fatal signal
30815 @cindex debugger crash
30816 @cindex crash of debugger
30817 @item
30818 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30819 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30820
30821 @cindex error on valid input
30822 @item
30823 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30824 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30825 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30826
30827 @cindex invalid input
30828 @item
30829 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30830 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30831 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30832 for traditional practice''.
30833
30834 @item
30835 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30836 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30837 @end itemize
30838
30839 @node Bug Reporting
30840 @section How to Report Bugs
30841 @cindex bug reports
30842 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30843
30844 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30845 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30846 contact that organization first.
30847
30848 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30849 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30850 distribution.
30851 @c should add a web page ref...
30852
30853 @ifset BUGURL
30854 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30855 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30856 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30857 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30858 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30859 be used.
30860
30861 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30862 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30863 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30864 @samp{bug-gdb}.
30865
30866 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30867 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30868 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30869 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30870 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30871 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30872 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30873 bug reports to the mailing list.
30874 @end ifset
30875 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30876 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30877 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30878 @end ifclear
30879 @end ifset
30880
30881 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30882 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30883 fact or leave it out, state it!
30884
30885 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30886 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30887 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30888 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30889 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30890 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30891 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30892 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30893 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30894
30895 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30896 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30897 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30898 self-contained.
30899
30900 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30901 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30902 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30903 bugs properly.
30904
30905 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30906
30907 @itemize @bullet
30908 @item
30909 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30910 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30911 version}.
30912
30913 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30914 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30915
30916 @item
30917 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30918 version number.
30919
30920 @item
30921 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30922 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30923
30924 @item
30925 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30926 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30927 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30928 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30929 those compilers.
30930
30931 @item
30932 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30933 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30934 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30935 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30936
30937 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30938 and then we might not encounter the bug.
30939
30940 @item
30941 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30942 reproduce the bug.
30943
30944 @item
30945 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30946 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30947
30948 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30949 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30950 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30951 a chance to make a mistake.
30952
30953 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30954 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30955 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30956 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30957 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30958 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30959 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30960 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30961
30962 @pindex script
30963 @cindex recording a session script
30964 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30965 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30966 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30967 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30968
30969 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30970 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30971
30972 @item
30973 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30974 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30975 it by context, not by line number.
30976
30977 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30978 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30979
30980 @end itemize
30981
30982 Here are some things that are not necessary:
30983
30984 @itemize @bullet
30985 @item
30986 A description of the envelope of the bug.
30987
30988 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30989 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30990 changes will not affect it.
30991
30992 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30993 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30994 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30995 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30996
30997 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30998 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30999 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
31000 less time, and so on.
31001
31002 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
31003 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
31004
31005 @item
31006 A patch for the bug.
31007
31008 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
31009 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
31010 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
31011 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
31012
31013 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
31014 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
31015 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
31016 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
31017
31018 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
31019 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
31020 help us to understand.
31021
31022 @item
31023 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
31024
31025 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
31026 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
31027 @end itemize
31028
31029 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
31030 @c and consists of the two following files:
31031 @c rluser.texi
31032 @c hsuser.texi
31033 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
31034 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
31035 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
31036 @include rluser.texi
31037 @include hsuser.texi
31038 @end ifclear
31039
31040 @node In Memoriam
31041 @appendix In Memoriam
31042
31043 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
31044 contributors:
31045
31046 @table @code
31047 @item Fred Fish
31048 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
31049 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
31050 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
31051
31052 @item Michael Snyder
31053 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
31054 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
31055 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
31056 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
31057 @end table
31058
31059 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
31060 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
31061
31062 @node Formatting Documentation
31063 @appendix Formatting Documentation
31064
31065 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
31066 @cindex reference card
31067 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
31068 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
31069 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
31070 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
31071 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
31072 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
31073
31074 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
31075 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
31076
31077 @smallexample
31078 make refcard.dvi
31079 @end smallexample
31080
31081 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
31082 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
31083 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
31084 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
31085 your @sc{dvi} output program.
31086
31087 @cindex documentation
31088
31089 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
31090 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
31091 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
31092 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
31093 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
31094 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
31095
31096 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
31097 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
31098 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
31099 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
31100 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
31101 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
31102 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
31103 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
31104
31105 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
31106 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
31107 @code{makeinfo}.
31108
31109 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
31110 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
31111 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
31112
31113 @smallexample
31114 cd gdb
31115 make gdb.info
31116 @end smallexample
31117
31118 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
31119 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
31120 Texinfo definitions file.
31121
31122 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31123 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31124 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31125 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31126 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31127 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31128 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31129
31130 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31131 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31132 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31133 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31134 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31135 directory.
31136
31137 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31138 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31139 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31140 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31141
31142 @smallexample
31143 make gdb.dvi
31144 @end smallexample
31145
31146 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31147
31148 @node Installing GDB
31149 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31150 @cindex installation
31151
31152 @menu
31153 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31154 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31155 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31156 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31157 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31158 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31159 @end menu
31160
31161 @node Requirements
31162 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31163 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31164
31165 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31166 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31167
31168 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31169 @table @asis
31170 @item ISO C90 compiler
31171 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31172 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31173
31174 @end table
31175
31176 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31177 @table @asis
31178 @item Expat
31179 @anchor{Expat}
31180 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31181 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31182 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
31183 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
31184 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
31185 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
31186
31187 Expat is used for:
31188
31189 @itemize @bullet
31190 @item
31191 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
31192 @item
31193 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
31194 @item
31195 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
31196 @item
31197 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
31198 @item
31199 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
31200 @end itemize
31201
31202 @item zlib
31203 @cindex compressed debug sections
31204 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
31205 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
31206 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
31207 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
31208 information in such binaries.
31209
31210 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
31211 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
31212 @url{http://zlib.net}.
31213
31214 @item iconv
31215 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
31216 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
31217 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
31218 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
31219
31220 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
31221 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
31222 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
31223 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
31224
31225 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
31226 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
31227 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
31228
31229 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
31230 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
31231 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
31232 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
31233 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
31234 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
31235 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
31236 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
31237 @end table
31238
31239 @node Running Configure
31240 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
31241 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
31242 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
31243 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
31244 build the @code{gdb} program.
31245 @iftex
31246 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
31247 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
31248 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
31249 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
31250 @end iftex
31251
31252 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
31253 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
31254 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
31255
31256 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
31257 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
31258
31259 @table @code
31260 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
31261 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
31262
31263 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
31264 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
31265
31266 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
31267 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
31268
31269 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
31270 @sc{gnu} include files
31271
31272 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
31273 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
31274
31275 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
31276 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
31277
31278 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
31279 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
31280
31281 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
31282 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
31283
31284 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
31285 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
31286 @end table
31287
31288 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
31289 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
31290 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
31291
31292 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
31293 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
31294 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
31295 argument.
31296
31297 For example:
31298
31299 @smallexample
31300 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31301 ./configure @var{host}
31302 make
31303 @end smallexample
31304
31305 @noindent
31306 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
31307 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
31308 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
31309 correct value by examining your system.)
31310
31311 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
31312 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
31313 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
31314 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
31315
31316 @need 750
31317 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
31318 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
31319 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
31320
31321 @smallexample
31322 sh configure @var{host}
31323 @end smallexample
31324
31325 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
31326 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31327 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31328 @file{configure}
31329 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31330 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31331
31332 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31333 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31334 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31335 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31336 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31337 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31338 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31339 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31340 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31341
31342 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31343 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31344 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31345 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31346 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31347
31348 @node Separate Objdir
31349 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31350
31351 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31352 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31353 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31354 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31355 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31356 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31357 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31358 program specified there.
31359
31360 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31361 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31362 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31363 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31364 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31365 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31366
31367 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31368 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31369
31370 @smallexample
31371 @group
31372 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31373 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31374 cd ../gdb-sun4
31375 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31376 make
31377 @end group
31378 @end smallexample
31379
31380 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31381 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31382 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31383 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31384 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31385 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31386
31387 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31388 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31389 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31390 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31391 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31392
31393 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31394 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31395 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31396 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31397 You specify a cross-debugging target by
31398 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31399
31400 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31401 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31402 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31403
31404 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31405 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31406 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31407 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31408 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31409
31410 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31411 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31412 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31413 with each other.
31414
31415 @node Config Names
31416 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31417
31418 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31419 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31420 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31421 of information in the following pattern:
31422
31423 @smallexample
31424 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31425 @end smallexample
31426
31427 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31428 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31429 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31430
31431 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31432 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31433 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31434 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31435 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31436 abbreviations---for example:
31437
31438 @smallexample
31439 % sh config.sub i386-linux
31440 i386-pc-linux-gnu
31441 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
31442 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31443 % sh config.sub hp9k700
31444 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31445 % sh config.sub sun4
31446 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31447 % sh config.sub sun3
31448 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31449 % sh config.sub i986v
31450 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31451 @end smallexample
31452
31453 @noindent
31454 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31455 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31456
31457 @node Configure Options
31458 @section @file{configure} Options
31459
31460 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31461 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31462 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31463 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31464
31465 @smallexample
31466 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31467 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31468 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31469 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31470 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31471 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31472 @var{host}
31473 @end smallexample
31474
31475 @noindent
31476 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31477 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31478 @samp{--}.
31479
31480 @table @code
31481 @item --help
31482 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31483
31484 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
31485 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31486 @file{@var{dir}}.
31487
31488 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31489 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31490 @file{@var{dir}}.
31491
31492 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31493 @need 2000
31494 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31495 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31496 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31497 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31498 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31499 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31500 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31501 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31502 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31503 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31504 @var{dirname}.
31505
31506 @item --norecursion
31507 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31508 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31509
31510 @item --target=@var{target}
31511 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31512 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31513 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31514
31515 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31516
31517 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31518 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31519
31520 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31521 @end table
31522
31523 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31524 needed for special purposes only.
31525
31526 @node System-wide configuration
31527 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31528 @cindex system-wide init file
31529
31530 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31531 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31532 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31533
31534 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31535
31536 @table @code
31537 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31538 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31539 @var{file}.
31540 @end table
31541
31542 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31543 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31544
31545 @itemize @bullet
31546 @item
31547 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31548 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31549 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31550 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31551 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31552 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31553
31554 @item
31555 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31556 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31557 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31558 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31559 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31560 @end itemize
31561
31562 @node Maintenance Commands
31563 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31564 @cindex maintenance commands
31565 @cindex internal commands
31566
31567 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31568 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31569 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31570 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31571 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31572
31573 @table @code
31574 @kindex maint agent
31575 @kindex maint agent-eval
31576 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31577 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31578 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31579 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31580 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31581 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31582 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31583 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31584 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31585 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31586 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31587 addition and return the sum.
31588
31589 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31590 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31591 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31592 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31593 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31594 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31595 is shown:
31596
31597 @table @code
31598 @item breakpoint
31599 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31600
31601 @item watchpoint
31602 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31603
31604 @item longjmp
31605 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31606 @code{longjmp} calls.
31607
31608 @item longjmp resume
31609 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31610
31611 @item until
31612 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31613
31614 @item finish
31615 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31616
31617 @item shlib events
31618 Shared library events.
31619
31620 @end table
31621
31622 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31623 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31624 @cindex displaced stepping support
31625 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31626 @item set displaced-stepping
31627 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31628 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31629 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31630 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31631 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31632 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31633
31634 @table @code
31635 @item set displaced-stepping on
31636 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31637 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31638
31639 @item set displaced-stepping off
31640 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31641 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31642
31643 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31644 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31645 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31646 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31647 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31648 @end table
31649
31650 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31651 @item maint check-symtabs
31652 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31653
31654 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31655 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31656 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31657
31658 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31659 @item maint cplus namespace
31660 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31661
31662 @kindex maint demangle
31663 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31664 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31665
31666 @kindex maint deprecate
31667 @kindex maint undeprecate
31668 @cindex deprecated commands
31669 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31670 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31671 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31672 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31673 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31674 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31675 the replacement as part of the warning.
31676
31677 @kindex maint dump-me
31678 @item maint dump-me
31679 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31680 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31681 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31682 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31683
31684 @kindex maint internal-error
31685 @kindex maint internal-warning
31686 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31687 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31688 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31689 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31690 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31691 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31692 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31693 @value{GDBN} session.
31694
31695 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31696 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31697
31698 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31699
31700 @smallexample
31701 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31702 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31703 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31704 debugging may prove unreliable.
31705 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31706 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31707 (@value{GDBP})
31708 @end smallexample
31709
31710 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31711 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31712
31713 @kindex maint set internal-error
31714 @kindex maint show internal-error
31715 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31716 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31717 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31718 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31719 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31720 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31721 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31722 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31723 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31724 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31725 described in the table below.
31726
31727 @table @samp
31728 @item quit
31729 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31730 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31731
31732 @item corefile
31733 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31734 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31735 @end table
31736
31737 @kindex maint packet
31738 @item maint packet @var{text}
31739 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31740 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31741 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31742 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31743 checksum.
31744
31745 @kindex maint print architecture
31746 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31747 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31748 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31749
31750 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31751 @item maint print c-tdesc
31752 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31753 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31754 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31755
31756 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31757 @item maint print dummy-frames
31758 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31759
31760 @smallexample
31761 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31762 @dots{}
31763 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31764 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31765 58 return (a + b);
31766 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31767 @dots{}
31768 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31769 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31770 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31771 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31772 (@value{GDBP})
31773 @end smallexample
31774
31775 Takes an optional file parameter.
31776
31777 @kindex maint print registers
31778 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31779 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31780 @kindex maint print register-groups
31781 @kindex maint print remote-registers
31782 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31783 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31784 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31785 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31786 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31787 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31788
31789 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31790 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
31791 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
31792 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
31793 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
31794 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
31795 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
31796 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31797 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31798
31799 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31800 write the information.
31801
31802 @kindex maint print reggroups
31803 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31804 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31805 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31806 information.
31807
31808 The register groups info looks like this:
31809
31810 @smallexample
31811 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31812 Group Type
31813 general user
31814 float user
31815 all user
31816 vector user
31817 system user
31818 save internal
31819 restore internal
31820 @end smallexample
31821
31822 @kindex flushregs
31823 @item flushregs
31824 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31825
31826 @kindex maint print objfiles
31827 @cindex info for known object files
31828 @item maint print objfiles
31829 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31830 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31831 and symtabs.
31832
31833 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31834 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31835 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31836 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31837 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31838 matching @var{regexp}.
31839 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31840 and the full path if known.
31841 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31842
31843 @kindex maint print statistics
31844 @cindex bcache statistics
31845 @item maint print statistics
31846 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31847 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31848 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31849 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31850 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31851 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31852 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31853 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31854 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31855 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31856 lengths.
31857
31858 @kindex maint print target-stack
31859 @cindex target stack description
31860 @item maint print target-stack
31861 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31862 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31863 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31864 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31865 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31866 address.
31867
31868 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31869 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31870
31871 @kindex maint print type
31872 @cindex type chain of a data type
31873 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31874 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31875 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31876 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31877 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31878 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31879
31880 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31881 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31882 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31883 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31884 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31885 information.
31886
31887 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31888 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31889 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31890 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31891 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31892 always see the disassembly form.
31893
31894 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31895
31896 @smallexample
31897 (gdb) info addr argc
31898 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31899 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31900 @end smallexample
31901
31902 For more information on these expressions, see
31903 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31904
31905 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31906 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31907 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31908 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31909 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31910
31911 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31912 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31913 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31914 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31915 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31916 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31917 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31918 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31919 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31920
31921 @kindex maint set profile
31922 @kindex maint show profile
31923 @cindex profiling GDB
31924 @item maint set profile
31925 @itemx maint show profile
31926 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31927
31928 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31929 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31930 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31931 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31932 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31933 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31934 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31935
31936 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31937 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31938
31939 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31940 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31941 @cindex hardware debug registers
31942 @item maint set show-debug-regs
31943 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31944 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31945 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31946 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31947 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31948 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31949
31950 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
31951 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
31952 @item maint set show-all-tib
31953 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
31954 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31955 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31956 command.
31957
31958 @kindex maint space
31959 @cindex memory used by commands
31960 @item maint space
31961 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31962 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31963 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31964 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31965 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31966
31967 @kindex maint time
31968 @cindex time of command execution
31969 @item maint time
31970 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31971 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31972 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31973 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31974 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31975 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31976 it's not possibly currently
31977 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31978 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31979
31980 @kindex maint translate-address
31981 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31982 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31983 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31984 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31985 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31986 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31987 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31988
31989 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31990 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31991 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31992
31993 @end table
31994
31995 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31996 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31997
31998 @table @code
31999 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
32000 @kindex set watchdog
32001 @cindex watchdog timer
32002 @cindex timeout for commands
32003 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
32004 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
32005 reports and error and the command is aborted.
32006
32007 @item show watchdog
32008 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
32009 @end table
32010
32011 @node Remote Protocol
32012 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
32013
32014 @menu
32015 * Overview::
32016 * Packets::
32017 * Stop Reply Packets::
32018 * General Query Packets::
32019 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
32020 * Tracepoint Packets::
32021 * Host I/O Packets::
32022 * Interrupts::
32023 * Notification Packets::
32024 * Remote Non-Stop::
32025 * Packet Acknowledgment::
32026 * Examples::
32027 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
32028 * Library List Format::
32029 * Memory Map Format::
32030 * Thread List Format::
32031 * Traceframe Info Format::
32032 @end menu
32033
32034 @node Overview
32035 @section Overview
32036
32037 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
32038 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
32039 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
32040 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
32041
32042 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
32043 transmitted and received data, respectively.
32044
32045 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
32046 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
32047 @cindex remote serial protocol
32048 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
32049 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
32050 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
32051 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
32052 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
32053
32054 @smallexample
32055 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32056 @end smallexample
32057 @noindent
32058
32059 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
32060 @noindent
32061 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
32062 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
32063 eight bit unsigned checksum).
32064
32065 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
32066 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
32067
32068 @smallexample
32069 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32070 @end smallexample
32071
32072 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
32073 @noindent
32074 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
32075 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
32076 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
32077
32078 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
32079 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32080 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
32081 retransmission):
32082
32083 @smallexample
32084 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32085 <- @code{+}
32086 @end smallexample
32087 @noindent
32088
32089 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
32090 once a connection is established.
32091 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
32092
32093 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
32094 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
32095 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
32096 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
32097 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
32098 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
32099 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
32100
32101 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
32102 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
32103 exceptions).
32104
32105 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
32106 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
32107 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
32108 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
32109
32110 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
32111 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
32112 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
32113
32114 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
32115 @anchor{Binary Data}
32116 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
32117 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
32118 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
32119 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
32120 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
32121 binary data.
32122
32123 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
32124 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
32125 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
32126 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
32127 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
32128 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
32129 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32130 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32131 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32132 (described next).
32133
32134 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32135 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32136 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32137 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32138 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32139 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32140 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32141 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32142 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32143 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32144 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
32145 3}} more times.
32146
32147 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32148 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32149 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32150 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32151 @samp{0*"00}.
32152
32153 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32154 error number. That number is not well defined.
32155
32156 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32157 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32158 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32159 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32160 on that response.
32161
32162 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
32163 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
32164 optional.
32165
32166 @node Packets
32167 @section Packets
32168
32169 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32170 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32171 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32172 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32173
32174 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32175 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32176 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32177 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32178 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32179 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
32180 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
32181 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
32182 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
32183 @var{baz}.
32184
32185 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
32186 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
32187 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
32188 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
32189 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
32190 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
32191 pick any thread.
32192
32193 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
32194 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
32195 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
32196 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
32197 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
32198 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
32199 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
32200 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
32201 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
32202 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
32203 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
32204 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
32205 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
32206
32207 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
32208 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
32209 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
32210 more information.
32211
32212 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
32213 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
32214
32215 Here are the packet descriptions.
32216
32217 @table @samp
32218
32219 @item !
32220 @cindex @samp{!} packet
32221 @anchor{extended mode}
32222 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
32223 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
32224 debugged.
32225
32226 Reply:
32227 @table @samp
32228 @item OK
32229 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
32230 @end table
32231
32232 @item ?
32233 @cindex @samp{?} packet
32234 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
32235 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
32236 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
32237
32238 Reply:
32239 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32240
32241 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
32242 @cindex @samp{A} packet
32243 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
32244 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
32245 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
32246
32247 Reply:
32248 @table @samp
32249 @item OK
32250 The arguments were set.
32251 @item E @var{NN}
32252 An error occurred.
32253 @end table
32254
32255 @item b @var{baud}
32256 @cindex @samp{b} packet
32257 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
32258 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
32259
32260 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
32261 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
32262 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
32263
32264 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
32265 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
32266 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
32267 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
32268 of view, nothing actually happened.}
32269
32270 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
32271 @cindex @samp{B} packet
32272 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
32273 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
32274
32275 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
32276 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
32277
32278 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
32279 @anchor{bc}
32280 @item bc
32281 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
32282 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32283
32284 Reply:
32285 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32286
32287 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
32288 @anchor{bs}
32289 @item bs
32290 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
32291 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32292
32293 Reply:
32294 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32295
32296 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32297 @cindex @samp{c} packet
32298 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
32299 resume at current address.
32300
32301 Reply:
32302 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32303
32304 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32305 @cindex @samp{C} packet
32306 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
32307 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
32308
32309 Reply:
32310 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32311
32312 @item d
32313 @cindex @samp{d} packet
32314 Toggle debug flag.
32315
32316 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
32317 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
32318
32319 @item D
32320 @itemx D;@var{pid}
32321 @cindex @samp{D} packet
32322 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
32323 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
32324 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
32325
32326 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
32327 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
32328 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
32329 big-endian hex string.
32330
32331 Reply:
32332 @table @samp
32333 @item OK
32334 for success
32335 @item E @var{NN}
32336 for an error
32337 @end table
32338
32339 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32340 @cindex @samp{F} packet
32341 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32342 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32343 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32344
32345 @item g
32346 @anchor{read registers packet}
32347 @cindex @samp{g} packet
32348 Read general registers.
32349
32350 Reply:
32351 @table @samp
32352 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32353 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32354 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32355 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32356 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32357 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32358 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32359
32360 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32361 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32362 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32363 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32364 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
32365 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32366 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32367 have been collected, and both have zero value:
32368
32369 @smallexample
32370 -> @code{g}
32371 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32372 @end smallexample
32373
32374 @item E @var{NN}
32375 for an error.
32376 @end table
32377
32378 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32379 @cindex @samp{G} packet
32380 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32381 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32382
32383 Reply:
32384 @table @samp
32385 @item OK
32386 for success
32387 @item E @var{NN}
32388 for an error
32389 @end table
32390
32391 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
32392 @cindex @samp{H} packet
32393 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32394 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
32395 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
32396 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
32397 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32398
32399 Reply:
32400 @table @samp
32401 @item OK
32402 for success
32403 @item E @var{NN}
32404 for an error
32405 @end table
32406
32407 @c FIXME: JTC:
32408 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32409 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32410 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32411 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32412 @c described. For example:
32413 @c
32414 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32415 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32416 @c otherwise returns current registers.
32417 @c
32418 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32419 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32420 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32421
32422 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32423 @anchor{cycle step packet}
32424 @cindex @samp{i} packet
32425 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32426 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32427 step starting at that address.
32428
32429 @item I
32430 @cindex @samp{I} packet
32431 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32432 step packet}.
32433
32434 @item k
32435 @cindex @samp{k} packet
32436 Kill request.
32437
32438 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32439 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32440 thread?)}.
32441
32442 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32443 @cindex @samp{m} packet
32444 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32445 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32446
32447 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32448 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32449 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32450 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32451 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32452 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32453 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
32454 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32455
32456 Reply:
32457 @table @samp
32458 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32459 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32460 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32461 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32462 @item E @var{NN}
32463 @var{NN} is errno
32464 @end table
32465
32466 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32467 @cindex @samp{M} packet
32468 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32469 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32470 hexadecimal number.
32471
32472 Reply:
32473 @table @samp
32474 @item OK
32475 for success
32476 @item E @var{NN}
32477 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32478 written).
32479 @end table
32480
32481 @item p @var{n}
32482 @cindex @samp{p} packet
32483 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32484 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32485 register value is encoded.
32486
32487 Reply:
32488 @table @samp
32489 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32490 the register's value
32491 @item E @var{NN}
32492 for an error
32493 @item
32494 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32495 @end table
32496
32497 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32498 @anchor{write register packet}
32499 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32500 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32501 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32502 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32503
32504 Reply:
32505 @table @samp
32506 @item OK
32507 for success
32508 @item E @var{NN}
32509 for an error
32510 @end table
32511
32512 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32513 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32514 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32515 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32516 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32517 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32518
32519 @item r
32520 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32521 Reset the entire system.
32522
32523 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32524
32525 @item R @var{XX}
32526 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32527 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32528 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32529
32530 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32531
32532 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32533 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32534 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32535 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32536
32537 Reply:
32538 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32539
32540 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32541 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32542 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32543 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32544 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32545
32546 Reply:
32547 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32548
32549 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32550 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32551 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32552 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32553 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32554
32555 @item T @var{thread-id}
32556 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32557 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32558
32559 Reply:
32560 @table @samp
32561 @item OK
32562 thread is still alive
32563 @item E @var{NN}
32564 thread is dead
32565 @end table
32566
32567 @item v
32568 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32569 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32570
32571 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32572 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32573 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32574 The process ID is a
32575 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32576 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32577 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32578
32579 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32580 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32581 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32582 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32583 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32584 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32585 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32586 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32587
32588 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32589
32590 Reply:
32591 @table @samp
32592 @item E @var{nn}
32593 for an error
32594 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32595 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32596 @item OK
32597 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32598 @end table
32599
32600 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32601 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32602 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32603 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32604 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32605 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32606 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32607 Specifying multiple
32608 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32609 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32610
32611 Currently supported actions are:
32612
32613 @table @samp
32614 @item c
32615 Continue.
32616 @item C @var{sig}
32617 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32618 @item s
32619 Step.
32620 @item S @var{sig}
32621 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32622 @item t
32623 Stop.
32624 @end table
32625
32626 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32627 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32628 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32629
32630 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32631 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32632 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32633 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32634 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32635 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32636 as an implementation detail.
32637
32638 Reply:
32639 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32640
32641 @item vCont?
32642 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32643 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32644
32645 Reply:
32646 @table @samp
32647 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32648 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32649 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32650 @item
32651 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32652 @end table
32653
32654 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32655 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32656 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32657 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32658
32659 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32660 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32661 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32662 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32663 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32664 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32665 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32666 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32667 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32668 packet is received.
32669
32670 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32671 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32672 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32673 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32674 @var{thread-id}.
32675
32676 Reply:
32677 @table @samp
32678 @item OK
32679 for success
32680 @item E @var{NN}
32681 for an error
32682 @end table
32683
32684 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32685 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32686 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32687 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32688 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32689 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32690 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32691 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32692 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32693 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32694 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32695 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32696
32697
32698 Reply:
32699 @table @samp
32700 @item OK
32701 for success
32702 @item E.memtype
32703 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32704 @item E @var{NN}
32705 for an error
32706 @end table
32707
32708 @item vFlashDone
32709 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32710 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32711 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32712 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32713 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32714 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32715 request is completed.
32716
32717 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32718 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32719 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32720 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32721 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32722 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32723
32724 Reply:
32725 @table @samp
32726 @item E @var{nn}
32727 for an error
32728 @item OK
32729 for success
32730 @end table
32731
32732 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32733 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32734 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32735 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32736 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32737 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32738 state.
32739
32740 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32741
32742 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32743
32744 Reply:
32745 @table @samp
32746 @item E @var{nn}
32747 for an error
32748 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32749 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32750 @end table
32751
32752 @item vStopped
32753 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32754 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32755
32756 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32757 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32758
32759 Reply:
32760 @table @samp
32761 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32762 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32763 @item OK
32764 if there are no unreported stop events
32765 @end table
32766
32767 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32768 @anchor{X packet}
32769 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32770 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32771 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32772 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32773
32774 Reply:
32775 @table @samp
32776 @item OK
32777 for success
32778 @item E @var{NN}
32779 for an error
32780 @end table
32781
32782 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32783 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32784 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32785 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32786 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32787 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32788 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32789
32790 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32791 separately.
32792
32793 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32794 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32795 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32796 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32797 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32798 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32799
32800 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32801 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32802 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32803 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32804 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32805 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32806
32807 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32808 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32809 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32810 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32811 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32812 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32813 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32814
32815 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32816 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32817 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32818 target, is not defined.}
32819
32820 Reply:
32821 @table @samp
32822 @item OK
32823 success
32824 @item
32825 not supported
32826 @item E @var{NN}
32827 for an error
32828 @end table
32829
32830 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32831 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32832 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32833 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32834 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32835 address @var{addr}.
32836
32837 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32838 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32839 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32840
32841 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32842 movement.}
32843
32844 Reply:
32845 @table @samp
32846 @item OK
32847 success
32848 @item
32849 not supported
32850 @item E @var{NN}
32851 for an error
32852 @end table
32853
32854 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32855 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32856 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32857 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32858 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32859 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32860
32861 Reply:
32862 @table @samp
32863 @item OK
32864 success
32865 @item
32866 not supported
32867 @item E @var{NN}
32868 for an error
32869 @end table
32870
32871 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32872 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32873 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32874 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32875 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32876 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32877
32878 Reply:
32879 @table @samp
32880 @item OK
32881 success
32882 @item
32883 not supported
32884 @item E @var{NN}
32885 for an error
32886 @end table
32887
32888 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32889 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32890 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32891 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32892 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32893 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32894
32895 Reply:
32896 @table @samp
32897 @item OK
32898 success
32899 @item
32900 not supported
32901 @item E @var{NN}
32902 for an error
32903 @end table
32904
32905 @end table
32906
32907 @node Stop Reply Packets
32908 @section Stop Reply Packets
32909 @cindex stop reply packets
32910
32911 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32912 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32913 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32914 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32915 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32916 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32917 @value{GDBN} source code.
32918
32919 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32920 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32921 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32922 components.
32923
32924 @table @samp
32925
32926 @item S @var{AA}
32927 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32928 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32929 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32930
32931 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32932 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32933 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32934 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32935 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32936 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32937 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32938 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32939
32940 @itemize @bullet
32941 @item
32942 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32943 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32944 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32945 two-digit hex number.
32946
32947 @item
32948 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32949 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32950
32951 @item
32952 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32953 the core on which the stop event was detected.
32954
32955 @item
32956 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32957 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32958 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32959 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32960
32961 @item
32962 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32963 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32964 future.
32965 @end itemize
32966
32967 The currently defined stop reasons are:
32968
32969 @table @samp
32970 @item watch
32971 @itemx rwatch
32972 @itemx awatch
32973 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32974 hex.
32975
32976 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
32977 @item library
32978 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32979 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32980 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32981
32982 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
32983 @item replaylog
32984 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32985 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32986 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32987 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32988 for more information.
32989 @end table
32990
32991 @item W @var{AA}
32992 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32993 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32994 applicable to certain targets.
32995
32996 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32997 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32998 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32999 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33000
33001 @item X @var{AA}
33002 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33003 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
33004
33005 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
33006 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
33007 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
33008 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33009
33010 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
33011 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
33012 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
33013 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
33014 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
33015
33016 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
33017 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
33018 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
33019 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
33020 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
33021 system calls.
33022
33023 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
33024 this very system call.
33025
33026 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
33027 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
33028 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
33029 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33030 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
33031 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
33032
33033 @end table
33034
33035 @node General Query Packets
33036 @section General Query Packets
33037 @cindex remote query requests
33038
33039 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
33040 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
33041 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
33042 sending information to and from the stub.
33043
33044 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
33045 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
33046 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
33047 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
33048 conventions:
33049
33050 @itemize @bullet
33051 @item
33052 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
33053 @item
33054 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
33055 letter.
33056 @item
33057 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
33058 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
33059 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
33060 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
33061 @end itemize
33062
33063 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
33064 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
33065 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
33066 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
33067 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
33068 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
33069 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
33070 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
33071 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
33072 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
33073 packet.}.
33074
33075 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
33076 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
33077 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
33078 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
33079 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
33080
33081 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
33082
33083 @table @samp
33084
33085 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
33086 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
33087 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
33088 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
33089 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
33090 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
33091 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
33092 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
33093 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
33094 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
33095 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
33096
33097 @item qC
33098 @cindex current thread, remote request
33099 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
33100 Return the current thread ID.
33101
33102 Reply:
33103 @table @samp
33104 @item QC @var{thread-id}
33105 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
33106 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33107 @item @r{(anything else)}
33108 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
33109 @end table
33110
33111 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
33112 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
33113 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
33114 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
33115 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
33116 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
33117 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
33118
33119 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
33120 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
33121 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
33122 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
33123 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
33124 detect trailing zeros.
33125
33126 Reply:
33127 @table @samp
33128 @item E @var{NN}
33129 An error (such as memory fault)
33130 @item C @var{crc32}
33131 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33132 @end table
33133
33134 @item qfThreadInfo
33135 @itemx qsThreadInfo
33136 @cindex list active threads, remote request
33137 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
33138 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
33139 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
33140 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
33141 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
33142 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
33143 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
33144 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
33145
33146 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
33147
33148 Reply:
33149 @table @samp
33150 @item m @var{thread-id}
33151 A single thread ID
33152 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
33153 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
33154 @item l
33155 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33156 @end table
33157
33158 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33159 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
33160 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
33161 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
33162 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
33163 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
33164 fields.
33165
33166 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
33167 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
33168 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
33169 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
33170 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
33171
33172 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
33173 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33174
33175 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
33176 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
33177 information associated with the variable.)
33178
33179 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
33180 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
33181 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
33182 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
33183 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
33184 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
33185
33186 Reply:
33187 @table @samp
33188 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33189 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
33190 local storage requested.
33191
33192 @item E @var{nn}
33193 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33194
33195 @item
33196 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33197 @end table
33198
33199 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
33200 @cindex get thread information block address
33201 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
33202 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
33203
33204 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
33205
33206 Reply:
33207 @table @samp
33208 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33209 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
33210 thread information block.
33211
33212 @item E @var{nn}
33213 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
33214 address could not be retrieved.
33215
33216 @item
33217 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33218 @end table
33219
33220 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
33221 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
33222 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
33223 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
33224 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
33225 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
33226 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
33227
33228 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
33229
33230 Reply:
33231 @table @samp
33232 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
33233 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
33234 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
33235 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
33236 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
33237 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
33238 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
33239 @end table
33240
33241 @item qOffsets
33242 @cindex section offsets, remote request
33243 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
33244 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
33245 image.
33246
33247 Reply:
33248 @table @samp
33249 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
33250 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
33251 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
33252 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
33253 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
33254 segments by the supplied offsets.
33255
33256 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
33257 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
33258 to the @code{Bss} section.}
33259
33260 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
33261 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
33262 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
33263 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
33264 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
33265 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
33266 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
33267 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
33268 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
33269 @end table
33270
33271 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
33272 @cindex thread information, remote request
33273 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
33274 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
33275 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
33276 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
33277
33278 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
33279 (see below).
33280
33281 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
33282
33283 @item QNonStop:1
33284 @item QNonStop:0
33285 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
33286 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
33287 @anchor{QNonStop}
33288 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
33289 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
33290
33291 Reply:
33292 @table @samp
33293 @item OK
33294 The request succeeded.
33295
33296 @item E @var{nn}
33297 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33298
33299 @item
33300 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
33301 the stub.
33302 @end table
33303
33304 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33305 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33306 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
33307 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
33308
33309 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
33310 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
33311 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33312 @anchor{QPassSignals}
33313 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
33314 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
33315 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
33316 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
33317 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
33318 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
33319 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
33320 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
33321 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
33322
33323 Reply:
33324 @table @samp
33325 @item OK
33326 The request succeeded.
33327
33328 @item E @var{nn}
33329 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33330
33331 @item
33332 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33333 the stub.
33334 @end table
33335
33336 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33337 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33338 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33339 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33340
33341 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
33342 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
33343 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33344 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33345 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33346 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33347 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33348 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33349 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33350
33351 Reply:
33352 @table @samp
33353 @item OK
33354 A command response with no output.
33355 @item @var{OUTPUT}
33356 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33357 @item E @var{NN}
33358 Indicate a badly formed request.
33359 @item
33360 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33361 @end table
33362
33363 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33364 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33365 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33366 packets.)
33367
33368 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33369 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33370 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33371 @anchor{qSearch memory}
33372 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33373 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33374 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33375
33376 Reply:
33377 @table @samp
33378 @item 0
33379 The pattern was not found.
33380 @item 1,address
33381 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33382 @item E @var{NN}
33383 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33384 @item
33385 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33386 @end table
33387
33388 @item QStartNoAckMode
33389 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33390 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33391 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33392 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33393
33394 Reply:
33395 @table @samp
33396 @item OK
33397 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33398 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33399 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33400 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33401 @item
33402 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33403 @end table
33404
33405 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33406 @cindex supported packets, remote query
33407 @cindex features of the remote protocol
33408 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33409 @anchor{qSupported}
33410 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33411 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33412 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33413 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33414 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33415 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33416 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33417 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33418 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33419 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33420 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33421 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33422 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33423 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33424
33425 Reply:
33426 @table @samp
33427 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33428 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33429 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33430 possible forms).
33431 @item
33432 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33433 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33434 @end table
33435
33436 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33437 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33438 are:
33439
33440 @table @samp
33441 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
33442 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33443 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33444 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33445 @item @var{name}+
33446 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33447 need an associated value.
33448 @item @var{name}-
33449 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33450 @item @var{name}?
33451 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33452 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33453 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33454 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33455 @end table
33456
33457 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33458 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33459 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33460 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33461 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33462
33463 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33464 are defined:
33465
33466 @table @samp
33467 @item multiprocess
33468 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33469 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33470 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33471 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33472 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33473
33474 @item xmlRegisters
33475 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33476 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33477 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33478 description.
33479
33480 @item qRelocInsn
33481 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33482 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33483 instruction reply packet}).
33484 @end table
33485
33486 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33487 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33488 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33489 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33490 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33491 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33492 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33493 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33494 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33495 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33496 all the features it supports.
33497
33498 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33499 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33500
33501 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33502 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33503 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33504 form response.
33505
33506 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33507 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33508 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33509 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33510
33511 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33512 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33513 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33514 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33515 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33516
33517 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33518
33519 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33520 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33521 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33522 @item Feature Name
33523 @tab Value Required
33524 @tab Default
33525 @tab Probe Allowed
33526
33527 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33528 @tab Yes
33529 @tab @samp{-}
33530 @tab No
33531
33532 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33533 @tab No
33534 @tab @samp{-}
33535 @tab Yes
33536
33537 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33538 @tab No
33539 @tab @samp{-}
33540 @tab Yes
33541
33542 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33543 @tab No
33544 @tab @samp{-}
33545 @tab Yes
33546
33547 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33548 @tab No
33549 @tab @samp{-}
33550 @tab Yes
33551
33552 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33553 @tab No
33554 @tab @samp{-}
33555 @tab Yes
33556
33557 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33558 @tab No
33559 @tab @samp{-}
33560 @tab Yes
33561
33562 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33563 @tab No
33564 @tab @samp{-}
33565 @tab Yes
33566
33567 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33568 @tab No
33569 @tab @samp{-}
33570 @tab Yes
33571
33572 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33573 @tab No
33574 @tab @samp{-}
33575 @tab Yes
33576
33577 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33578 @tab No
33579 @tab @samp{-}
33580 @tab Yes
33581
33582 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33583 @tab No
33584 @tab @samp{-}
33585 @tab Yes
33586
33587
33588 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33589 @tab No
33590 @tab @samp{-}
33591 @tab Yes
33592
33593 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33594 @tab No
33595 @tab @samp{-}
33596 @tab Yes
33597
33598 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33599 @tab No
33600 @tab @samp{-}
33601 @tab Yes
33602
33603 @item @samp{multiprocess}
33604 @tab No
33605 @tab @samp{-}
33606 @tab No
33607
33608 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33609 @tab No
33610 @tab @samp{-}
33611 @tab No
33612
33613 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33614 @tab No
33615 @tab @samp{-}
33616 @tab No
33617
33618 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
33619 @tab No
33620 @tab @samp{-}
33621 @tab No
33622
33623 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
33624 @tab No
33625 @tab @samp{-}
33626 @tab No
33627
33628 @item @samp{QAllow}
33629 @tab No
33630 @tab @samp{-}
33631 @tab No
33632
33633 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
33634 @tab No
33635 @tab @samp{-}
33636 @tab No
33637
33638 @end multitable
33639
33640 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33641
33642 @table @samp
33643 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
33644 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33645 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33646 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33647 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33648 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33649 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33650 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33651 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33652 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33653
33654 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33655 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33656 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33657
33658 @item qXfer:features:read
33659 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33660 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33661
33662 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33663 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33664 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33665
33666 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33667 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33668 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33669
33670 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33671 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33672 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33673
33674 @item qXfer:spu:read
33675 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33676 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33677
33678 @item qXfer:spu:write
33679 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33680 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33681
33682 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33683 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33684 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33685
33686 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33687 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33688 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33689
33690 @item qXfer:threads:read
33691 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33692 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33693
33694 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
33695 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33696 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
33697
33698 @item QNonStop
33699 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33700 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33701
33702 @item QPassSignals
33703 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33704 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33705
33706 @item QStartNoAckMode
33707 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33708 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33709
33710 @item multiprocess
33711 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33712 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33713 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33714 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33715 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33716 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33717 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33718 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33719 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33720 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33721 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33722
33723 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33724 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33725 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33726
33727 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33728 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33729 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33730
33731 @item ReverseContinue
33732 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33733 (@pxref{bc}).
33734
33735 @item ReverseStep
33736 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33737 (@pxref{bs}).
33738
33739 @item TracepointSource
33740 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33741 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33742
33743 @item QAllow
33744 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33745
33746 @item StaticTracepoint
33747 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33748 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33749
33750 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
33751 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
33752 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
33753 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
33754
33755 @end table
33756
33757 @item qSymbol::
33758 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33759 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33760 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33761 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33762
33763 Reply:
33764 @table @samp
33765 @item OK
33766 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33767 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33768 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33769 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33770 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33771 below.
33772 @end table
33773
33774 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33775 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33776
33777 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33778 target has previously requested.
33779
33780 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33781 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33782 will be empty.
33783
33784 Reply:
33785 @table @samp
33786 @item OK
33787 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33788 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33789 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33790 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33791 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33792 @end table
33793
33794 @item qTBuffer
33795 @item QTBuffer
33796 @item QTDisconnected
33797 @itemx QTDP
33798 @itemx QTDPsrc
33799 @itemx QTDV
33800 @itemx qTfP
33801 @itemx qTfV
33802 @itemx QTFrame
33803 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33804
33805 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33806 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33807 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33808 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33809 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33810 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33811 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33812 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33813 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33814 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33815 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33816
33817 Reply:
33818 @table @samp
33819 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33820 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33821 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33822 the thread's attributes.
33823 @end table
33824
33825 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33826 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33827 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33828 packets.)
33829
33830 @item QTSave
33831 @item qTsP
33832 @item qTsV
33833 @itemx QTStart
33834 @itemx QTStop
33835 @itemx QTEnable
33836 @itemx QTDisable
33837 @itemx QTinit
33838 @itemx QTro
33839 @itemx qTStatus
33840 @itemx qTV
33841 @itemx qTfSTM
33842 @itemx qTsSTM
33843 @itemx qTSTMat
33844 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33845
33846 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33847 @cindex read special object, remote request
33848 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33849 @anchor{qXfer read}
33850 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33851 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33852 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33853 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33854 additional details about what data to access.
33855
33856 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33857 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33858 formats, listed below.
33859
33860 @table @samp
33861 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33862 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33863 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33864 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33865
33866 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33867 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33868
33869 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33870 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33871 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33872 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33873 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33874
33875 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33876 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33877
33878 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33879 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33880 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33881 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33882 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33883
33884 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33885 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33886 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33887
33888 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33889 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33890
33891 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33892 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33893 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33894 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33895 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33896
33897 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33898 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33899
33900 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33901 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33902
33903 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33904 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33905 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33906 Action Lists}.
33907
33908 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33909 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33910 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33911
33912 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33913 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33914 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33915 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33916 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33917
33918 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33919 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33920 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33921
33922 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33923 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
33924 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33925 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33926 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33927 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33928 in that context to be accessed.
33929
33930 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33931 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33932 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33933
33934 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33935 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
33936 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33937 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33938 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33939
33940 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33941 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33942
33943 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33944 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
33945
33946 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
33947 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
33948 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33949
33950 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33951 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33952
33953 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33954 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33955 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33956 @xref{Operating System Information}.
33957
33958 @end table
33959
33960 Reply:
33961 @table @samp
33962 @item m @var{data}
33963 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33964 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33965 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33966 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33967 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33968 request.
33969
33970 @item l @var{data}
33971 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33972 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33973 than the @var{length} in the request.
33974
33975 @item l
33976 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33977 There is no more data to be read.
33978
33979 @item E00
33980 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33981
33982 @item E @var{nn}
33983 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33984 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33985
33986 @item
33987 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33988 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33989 @end table
33990
33991 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33992 @cindex write data into object, remote request
33993 @anchor{qXfer write}
33994 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33995 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33996 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33997 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33998 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33999 to access.
34000
34001 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34002 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34003 formats, listed below.
34004
34005 @table @samp
34006 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34007 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
34008 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
34009 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34010 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
34011
34012 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34013 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34014 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34015
34016 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34017 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
34018 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34019 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
34020 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34021 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34022 in that context to be accessed.
34023
34024 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34025 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34026 @end table
34027
34028 Reply:
34029 @table @samp
34030 @item @var{nn}
34031 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
34032 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
34033
34034 @item E00
34035 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34036
34037 @item E @var{nn}
34038 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
34039 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34040
34041 @item
34042 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
34043 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
34044 @end table
34045
34046 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
34047 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
34048 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
34049 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
34050 must respond with an empty packet.
34051
34052 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
34053 @cindex query attached, remote request
34054 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
34055 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
34056 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
34057 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
34058 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
34059 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
34060 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
34061
34062 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
34063 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
34064 the @code{quit} command.
34065
34066 Reply:
34067 @table @samp
34068 @item 1
34069 The remote server attached to an existing process.
34070 @item 0
34071 The remote server created a new process.
34072 @item E @var{NN}
34073 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
34074 @end table
34075
34076 @end table
34077
34078 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34079 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34080
34081 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
34082 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
34083 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
34084
34085 @subsection ARM
34086
34087 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
34088
34089 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
34090
34091 @table @r
34092
34093 @item 2
34094 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
34095
34096 @item 3
34097 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
34098
34099 @item 4
34100 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
34101
34102 @end table
34103
34104 @subsection MIPS
34105
34106 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
34107
34108 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
34109 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
34110 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
34111 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
34112 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
34113 most-significant - least-significant.
34114
34115 @table @r
34116
34117 @item MIPS32
34118
34119 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
34120 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
34121 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
34122
34123 @item MIPS64
34124
34125 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
34126 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
34127 as @code{MIPS32}.
34128
34129 @end table
34130
34131 @node Tracepoint Packets
34132 @section Tracepoint Packets
34133 @cindex tracepoint packets
34134 @cindex packets, tracepoint
34135
34136 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
34137 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34138
34139 @table @samp
34140
34141 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
34142 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
34143 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
34144 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
34145 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
34146 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
34147 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
34148 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
34149 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
34150 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
34151 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
34152 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
34153 actions.
34154
34155 Replies:
34156 @table @samp
34157 @item OK
34158 The packet was understood and carried out.
34159 @item qRelocInsn
34160 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34161 @item
34162 The packet was not recognized.
34163 @end table
34164
34165 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
34166 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
34167 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
34168 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
34169 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
34170 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
34171 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
34172
34173 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
34174 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
34175 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
34176 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
34177 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
34178 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
34179 tracepoint actions.
34180
34181 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
34182 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
34183 following forms:
34184
34185 @table @samp
34186
34187 @item R @var{mask}
34188 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
34189 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
34190 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
34191 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
34192 not fit in a 32-bit word.
34193
34194 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
34195 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
34196 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
34197 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
34198 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
34199 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
34200 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
34201
34202 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34203 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
34204 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
34205 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
34206 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
34207 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
34208 packet).
34209
34210 @end table
34211
34212 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
34213 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
34214 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
34215 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
34216 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
34217 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
34218 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
34219 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
34220
34221 Replies:
34222 @table @samp
34223 @item OK
34224 The packet was understood and carried out.
34225 @item qRelocInsn
34226 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34227 @item
34228 The packet was not recognized.
34229 @end table
34230
34231 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
34232 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
34233 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
34234 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
34235 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
34236 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
34237 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
34238 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
34239
34240 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
34241 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
34242 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
34243 fit in a single packet.
34244 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
34245 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
34246
34247 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
34248 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
34249 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
34250 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
34251
34252 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
34253 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
34254 query packets.
34255
34256 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
34257 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
34258 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
34259 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
34260 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
34261 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
34262 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
34263 be found.
34264
34265 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
34266 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
34267 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
34268 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
34269 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
34270 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
34271 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
34272 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
34273 mentioned in expressions.
34274
34275 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
34276 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
34277 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
34278 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
34279
34280 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
34281 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
34282 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
34283 one of the following forms:
34284
34285 @table @samp
34286 @item F @var{f}
34287 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
34288 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
34289 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
34290
34291 @item T @var{t}
34292 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
34293 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
34294
34295 @end table
34296
34297 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
34298 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34299 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
34300 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
34301
34302 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
34303 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34304 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
34305 is a hexadecimal number.
34306
34307 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
34308 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34309 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
34310 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
34311 numbers.
34312
34313 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
34314 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
34315 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
34316
34317 @item QTStart
34318 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
34319 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
34320 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34321 instruction reply packet}).
34322
34323 @item QTStop
34324 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
34325
34326 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34327 @anchor{QTEnable}
34328 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34329 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
34330 of data from it will resume.
34331
34332 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34333 @anchor{QTDisable}
34334 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34335 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
34336 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
34337
34338 @item QTinit
34339 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
34340
34341 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
34342 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
34343 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
34344 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
34345
34346 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
34347 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
34348 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
34349 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
34350
34351 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
34352 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
34353 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
34354 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34355 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34356
34357 @item qTStatus
34358 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34359
34360 The reply has the form:
34361
34362 @table @samp
34363
34364 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34365 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34366 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34367 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34368
34369 @end table
34370
34371 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34372 explanations as one of the optional fields:
34373
34374 @table @samp
34375
34376 @item tnotrun:0
34377 No trace has been run yet.
34378
34379 @item tstop:0
34380 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34381
34382 @item tfull:0
34383 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34384
34385 @item tdisconnected:0
34386 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34387
34388 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34389 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34390
34391 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34392 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34393 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34394 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34395 @var{text} is hex encoded.
34396
34397 @item tunknown:0
34398 The trace stopped for some other reason.
34399
34400 @end table
34401
34402 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34403 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34404 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34405 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34406 trace.
34407
34408 @table @samp
34409
34410 @item tframes:@var{n}
34411 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34412
34413 @item tcreated:@var{n}
34414 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34415 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34416
34417 @item tsize:@var{n}
34418 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34419
34420 @item tfree:@var{n}
34421 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34422
34423 @item circular:@var{n}
34424 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34425 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34426 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34427 and may fill up.
34428
34429 @item disconn:@var{n}
34430 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34431 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34432 that the trace run will stop.
34433
34434 @end table
34435
34436 @item qTV:@var{var}
34437 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34438 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34439 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34440
34441 Replies:
34442 @table @samp
34443 @item V@var{value}
34444 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34445 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34446 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34447 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34448 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34449 program is running.
34450
34451 @item U
34452 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34453 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34454 was not collected.
34455 @end table
34456
34457 @item qTfP
34458 @itemx qTsP
34459 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34460 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34461 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34462 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34463 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34464
34465 @item qTfV
34466 @itemx qTsV
34467 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34468 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34469 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34470 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34471 trace state variables.
34472
34473 @item qTfSTM
34474 @itemx qTsSTM
34475 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34476 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34477 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34478 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34479
34480 Reply:
34481 @table @samp
34482 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34483 A single marker
34484 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34485 a comma-separated list of markers
34486 @item l
34487 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34488 @item E @var{nn}
34489 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34490 @item
34491 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34492 stub.
34493 @end table
34494
34495 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
34496 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34497
34498 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34499 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34500 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34501 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34502 @dfn{last}).
34503
34504 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34505 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34506 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34507 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34508 tracepoint markers.
34509
34510 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
34511 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34512 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34513 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34514 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34515
34516 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34517 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34518 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34519 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34520 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34521 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34522 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34523 available.
34524
34525 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34526 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34527 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34528
34529 @end table
34530
34531 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34532 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34533 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34534 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34535 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34536 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34537 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34538 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34539 it had executed in the original location.
34540
34541 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34542 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34543 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34544 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34545 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34546 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34547 format of the request is:
34548
34549 @table @samp
34550 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34551
34552 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34553 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34554 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34555 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34556 memory starting at @var{to}.
34557 @end table
34558
34559 Replies:
34560 @table @samp
34561 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34562 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34563 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34564 @item E @var{NN}
34565 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34566 relocating the instruction.
34567 @end table
34568
34569 @node Host I/O Packets
34570 @section Host I/O Packets
34571 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34572 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34573
34574 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34575 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34576 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34577 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34578 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34579 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34580 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34581 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34582 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34583 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34584
34585 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34586 its arguments. They have this format:
34587
34588 @table @samp
34589
34590 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34591 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34592 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34593 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34594 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34595 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34596 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34597 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34598 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34599
34600 @end table
34601
34602 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34603
34604 @table @samp
34605
34606 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34607 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34608 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34609 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34610 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34611 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34612 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34613 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34614 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34615 @var{attachment}.
34616
34617 @item
34618 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34619
34620 @end table
34621
34622 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34623
34624 @table @samp
34625 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34626 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34627 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34628 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34629 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34630 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34631 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34632
34633 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34634 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34635 -1 if an error occurs.
34636
34637 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34638 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34639 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34640 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34641 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34642 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34643 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34644 @var{count} was zero.
34645
34646 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34647 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34648 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34649 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34650 some characters were escaped.
34651
34652 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34653 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34654 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34655 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34656 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34657 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34658 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34659 error occurred.
34660
34661 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34662 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34663 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34664
34665 @end table
34666
34667 @node Interrupts
34668 @section Interrupts
34669 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34670
34671 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34672 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34673 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34674 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34675
34676 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34677 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34678 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34679 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34680 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34681
34682 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34683 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34684 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34685 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34686 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34687 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34688 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34689 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34690
34691 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34692 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34693 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34694
34695 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34696 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34697 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34698 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34699 currently-executing threads and processes.
34700 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34701 running program, it should send one of the stop
34702 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34703 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34704 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34705 Interrupts received while the
34706 program is stopped are discarded.
34707
34708 @node Notification Packets
34709 @section Notification Packets
34710 @cindex notification packets
34711 @cindex packets, notification
34712
34713 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34714 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34715 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34716 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34717 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34718 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34719 is not a problem.
34720
34721 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34722 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34723 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34724 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34725 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34726 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34727 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34728
34729 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34730 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34731
34732 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34733 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34734 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34735 not they understand it.
34736
34737 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34738 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34739 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34740 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34741 recipients.
34742
34743 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34744 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34745 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34746 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34747 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34748
34749 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34750 defined:
34751
34752 @table @samp
34753 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34754 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34755 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34756 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34757 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34758 @value{GDBN}.
34759 @end table
34760
34761 @node Remote Non-Stop
34762 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34763
34764 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34765 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34766 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34767 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34768
34769 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34770 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34771 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34772 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34773 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34774 probe the target state after a mode change.
34775
34776 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34777 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34778 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34779 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34780 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34781 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34782 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34783 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34784 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34785 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34786 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34787
34788 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34789 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34790 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34791 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34792 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34793 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34794 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34795 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34796 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34797 sending any queued stop events.
34798
34799 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34800 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34801 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34802 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34803 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34804 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34805 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34806
34807 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34808 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34809 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34810 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34811 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34812 process normally.
34813
34814 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34815 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34816 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34817 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34818 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34819 should process normally.
34820
34821 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34822 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34823 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34824 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34825 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34826
34827 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34828 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34829 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34830 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34831 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34832 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34833 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34834 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34835 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34836 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34837 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34838 @samp{OK}.
34839
34840 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34841 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34842
34843 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34844 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34845 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34846 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34847 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34848 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34849 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34850
34851 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34852 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34853 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34854 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34855 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34856
34857 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34858 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34859 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34860 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34861
34862 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34863 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34864 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34865 @pxref{qSupported}.
34866 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34867 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34868 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34869 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34870 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34871 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34872 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34873
34874 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34875 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34876 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34877 connection.
34878 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34879 new connection is established,
34880 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34881 for the current connection, once disabled.
34882
34883 @node Examples
34884 @section Examples
34885
34886 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34887 does not get any direct output:
34888
34889 @smallexample
34890 -> @code{R00}
34891 <- @code{+}
34892 @emph{target restarts}
34893 -> @code{?}
34894 <- @code{+}
34895 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34896 -> @code{+}
34897 @end smallexample
34898
34899 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34900
34901 @smallexample
34902 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34903 <- @code{+}
34904 -> @code{s}
34905 <- @code{+}
34906 @emph{time passes}
34907 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34908 -> @code{+}
34909 -> @code{g}
34910 <- @code{+}
34911 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
34912 -> @code{+}
34913 @end smallexample
34914
34915 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34916 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34917 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34918
34919 @menu
34920 * File-I/O Overview::
34921 * Protocol Basics::
34922 * The F Request Packet::
34923 * The F Reply Packet::
34924 * The Ctrl-C Message::
34925 * Console I/O::
34926 * List of Supported Calls::
34927 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34928 * Constants::
34929 * File-I/O Examples::
34930 @end menu
34931
34932 @node File-I/O Overview
34933 @subsection File-I/O Overview
34934 @cindex file-i/o overview
34935
34936 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34937 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34938 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34939 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34940 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34941 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34942
34943 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34944 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34945 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34946 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34947 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34948
34949 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34950 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34951 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34952 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34953 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34954 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34955 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34956
34957 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34958 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34959 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34960 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34961 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34962
34963 @smallexample
34964 (@value{GDBP}) continue
34965 <- target requests 'system call X'
34966 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34967 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34968 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34969 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34970 @end smallexample
34971
34972 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34973 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34974 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34975 system are not supported by this protocol.
34976
34977 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34978
34979 @node Protocol Basics
34980 @subsection Protocol Basics
34981 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34982
34983 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34984 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34985 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34986 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34987 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34988 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34989 to call the appropriate host system call:
34990
34991 @itemize @bullet
34992 @item
34993 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34994
34995 @item
34996 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34997 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34998 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34999 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
35000
35001 @end itemize
35002
35003 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
35004
35005 @itemize @bullet
35006 @item
35007 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
35008 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
35009 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
35010 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
35011 packet.
35012
35013 @item
35014 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
35015 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
35016
35017 @item
35018 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
35019
35020 @item
35021 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
35022
35023 @item
35024 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
35025 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
35026 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
35027 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
35028 packet.
35029
35030 @end itemize
35031
35032 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
35033 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
35034
35035 @itemize @bullet
35036 @item
35037 Return value.
35038
35039 @item
35040 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
35041
35042 @item
35043 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
35044
35045 @end itemize
35046
35047 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
35048 the latest continue or step action.
35049
35050 @node The F Request Packet
35051 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
35052 @cindex file-i/o request packet
35053 @cindex @code{F} request packet
35054
35055 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
35056
35057 @table @samp
35058 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
35059
35060 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
35061 This is just the name of the function.
35062
35063 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
35064 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
35065 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
35066 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
35067 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
35068 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
35069 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
35070
35071 @end table
35072
35073
35074
35075 @node The F Reply Packet
35076 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
35077 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
35078 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
35079
35080 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
35081
35082 @table @samp
35083
35084 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
35085
35086 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
35087
35088 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
35089 representation.
35090 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
35091
35092 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
35093 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
35094 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
35095
35096 @smallexample
35097 F0,0,C
35098 @end smallexample
35099
35100 @noindent
35101 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
35102
35103 @smallexample
35104 F-1,4,C
35105 @end smallexample
35106
35107 @noindent
35108 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
35109
35110 @end table
35111
35112
35113 @node The Ctrl-C Message
35114 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
35115 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
35116
35117 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
35118 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
35119 the target should behave as if it had
35120 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
35121 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
35122 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
35123 packet.
35124
35125 It's important for the target to know in which
35126 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
35127
35128 @itemize @bullet
35129 @item
35130 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
35131
35132 @item
35133 The system call on the host has been finished.
35134
35135 @end itemize
35136
35137 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
35138 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
35139 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
35140 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
35141 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
35142 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
35143
35144 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
35145 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
35146 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
35147 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
35148 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
35149 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
35150 or the full action has been completed.
35151
35152 @node Console I/O
35153 @subsection Console I/O
35154 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
35155
35156 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
35157 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
35158 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
35159 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
35160 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
35161 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
35162 conditions is met:
35163
35164 @itemize @bullet
35165 @item
35166 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
35167 @code{read}
35168 system call is treated as finished.
35169
35170 @item
35171 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
35172 newline.
35173
35174 @item
35175 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
35176 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
35177
35178 @end itemize
35179
35180 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
35181 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
35182 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
35183 is stopped at the user's request.
35184
35185
35186 @node List of Supported Calls
35187 @subsection List of Supported Calls
35188 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
35189
35190 @menu
35191 * open::
35192 * close::
35193 * read::
35194 * write::
35195 * lseek::
35196 * rename::
35197 * unlink::
35198 * stat/fstat::
35199 * gettimeofday::
35200 * isatty::
35201 * system::
35202 @end menu
35203
35204 @node open
35205 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
35206 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
35207
35208 @table @asis
35209 @item Synopsis:
35210 @smallexample
35211 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
35212 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
35213 @end smallexample
35214
35215 @item Request:
35216 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
35217
35218 @noindent
35219 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35220
35221 @table @code
35222 @item O_CREAT
35223 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
35224 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
35225 are concerned.
35226
35227 @item O_EXCL
35228 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
35229 an error and open() fails.
35230
35231 @item O_TRUNC
35232 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
35233 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
35234 truncated to zero length.
35235
35236 @item O_APPEND
35237 The file is opened in append mode.
35238
35239 @item O_RDONLY
35240 The file is opened for reading only.
35241
35242 @item O_WRONLY
35243 The file is opened for writing only.
35244
35245 @item O_RDWR
35246 The file is opened for reading and writing.
35247 @end table
35248
35249 @noindent
35250 Other bits are silently ignored.
35251
35252
35253 @noindent
35254 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35255
35256 @table @code
35257 @item S_IRUSR
35258 User has read permission.
35259
35260 @item S_IWUSR
35261 User has write permission.
35262
35263 @item S_IRGRP
35264 Group has read permission.
35265
35266 @item S_IWGRP
35267 Group has write permission.
35268
35269 @item S_IROTH
35270 Others have read permission.
35271
35272 @item S_IWOTH
35273 Others have write permission.
35274 @end table
35275
35276 @noindent
35277 Other bits are silently ignored.
35278
35279
35280 @item Return value:
35281 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
35282 occurred.
35283
35284 @item Errors:
35285
35286 @table @code
35287 @item EEXIST
35288 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
35289
35290 @item EISDIR
35291 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
35292
35293 @item EACCES
35294 The requested access is not allowed.
35295
35296 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35297 @var{pathname} was too long.
35298
35299 @item ENOENT
35300 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35301
35302 @item ENODEV
35303 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
35304
35305 @item EROFS
35306 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
35307 write access was requested.
35308
35309 @item EFAULT
35310 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
35311
35312 @item ENOSPC
35313 No space on device to create the file.
35314
35315 @item EMFILE
35316 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
35317
35318 @item ENFILE
35319 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
35320 has been reached.
35321
35322 @item EINTR
35323 The call was interrupted by the user.
35324 @end table
35325
35326 @end table
35327
35328 @node close
35329 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
35330 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
35331
35332 @table @asis
35333 @item Synopsis:
35334 @smallexample
35335 int close(int fd);
35336 @end smallexample
35337
35338 @item Request:
35339 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
35340
35341 @item Return value:
35342 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
35343
35344 @item Errors:
35345
35346 @table @code
35347 @item EBADF
35348 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
35349
35350 @item EINTR
35351 The call was interrupted by the user.
35352 @end table
35353
35354 @end table
35355
35356 @node read
35357 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
35358 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
35359
35360 @table @asis
35361 @item Synopsis:
35362 @smallexample
35363 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35364 @end smallexample
35365
35366 @item Request:
35367 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35368
35369 @item Return value:
35370 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35371 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35372 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35373
35374 @item Errors:
35375
35376 @table @code
35377 @item EBADF
35378 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35379 reading.
35380
35381 @item EFAULT
35382 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35383
35384 @item EINTR
35385 The call was interrupted by the user.
35386 @end table
35387
35388 @end table
35389
35390 @node write
35391 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
35392 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
35393
35394 @table @asis
35395 @item Synopsis:
35396 @smallexample
35397 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35398 @end smallexample
35399
35400 @item Request:
35401 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35402
35403 @item Return value:
35404 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35405 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35406 is returned.
35407
35408 @item Errors:
35409
35410 @table @code
35411 @item EBADF
35412 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35413 writing.
35414
35415 @item EFAULT
35416 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35417
35418 @item EFBIG
35419 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35420 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35421
35422 @item ENOSPC
35423 No space on device to write the data.
35424
35425 @item EINTR
35426 The call was interrupted by the user.
35427 @end table
35428
35429 @end table
35430
35431 @node lseek
35432 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35433 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35434
35435 @table @asis
35436 @item Synopsis:
35437 @smallexample
35438 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35439 @end smallexample
35440
35441 @item Request:
35442 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35443
35444 @var{flag} is one of:
35445
35446 @table @code
35447 @item SEEK_SET
35448 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35449
35450 @item SEEK_CUR
35451 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35452 bytes.
35453
35454 @item SEEK_END
35455 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35456 bytes.
35457 @end table
35458
35459 @item Return value:
35460 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35461 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35462 value of -1 is returned.
35463
35464 @item Errors:
35465
35466 @table @code
35467 @item EBADF
35468 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35469
35470 @item ESPIPE
35471 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35472
35473 @item EINVAL
35474 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
35475
35476 @item EINTR
35477 The call was interrupted by the user.
35478 @end table
35479
35480 @end table
35481
35482 @node rename
35483 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35484 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35485
35486 @table @asis
35487 @item Synopsis:
35488 @smallexample
35489 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35490 @end smallexample
35491
35492 @item Request:
35493 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35494
35495 @item Return value:
35496 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35497
35498 @item Errors:
35499
35500 @table @code
35501 @item EISDIR
35502 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35503 directory.
35504
35505 @item EEXIST
35506 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35507
35508 @item EBUSY
35509 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35510 process.
35511
35512 @item EINVAL
35513 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35514 of itself.
35515
35516 @item ENOTDIR
35517 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35518 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35519 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35520
35521 @item EFAULT
35522 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35523
35524 @item EACCES
35525 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35526
35527 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35528
35529 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35530
35531 @item ENOENT
35532 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35533
35534 @item EROFS
35535 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35536
35537 @item ENOSPC
35538 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35539 directory entry.
35540
35541 @item EINTR
35542 The call was interrupted by the user.
35543 @end table
35544
35545 @end table
35546
35547 @node unlink
35548 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35549 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35550
35551 @table @asis
35552 @item Synopsis:
35553 @smallexample
35554 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35555 @end smallexample
35556
35557 @item Request:
35558 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35559
35560 @item Return value:
35561 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35562
35563 @item Errors:
35564
35565 @table @code
35566 @item EACCES
35567 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35568
35569 @item EPERM
35570 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35571
35572 @item EBUSY
35573 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35574 being used by another process.
35575
35576 @item EFAULT
35577 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35578
35579 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35580 @var{pathname} was too long.
35581
35582 @item ENOENT
35583 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35584
35585 @item ENOTDIR
35586 A component of the path is not a directory.
35587
35588 @item EROFS
35589 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35590
35591 @item EINTR
35592 The call was interrupted by the user.
35593 @end table
35594
35595 @end table
35596
35597 @node stat/fstat
35598 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35599 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35600 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35601
35602 @table @asis
35603 @item Synopsis:
35604 @smallexample
35605 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35606 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35607 @end smallexample
35608
35609 @item Request:
35610 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35611 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35612
35613 @item Return value:
35614 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35615
35616 @item Errors:
35617
35618 @table @code
35619 @item EBADF
35620 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35621
35622 @item ENOENT
35623 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35624 path is an empty string.
35625
35626 @item ENOTDIR
35627 A component of the path is not a directory.
35628
35629 @item EFAULT
35630 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35631
35632 @item EACCES
35633 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35634
35635 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35636 @var{pathname} was too long.
35637
35638 @item EINTR
35639 The call was interrupted by the user.
35640 @end table
35641
35642 @end table
35643
35644 @node gettimeofday
35645 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35646 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35647
35648 @table @asis
35649 @item Synopsis:
35650 @smallexample
35651 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35652 @end smallexample
35653
35654 @item Request:
35655 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35656
35657 @item Return value:
35658 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35659
35660 @item Errors:
35661
35662 @table @code
35663 @item EINVAL
35664 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35665
35666 @item EFAULT
35667 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35668 @end table
35669
35670 @end table
35671
35672 @node isatty
35673 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35674 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35675
35676 @table @asis
35677 @item Synopsis:
35678 @smallexample
35679 int isatty(int fd);
35680 @end smallexample
35681
35682 @item Request:
35683 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35684
35685 @item Return value:
35686 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35687
35688 @item Errors:
35689
35690 @table @code
35691 @item EINTR
35692 The call was interrupted by the user.
35693 @end table
35694
35695 @end table
35696
35697 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35698 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35699 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35700 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35701 needed.
35702
35703
35704 @node system
35705 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35706 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35707
35708 @table @asis
35709 @item Synopsis:
35710 @smallexample
35711 int system(const char *command);
35712 @end smallexample
35713
35714 @item Request:
35715 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35716
35717 @item Return value:
35718 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35719 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35720 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35721 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35722 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35723 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35724 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35725
35726 @item Errors:
35727
35728 @table @code
35729 @item EINTR
35730 The call was interrupted by the user.
35731 @end table
35732
35733 @end table
35734
35735 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35736 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35737 the host is simplified before it's returned
35738 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35739 is discarded, and the return value consists
35740 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35741
35742 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35743 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35744 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35745
35746 @table @code
35747 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35748 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35749 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35750 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35751
35752 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35753 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35754 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35755 protocol.
35756 @end table
35757
35758 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35759 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35760 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35761
35762 @menu
35763 * Integral Datatypes::
35764 * Pointer Values::
35765 * Memory Transfer::
35766 * struct stat::
35767 * struct timeval::
35768 @end menu
35769
35770 @node Integral Datatypes
35771 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35772 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35773
35774 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35775 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35776 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35777
35778 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35779 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35780
35781 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35782
35783 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35784 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35785
35786 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35787
35788 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35789 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35790 byte order.
35791
35792 @node Pointer Values
35793 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35794 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35795
35796 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35797 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35798 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35799 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35800
35801 @smallexample
35802 @code{1aaf/12}
35803 @end smallexample
35804
35805 @noindent
35806 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35807 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35808 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35809 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35810
35811 @smallexample
35812 @code{123456/d}
35813 @end smallexample
35814
35815 @node Memory Transfer
35816 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35817 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35818
35819 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35820 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35821 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35822 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35823 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35824 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35825 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35826
35827
35828 @node struct stat
35829 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35830 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35831
35832 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35833 is defined as follows:
35834
35835 @smallexample
35836 struct stat @{
35837 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35838 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35839 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35840 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35841 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35842 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35843 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35844 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35845 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35846 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35847 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35848 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35849 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35850 @};
35851 @end smallexample
35852
35853 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35854 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35855 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35856
35857 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35858 range of values.
35859
35860 @table @code
35861
35862 @item st_dev
35863 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35864
35865 @item st_ino
35866 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35867
35868 @item st_mode
35869 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35870 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35871
35872 @item st_uid
35873 @itemx st_gid
35874 @itemx st_rdev
35875 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35876
35877 @item st_atime
35878 @itemx st_mtime
35879 @itemx st_ctime
35880 These values have a host and file system dependent
35881 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35882 support exact timing values.
35883 @end table
35884
35885 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35886 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35887 continuing.
35888
35889 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35890 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35891 get truncated on the target.
35892
35893 @node struct timeval
35894 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35895 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35896
35897 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35898 is defined as follows:
35899
35900 @smallexample
35901 struct timeval @{
35902 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35903 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35904 @};
35905 @end smallexample
35906
35907 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35908 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35909 structure is of size 8 bytes.
35910
35911 @node Constants
35912 @subsection Constants
35913 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35914
35915 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35916 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35917 values before and after the call as needed.
35918
35919 @menu
35920 * Open Flags::
35921 * mode_t Values::
35922 * Errno Values::
35923 * Lseek Flags::
35924 * Limits::
35925 @end menu
35926
35927 @node Open Flags
35928 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35929 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35930
35931 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35932
35933 @smallexample
35934 O_RDONLY 0x0
35935 O_WRONLY 0x1
35936 O_RDWR 0x2
35937 O_APPEND 0x8
35938 O_CREAT 0x200
35939 O_TRUNC 0x400
35940 O_EXCL 0x800
35941 @end smallexample
35942
35943 @node mode_t Values
35944 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35945 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35946
35947 All values are given in octal representation.
35948
35949 @smallexample
35950 S_IFREG 0100000
35951 S_IFDIR 040000
35952 S_IRUSR 0400
35953 S_IWUSR 0200
35954 S_IXUSR 0100
35955 S_IRGRP 040
35956 S_IWGRP 020
35957 S_IXGRP 010
35958 S_IROTH 04
35959 S_IWOTH 02
35960 S_IXOTH 01
35961 @end smallexample
35962
35963 @node Errno Values
35964 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35965 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35966
35967 All values are given in decimal representation.
35968
35969 @smallexample
35970 EPERM 1
35971 ENOENT 2
35972 EINTR 4
35973 EBADF 9
35974 EACCES 13
35975 EFAULT 14
35976 EBUSY 16
35977 EEXIST 17
35978 ENODEV 19
35979 ENOTDIR 20
35980 EISDIR 21
35981 EINVAL 22
35982 ENFILE 23
35983 EMFILE 24
35984 EFBIG 27
35985 ENOSPC 28
35986 ESPIPE 29
35987 EROFS 30
35988 ENAMETOOLONG 91
35989 EUNKNOWN 9999
35990 @end smallexample
35991
35992 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35993 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35994
35995 @node Lseek Flags
35996 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35997 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35998
35999 @smallexample
36000 SEEK_SET 0
36001 SEEK_CUR 1
36002 SEEK_END 2
36003 @end smallexample
36004
36005 @node Limits
36006 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
36007 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
36008
36009 All values are given in decimal representation.
36010
36011 @smallexample
36012 INT_MIN -2147483648
36013 INT_MAX 2147483647
36014 UINT_MAX 4294967295
36015 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
36016 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
36017 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
36018 @end smallexample
36019
36020 @node File-I/O Examples
36021 @subsection File-I/O Examples
36022 @cindex file-i/o examples
36023
36024 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36025 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
36026
36027 @smallexample
36028 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
36029 @emph{request memory read from target}
36030 -> @code{m1234,6}
36031 <- XXXXXX
36032 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
36033 -> @code{F6}
36034 @end smallexample
36035
36036 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36037 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
36038
36039 @smallexample
36040 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36041 @emph{request memory write to target}
36042 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36043 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
36044 -> @code{F6}
36045 @end smallexample
36046
36047 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
36048 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
36049
36050 @smallexample
36051 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36052 -> @code{F-1,9}
36053 @end smallexample
36054
36055 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
36056 host is called:
36057
36058 @smallexample
36059 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36060 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
36061 <- @code{T02}
36062 @end smallexample
36063
36064 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
36065 host is called:
36066
36067 @smallexample
36068 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36069 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36070 <- @code{T02}
36071 @end smallexample
36072
36073 @node Library List Format
36074 @section Library List Format
36075 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
36076
36077 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
36078 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
36079 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
36080 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
36081 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
36082 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
36083 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36084 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
36085 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
36086 are loaded.
36087
36088 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
36089 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
36090 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
36091 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
36092
36093 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
36094 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
36095 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
36096 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
36097 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
36098 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
36099
36100 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36101 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
36102
36103 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
36104 offset, looks like this:
36105
36106 @smallexample
36107 <library-list>
36108 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
36109 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
36110 </library>
36111 </library-list>
36112 @end smallexample
36113
36114 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
36115 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
36116
36117 @smallexample
36118 <library-list>
36119 <library name="sharedlib.o">
36120 <section address="0x10000000"/>
36121 <section address="0x20000000"/>
36122 <section address="0x30000000"/>
36123 </library>
36124 </library-list>
36125 @end smallexample
36126
36127 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
36128
36129 @smallexample
36130 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
36131 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
36132 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36133 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
36134 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36135 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
36136 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36137 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
36138 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36139 @end smallexample
36140
36141 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
36142 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
36143 section for each library.
36144
36145 @node Memory Map Format
36146 @section Memory Map Format
36147 @cindex memory map format
36148
36149 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
36150 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
36151 memory map.
36152
36153 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36154 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
36155 lists memory regions.
36156
36157 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36158 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
36159
36160 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36161
36162 @smallexample
36163 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36164 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
36165 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36166 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
36167 <memory-map>
36168 region...
36169 </memory-map>
36170 @end smallexample
36171
36172 Each region can be either:
36173
36174 @itemize
36175
36176 @item
36177 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
36178 bytes from there:
36179
36180 @smallexample
36181 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36182 @end smallexample
36183
36184
36185 @item
36186 A region of read-only memory:
36187
36188 @smallexample
36189 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36190 @end smallexample
36191
36192
36193 @item
36194 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
36195 bytes in length:
36196
36197 @smallexample
36198 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
36199 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
36200 </memory>
36201 @end smallexample
36202
36203 @end itemize
36204
36205 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
36206 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
36207 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
36208
36209 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
36210
36211 @smallexample
36212 <!-- ................................................... -->
36213 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
36214 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
36215 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
36216 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
36217 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
36218 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
36219 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
36220 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
36221 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
36222 and its type, or device. -->
36223 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
36224 start CDATA #REQUIRED
36225 length CDATA #REQUIRED
36226 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
36227 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
36228 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
36229 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36230 @end smallexample
36231
36232 @node Thread List Format
36233 @section Thread List Format
36234 @cindex thread list format
36235
36236 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
36237 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36238 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
36239 the following structure:
36240
36241 @smallexample
36242 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36243 <threads>
36244 <thread id="id" core="0">
36245 ... description ...
36246 </thread>
36247 </threads>
36248 @end smallexample
36249
36250 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
36251 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
36252 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
36253 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
36254 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
36255
36256 @node Traceframe Info Format
36257 @section Traceframe Info Format
36258 @cindex traceframe info format
36259
36260 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
36261 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
36262 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
36263 collected in a traceframe.
36264
36265 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36266 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
36267
36268 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36269 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
36270
36271 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36272
36273 @smallexample
36274 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36275 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
36276 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36277 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
36278 <traceframe-info>
36279 block...
36280 </traceframe-info>
36281 @end smallexample
36282
36283 Each traceframe block can be either:
36284
36285 @itemize
36286
36287 @item
36288 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
36289 @var{length} bytes from there:
36290
36291 @smallexample
36292 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36293 @end smallexample
36294
36295 @end itemize
36296
36297 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
36298
36299 @smallexample
36300 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
36301 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36302
36303 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
36304 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
36305 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
36306 @end smallexample
36307
36308 @include agentexpr.texi
36309
36310 @node Target Descriptions
36311 @appendix Target Descriptions
36312 @cindex target descriptions
36313
36314 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
36315 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
36316 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
36317
36318 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36319 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36320 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36321 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36322 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36323 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36324 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36325
36326 @itemize @bullet
36327 @item
36328 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36329 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36330 @item
36331 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36332 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36333 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36334 @item
36335 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36336 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36337 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36338 @end itemize
36339
36340 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36341 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36342 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36343 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36344 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36345
36346 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36347 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36348
36349 @menu
36350 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36351 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36352 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36353 descriptions.
36354 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36355 @end menu
36356
36357 @node Retrieving Descriptions
36358 @section Retrieving Descriptions
36359
36360 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36361 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36362 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36363 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36364 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36365 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36366 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36367 Format}.
36368
36369 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36370 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36371 specify a file are:
36372
36373 @table @code
36374 @cindex set tdesc filename
36375 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36376 Read the target description from @var{path}.
36377
36378 @cindex unset tdesc filename
36379 @item unset tdesc filename
36380 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36381 will use the description supplied by the current target.
36382
36383 @cindex show tdesc filename
36384 @item show tdesc filename
36385 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36386 @end table
36387
36388
36389 @node Target Description Format
36390 @section Target Description Format
36391 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
36392
36393 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36394 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36395 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36396 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36397 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36398 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36399 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36400
36401 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36402 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36403 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36404 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36405 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36406
36407 Here is a simple target description:
36408
36409 @smallexample
36410 <target version="1.0">
36411 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36412 </target>
36413 @end smallexample
36414
36415 @noindent
36416 This minimal description only says that the target uses
36417 the x86-64 architecture.
36418
36419 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36420 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36421 are explained further below.
36422
36423 @smallexample
36424 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36425 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36426 <target version="1.0">
36427 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36428 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36429 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36430 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36431 </target>
36432 @end smallexample
36433
36434 @noindent
36435 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36436 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36437 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36438 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36439 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36440 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36441 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36442 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36443 the version mismatch.
36444
36445 @subsection Inclusion
36446 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36447 @cindex XInclude
36448 @ifnotinfo
36449 @cindex <xi:include>
36450 @end ifnotinfo
36451
36452 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36453 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36454 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36455 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36456 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36457
36458 @smallexample
36459 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36460 @end smallexample
36461
36462 @noindent
36463 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36464 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36465 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36466 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36467 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36468 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36469 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36470 original description.
36471
36472 @subsection Architecture
36473 @cindex <architecture>
36474
36475 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36476
36477 @smallexample
36478 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36479 @end smallexample
36480
36481 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36482 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36483
36484 @subsection OS ABI
36485 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
36486
36487 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36488 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36489
36490 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36491
36492 @smallexample
36493 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36494 @end smallexample
36495
36496 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36497 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36498
36499 @subsection Compatible Architecture
36500 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
36501
36502 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36503 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36504
36505 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36506
36507 @smallexample
36508 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36509 @end smallexample
36510
36511 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36512 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36513
36514 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36515 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36516 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36517 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36518 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36519 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36520 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36521
36522 @smallexample
36523 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36524 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36525 @end smallexample
36526
36527 @subsection Features
36528 @cindex <feature>
36529
36530 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36531 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36532 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36533 has this form:
36534
36535 @smallexample
36536 <feature name="@var{name}">
36537 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36538 @var{reg}@dots{}
36539 </feature>
36540 @end smallexample
36541
36542 @noindent
36543 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36544 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36545 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36546 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36547
36548 @subsection Types
36549
36550 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36551 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36552 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36553 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36554 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36555
36556 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36557 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36558 Types must be defined before they are used.
36559
36560 @cindex <vector>
36561 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36562 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36563 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36564 @var{count}:
36565
36566 @smallexample
36567 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36568 @end smallexample
36569
36570 @cindex <union>
36571 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36572 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36573 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36574 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36575
36576 @smallexample
36577 <union id="@var{id}">
36578 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36579 @dots{}
36580 </union>
36581 @end smallexample
36582
36583 @cindex <struct>
36584 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36585 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36586 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36587 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36588 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36589 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36590 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36591 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36592
36593 @smallexample
36594 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36595 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36596 @dots{}
36597 </struct>
36598 @end smallexample
36599
36600 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36601 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36602
36603 @smallexample
36604 <struct id="@var{id}">
36605 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36606 @dots{}
36607 </struct>
36608 @end smallexample
36609
36610 @cindex <flags>
36611 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36612 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36613 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36614 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36615 are supported.
36616
36617 @smallexample
36618 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36619 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36620 @dots{}
36621 </flags>
36622 @end smallexample
36623
36624 @subsection Registers
36625 @cindex <reg>
36626
36627 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36628
36629 @smallexample
36630 <reg name="@var{name}"
36631 bitsize="@var{size}"
36632 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36633 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36634 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36635 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36636 @end smallexample
36637
36638 @noindent
36639 The components are as follows:
36640
36641 @table @var
36642
36643 @item name
36644 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36645
36646 @item bitsize
36647 The register's size, in bits.
36648
36649 @item regnum
36650 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36651 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36652 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
36653 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36654 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36655 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36656 in order of increasing register number.
36657
36658 @item save-restore
36659 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36660 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36661 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36662 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36663 ABI.
36664
36665 @item type
36666 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36667 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36668 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36669 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36670 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36671 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36672
36673 @item group
36674 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36675 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36676 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36677 in @code{info registers}.
36678
36679 @end table
36680
36681 @node Predefined Target Types
36682 @section Predefined Target Types
36683 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36684
36685 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36686 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36687 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36688 types. The currently supported types are:
36689
36690 @table @code
36691
36692 @item int8
36693 @itemx int16
36694 @itemx int32
36695 @itemx int64
36696 @itemx int128
36697 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36698
36699 @item uint8
36700 @itemx uint16
36701 @itemx uint32
36702 @itemx uint64
36703 @itemx uint128
36704 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36705
36706 @item code_ptr
36707 @itemx data_ptr
36708 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36709 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36710 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36711 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36712 may be marked as data pointers.
36713
36714 @item ieee_single
36715 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36716
36717 @item ieee_double
36718 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36719
36720 @item arm_fpa_ext
36721 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36722
36723 @item i387_ext
36724 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36725
36726 @item i386_eflags
36727 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36728
36729 @item i386_mxcsr
36730 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36731
36732 @end table
36733
36734 @node Standard Target Features
36735 @section Standard Target Features
36736 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36737
36738 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36739 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36740 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36741 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36742 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36743 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36744 can recognize them.
36745
36746 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36747 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36748 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36749 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36750 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36751 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36752 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36753 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36754
36755 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36756 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36757 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36758
36759 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36760 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36761 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36762 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36763
36764 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36765 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36766 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36767
36768 @menu
36769 * ARM Features::
36770 * i386 Features::
36771 * MIPS Features::
36772 * M68K Features::
36773 * PowerPC Features::
36774 @end menu
36775
36776
36777 @node ARM Features
36778 @subsection ARM Features
36779 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36780
36781 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36782 ARM targets.
36783 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36784 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36785
36786 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36787 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36788 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36789 and @samp{xpsr}.
36790
36791 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36792 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36793
36794 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36795 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36796 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36797 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36798
36799 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36800 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36801 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36802 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36803 halves of the double-precision registers.
36804
36805 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36806 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36807 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36808 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36809 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36810 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36811
36812 @node i386 Features
36813 @subsection i386 Features
36814 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36815
36816 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36817 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36818
36819 @itemize @minus
36820 @item
36821 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36822 @item
36823 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36824 @item
36825 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36826 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36827 @item
36828 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36829 @item
36830 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36831 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36832 @end itemize
36833
36834 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36835
36836 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36837 describe registers:
36838
36839 @itemize @minus
36840 @item
36841 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36842 @item
36843 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36844 @item
36845 @samp{mxcsr}
36846 @end itemize
36847
36848 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36849 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36850 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36851
36852 @itemize @minus
36853 @item
36854 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36855 @item
36856 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36857 @end itemize
36858
36859 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36860 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36861
36862 @node MIPS Features
36863 @subsection MIPS Features
36864 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36865
36866 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36867 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36868 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36869 on the target.
36870
36871 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36872 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36873 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36874
36875 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36876 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36877 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36878 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36879
36880 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36881 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36882 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36883
36884 @node M68K Features
36885 @subsection M68K Features
36886 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36887
36888 @table @code
36889 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36890 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36891 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36892 One of those features must be always present.
36893 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36894 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36895 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36896 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36897
36898 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36899 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36900 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36901 @samp{fpiaddr}.
36902 @end table
36903
36904 @node PowerPC Features
36905 @subsection PowerPC Features
36906 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36907
36908 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36909 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36910 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36911 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36912
36913 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36914 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36915
36916 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36917 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36918 and @samp{vrsave}.
36919
36920 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36921 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36922 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36923 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36924 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36925 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36926
36927 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36928 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36929 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36930 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36931 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36932 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36933 user.
36934
36935 @node Operating System Information
36936 @appendix Operating System Information
36937 @cindex operating system information
36938
36939 @menu
36940 * Process list::
36941 @end menu
36942
36943 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36944 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36945 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36946 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36947 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36948 on a different aspect of target.
36949
36950 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36951 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36952 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36953 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36954
36955 @node Process list
36956 @appendixsection Process list
36957 @cindex operating system information, process list
36958
36959 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36960 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36961 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36962 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36963
36964 An example document is:
36965
36966 @smallexample
36967 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36968 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36969 <osdata type="processes">
36970 <item>
36971 <column name="pid">1</column>
36972 <column name="user">root</column>
36973 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36974 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36975 </item>
36976 </osdata>
36977 @end smallexample
36978
36979 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36980 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36981 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36982 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36983 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36984 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36985 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36986
36987 @node Trace File Format
36988 @appendix Trace File Format
36989 @cindex trace file format
36990
36991 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
36992 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
36993
36994 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
36995 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
36996 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
36997 in the future.
36998
36999 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
37000 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
37001 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
37002 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
37003 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
37004 of this section.
37005
37006 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
37007
37008 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
37009 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
37010 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
37011 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
37012 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
37013 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
37014 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
37015 endianness.
37016
37017 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
37018
37019 @table @code
37020 @item R @var{bytes}
37021 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
37022 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
37023 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
37024 hexadecimal encoding.
37025
37026 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
37027 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
37028 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
37029 @var{length} bytes.
37030
37031 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
37032 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
37033 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
37034
37035 @end table
37036
37037 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
37038 of blocks.
37039
37040 @node Index Section Format
37041 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
37042 @cindex .gdb_index section format
37043 @cindex index section format
37044
37045 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
37046 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
37047 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
37048 description.
37049
37050 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
37051 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
37052 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
37053 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
37054 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
37055 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
37056
37057 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
37058
37059 @enumerate
37060 @item
37061 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
37062 unless otherwise noted:
37063
37064 @enumerate
37065 @item
37066 The version number, currently 5. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
37067 Version 4 differs by its hashing function.
37068
37069 @item
37070 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
37071
37072 @item
37073 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
37074 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
37075 to the next offset.
37076
37077 @item
37078 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
37079
37080 @item
37081 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
37082
37083 @item
37084 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
37085 @end enumerate
37086
37087 @item
37088 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
37089 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
37090 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
37091 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
37092 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
37093 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
37094 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
37095 CU indices.
37096
37097 @item
37098 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
37099 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
37100 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
37101 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
37102
37103 @item
37104 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
37105 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
37106
37107 @enumerate
37108 @item
37109 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
37110
37111 @item
37112 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
37113 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
37114
37115 @item
37116 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
37117 @end enumerate
37118
37119 @item
37120 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
37121 the hash table is always a power of 2.
37122
37123 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
37124 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
37125 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
37126 constant pool.
37127
37128 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
37129 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
37130 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
37131
37132 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
37133 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
37134 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
37135 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
37136 index version:
37137
37138 @table @asis
37139 @item Version 4
37140 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
37141
37142 @item Version 5
37143 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
37144 @end table
37145
37146 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
37147
37148 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
37149 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
37150 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
37151 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
37152 collision.
37153
37154 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
37155 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
37156 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
37157 the code.
37158
37159 @item
37160 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
37161 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
37162 strings.
37163
37164 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
37165 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
37166 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
37167 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
37168 symbol.
37169
37170 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
37171 @end enumerate
37172
37173 @include gpl.texi
37174
37175 @node GNU Free Documentation License
37176 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
37177 @include fdl.texi
37178
37179 @node Index
37180 @unnumbered Index
37181
37182 @printindex cp
37183
37184 @tex
37185 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
37186 % meantime:
37187 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
37188 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
37189 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
37190 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
37191 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
37192 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
37193 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
37194 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
37195 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
37196 \page\colophon
37197 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
37198 @end tex
37199
37200 @bye
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