Remote thread create/exit events
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
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 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49 @end direntry
50
51 @copying
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @c man end
66 @end copying
67
68 @ifnottex
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 @end ifset
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78 @insertcopying
79 @end ifnottex
80
81 @titlepage
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @sp 1
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @sp 1
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @end ifset
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91 @page
92 @tex
93 {\parskip=0pt
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97 }
98 @end tex
99
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106 @insertcopying
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @end ifset
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 @end ifclear
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194 @end menu
195
196 @end ifnottex
197
198 @contents
199
200 @node Summary
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210 @itemize @bullet
211 @item
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214 @item
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217 @item
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220 @item
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 @end itemize
224
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230 @ref{D,,D}.
231
232 @cindex Modula-2
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239 @cindex Pascal
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243 syntax.
244
245 @cindex Fortran
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 underscore.
249
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253 @menu
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257 @end menu
258
259 @node Free Software
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 from anyone else.
274
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 gaps today.
286
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
292
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
298
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 community.
319
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 of the manual.
329
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
335
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
342
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366 @node Contributors
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
376
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379 @quotation
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 @end quotation
384
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 releases:
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 support.
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 libraries.
440
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
443
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
451
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 symbols.
458
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 processors.
466
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 watchpoints.
475
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Hat.
515
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Weigand.
535
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544 @node Sample Session
545 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
546
547 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
548 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
549 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
550
551 @iftex
552 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
553 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
554 @end iftex
555
556 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
557 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
558
559 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
560 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
561 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
562 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
563 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
564 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
565 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
566 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
567 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
568
569 @smallexample
570 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
571 $ @b{./m4}
572 @b{define(foo,0000)}
573
574 @b{foo}
575 0000
576 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
577
578 @b{bar}
579 0000
580 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
581
582 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
583 @b{baz}
584 @b{Ctrl-d}
585 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
586 @end smallexample
587
588 @noindent
589 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
590
591 @smallexample
592 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
593 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
594 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
595 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
596 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
597 the conditions.
598 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
599 for details.
600
601 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
602 (@value{GDBP})
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
607 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
608 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
609 that examples fit in this manual.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
613 @end smallexample
614
615 @noindent
616 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
617 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
618 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
619 @code{break} command.
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
623 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
624 @end smallexample
625
626 @noindent
627 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
628 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
629 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
630
631 @smallexample
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
633 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
634 @b{define(foo,0000)}
635
636 @b{foo}
637 0000
638 @end smallexample
639
640 @noindent
641 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
642 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
643 context where it stops.
644
645 @smallexample
646 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
647
648 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
649 at builtin.c:879
650 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
655 the next line of the current function.
656
657 @smallexample
658 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
659 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
660 : nil,
661 @end smallexample
662
663 @noindent
664 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
665 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
666 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
667 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
668
669 @smallexample
670 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
671 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
672 at input.c:530
673 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
674 @end smallexample
675
676 @noindent
677 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
678 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
679 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
680 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
681 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
682 stack frame for each active subroutine.
683
684 @smallexample
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
686 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
687 at input.c:530
688 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
689 at builtin.c:882
690 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
691 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
692 at macro.c:71
693 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
694 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
695 @end smallexample
696
697 @noindent
698 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
699 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
700 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
701
702 @smallexample
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
704 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
706 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
707 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
709 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
710 : xstrdup(rq);
711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
712 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
713 @end smallexample
714
715 @noindent
716 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
717 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
718 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
719 (@code{print}) to see their values.
720
721 @smallexample
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
723 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
725 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
726 @end smallexample
727
728 @noindent
729 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
730 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
731 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
735 533 xfree(rquote);
736 534
737 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
738 : xstrdup (lq);
739 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 : xstrdup (rq);
741 537
742 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
743 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
744 540 @}
745 541
746 542 void
747 @end smallexample
748
749 @noindent
750 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
751 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
752
753 @smallexample
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
757 540 @}
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
759 $3 = 9
760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
761 $4 = 7
762 @end smallexample
763
764 @noindent
765 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
766 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
767 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
768 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
769 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
770 assignments.
771
772 @smallexample
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
774 $5 = 7
775 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
776 $6 = 9
777 @end smallexample
778
779 @noindent
780 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
781 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
782 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
783 example that caused trouble initially:
784
785 @smallexample
786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
787 Continuing.
788
789 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
790
791 baz
792 0000
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
797 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
798 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
799
800 @smallexample
801 @b{Ctrl-d}
802 Program exited normally.
803 @end smallexample
804
805 @noindent
806 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
807 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
808 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
809
810 @smallexample
811 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
812 @end smallexample
813
814 @node Invocation
815 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
816
817 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
818 The essentials are:
819 @itemize @bullet
820 @item
821 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
822 @item
823 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
824 @end itemize
825
826 @menu
827 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
828 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
829 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
830 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
831 @end menu
832
833 @node Invoking GDB
834 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
835
836 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
837 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
838
839 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
840 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
841
842 The command-line options described here are designed
843 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
844 options may effectively be unavailable.
845
846 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
847 specifying an executable program:
848
849 @smallexample
850 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
851 @end smallexample
852
853 @noindent
854 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
855 specified:
856
857 @smallexample
858 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
859 @end smallexample
860
861 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
862 to debug a running process:
863
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
866 @end smallexample
867
868 @noindent
869 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
870 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
871
872 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
873 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
874 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
875 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
876 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
877
878 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
879 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
880 option processing.
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
883 @end smallexample
884 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
885 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
886
887 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
888 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
889 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} --silent
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
897 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
898
899 @noindent
900 Type
901
902 @smallexample
903 @value{GDBP} -help
904 @end smallexample
905
906 @noindent
907 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
908 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
909
910 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
911 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
912 @samp{-x} option is used.
913
914
915 @menu
916 * File Options:: Choosing files
917 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
918 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
919 @end menu
920
921 @node File Options
922 @subsection Choosing Files
923
924 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
925 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
926 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
927 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
928 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
930 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
931 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
932 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
933 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
934 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
935 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
936 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
937
938 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
939 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
940 argument and ignore it.
941
942 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
943 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
944 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
945 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
946 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
947
948 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
949 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
950 @c it.
951
952 @table @code
953 @item -symbols @var{file}
954 @itemx -s @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--symbols}
956 @cindex @code{-s}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
958
959 @item -exec @var{file}
960 @itemx -e @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--exec}
962 @cindex @code{-e}
963 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
964 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
965
966 @item -se @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--se}
968 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
969 file.
970
971 @item -core @var{file}
972 @itemx -c @var{file}
973 @cindex @code{--core}
974 @cindex @code{-c}
975 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
976
977 @item -pid @var{number}
978 @itemx -p @var{number}
979 @cindex @code{--pid}
980 @cindex @code{-p}
981 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
982
983 @item -command @var{file}
984 @itemx -x @var{file}
985 @cindex @code{--command}
986 @cindex @code{-x}
987 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
988 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
989 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
990
991 @item -eval-command @var{command}
992 @itemx -ex @var{command}
993 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
994 @cindex @code{-ex}
995 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
996
997 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
998 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
999
1000 @smallexample
1001 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1002 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1003 @end smallexample
1004
1005 @item -init-command @var{file}
1006 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1007 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1008 @cindex @code{-ix}
1009 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1010 after loading gdbinit files).
1011 @xref{Startup}.
1012
1013 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1014 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1015 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1016 @cindex @code{-iex}
1017 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1018 after loading gdbinit files).
1019 @xref{Startup}.
1020
1021 @item -directory @var{directory}
1022 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1023 @cindex @code{--directory}
1024 @cindex @code{-d}
1025 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1026
1027 @item -r
1028 @itemx -readnow
1029 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1030 @cindex @code{-r}
1031 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1032 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1033 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1034
1035 @end table
1036
1037 @node Mode Options
1038 @subsection Choosing Modes
1039
1040 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1041 batch mode or quiet mode.
1042
1043 @table @code
1044 @anchor{-nx}
1045 @item -nx
1046 @itemx -n
1047 @cindex @code{--nx}
1048 @cindex @code{-n}
1049 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1050 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1051
1052 @table @code
1053 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1054 This is the system-wide init file.
1055 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1056 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1057 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1058 have been processed.
1059 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1060 This is the init file in your home directory.
1061 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1062 command options have been processed.
1063 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1064 This is the init file in the current directory.
1065 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1066 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1067 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1068 @end table
1069
1070 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1071 For documentation on how to write command files,
1072 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1073
1074 @anchor{-nh}
1075 @item -nh
1076 @cindex @code{--nh}
1077 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1078 in your home directory.
1079 @xref{Startup}.
1080
1081 @item -quiet
1082 @itemx -silent
1083 @itemx -q
1084 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1085 @cindex @code{--silent}
1086 @cindex @code{-q}
1087 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1088 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1089
1090 @item -batch
1091 @cindex @code{--batch}
1092 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1093 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1094 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1095 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1096 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1097 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1098 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1099
1100 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1101 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1102 make this more useful, the message
1103
1104 @smallexample
1105 Program exited normally.
1106 @end smallexample
1107
1108 @noindent
1109 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1110 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1111 mode.
1112
1113 @item -batch-silent
1114 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1115 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1116 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1117 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1118 for an interactive session.
1119
1120 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1121 messages, for example.
1122
1123 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1124 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1125
1126 @item -return-child-result
1127 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1128 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1129 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1130
1131 @itemize @bullet
1132 @item
1133 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1134 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1135 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1136 @item
1137 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1138 @item
1139 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1140 the exit code will be -1.
1141 @end itemize
1142
1143 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1144 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1145 interface.
1146
1147 @item -nowindows
1148 @itemx -nw
1149 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1150 @cindex @code{-nw}
1151 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1152 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1153 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1154
1155 @item -windows
1156 @itemx -w
1157 @cindex @code{--windows}
1158 @cindex @code{-w}
1159 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1160 used if possible.
1161
1162 @item -cd @var{directory}
1163 @cindex @code{--cd}
1164 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1165 instead of the current directory.
1166
1167 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1168 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1169 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1170 @cindex @code{-D}
1171 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1172 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1173 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1174
1175 @item -fullname
1176 @itemx -f
1177 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1178 @cindex @code{-f}
1179 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1180 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1181 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1182 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1183 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1184 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1185 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1186 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1187 frame.
1188
1189 @item -annotate @var{level}
1190 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1191 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1192 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1193 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1194 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1195 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1196 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1197 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1198 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1199
1200 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1201 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1202
1203 @item --args
1204 @cindex @code{--args}
1205 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1206 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1207 This option stops option processing.
1208
1209 @item -baud @var{bps}
1210 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1211 @cindex @code{--baud}
1212 @cindex @code{-b}
1213 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1214 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1215
1216 @item -l @var{timeout}
1217 @cindex @code{-l}
1218 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1219 for remote debugging.
1220
1221 @item -tty @var{device}
1222 @itemx -t @var{device}
1223 @cindex @code{--tty}
1224 @cindex @code{-t}
1225 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1226 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1227
1228 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1229 @item -tui
1230 @cindex @code{--tui}
1231 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1232 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1233 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1234 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1235 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1236 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1237
1238 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1239 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1240 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1241 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1242 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1243 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1244
1245 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1246 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1247 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1248 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1249 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1250 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1251
1252 @item -write
1253 @cindex @code{--write}
1254 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1255 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1256 (@pxref{Patching}).
1257
1258 @item -statistics
1259 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1260 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1261 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1262
1263 @item -version
1264 @cindex @code{--version}
1265 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1266 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1267
1268 @item -configuration
1269 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1270 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1271 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1272 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1273
1274 @end table
1275
1276 @node Startup
1277 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1278 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1279
1280 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1281
1282 @enumerate
1283 @item
1284 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1285 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1286
1287 @item
1288 @cindex init file
1289 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1290 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1291 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1292 that file.
1293
1294 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1295 @item
1296 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1297 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1298 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1299 that file.
1300
1301 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1302 @item
1303 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1304 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1305 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1306 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1307 gets loaded.
1308
1309 @item
1310 Processes command line options and operands.
1311
1312 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1313 @item
1314 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1315 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1316 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1317 This is only done if the current directory is
1318 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1319 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1320 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1321 @value{GDBN}.
1322
1323 @item
1324 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1325 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1326 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1327 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1328
1329 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1330 you must do something like the following:
1331
1332 @smallexample
1333 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1334 @end smallexample
1335
1336 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1337 off too late.
1338
1339 @item
1340 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1341 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1342 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1343
1344 @item
1345 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1346 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1347 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1348 @end enumerate
1349
1350 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1351 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1352 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1353 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1354 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1355 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1356
1357 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1358 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1359
1360 @cindex init file name
1361 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1362 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1363 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1364 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1365 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1366 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1367 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1368 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1369
1370
1371 @node Quitting GDB
1372 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1373 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1374 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1375
1376 @table @code
1377 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1378 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1379 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1380 @itemx q
1381 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1382 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1383 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1384 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1385 error code.
1386 @end table
1387
1388 @cindex interrupt
1389 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1390 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1391 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1392 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1393 until a time when it is safe.
1394
1395 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1396 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1397 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1398
1399 @node Shell Commands
1400 @section Shell Commands
1401
1402 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1403 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1404 just use the @code{shell} command.
1405
1406 @table @code
1407 @kindex shell
1408 @kindex !
1409 @cindex shell escape
1410 @item shell @var{command-string}
1411 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1412 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1413 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1414 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1415 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1416 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1417 @end table
1418
1419 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1420 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1421 @value{GDBN}:
1422
1423 @table @code
1424 @kindex make
1425 @cindex calling make
1426 @item make @var{make-args}
1427 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1428 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1429 @end table
1430
1431 @node Logging Output
1432 @section Logging Output
1433 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1434 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1435
1436 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1437 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1438
1439 @table @code
1440 @kindex set logging
1441 @item set logging on
1442 Enable logging.
1443 @item set logging off
1444 Disable logging.
1445 @cindex logging file name
1446 @item set logging file @var{file}
1447 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1448 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1449 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1450 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1451 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1453 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1454 @kindex show logging
1455 @item show logging
1456 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1457 @end table
1458
1459 @node Commands
1460 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1461
1462 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1463 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1464 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1465 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1466 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1467
1468 @menu
1469 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1470 * Completion:: Command completion
1471 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1472 @end menu
1473
1474 @node Command Syntax
1475 @section Command Syntax
1476
1477 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1478 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1479 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1480 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1481 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1482 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1483
1484 @cindex abbreviation
1485 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1486 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1487 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1488 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1489 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1490 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1491 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1492
1493 @cindex repeating commands
1494 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1495 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1496 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1497 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1498 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1499 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1500 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1501
1502 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1503 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1504 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1505
1506 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1507 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1508 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1509 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1510 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1511
1512 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1513 @cindex comment
1514 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1515 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1516 Files,,Command Files}).
1517
1518 @cindex repeating command sequences
1519 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1520 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1521 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1522 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1523 for editing.
1524
1525 @node Completion
1526 @section Command Completion
1527
1528 @cindex completion
1529 @cindex word completion
1530 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1531 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1532 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1533 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1534
1535 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1536 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1537 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1538 enter it). For example, if you type
1539
1540 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1541 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1542 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1543 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1544 @smallexample
1545 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1546 @end smallexample
1547
1548 @noindent
1549 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1550 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1551
1552 @smallexample
1553 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1554 @end smallexample
1555
1556 @noindent
1557 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1558 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1559 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1560 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1561 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1562 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1563
1564 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1565 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1566 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1567 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1568 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1569 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1570 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1571 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1572 example:
1573
1574 @smallexample
1575 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1576 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1577 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1578 make_abs_section make_function_type
1579 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1580 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1581 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1582 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1583 @end smallexample
1584
1585 @noindent
1586 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1587 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1588 command.
1589
1590 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1591 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1592 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1593 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1594 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1595
1596 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1597 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1598 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1599
1600 @smallexample
1601 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1602 main
1603 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1604 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1605 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1606 @end smallexample
1607
1608 @noindent
1609 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1610
1611 @table @code
1612 @kindex set max-completions
1613 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1614 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1615 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1616 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1617 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1618 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1619 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1620 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1621 completion slow.
1622 @kindex show max-completions
1623 @item show max-completions
1624 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1625 during completion.
1626 @end table
1627
1628 @cindex quotes in commands
1629 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1630 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1631 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1632 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1633 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1634 @value{GDBN} commands.
1635
1636 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1637 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1638 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1639 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1640 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1641 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1642 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1643 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1644 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1645 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1646 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1647
1648 @smallexample
1649 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1650 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1651 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1652 @end smallexample
1653
1654 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1655 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1656 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1657 place:
1658
1659 @smallexample
1660 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1661 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1662 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1667 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1668 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1669
1670 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1671 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1672 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1673 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1674
1675 @cindex completion of structure field names
1676 @cindex structure field name completion
1677 @cindex completion of union field names
1678 @cindex union field name completion
1679 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1680 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1681 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1682 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1683 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1684 left-hand-side:
1685
1686 @smallexample
1687 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1688 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1689 to_data to_isatty to_write
1690 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1691 to_flush to_read
1692 @end smallexample
1693
1694 @noindent
1695 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1696 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1697 follows:
1698
1699 @smallexample
1700 struct ui_file
1701 @{
1702 int *magic;
1703 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1704 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1705 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1706 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1707 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1708 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1709 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1710 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1711 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1712 void *to_data;
1713 @}
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716
1717 @node Help
1718 @section Getting Help
1719 @cindex online documentation
1720 @kindex help
1721
1722 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1723 using the command @code{help}.
1724
1725 @table @code
1726 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1727 @item help
1728 @itemx h
1729 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1730 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1731
1732 @smallexample
1733 (@value{GDBP}) help
1734 List of classes of commands:
1735
1736 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1737 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1738 data -- Examining data
1739 files -- Specifying and examining files
1740 internals -- Maintenance commands
1741 obscure -- Obscure features
1742 running -- Running the program
1743 stack -- Examining the stack
1744 status -- Status inquiries
1745 support -- Support facilities
1746 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1747 stopping the program
1748 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1749
1750 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1751 commands in that class.
1752 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1753 documentation.
1754 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1755 (@value{GDBP})
1756 @end smallexample
1757 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1758
1759 @item help @var{class}
1760 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1761 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1762 help display for the class @code{status}:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1766 Status inquiries.
1767
1768 List of commands:
1769
1770 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1771 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1772 info -- Generic command for showing things
1773 about the program being debugged
1774 show -- Generic command for showing things
1775 about the debugger
1776
1777 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1778 documentation.
1779 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1780 (@value{GDBP})
1781 @end smallexample
1782
1783 @item help @var{command}
1784 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1785 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1786
1787 @kindex apropos
1788 @item apropos @var{args}
1789 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1790 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1791 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 apropos alias
1795 @end smallexample
1796
1797 @noindent
1798 results in:
1799
1800 @smallexample
1801 @c @group
1802 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1803 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1804 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1805 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1806 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1807 @c @end group
1808 @end smallexample
1809
1810 @kindex complete
1811 @item complete @var{args}
1812 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1813 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1814 command you want completed. For example:
1815
1816 @smallexample
1817 complete i
1818 @end smallexample
1819
1820 @noindent results in:
1821
1822 @smallexample
1823 @group
1824 if
1825 ignore
1826 info
1827 inspect
1828 @end group
1829 @end smallexample
1830
1831 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1832 @end table
1833
1834 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1835 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1836 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1837 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1838 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1839 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1840 Index}.
1841
1842 @c @group
1843 @table @code
1844 @kindex info
1845 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1846 @item info
1847 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1848 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1849 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1850 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1851 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1852 @w{@code{help info}}.
1853
1854 @kindex set
1855 @item set
1856 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1857 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1858 @code{set prompt $}.
1859
1860 @kindex show
1861 @item show
1862 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1863 @value{GDBN} itself.
1864 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1865 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1866 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1867 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1868
1869 @kindex info set
1870 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1871 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1872 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1873 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1874 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1875 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1876 @end table
1877 @c @end group
1878
1879 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1880 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1881
1882 @table @code
1883 @kindex show version
1884 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1885 @item show version
1886 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1887 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1888 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1889 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1890 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1891 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1892 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1893 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1894 @value{GDBN}.
1895
1896 @kindex show copying
1897 @kindex info copying
1898 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1899 @item show copying
1900 @itemx info copying
1901 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1902
1903 @kindex show warranty
1904 @kindex info warranty
1905 @item show warranty
1906 @itemx info warranty
1907 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1908 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1909
1910 @kindex show configuration
1911 @item show configuration
1912 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1913 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1914 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1915 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1916 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1917 your report.
1918
1919 @end table
1920
1921 @node Running
1922 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1923
1924 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1925 debugging information when you compile it.
1926
1927 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1928 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1929 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1930 kill a child process.
1931
1932 @menu
1933 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1934 * Starting:: Starting your program
1935 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1936 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1937
1938 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1939 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1940 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1941 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1942
1943 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1944 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1945 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1946 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1947 @end menu
1948
1949 @node Compilation
1950 @section Compiling for Debugging
1951
1952 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1953 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1954 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1955 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1956 and addresses in the executable code.
1957
1958 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1959 the compiler.
1960
1961 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1962 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1963 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1964 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1965 executables containing debugging information.
1966
1967 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1968 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1969 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1970 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1971 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1972
1973 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1974 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1975 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1976
1977 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1978 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1979 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1980 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1981 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1982 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1983
1984 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1985 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1986 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1987
1988 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1989 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1990 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1991 format in @value{GDBN}.
1992
1993 @need 2000
1994 @node Starting
1995 @section Starting your Program
1996 @cindex starting
1997 @cindex running
1998
1999 @table @code
2000 @kindex run
2001 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2002 @item run
2003 @itemx r
2004 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2005 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2006 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2007 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2008 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2009
2010 @end table
2011
2012 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2013 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2014 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2015 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2016 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2017 message like this one:
2018
2019 @smallexample
2020 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2021 Try "help target" or "continue".
2022 @end smallexample
2023
2024 @noindent
2025 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2026 first (@pxref{load}).
2027
2028 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2029 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2030 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2031 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2032 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2033 divided into four categories:
2034
2035 @table @asis
2036 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2037 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2038 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2039 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2040 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2041 the arguments.
2042 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2043 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2044 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2045 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2046 below for details).
2047
2048 @item The @emph{environment.}
2049 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2050 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2051 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2052 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2053
2054 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2055 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2056 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2057 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2058
2059 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2060 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2061 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2062 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2063 set a different device for your program.
2064 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2065
2066 @cindex pipes
2067 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2068 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2069 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2070 wrong program.
2071 @end table
2072
2073 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2074 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2075 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2076 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2077 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2078
2079 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2080 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2081 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2082 your current breakpoints.
2083
2084 @table @code
2085 @kindex start
2086 @item start
2087 @cindex run to main procedure
2088 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2089 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2090 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2091 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2092 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2093 procedure, depending on the language used.
2094
2095 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2096 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2097 the @samp{run} command.
2098
2099 @cindex elaboration phase
2100 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2101 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2102 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2103 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2104 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2105 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2106 will remain to halt execution.
2107
2108 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2109 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2110 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2111 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2112 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2113
2114 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2115 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2116 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2117 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2118 elaboration code before running your program.
2119
2120 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2121 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2122 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2123 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2124 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2125 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2126 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2127 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2128 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2129 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2130 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2131 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2132
2133 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2134 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2135 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2136 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2137
2138 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2139 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2140 environment:
2141
2142 @smallexample
2143 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2144 (@value{GDBP}) run
2145 @end smallexample
2146
2147 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2148 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2149
2150 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2151 @item set startup-with-shell
2152 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2153 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2154 @itemx show set startup-with-shell
2155 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2156 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2157 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2158 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2159 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2160 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2161 startup failures such as:
2162
2163 @smallexample
2164 (@value{GDBP}) run
2165 Starting program: ./a.out
2166 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2167 @end smallexample
2168
2169 @noindent
2170 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2171 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2172 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2173 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2174 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2175 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2176
2177 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2178 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2179 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2180 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2181 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2182 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2183
2184 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2185 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2186 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2187 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2188 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2189 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2190
2191 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2192 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2193 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2194
2195 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2196 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2197
2198 @smallexample
2199 (@value{GDBP}) run
2200 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2201 @end smallexample
2202
2203 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2204 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2205
2206 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2207 @code{target native} command. For example,
2208
2209 @smallexample
2210 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2211 (@value{GDBP}) run
2212 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2213 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2214 (@value{GDBP}) run
2215 Starting program: ./a.out
2216 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2217 @end smallexample
2218
2219 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2220 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2221 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2222 disconnect.
2223
2224 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2225 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2226 proc}, @code{info os}.
2227
2228 @kindex set disable-randomization
2229 @item set disable-randomization
2230 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2231 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2232 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2233 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2234 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2235
2236 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2237 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2238
2239 @smallexample
2240 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2241 @end smallexample
2242
2243 @item set disable-randomization off
2244 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2245 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2246 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2247 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2248 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2249 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2250
2251 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2252 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2253 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2254 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2255 a code at its expected addresses.
2256
2257 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2258 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2259 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2260 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2261 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2262 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2263 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2264 a randomly chosen address.
2265
2266 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2267 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2268 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2269 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2270 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2271
2272 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2273 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2274
2275 @item show disable-randomization
2276 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2277 the virtual address space of the started program.
2278
2279 @end table
2280
2281 @node Arguments
2282 @section Your Program's Arguments
2283
2284 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2285 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2286 @code{run} command.
2287 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2288 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2289 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2290 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2291 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2292
2293 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2294 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2295 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2296 the program, not by the shell.
2297
2298 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2299 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2300
2301 @table @code
2302 @kindex set args
2303 @item set args
2304 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2305 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2306 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2307 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2308 it again without arguments.
2309
2310 @kindex show args
2311 @item show args
2312 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 @node Environment
2316 @section Your Program's Environment
2317
2318 @cindex environment (of your program)
2319 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2320 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2321 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2322 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2323 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2324 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2325 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2326
2327 @table @code
2328 @kindex path
2329 @item path @var{directory}
2330 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2331 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2332 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2333 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2334 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2335 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2336 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2337
2338 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2339 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2340 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2341 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2342 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2343 @var{directory} to the search path.
2344 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2345 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2346
2347 @kindex show paths
2348 @item show paths
2349 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2350 environment variable).
2351
2352 @kindex show environment
2353 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2354 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2355 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2356 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2357 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2358
2359 @kindex set environment
2360 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2361 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2362 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2363 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2364 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2365 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2366 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2367 null value.
2368 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2369 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2370
2371 For example, this command:
2372
2373 @smallexample
2374 set env USER = foo
2375 @end smallexample
2376
2377 @noindent
2378 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2379 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2380 are not actually required.)
2381
2382 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2383 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2384 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2385 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2386 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2387
2388 @kindex unset environment
2389 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2390 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2391 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2392 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2393 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2394 @end table
2395
2396 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2397 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2398 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2399 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2400 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2401 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2402 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2403 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2404 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2405 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2406
2407 @node Working Directory
2408 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2409
2410 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2411 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2412 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2413 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2414 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2415 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2416
2417 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2418 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2419 Specify Files}.
2420
2421 @table @code
2422 @kindex cd
2423 @cindex change working directory
2424 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2425 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2426 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2427
2428 @kindex pwd
2429 @item pwd
2430 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2431 @end table
2432
2433 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2434 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2435 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2436 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2437 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2438 current working directory of the debuggee.
2439
2440 @node Input/Output
2441 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2442
2443 @cindex redirection
2444 @cindex i/o
2445 @cindex terminal
2446 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2447 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2448 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2449 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2450 running your program.
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex info terminal
2454 @item info terminal
2455 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2456 program is using.
2457 @end table
2458
2459 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2460 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2461
2462 @smallexample
2463 run > outfile
2464 @end smallexample
2465
2466 @noindent
2467 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2468
2469 @kindex tty
2470 @cindex controlling terminal
2471 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2472 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2473 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2474 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2475 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2476
2477 @smallexample
2478 tty /dev/ttyb
2479 @end smallexample
2480
2481 @noindent
2482 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2483 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2484 that as their controlling terminal.
2485
2486 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2487 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2488 terminal.
2489
2490 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2491 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2492 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2493 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2494
2495 @cindex inferior tty
2496 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2497 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2498 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2499 program.
2500
2501 @table @code
2502 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2503 @kindex set inferior-tty
2504 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2505
2506 @item show inferior-tty
2507 @kindex show inferior-tty
2508 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2509 @end table
2510
2511 @node Attach
2512 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2513 @kindex attach
2514 @cindex attach
2515
2516 @table @code
2517 @item attach @var{process-id}
2518 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2519 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2520 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2521 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2522 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2523
2524 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2525 executing the command.
2526 @end table
2527
2528 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2529 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2530 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2531 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2532
2533 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2534 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2535 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2536 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2537 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2538 Specify Files}.
2539
2540 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2541 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2542 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2543 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2544 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2545 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2546 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2547
2548 @table @code
2549 @kindex detach
2550 @item detach
2551 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2552 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2553 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2554 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2555 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2556 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2557 executing the command.
2558 @end table
2559
2560 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2561 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2562 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2563 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2564 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2565 Messages}).
2566
2567 @node Kill Process
2568 @section Killing the Child Process
2569
2570 @table @code
2571 @kindex kill
2572 @item kill
2573 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2577 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2578 is running.
2579
2580 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2581 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2582 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2583 outside the debugger.
2584
2585 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2586 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2587 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2588 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2589 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2590 breakpoint settings).
2591
2592 @node Inferiors and Programs
2593 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2594
2595 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2596 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2597 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2598 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2599 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2600 from multiple executables.
2601
2602 @cindex inferior
2603 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2604 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2605 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2606 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2607 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2608 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2609 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2610 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2611 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2612 threads running in it.
2613
2614 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2615 inferiors}}:
2616
2617 @table @code
2618 @kindex info inferiors
2619 @item info inferiors
2620 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2621
2622 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2623
2624 @enumerate
2625 @item
2626 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2627
2628 @item
2629 the target system's inferior identifier
2630
2631 @item
2632 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2633
2634 @end enumerate
2635
2636 @noindent
2637 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2638 indicates the current inferior.
2639
2640 For example,
2641 @end table
2642 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2643
2644 @smallexample
2645 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2646 Num Description Executable
2647 2 process 2307 hello
2648 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2649 @end smallexample
2650
2651 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2652
2653 @table @code
2654 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2655 @item inferior @var{infno}
2656 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2657 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2658 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2659 @end table
2660
2661
2662 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2663 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2664 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2665 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2666 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2667 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2668
2669 @table @code
2670 @kindex add-inferior
2671 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2672 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2673 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2674 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2675 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2676 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2677
2678 @kindex clone-inferior
2679 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2680 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2681 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2682 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2683 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2684
2685 @smallexample
2686 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2687 Num Description Executable
2688 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2689 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2690 Added inferior 2.
2691 1 inferiors added.
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2693 Num Description Executable
2694 2 <null> helloworld
2695 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2696 @end smallexample
2697
2698 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2699
2700 @kindex remove-inferiors
2701 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2702 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2703 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2704 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2705
2706 @end table
2707
2708 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2709 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2710 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2711 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2712
2713 @table @code
2714 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2715 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2716 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2717 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2718 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2719 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2720
2721 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2722 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2723 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2724 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2725 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2726 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2727 @end table
2728
2729 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2730 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2731 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2732 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2733
2734
2735 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2736 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2737
2738 @table @code
2739 @kindex set print inferior-events
2740 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2741 @item set print inferior-events
2742 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2743 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2744 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2745 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2746 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2747 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2748
2749 @kindex show print inferior-events
2750 @item show print inferior-events
2751 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2752 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2753 @end table
2754
2755 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2756 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2757 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2758
2759
2760 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2761 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2762 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2763 info program-spaces}} command.
2764
2765 @table @code
2766 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2767 @item maint info program-spaces
2768 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2769 @value{GDBN}.
2770
2771 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2772
2773 @enumerate
2774 @item
2775 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2776
2777 @item
2778 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2779 the @code{file} command.
2780
2781 @end enumerate
2782
2783 @noindent
2784 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2785 indicates the current program space.
2786
2787 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2788 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2789 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2790
2791 @smallexample
2792 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2793 Id Executable
2794 * 1 hello
2795 2 goodbye
2796 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2797 @end smallexample
2798
2799 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2800 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2801 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2802 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2803 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2804
2805 @smallexample
2806 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2807 Id Executable
2808 * 1 vfork-test
2809 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2810 @end smallexample
2811
2812 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2813 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2814 @end table
2815
2816 @node Threads
2817 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2818
2819 @cindex threads of execution
2820 @cindex multiple threads
2821 @cindex switching threads
2822 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2823 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2824 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2825 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2826 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2827 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2828 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2829
2830 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2831 programs:
2832
2833 @itemize @bullet
2834 @item automatic notification of new threads
2835 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2836 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2837 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2838 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2839 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2840 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2841 messages on thread start and exit.
2842 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2843 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2844 isn't compatible with the program.
2845 @end itemize
2846
2847 @quotation
2848 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2849 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2850 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2851 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2852 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2853 like this:
2854
2855 @smallexample
2856 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2857 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2858 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2859 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2860 @end smallexample
2861 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2862 @c doesn't support threads"?
2863 @end quotation
2864
2865 @cindex focus of debugging
2866 @cindex current thread
2867 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2868 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2869 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2870 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2871 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2872
2873 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2874 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2875 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2876 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2877 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2878 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2879 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2880 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2881 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2882 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2883
2884 @smallexample
2885 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2886 @end smallexample
2887
2888 @noindent
2889 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2890 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2891 further qualifier.
2892
2893 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2894 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2895 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2896 @c program?
2897 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2898 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2899 @c threads ab initio?
2900
2901 @cindex thread number
2902 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2903 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2904 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2905
2906 @table @code
2907 @kindex info threads
2908 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2909 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2910 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2911 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2912 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2913
2914 @enumerate
2915 @item
2916 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2917
2918 @item
2919 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2920
2921 @item
2922 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2923 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2924 program itself.
2925
2926 @item
2927 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2928 @end enumerate
2929
2930 @noindent
2931 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2932 indicates the current thread.
2933
2934 For example,
2935 @end table
2936 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2937
2938 @smallexample
2939 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2940 Id Target Id Frame
2941 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2942 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2943 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2944 at threadtest.c:68
2945 @end smallexample
2946
2947 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2948 Solaris-specific command:
2949
2950 @table @code
2951 @item maint info sol-threads
2952 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2953 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2954 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2955 @end table
2956
2957 @table @code
2958 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2959 @item thread @var{threadno}
2960 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2961 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2962 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2963 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2964 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2965
2966 @smallexample
2967 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2968 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2969 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2970 8 printf ("hello\n");
2971 @end smallexample
2972
2973 @noindent
2974 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2975 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2976 threads.
2977
2978 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2979 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2980 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2981 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2982 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2983 information on convenience variables.
2984
2985 @kindex thread apply
2986 @cindex apply command to several threads
2987 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all [-ascending]] @var{command}
2988 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2989 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2990 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2991 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2992 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2993 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply
2994 a command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
2995 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
2996 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
2997
2998
2999 @kindex thread name
3000 @cindex name a thread
3001 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3002 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3003 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3004 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3005
3006 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3007 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3008 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3009 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3010 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3011
3012 @kindex thread find
3013 @cindex search for a thread
3014 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3015 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3016 matches the supplied regular expression.
3017
3018 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3019 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3020 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3021 is the LWP id.
3022
3023 @smallexample
3024 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3025 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3026 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3027 Id Target Id Frame
3028 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3029 @end smallexample
3030
3031 @kindex set print thread-events
3032 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3033 @item set print thread-events
3034 @itemx set print thread-events on
3035 @itemx set print thread-events off
3036 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3037 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3038 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3039 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3040 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3041
3042 @kindex show print thread-events
3043 @item show print thread-events
3044 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3045 have started and exited.
3046 @end table
3047
3048 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3049 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3050 programs with multiple threads.
3051
3052 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3053 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3054
3055 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3056 @table @code
3057 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3058 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3059 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3060 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3061 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3062 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3063 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3064 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3065 macro.
3066
3067 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3068 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3069 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3070 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3071 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3072 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3073
3074 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3075 refers to the default system directories that are
3076 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3077 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3078 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3079
3080 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3081 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3082 was loaded in the inferior process.
3083
3084 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3085 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3086 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3087 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3088 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3089 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3090 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3091
3092 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3093 only on some platforms.
3094
3095 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3096 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3097 Display current libthread_db search path.
3098
3099 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3100 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3101 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3102 @item set debug libthread-db
3103 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3104 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3105 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3106 @end table
3107
3108 @node Forks
3109 @section Debugging Forks
3110
3111 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3112 @cindex multiple processes
3113 @cindex processes, multiple
3114 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3115 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3116 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3117 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3118 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3119 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3120 will cause it to terminate.
3121
3122 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3123 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3124 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3125 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3126 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3127 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3128 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3129 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3130 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3131 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3132
3133 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3134 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3135 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3136 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3137
3138 The fork debugging commands are supported in both native mode and when
3139 connected to @code{gdbserver} using @kbd{target extended-remote}.
3140
3141 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3142 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3143
3144 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3145 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3146
3147 @table @code
3148 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3149 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3150 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3151 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3152 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3153
3154 @table @code
3155 @item parent
3156 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3157 unimpeded. This is the default.
3158
3159 @item child
3160 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3161 unimpeded.
3162
3163 @end table
3164
3165 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3166 @item show follow-fork-mode
3167 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3168 @end table
3169
3170 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3171 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3172 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3173
3174 @table @code
3175 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3176 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3177 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3178 retain debugger control over them both.
3179
3180 @table @code
3181 @item on
3182 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3183 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3184 independently. This is the default.
3185
3186 @item off
3187 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3188 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3189 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3190 is held suspended.
3191
3192 @end table
3193
3194 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3195 @item show detach-on-fork
3196 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3197 @end table
3198
3199 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3200 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3201 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3202 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3203 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3204 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3205
3206 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3207 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3208 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3209 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3210 and Programs}.
3211
3212 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3213 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3214 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3215 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3216 the child process's @code{main}.
3217
3218 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3219 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3220
3221 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3222 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3223 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3224 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3225 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3226 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3227 command.
3228
3229 @table @code
3230 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3231 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3232
3233 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3234 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3235
3236 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3237
3238 @table @code
3239 @item new
3240 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3241 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3242 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3243 original inferior.
3244
3245 For example:
3246
3247 @smallexample
3248 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3249 (gdb) info inferior
3250 Id Description Executable
3251 * 1 <null> prog1
3252 (@value{GDBP}) run
3253 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3254 Program exited normally.
3255 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3256 Id Description Executable
3257 1 <null> prog1
3258 * 2 <null> prog2
3259 @end smallexample
3260
3261 @item same
3262 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3263 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3264 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3265 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3266 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3267
3268 For example:
3269
3270 @smallexample
3271 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3272 Id Description Executable
3273 * 1 <null> prog1
3274 (@value{GDBP}) run
3275 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3276 Program exited normally.
3277 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3278 Id Description Executable
3279 * 1 <null> prog2
3280 @end smallexample
3281
3282 @end table
3283 @end table
3284
3285 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3286 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3287 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3288
3289 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3290 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3291
3292 @cindex checkpoint
3293 @cindex restart
3294 @cindex bookmark
3295 @cindex snapshot of a process
3296 @cindex rewind program state
3297
3298 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3299 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3300 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3301 later.
3302
3303 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3304 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3305 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3306 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3307 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3308
3309 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3310 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3311 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3312 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3313 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3314 start again from there.
3315
3316 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3317 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3318
3319 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3320
3321 @table @code
3322 @kindex checkpoint
3323 @item checkpoint
3324 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3325 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3326 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3327
3328 @kindex info checkpoints
3329 @item info checkpoints
3330 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3331 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3332 listed:
3333
3334 @table @code
3335 @item Checkpoint ID
3336 @item Process ID
3337 @item Code Address
3338 @item Source line, or label
3339 @end table
3340
3341 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3342 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3343 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3344 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3345 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3346 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3347 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3348
3349 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3350 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3351 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3352 the debugger.
3353
3354 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3355 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3356 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3357
3358 @end table
3359
3360 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3361 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3362 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3363 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3364 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3365 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3366 previously read data can be read again.
3367
3368 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3369 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3370 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3371 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3372 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3373 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3374
3375 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3376 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3377 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3378 different execution path this time.
3379
3380 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3381 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3382 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3383 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3384 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3385 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3386 potentially pose a problem.
3387
3388 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3389
3390 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3391 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3392 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3393 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3394 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3395 next.
3396
3397 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3398 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3399 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3400 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3401 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3402
3403 @node Stopping
3404 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3405
3406 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3407 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3408 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3409
3410 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3411 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3412 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3413 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3414 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3415 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3416 explicitly request this information at any time.
3417
3418 @table @code
3419 @kindex info program
3420 @item info program
3421 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3422 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3423 @end table
3424
3425 @menu
3426 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3427 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3428 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3429 Skipping over functions and files
3430 * Signals:: Signals
3431 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3432 @end menu
3433
3434 @node Breakpoints
3435 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3436
3437 @cindex breakpoints
3438 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3439 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3440 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3441 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3442 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3443 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3444 program.
3445
3446 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3447 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3448 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3449 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3450 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3451 call).
3452
3453 @cindex watchpoints
3454 @cindex data breakpoints
3455 @cindex memory tracing
3456 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3457 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3458 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3459 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3460 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3461 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3462 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3463 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3464 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3465 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3466 same commands.
3467
3468 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3469 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3470 Automatic Display}.
3471
3472 @cindex catchpoints
3473 @cindex breakpoint on events
3474 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3475 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3476 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3477 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3478 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3479 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3480 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3481
3482 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3483 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3484 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3485 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3486 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3487 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3488 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3489 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3490 enable it again.
3491
3492 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3493 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3494 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3495 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3496 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3497 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3498 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3499
3500 @menu
3501 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3502 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3503 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3504 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3505 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3506 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3507 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3508 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3509 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3510 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3511 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3512 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3513 @end menu
3514
3515 @node Set Breaks
3516 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3517
3518 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3519 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3520 @c
3521 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3522
3523 @kindex break
3524 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3525 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3526 @cindex latest breakpoint
3527 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3528 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3529 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3530 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3531 convenience variables.
3532
3533 @table @code
3534 @item break @var{location}
3535 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3536 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3537 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3538 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3539 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3540
3541 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3542 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3543 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3544 that situation.
3545
3546 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3547 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3548 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3549
3550 @item break
3551 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3552 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3553 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3554 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3555 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3556 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3557 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3558 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3559 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3560 inside loops.
3561
3562 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3563 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3564 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3565 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3566 existed when your program stopped.
3567
3568 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3569 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3570 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3571 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3572 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3573 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3574 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3575
3576 @kindex tbreak
3577 @item tbreak @var{args}
3578 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3579 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3580 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3581 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3582
3583 @kindex hbreak
3584 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3585 @item hbreak @var{args}
3586 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3587 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3588 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3589 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3590 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3591 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3592 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3593 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3594 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3595 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3596 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3597 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3598 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3599 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3600 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3601 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3602 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3603 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3604
3605 @kindex thbreak
3606 @item thbreak @var{args}
3607 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3608 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3609 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3610 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3611 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3612 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3613 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3614 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3615
3616 @kindex rbreak
3617 @cindex regular expression
3618 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3619 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3620 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3621 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3622 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3623 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3624 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3625 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3626 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3627
3628 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3629 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3630 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3631 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3632 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3633 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3634
3635 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3636 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3637 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3638 classes.
3639
3640 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3641 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3642 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3643
3644 @smallexample
3645 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3646 @end smallexample
3647
3648 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3649 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3650 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3651 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3652 every function in a given file:
3653
3654 @smallexample
3655 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3656 @end smallexample
3657
3658 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3659 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3660
3661 @kindex info breakpoints
3662 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3663 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3664 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3665 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3666 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3667 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3668 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3669
3670 @table @emph
3671 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3672 @item Type
3673 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3674 @item Disposition
3675 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3676 @item Enabled or Disabled
3677 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3678 that are not enabled.
3679 @item Address
3680 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3681 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3682 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3683 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3684 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3685 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3686 @item What
3687 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3688 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3689 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3690 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3691 @end table
3692
3693 @noindent
3694 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3695 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3696 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3697 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3698 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3699 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3700
3701 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3702 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3703 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3704 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3705
3706 @noindent
3707 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3708 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3709 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3710 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3711 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3712
3713 @noindent
3714 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3715 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3716 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3717 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3718 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3719 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3720
3721 @noindent
3722 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3723 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3724
3725 @end table
3726
3727 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3728 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3729 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3730 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3731
3732 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3733 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3734 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3735 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3736
3737 @itemize @bullet
3738 @item
3739 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3740
3741 @item
3742 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3743 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3744
3745 @item
3746 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3747 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3748
3749 @item
3750 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3751 several places where that function is inlined.
3752 @end itemize
3753
3754 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3755 the relevant locations.
3756
3757 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3758 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3759 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3760 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3761 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3762 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3763 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3764
3765 For example:
3766
3767 @smallexample
3768 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3769 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3770 stop only if i==1
3771 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3772 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3773 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3774 @end smallexample
3775
3776 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3777 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3778 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3779 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3780 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3781 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3782 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3783 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3784 that belong to that breakpoint.
3785
3786 @cindex pending breakpoints
3787 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3788 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3789 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3790 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3791 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3792 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3793 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3794 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3795 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3796 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3797 is not yet resolved.
3798
3799 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3800 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3801 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3802 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3803 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3804 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3805
3806 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3807 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3808 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3809 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3810
3811 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3812 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3813 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3814
3815 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3816 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3817 address specification to an address:
3818
3819 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3820 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3821 @table @code
3822 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3823 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3824 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3825
3826 @item set breakpoint pending on
3827 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3828 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3829
3830 @item set breakpoint pending off
3831 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3832 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3833 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3834
3835 @item show breakpoint pending
3836 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3837 @end table
3838
3839 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3840 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3841 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3842
3843 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3844 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3845 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3846 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3847 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3848 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3849 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3850 breakpoints.
3851
3852 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3853
3854 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3855 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3856 @table @code
3857 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3858 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3859 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3860 breakpoint must be used.
3861
3862 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3863 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3864 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3865 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3866 @end table
3867
3868 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3869 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3870 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3871 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3872 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3873 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3874 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3875 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3876 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3877
3878 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3879 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3880 @table @code
3881 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3882 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3883 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3884 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
3885
3886 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3887 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3888 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3889 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3890 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
3891 @end table
3892
3893 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3894 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3895 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3896
3897 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3898 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3899
3900 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3901
3902 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3903 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3904 @table @code
3905 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3906 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3907 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3908 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3909 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3910
3911 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3912 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3913 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3914 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3915 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3916 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3917 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3918 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3919 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3920 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3921 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3922 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3923 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3924
3925 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3926 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3927 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3928 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3929 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3930 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3931 @end table
3932
3933
3934 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3935 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3936 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3937 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3938 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3939 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3940 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3941 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3942
3943
3944 @node Set Watchpoints
3945 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3946
3947 @cindex setting watchpoints
3948 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3949 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3950 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3951 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3952 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3953
3954 @itemize @bullet
3955 @item
3956 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3957
3958 @item
3959 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3960 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3961 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3962
3963 @item
3964 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3965 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3966 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3967 @end itemize
3968
3969 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3970 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3971 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3972 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3973 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3974 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3975 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3976 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3977 the expression changes.
3978
3979 @cindex software watchpoints
3980 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3981 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3982 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3983 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3984 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3985 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3986 culprit.)
3987
3988 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3989 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3990 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3991
3992 @table @code
3993 @kindex watch
3994 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3995 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3996 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3997 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3998 to watch the value of a single variable:
3999
4000 @smallexample
4001 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4002 @end smallexample
4003
4004 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
4005 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4006 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4007 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4008 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4009 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4010
4011 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4012 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4013 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4014 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4015 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4016 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4017 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4018 error.
4019
4020 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4021 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4022 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4023 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4024 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4025 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4026 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4027 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4028 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4029 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4030 Examples:
4031
4032 @smallexample
4033 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4034 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4035 @end smallexample
4036
4037 @kindex rwatch
4038 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4039 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4040 by the program.
4041
4042 @kindex awatch
4043 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4044 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4045 or written into by the program.
4046
4047 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4048 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4049 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4050 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4051 @end table
4052
4053 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4054 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4055 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4056 a never-changing value:
4057
4058 @smallexample
4059 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4060 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4061 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4062 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4063 @end smallexample
4064
4065 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4066 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4067 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4068 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4069 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4070 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4071
4072 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4073 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4074 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4075 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4076 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4077 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4078 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4079 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4080
4081 @table @code
4082 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4083 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4084 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4085
4086 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4087 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4088 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4089 @end table
4090
4091 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4092 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4093 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4094
4095 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4096
4097 @smallexample
4098 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4099 @end smallexample
4100
4101 @noindent
4102 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4103
4104 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4105 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4106 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4107 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4108 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4109 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4110 will print a message like this:
4111
4112 @smallexample
4113 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4114 @end smallexample
4115
4116 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4117 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4118 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4119 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4120 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4121 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4122 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4123 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4124
4125 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4126 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4127 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4128 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4129 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4130 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4131
4132 @smallexample
4133 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4134 @end smallexample
4135
4136 @noindent
4137 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4138
4139 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4140 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4141 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4142 expression with separately allocated resources.
4143
4144 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4145 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4146 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4147
4148 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4149 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4150 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4151 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4152 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4153 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4154 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4155 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4156 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4157
4158 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4159 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4160 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4161 watched expression from every thread.
4162
4163 @quotation
4164 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4165 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4166 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4167 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4168 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4169 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4170 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4171 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4172 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4173 @end quotation
4174
4175 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4176
4177 @node Set Catchpoints
4178 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4179 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4180 @cindex exception handlers
4181 @cindex event handling
4182
4183 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4184 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4185 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4186
4187 @table @code
4188 @kindex catch
4189 @item catch @var{event}
4190 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4191
4192 @table @code
4193 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4194 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4195 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4196 @kindex catch throw
4197 @kindex catch rethrow
4198 @kindex catch catch
4199 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4200 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4201
4202 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4203 regular expression will be caught.
4204
4205 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4206 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4207 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4208 exception being thrown.
4209
4210 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4211 @value{GDBN}:
4212
4213 @itemize @bullet
4214 @item
4215 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4216 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4217 supported.
4218
4219 @item
4220 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4221 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4222 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4223 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4224 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4225 built.
4226
4227 @item
4228 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4229 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4230
4231 @item
4232 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4233 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4234 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4235 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4236
4237 @item
4238 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4239 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4240 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4241 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4242 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4243 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4244 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4245 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4246 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4247
4248 @item
4249 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4250
4251 @item
4252 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4253 @end itemize
4254
4255 @item exception
4256 @kindex catch exception
4257 @cindex Ada exception catching
4258 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4259 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4260 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4261 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4262 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4263
4264 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4265 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4266 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4267 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4268 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4269 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4270 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4271 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4272
4273 @item exception unhandled
4274 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4275 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4276
4277 @item assert
4278 @kindex catch assert
4279 A failed Ada assertion.
4280
4281 @item exec
4282 @kindex catch exec
4283 @cindex break on fork/exec
4284 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4285 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4286
4287 @item syscall
4288 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4289 @kindex catch syscall
4290 @cindex break on a system call.
4291 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4292 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4293 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4294 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4295 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4296 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4297 will be caught.
4298
4299 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4300 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4301 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4302 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4303
4304 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4305 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4306 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4307 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4308
4309 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4310 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4311 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4312 available choices.
4313
4314 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4315 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4316 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4317 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4318 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4319 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4320 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4321 behind the OS upgrades).
4322
4323 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4324 arguments to it:
4325
4326 @smallexample
4327 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4328 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4329 (@value{GDBP}) r
4330 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4331
4332 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4333 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4334 (@value{GDBP}) c
4335 Continuing.
4336
4337 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4338 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4339 (@value{GDBP})
4340 @end smallexample
4341
4342 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4343
4344 @smallexample
4345 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4346 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4347 (@value{GDBP}) r
4348 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4349
4350 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4351 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4352 (@value{GDBP}) c
4353 Continuing.
4354
4355 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4356 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4357 (@value{GDBP})
4358 @end smallexample
4359
4360 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4361 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4362 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4363
4364 @smallexample
4365 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4366 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4367 (@value{GDBP}) r
4368 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4369
4370 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4371 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4372 (@value{GDBP}) c
4373 Continuing.
4374
4375 Program exited normally.
4376 (@value{GDBP})
4377 @end smallexample
4378
4379 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4380 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4381 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4382 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4383
4384 @smallexample
4385 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4386 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4387 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4388 (@value{GDBP})
4389 @end smallexample
4390
4391 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4392 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4393 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4394 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4395 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4396 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4397
4398 @smallexample
4399 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4400 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4401 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4402 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4403 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4404 (@value{GDBP})
4405 @end smallexample
4406
4407 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4408
4409 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4410 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4411
4412 @smallexample
4413 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4414 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4415 @end smallexample
4416
4417 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4418
4419 @item fork
4420 @kindex catch fork
4421 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4422 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4423
4424 @item vfork
4425 @kindex catch vfork
4426 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4427 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4428
4429 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4430 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4431 @kindex catch load
4432 @kindex catch unload
4433 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4434 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4435 matches one of the affected libraries.
4436
4437 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4438 @kindex catch signal
4439 The delivery of a signal.
4440
4441 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4442 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4443 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4444
4445 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4446 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4447 signal names.
4448
4449 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4450 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4451 will be caught.
4452
4453 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4454 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4455 catchpoint.
4456
4457 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4458 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4459 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4460 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4461 commands.
4462
4463 @end table
4464
4465 @item tcatch @var{event}
4466 @kindex tcatch
4467 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4468 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4469
4470 @end table
4471
4472 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4473
4474
4475 @node Delete Breaks
4476 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4477
4478 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4479 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4480 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4481 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4482 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4483 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4484
4485 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4486 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4487 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4488 their breakpoint numbers.
4489
4490 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4491 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4492 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4493
4494 @table @code
4495 @kindex clear
4496 @item clear
4497 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4498 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4499 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4500 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4501
4502 @item clear @var{location}
4503 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4504 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4505 most useful ones are listed below:
4506
4507 @table @code
4508 @item clear @var{function}
4509 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4510 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4511
4512 @item clear @var{linenum}
4513 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4514 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4515 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4516 @end table
4517
4518 @cindex delete breakpoints
4519 @kindex delete
4520 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4521 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4522 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4523 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4524 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4525 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4526 @end table
4527
4528 @node Disabling
4529 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4530
4531 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4532 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4533 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4534 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4535 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4536
4537 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4538 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4539 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4540 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4541 do not know which numbers to use.
4542
4543 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4544 affects all of its locations.
4545
4546 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4547 different states of enablement:
4548
4549 @itemize @bullet
4550 @item
4551 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4552 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4553 @item
4554 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4555 @item
4556 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4557 disabled.
4558 @item
4559 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4560 N times, then becomes disabled.
4561 @item
4562 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4563 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4564 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4565 @end itemize
4566
4567 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4568 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4569
4570 @table @code
4571 @kindex disable
4572 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4573 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4574 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4575 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4576 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4577 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4578 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4579
4580 @kindex enable
4581 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4582 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4583 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4584
4585 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4586 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4587 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4588
4589 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4590 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4591 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4592 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4593 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4594 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4595 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4596
4597 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4598 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4599 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4600 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4601 @end table
4602
4603 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4604 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4605 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4606 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4607 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4608 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4609 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4610 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4611 Stepping}.)
4612
4613 @node Conditions
4614 @subsection Break Conditions
4615 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4616 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4617
4618 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4619 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4620 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4621 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4622 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4623 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4624 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4625 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4626
4627 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4628 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4629 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4630 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4631 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4632
4633 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4634 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4635 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4636 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4637 one.
4638
4639 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4640 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4641 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4642 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4643 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4644 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4645 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4646 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4647 conditions for the
4648 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4649 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4650
4651 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4652 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4653 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4654 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4655 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4656 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4657
4658 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4659 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4660 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4661 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4662 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4663
4664 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4665 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4666 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4667 with the @code{condition} command.
4668
4669 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4670 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4671 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4672 catchpoint.
4673
4674 @table @code
4675 @kindex condition
4676 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4677 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4678 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4679 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4680 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4681 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4682 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4683 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4684 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4685 prints an error message:
4686
4687 @smallexample
4688 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4689 @end smallexample
4690
4691 @noindent
4692 @value{GDBN} does
4693 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4694 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4695 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4696
4697 @item condition @var{bnum}
4698 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4699 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4700 @end table
4701
4702 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4703 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4704 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4705 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4706 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4707 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4708 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4709 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4710 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4711 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4712 your program reaches it.
4713
4714 @table @code
4715 @kindex ignore
4716 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4717 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4718 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4719 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4720 takes no action.
4721
4722 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4723 a count of zero.
4724
4725 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4726 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4727 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4728 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4729
4730 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4731 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4732 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4733
4734 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4735 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4736 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4737 Variables}.
4738 @end table
4739
4740 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4741
4742
4743 @node Break Commands
4744 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4745
4746 @cindex breakpoint commands
4747 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4748 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4749 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4750 enable other breakpoints.
4751
4752 @table @code
4753 @kindex commands
4754 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4755 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4756 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4757 @itemx end
4758 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4759 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4760 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4761
4762 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4763 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4764
4765 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4766 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4767 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4768 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4769 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4770 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4771 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4772 Expressions}).
4773 @end table
4774
4775 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4776 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4777
4778 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4779 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4780 that resumes execution.
4781
4782 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4783 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4784 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4785 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4786 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4787
4788 @kindex silent
4789 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4790 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4791 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4792 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4793 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4794 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4795
4796 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4797 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4798 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4799
4800 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4801 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4802
4803 @smallexample
4804 break foo if x>0
4805 commands
4806 silent
4807 printf "x is %d\n",x
4808 cont
4809 end
4810 @end smallexample
4811
4812 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4813 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4814 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4815 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4816 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4817 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4818 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4819
4820 @smallexample
4821 break 403
4822 commands
4823 silent
4824 set x = y + 4
4825 cont
4826 end
4827 @end smallexample
4828
4829 @node Dynamic Printf
4830 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4831
4832 @cindex dynamic printf
4833 @cindex dprintf
4834 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4835 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4836 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4837 having to recompile it.
4838
4839 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4840 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4841 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4842 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4843 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4844 redirects to files and so forth.
4845
4846 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4847 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4848 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4849 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4850 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4851 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4852 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4853
4854 @table @code
4855 @kindex dprintf
4856 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4857 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4858 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4859 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4860
4861 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4862 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4863 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4864 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4865 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4866 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4867
4868 @item gdb
4869 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4870 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4871
4872 @item call
4873 @kindex dprintf-style call
4874 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4875 @code{printf}).
4876
4877 @item agent
4878 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4879 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4880 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4881 support running commands on the target.
4882
4883 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4884 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4885 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4886 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4887 command.
4888
4889 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4890 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4891 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4892 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4893 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4894 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4895
4896 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4897 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4898 you could do the following:
4899
4900 @example
4901 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4902 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4903 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4904 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4905 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4906 (gdb) info break
4907 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4908 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4909 continue
4910 (gdb)
4911 @end example
4912
4913 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4914 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4915 the variable settings.
4916
4917 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4918 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4919 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4920 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4921 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4922 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4923
4924 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4925 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4926 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4927
4928 @end table
4929
4930 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4931 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4932 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4933 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4934 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4935 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4936
4937 @node Save Breakpoints
4938 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4939
4940 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4941 breakpoints}} command.
4942
4943 @table @code
4944 @kindex save breakpoints
4945 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4946 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4947 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4948 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4949 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4950 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4951 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4952 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4953 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4954 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4955 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4956 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4957 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4958 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4959 that can no longer be recreated.
4960 @end table
4961
4962 @node Static Probe Points
4963 @subsection Static Probe Points
4964
4965 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4966 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
4967 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4968 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4969 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
4970
4971 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
4972 ELF-compatible systems:
4973
4974 @itemize @bullet
4975
4976 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4977 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
4978 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4979 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
4980 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
4981 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
4982 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4983 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
4984
4985 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
4986 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
4987 C@t{++} languages.
4988 @end itemize
4989
4990 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4991 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
4992 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
4993 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
4994 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
4995 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
4996 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
4997 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
4998 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
4999
5000 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
5001 probes}, with optional arguments:
5002
5003 @table @code
5004 @kindex info probes
5005 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5006 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
5007 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
5008 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
5009
5010 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5011 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5012 probes from all providers are listed.
5013
5014 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5015 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5016 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5017
5018 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5019 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5020 given, all object files are considered.
5021
5022 @item info probes all
5023 List the available static probes, from all types.
5024 @end table
5025
5026 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5027 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5028 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5029 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5030 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5031
5032 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5033 commands, with optional arguments:
5034
5035 @table @code
5036 @kindex enable probes
5037 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5038 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5039 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5040 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5041
5042 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5043 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5044 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5045
5046 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5047 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5048 given, all object files are considered.
5049
5050 @kindex disable probes
5051 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5052 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5053 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5054 @end table
5055
5056 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5057 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5058 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5059 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5060 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5061 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5062 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5063 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5064 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5065 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5066 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5067 at the current probe point.
5068
5069 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5070 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5071 an error message.
5072
5073
5074 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5075 @node Error in Breakpoints
5076 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5077
5078 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5079 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5080
5081 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5082 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5083 @smallexample
5084 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5085 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5086 @end smallexample
5087
5088 @noindent
5089 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5090 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5091 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5092
5093 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5094 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5095
5096 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5097 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5098 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5099
5100 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5101 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5102 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5103 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5104
5105 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5106 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5107 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5108 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5109 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5110 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5111 first in the bundle.
5112
5113 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5114 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5115 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5116 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5117 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5118 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5119 is hit.
5120
5121 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5122 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5123
5124 @smallexample
5125 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5126 @end smallexample
5127
5128 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5129 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5130 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5131 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5132 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5133 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5134 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5135 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5136
5137 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5138 adjusted breakpoints:
5139
5140 @smallexample
5141 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5142 to 0x00010410.
5143 @end smallexample
5144
5145 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5146 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5147 frequently than expected.
5148
5149 @node Continuing and Stepping
5150 @section Continuing and Stepping
5151
5152 @cindex stepping
5153 @cindex continuing
5154 @cindex resuming execution
5155 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5156 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5157 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5158 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5159 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5160 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5161 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5162 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5163 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5164 handlers}).)
5165
5166 @table @code
5167 @kindex continue
5168 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5169 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5170 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5171 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5172 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5173 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5174 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5175 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5176 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5177 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5178
5179 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5180 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5181 @code{continue} is ignored.
5182
5183 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5184 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5185 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5186 @code{continue}.
5187 @end table
5188
5189 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5190 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5191 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5192 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5193
5194 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5195 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5196 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5197 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5198 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5199 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5200
5201 @table @code
5202 @kindex step
5203 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5204 @item step
5205 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5206 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5207 abbreviated @code{s}.
5208
5209 @quotation
5210 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5211 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5212 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5213 @c distinction here.
5214 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5215 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5216 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5217 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5218 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5219 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5220 below.
5221 @end quotation
5222
5223 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5224 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5225 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5226 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5227 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5228 called within the line.
5229
5230 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5231 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5232 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5233 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5234 was any debugging information about the routine.
5235
5236 @item step @var{count}
5237 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5238 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5239 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5240
5241 @kindex next
5242 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5243 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5244 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5245 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5246 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5247 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5248 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5249 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5250
5251 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5252
5253
5254 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5255 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5256 @c
5257 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5258 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5259 @c function are executed without stopping.
5260
5261 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5262 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5263 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5264
5265 @kindex set step-mode
5266 @item set step-mode
5267 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5268 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5269 @itemx set step-mode on
5270 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5271 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5272 information rather than stepping over it.
5273
5274 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5275 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5276 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5277
5278 @item set step-mode off
5279 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5280 debug information. This is the default.
5281
5282 @item show step-mode
5283 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5284 source line debug information.
5285
5286 @kindex finish
5287 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5288 @item finish
5289 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5290 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5291 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5292
5293 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5294 ,Returning from a Function}).
5295
5296 @kindex until
5297 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5298 @cindex run until specified location
5299 @item until
5300 @itemx u
5301 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5302 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5303 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5304 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5305 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5306 than the address of the jump.
5307
5308 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5309 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5310 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5311 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5312 through the next iteration.
5313
5314 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5315 stack frame.
5316
5317 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5318 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5319 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5320 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5321 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5322
5323 @smallexample
5324 (@value{GDBP}) f
5325 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5326 206 expand_input();
5327 (@value{GDBP}) until
5328 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5329 @end smallexample
5330
5331 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5332 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5333 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5334 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5335 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5336 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5337 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5338
5339 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5340 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5341 argument.
5342
5343 @item until @var{location}
5344 @itemx u @var{location}
5345 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5346 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5347 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5348 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5349 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5350 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5351 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5352 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5353 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5354 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5355 invocations have returned.
5356
5357 @smallexample
5358 94 int factorial (int value)
5359 95 @{
5360 96 if (value > 1) @{
5361 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5362 98 @}
5363 99 return (value);
5364 100 @}
5365 @end smallexample
5366
5367
5368 @kindex advance @var{location}
5369 @item advance @var{location}
5370 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5371 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5372 @ref{Specify Location}.
5373 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5374 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5375 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5376 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5377
5378
5379 @kindex stepi
5380 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5381 @item stepi
5382 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5383 @itemx si
5384 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5385
5386 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5387 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5388 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5389 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5390
5391 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5392
5393 @need 750
5394 @kindex nexti
5395 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5396 @item nexti
5397 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5398 @itemx ni
5399 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5400 proceed until the function returns.
5401
5402 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5403
5404 @end table
5405
5406 @anchor{range stepping}
5407 @cindex range stepping
5408 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5409 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5410 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5411 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5412 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5413 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5414 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5415 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5416 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5417 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5418 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5419 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5420 if necessary:
5421
5422 @table @code
5423 @kindex set range-stepping
5424 @kindex show range-stepping
5425 @item set range-stepping
5426 @itemx show range-stepping
5427 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5428
5429 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5430 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5431 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5432 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5433 default is @code{on}.
5434
5435 @end table
5436
5437 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5438 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5439 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5440
5441 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5442 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5443 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5444
5445 For example, consider the following C function:
5446
5447 @smallexample
5448 101 int func()
5449 102 @{
5450 103 foo(boring());
5451 104 bar(boring());
5452 105 @}
5453 @end smallexample
5454
5455 @noindent
5456 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5457 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5458 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5459 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5460
5461 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5462 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5463 is called from many places.
5464
5465 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5466 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5467 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5468 @code{foo}.
5469
5470 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5471 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5472
5473 @table @code
5474 @kindex skip function
5475 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5476 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5477 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5478 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5479 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5480
5481 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5482 will be skipped.
5483
5484 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5485 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5486
5487 @kindex skip file
5488 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5489 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5490 will be skipped over when stepping.
5491
5492 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5493 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5494 @end table
5495
5496 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5497 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5498
5499 @table @code
5500 @kindex info skip
5501 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5502 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5503 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5504 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5505
5506 @table @emph
5507 @item Identifier
5508 A number identifying this skip.
5509 @item Type
5510 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5511 @item Enabled or Disabled
5512 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5513 @item Address
5514 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5515 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5516 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5517 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5518 address here.
5519 @item What
5520 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5521 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5522 where it is defined.
5523 @end table
5524
5525 @kindex skip delete
5526 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5527 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5528 skips.
5529
5530 @kindex skip enable
5531 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5532 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5533 skips.
5534
5535 @kindex skip disable
5536 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5537 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5538 skips.
5539
5540 @end table
5541
5542 @node Signals
5543 @section Signals
5544 @cindex signals
5545
5546 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5547 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5548 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5549 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5550 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5551 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5552 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5553 requested an alarm).
5554
5555 @cindex fatal signals
5556 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5557 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5558 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5559 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5560 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5561 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5562
5563 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5564 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5565 signal.
5566
5567 @cindex handling signals
5568 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5569 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5570 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5571 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5572 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5573
5574 @table @code
5575 @kindex info signals
5576 @kindex info handle
5577 @item info signals
5578 @itemx info handle
5579 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5580 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5581 the defined types of signals.
5582
5583 @item info signals @var{sig}
5584 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5585
5586 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5587
5588 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5589 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5590 for details about this command.
5591
5592 @kindex handle
5593 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5594 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5595 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5596 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5597 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5598 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5599 say what change to make.
5600 @end table
5601
5602 @c @group
5603 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5604 Their full names are:
5605
5606 @table @code
5607 @item nostop
5608 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5609 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5610
5611 @item stop
5612 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5613 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5614
5615 @item print
5616 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5617
5618 @item noprint
5619 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5620 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5621
5622 @item pass
5623 @itemx noignore
5624 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5625 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5626 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5627
5628 @item nopass
5629 @itemx ignore
5630 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5631 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5632 @end table
5633 @c @end group
5634
5635 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5636 program until you
5637 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5638 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5639 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5640 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5641 program sees that signal when you continue.
5642
5643 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5644 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5645 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5646 erroneous signals.
5647
5648 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5649 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5650 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5651 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5652 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5653 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5654 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5655 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5656 Program a Signal}.
5657
5658 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
5659 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
5660
5661 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
5662 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
5663 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
5664 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
5665 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
5666 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
5667 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
5668 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
5669 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
5670 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
5671 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
5672 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
5673 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
5674
5675 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
5676
5677 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
5678 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
5679 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
5680 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
5681
5682 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
5683 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
5684 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
5685 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
5686
5687 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
5688 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
5689
5690 @smallexample
5691 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
5692 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
5693 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
5694 (@value{GDBP}) c
5695 Continuing.
5696
5697 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
5698 main () sigusr1.c:28
5699 28 p = 0;
5700 (@value{GDBP}) si
5701 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5702 9 @{
5703 @end smallexample
5704
5705 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
5706 program to receive the signal first:
5707
5708 @smallexample
5709 (@value{GDBP}) n
5710 28 p = 0;
5711 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
5712 (@value{GDBP}) si
5713 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
5714 9 @{
5715 (@value{GDBP})
5716 @end smallexample
5717
5718 @cindex extra signal information
5719 @anchor{extra signal information}
5720
5721 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5722 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5723 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5724 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5725 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5726 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5727 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5728 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5729 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5730 system header.
5731
5732 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5733 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5734
5735 @smallexample
5736 @group
5737 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5738 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5739 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5740 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5741 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5742 type = struct @{
5743 int si_signo;
5744 int si_errno;
5745 int si_code;
5746 union @{
5747 int _pad[28];
5748 struct @{...@} _kill;
5749 struct @{...@} _timer;
5750 struct @{...@} _rt;
5751 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5752 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5753 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5754 @} _sifields;
5755 @}
5756 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5757 type = struct @{
5758 void *si_addr;
5759 @}
5760 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5761 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5762 @end group
5763 @end smallexample
5764
5765 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5766
5767 @node Thread Stops
5768 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5769
5770 @cindex stopped threads
5771 @cindex threads, stopped
5772
5773 @cindex continuing threads
5774 @cindex threads, continuing
5775
5776 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5777 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5778 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5779 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5780 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5781 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5782 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5783 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5784 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5785
5786 @menu
5787 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5788 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5789 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5790 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5791 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5792 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5793 @end menu
5794
5795 @node All-Stop Mode
5796 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5797
5798 @cindex all-stop mode
5799
5800 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5801 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5802 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5803 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5804 underfoot.
5805
5806 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5807 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5808 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5809
5810 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5811 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5812 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5813 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5814 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5815 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5816 stops.
5817
5818 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5819 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5820 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5821 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5822
5823 @cindex automatic thread selection
5824 @cindex switching threads automatically
5825 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5826 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5827 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5828 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5829 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5830 thread.
5831
5832 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5833 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5834
5835 @table @code
5836 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5837 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5838 @cindex lock scheduler
5839 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
5840 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5841 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
5842 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
5843 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
5844 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
5845 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
5846 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
5847 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
5848 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
5849 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
5850 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
5851 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
5852 @code{on} in replay mode.
5853
5854 @item show scheduler-locking
5855 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5856 @end table
5857
5858 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5859 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5860 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5861 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5862 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5863 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5864 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5865 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5866 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5867 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5868 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5869 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5870 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5871 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5872
5873 @table @code
5874 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5875 @item set schedule-multiple
5876 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5877 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5878 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5879 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5880 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5881 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5882
5883 @item show schedule-multiple
5884 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5885 multiple processes.
5886 @end table
5887
5888 @node Non-Stop Mode
5889 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5890
5891 @cindex non-stop mode
5892
5893 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5894 @c with more details.
5895
5896 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5897 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5898 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5899 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5900 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5901 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5902
5903 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5904 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5905 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5906 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5907 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5908 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5909 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5910 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5911 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5912 independently and simultaneously.
5913
5914 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5915 or attach to your program:
5916
5917 @smallexample
5918 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5919 set pagination off
5920
5921 # Finally, turn it on!
5922 set non-stop on
5923 @end smallexample
5924
5925 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5926
5927 @table @code
5928 @kindex set non-stop
5929 @item set non-stop on
5930 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5931 @item set non-stop off
5932 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5933 @kindex show non-stop
5934 @item show non-stop
5935 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5936 @end table
5937
5938 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5939 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5940 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5941 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5942 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5943 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5944 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5945 default.
5946
5947 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5948 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5949 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5950
5951 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5952 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5953 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5954 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5955 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5956
5957 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5958 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5959 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5960 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5961 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5962
5963 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5964
5965 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5966 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5967 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5968 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5969 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5970 previously current thread.
5971
5972 @node Background Execution
5973 @subsection Background Execution
5974
5975 @cindex foreground execution
5976 @cindex background execution
5977 @cindex asynchronous execution
5978 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5979
5980 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5981 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5982 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5983 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5984 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5985 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5986
5987 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5988 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5989
5990 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5991 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5992 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5993 are:
5994
5995 @table @code
5996 @kindex run&
5997 @item run
5998 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5999
6000 @item attach
6001 @kindex attach&
6002 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
6003
6004 @item step
6005 @kindex step&
6006 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
6007
6008 @item stepi
6009 @kindex stepi&
6010 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6011
6012 @item next
6013 @kindex next&
6014 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6015
6016 @item nexti
6017 @kindex nexti&
6018 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6019
6020 @item continue
6021 @kindex continue&
6022 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6023
6024 @item finish
6025 @kindex finish&
6026 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6027
6028 @item until
6029 @kindex until&
6030 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6031
6032 @end table
6033
6034 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6035 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6036 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6037 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6038 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6039 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6040
6041 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6042 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6043
6044 @table @code
6045 @kindex interrupt
6046 @item interrupt
6047 @itemx interrupt -a
6048
6049 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6050 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6051 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6052 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6053 @end table
6054
6055 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6056 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6057
6058 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6059 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6060 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6061
6062 @table @code
6063 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6064 @cindex thread breakpoints
6065 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
6066 @item break @var{location} thread @var{threadno}
6067 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
6068 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6069 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6070 specify some source line.
6071
6072 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
6073 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6074 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{threadno} specifier
6075 is one of the numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6076 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6077
6078 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
6079 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6080 program.
6081
6082 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6083 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
6084 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6085
6086 @smallexample
6087 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6088 @end smallexample
6089
6090 @end table
6091
6092 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6093 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6094 thread list. For example:
6095
6096 @smallexample
6097 (@value{GDBP}) c
6098 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6099 @end smallexample
6100
6101 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6102 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6103 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6104 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6105 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6106 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6107 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6108 command.
6109
6110 @node Interrupted System Calls
6111 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6112
6113 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6114 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6115 @cindex premature return from system calls
6116 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6117 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6118 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6119 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6120 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6121 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6122 stop execution.
6123
6124 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6125 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6126 style anyways.
6127
6128 For example, do not write code like this:
6129
6130 @smallexample
6131 sleep (10);
6132 @end smallexample
6133
6134 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6135 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6136
6137 Instead, write this:
6138
6139 @smallexample
6140 int unslept = 10;
6141 while (unslept > 0)
6142 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6143 @end smallexample
6144
6145 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6146 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6147 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6148 @value{GDBN}.
6149
6150 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6151 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6152 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6153 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6154
6155 @node Observer Mode
6156 @subsection Observer Mode
6157
6158 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6159 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6160 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6161 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6162 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6163
6164 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6165 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6166 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6167 mode.
6168
6169 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6170 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6171 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6172 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6173 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6174
6175 @table @code
6176
6177 @kindex observer
6178 @item set observer on
6179 @itemx set observer off
6180 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6181 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6182 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6183 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6184
6185 @item show observer
6186 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6187
6188 @kindex may-write-registers
6189 @item set may-write-registers on
6190 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6191 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6192 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6193 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6194
6195 @item show may-write-registers
6196 Show the current permission to write registers.
6197
6198 @kindex may-write-memory
6199 @item set may-write-memory on
6200 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6201 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6202 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6203 defaults to @code{on}.
6204
6205 @item show may-write-memory
6206 Show the current permission to write memory.
6207
6208 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6209 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6210 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6211 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6212 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6213 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6214
6215 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6216 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6217
6218 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6219 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6220 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6221 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6222 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6223 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6224 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6225
6226 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6227 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6228
6229 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6230 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6231 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6232 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6233 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6234 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6235 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6236
6237 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6238 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6239
6240 @kindex may-interrupt
6241 @item set may-interrupt on
6242 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6243 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6244 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6245 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6246 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6247
6248 @item show may-interrupt
6249 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6250
6251 @end table
6252
6253 @node Reverse Execution
6254 @chapter Running programs backward
6255 @cindex reverse execution
6256 @cindex running programs backward
6257
6258 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6259 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6260 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6261 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6262
6263 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6264 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6265 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6266 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6267 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6268 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6269
6270 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6271 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6272 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6273 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6274 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6275 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6276 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6277 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6278 prior values@footnote{
6279 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6280 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6281 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6282
6283 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6284 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6285 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6286 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6287 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6288 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6289 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6290 }.
6291
6292 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6293 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6294
6295 @table @code
6296 @kindex reverse-continue
6297 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6298 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6299 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6300 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6301 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6302 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6303 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6304
6305 @kindex reverse-step
6306 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6307 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6308 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6309 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6310
6311 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6312 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6313 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6314 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6315 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6316 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6317
6318 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6319 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6320
6321 @kindex reverse-stepi
6322 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6323 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6324 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6325 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6326 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6327 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6328 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6329
6330 @kindex reverse-next
6331 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6332 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6333 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6334 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6335 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6336 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6337 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6338 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6339 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6340 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6341
6342 @kindex reverse-nexti
6343 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6344 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6345 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6346 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6347 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6348 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6349 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6350 frame) is reached.
6351
6352 @kindex reverse-finish
6353 @item reverse-finish
6354 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6355 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6356 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6357 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6358
6359 @kindex set exec-direction
6360 @item set exec-direction
6361 Set the direction of target execution.
6362 @item set exec-direction reverse
6363 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6364 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6365 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6366 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6367 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6368 @item set exec-direction forward
6369 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6370 This is the default.
6371 @end table
6372
6373
6374 @node Process Record and Replay
6375 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6376 @cindex process record and replay
6377 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6378
6379 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6380 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6381 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6382
6383 @cindex replay mode
6384 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6385 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6386 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6387 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6388 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6389 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6390 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6391 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6392 execution log.
6393
6394 @cindex record mode
6395 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6396 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6397 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6398 for future replay.
6399
6400 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6401 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6402 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6403 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6404 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6405 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6406
6407 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6408 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6409 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6410 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6411
6412 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6413 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6414
6415 @table @code
6416 @kindex target record
6417 @kindex target record-full
6418 @kindex target record-btrace
6419 @kindex record
6420 @kindex record full
6421 @kindex record btrace
6422 @kindex record btrace bts
6423 @kindex record btrace pt
6424 @kindex record bts
6425 @kindex record pt
6426 @kindex rec
6427 @kindex rec full
6428 @kindex rec btrace
6429 @kindex rec btrace bts
6430 @kindex rec btrace pt
6431 @kindex rec bts
6432 @kindex rec pt
6433 @item record @var{method}
6434 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6435 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6436 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6437 recording methods are available:
6438
6439 @table @code
6440 @item full
6441 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6442 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6443 execution.
6444
6445 @item btrace @var{format}
6446 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6447 data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6448 be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited reverse
6449 execution. Variables and registers are not available during reverse
6450 execution.
6451
6452 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6453 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
6454 formats are available:
6455
6456 @table @code
6457 @item bts
6458 @cindex branch trace store
6459 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
6460 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
6461 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
6462
6463 @item pt
6464 @cindex Intel(R) Processor Trace
6465 Use the @dfn{Intel(R) Processor Trace} recording format. In this
6466 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
6467 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
6468
6469 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
6470 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
6471 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
6472
6473 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
6474 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
6475 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
6476 buffer-size with care.
6477 @end table
6478
6479 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
6480 @end table
6481
6482 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6483 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6484 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6485 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6486
6487 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6488 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6489 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6490 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6491 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6492
6493 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6494 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6495 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6496 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6497 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6498 does not support these two modes.
6499
6500 @kindex record stop
6501 @kindex rec s
6502 @item record stop
6503 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6504 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6505 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6506
6507 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6508 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6509 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6510 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6511 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6512
6513 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6514 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6515 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6516 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6517 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6518
6519 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6520 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6521
6522 @kindex record goto
6523 @item record goto
6524 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6525 ways to specify the location to go to:
6526
6527 @table @code
6528 @item record goto begin
6529 @itemx record goto start
6530 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6531
6532 @item record goto end
6533 Go to the end of the execution log.
6534
6535 @item record goto @var{n}
6536 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6537 @end table
6538
6539 @kindex record save
6540 @item record save @var{filename}
6541 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6542 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6543 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6544
6545 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6546
6547 @kindex record restore
6548 @item record restore @var{filename}
6549 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6550 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6551
6552 @kindex set record full
6553 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6554 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6555 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6556 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6557
6558 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6559 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6560 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6561 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6562 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6563 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6564 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6565 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6566
6567 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6568 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6569 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6570
6571 @kindex show record full
6572 @item show record full insn-number-max
6573 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6574 recording method.
6575
6576 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6577 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6578 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6579 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6580 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6581 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6582 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6583 oldest one to be deleted.
6584
6585 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6586 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6587
6588 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6589 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6590
6591 @item set record full memory-query
6592 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6593 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6594 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6595 case.
6596
6597 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6598 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6599 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6600 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6601 results.
6602
6603 @item show record full memory-query
6604 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6605
6606 @kindex set record btrace
6607 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
6608 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
6609 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
6610 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
6611 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
6612 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
6613 You can use the following command for that:
6614
6615 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
6616 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
6617 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
6618 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
6619 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
6620 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
6621 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
6622 position.
6623
6624 @kindex show record btrace
6625 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
6626 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
6627
6628 @kindex set record btrace bts
6629 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
6630 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
6631 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
6632 format. Default is 64KB.
6633
6634 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
6635 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
6636 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
6637 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
6638 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
6639 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
6640 the @acronym{BTS} format.
6641
6642 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
6643 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
6644
6645 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
6646 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
6647
6648 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
6649 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
6650 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
6651
6652 @kindex set record btrace pt
6653 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
6654 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
6655 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel(R)
6656 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
6657
6658 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
6659 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
6660 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel(R) Processor Trace
6661 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
6662 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
6663 actual buffer size for each thread.
6664
6665 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
6666 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
6667
6668 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
6669 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
6670
6671 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
6672 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
6673 tracing in Intel(R) Processor Trace format.
6674
6675 @kindex info record
6676 @item info record
6677 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6678 method:
6679
6680 @table @code
6681 @item full
6682 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6683 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6684
6685 @itemize @bullet
6686 @item
6687 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6688 @item
6689 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6690 @item
6691 Highest recorded instruction number.
6692 @item
6693 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6694 @item
6695 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6696 @item
6697 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6698 @end itemize
6699
6700 @item btrace
6701 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
6702
6703 @itemize @bullet
6704 @item
6705 Recording format.
6706 @item
6707 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
6708 @item
6709 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
6710 instructions.
6711 @item
6712 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6713 @end itemize
6714
6715 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
6716 @itemize @bullet
6717 @item
6718 Size of the perf ring buffer.
6719 @end itemize
6720
6721 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
6722 @itemize @bullet
6723 @item
6724 Size of the perf ring buffer.
6725 @end itemize
6726 @end table
6727
6728 @kindex record delete
6729 @kindex rec del
6730 @item record delete
6731 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6732 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6733 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6734 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6735
6736 @kindex record instruction-history
6737 @kindex rec instruction-history
6738 @item record instruction-history
6739 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6740 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6741 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6742 are printed in execution order.
6743
6744 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
6745 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
6746 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
6747
6748 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
6749 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
6750 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
6751 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
6752 @code{/p} modifier.
6753
6754 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
6755 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
6756 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
6757
6758 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
6759 feature is not available for all recording formats.
6760
6761 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
6762 disassemble:
6763
6764 @table @code
6765 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6766 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6767 @var{insn}.
6768
6769 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6770 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6771 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6772 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6773 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6774 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6775
6776 @item record instruction-history
6777 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6778
6779 @item record instruction-history -
6780 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6781
6782 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
6783 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6784 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6785 number @var{end} is included.
6786 @end table
6787
6788 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6789
6790 @kindex set record
6791 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6792 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6793 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6794 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6795 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6796
6797 @kindex show record
6798 @item show record instruction-history-size
6799 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6800 instruction-history} command.
6801
6802 @kindex record function-call-history
6803 @kindex rec function-call-history
6804 @item record function-call-history
6805 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6806 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6807 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6808 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6809 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6810 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
6811 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
6812 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
6813 given together.
6814
6815 @smallexample
6816 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6817 1 void foo (void)
6818 2 @{
6819 3 @}
6820 4
6821 5 void bar (void)
6822 6 @{
6823 7 ...
6824 8 foo ();
6825 9 ...
6826 10 @}
6827 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
6828 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
6829 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
6830 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
6831 @end smallexample
6832
6833 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6834 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6835 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6836 to print:
6837
6838 @table @code
6839 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6840 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6841
6842 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6843 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6844 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6845 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6846 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6847
6848 @item record function-call-history
6849 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6850
6851 @item record function-call-history -
6852 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6853
6854 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
6855 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6856 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
6857 @end table
6858
6859 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6860
6861 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6862 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6863 Define how many lines to print in the
6864 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6865 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6866
6867 @item show record function-call-history-size
6868 Show how many lines to print in the
6869 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6870 @end table
6871
6872
6873 @node Stack
6874 @chapter Examining the Stack
6875
6876 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6877 stopped and how it got there.
6878
6879 @cindex call stack
6880 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6881 is generated.
6882 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6883 the arguments of the call,
6884 and the local variables of the function being called.
6885 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6886 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6887 stack}.
6888
6889 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6890 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6891
6892 @cindex selected frame
6893 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6894 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6895 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6896 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6897 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6898 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6899
6900 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6901 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6902 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6903
6904 @menu
6905 * Frames:: Stack frames
6906 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6907 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6908 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6909 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6910
6911 @end menu
6912
6913 @node Frames
6914 @section Stack Frames
6915
6916 @cindex frame, definition
6917 @cindex stack frame
6918 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6919 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6920 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6921 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6922 which the function is executing.
6923
6924 @cindex initial frame
6925 @cindex outermost frame
6926 @cindex innermost frame
6927 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6928 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6929 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6930 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6931 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6932 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6933 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6934 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6935
6936 @cindex frame pointer
6937 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6938 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6939 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6940 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6941 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6942 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6943
6944 @cindex frame number
6945 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6946 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6947 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6948 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6949 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6950
6951 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6952 @c underflow problems.
6953 @cindex frameless execution
6954 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6955 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6956 @smallexample
6957 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6958 @end smallexample
6959 generates functions without a frame.)
6960 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6961 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6962 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6963 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6964 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6965 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6966 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6967
6968 @node Backtrace
6969 @section Backtraces
6970
6971 @cindex traceback
6972 @cindex call stack traces
6973 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6974 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6975 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6976 stack.
6977
6978 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6979 @table @code
6980 @kindex backtrace
6981 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6982 @item backtrace
6983 @itemx bt
6984 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6985 frames in the stack.
6986
6987 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6988 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6989
6990 @item backtrace @var{n}
6991 @itemx bt @var{n}
6992 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6993
6994 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6995 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6996 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6997
6998 @item backtrace full
6999 @itemx bt full
7000 @itemx bt full @var{n}
7001 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
7002 Print the values of the local variables also. As described above,
7003 @var{n} specifies the number of frames to print.
7004
7005 @item backtrace no-filters
7006 @itemx bt no-filters
7007 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
7008 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
7009 @itemx bt no-filters full
7010 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
7011 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
7012 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7013 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7014 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7015 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7016 support.
7017 @end table
7018
7019 @kindex where
7020 @kindex info stack
7021 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7022 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7023
7024 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7025 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7026 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7027 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7028 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7029 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7030 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7031 multi-threaded program.
7032
7033 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7034 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7035 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7036 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7037 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7038 line number.
7039
7040 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7041 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7042
7043 @smallexample
7044 @group
7045 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7046 at builtin.c:993
7047 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7048 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7049 at macro.c:71
7050 (More stack frames follow...)
7051 @end group
7052 @end smallexample
7053
7054 @noindent
7055 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7056 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7057 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7058
7059 @noindent
7060 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7061 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7062 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7063 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7064 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7065
7066 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7067 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7068 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7069 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7070 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7071 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7072 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7073 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7074 such a backtrace might look like:
7075
7076 @smallexample
7077 @group
7078 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7079 at builtin.c:993
7080 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7081 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7082 at macro.c:71
7083 (More stack frames follow...)
7084 @end group
7085 @end smallexample
7086
7087 @noindent
7088 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7089 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7090
7091 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7092 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7093 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7094
7095 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7096 @cindex program entry point
7097 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7098 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7099 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7100 @code{main}@footnote{
7101 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7102 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7103 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7104 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7105 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7106 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7107
7108 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7109 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7110
7111 @table @code
7112 @item set backtrace past-main
7113 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7114 @kindex set backtrace
7115 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7116
7117 @item set backtrace past-main off
7118 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7119 default.
7120
7121 @item show backtrace past-main
7122 @kindex show backtrace
7123 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7124
7125 @item set backtrace past-entry
7126 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7127 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7128 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7129 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7130
7131 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7132 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7133 application. This is the default.
7134
7135 @item show backtrace past-entry
7136 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7137
7138 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7139 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7140 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7141 @cindex backtrace limit
7142 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7143 or zero means unlimited levels.
7144
7145 @item show backtrace limit
7146 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7147 @end table
7148
7149 You can control how file names are displayed.
7150
7151 @table @code
7152 @item set filename-display
7153 @itemx set filename-display relative
7154 @cindex filename-display
7155 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7156
7157 @item set filename-display basename
7158 Display only basename of a filename.
7159
7160 @item set filename-display absolute
7161 Display an absolute filename.
7162
7163 @item show filename-display
7164 Show the current way to display filenames.
7165 @end table
7166
7167 @node Selection
7168 @section Selecting a Frame
7169
7170 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7171 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7172 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7173 of the stack frame just selected.
7174
7175 @table @code
7176 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7177 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7178 @item frame @var{n}
7179 @itemx f @var{n}
7180 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7181 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7182 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7183 @code{main}.
7184
7185 @item frame @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7186 @itemx f @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7187 Select the frame at address @var{stack-addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7188 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7189 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7190 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7191 switches between them. The optional @var{pc-addr} can also be given to
7192 specify the value of PC for the stack frame.
7193
7194 @kindex up
7195 @item up @var{n}
7196 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7197 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7198 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7199
7200 @kindex down
7201 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7202 @item down @var{n}
7203 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7204 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7205 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7206 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7207 @end table
7208
7209 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7210 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7211 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7212 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7213
7214 @need 1000
7215 For example:
7216
7217 @smallexample
7218 @group
7219 (@value{GDBP}) up
7220 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7221 at env.c:10
7222 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7223 @end group
7224 @end smallexample
7225
7226 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7227 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7228 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7229 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7230 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7231 for details.
7232
7233 @table @code
7234 @kindex select-frame
7235 @item select-frame
7236 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
7237 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
7238 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
7239 output might be unnecessary and distracting.
7240
7241 @kindex down-silently
7242 @kindex up-silently
7243 @item up-silently @var{n}
7244 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7245 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7246 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7247 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7248 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7249 distracting.
7250 @end table
7251
7252 @node Frame Info
7253 @section Information About a Frame
7254
7255 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7256 stack frame.
7257
7258 @table @code
7259 @item frame
7260 @itemx f
7261 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7262 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7263 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7264 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7265 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7266
7267 @kindex info frame
7268 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7269 @item info frame
7270 @itemx info f
7271 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7272 including:
7273
7274 @itemize @bullet
7275 @item
7276 the address of the frame
7277 @item
7278 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7279 @item
7280 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7281 @item
7282 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7283 @item
7284 the address of the frame's arguments
7285 @item
7286 the address of the frame's local variables
7287 @item
7288 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7289 @item
7290 which registers were saved in the frame
7291 @end itemize
7292
7293 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7294 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7295 the usual conventions.
7296
7297 @item info frame @var{addr}
7298 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7299 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7300 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7301 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7302 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7303 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7304
7305 @kindex info args
7306 @item info args
7307 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7308
7309 @item info locals
7310 @kindex info locals
7311 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7312 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7313 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7314
7315 @end table
7316
7317 @node Frame Filter Management
7318 @section Management of Frame Filters.
7319 @cindex managing frame filters
7320
7321 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
7322 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
7323
7324 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
7325 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
7326
7327 @table @code
7328 @kindex info frame-filter
7329 @item info frame-filter
7330 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
7331 their name, priority and enabled status.
7332
7333 @kindex disable frame-filter
7334 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
7335 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7336 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7337 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7338 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7339 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7340 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
7341 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
7342 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7343 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
7344 may be enabled again later.
7345
7346 @kindex enable frame-filter
7347 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7348 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7349 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7350 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7351 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7352 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
7353 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
7354 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7355 @var{filter-dictionary}.
7356
7357 Example:
7358
7359 @smallexample
7360 (gdb) info frame-filter
7361
7362 global frame-filters:
7363 Priority Enabled Name
7364 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7365 100 Yes Reverse
7366
7367 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7368 Priority Enabled Name
7369 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7370
7371 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7372 Priority Enabled Name
7373 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
7374
7375 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
7376 (gdb) info frame-filter
7377
7378 global frame-filters:
7379 Priority Enabled Name
7380 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7381 100 Yes Reverse
7382
7383 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7384 Priority Enabled Name
7385 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7386
7387 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7388 Priority Enabled Name
7389 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7390
7391 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7392 (gdb) info frame-filter
7393
7394 global frame-filters:
7395 Priority Enabled Name
7396 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7397 100 Yes Reverse
7398
7399 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7400 Priority Enabled Name
7401 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7402
7403 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7404 Priority Enabled Name
7405 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7406 @end smallexample
7407
7408 @kindex set frame-filter priority
7409 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
7410 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7411 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7412 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7413 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7414 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
7415
7416 @kindex show frame-filter priority
7417 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7418 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7419 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7420 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7421 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7422 dictionary resides.
7423
7424 Example:
7425
7426 @smallexample
7427 (gdb) info frame-filter
7428
7429 global frame-filters:
7430 Priority Enabled Name
7431 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7432 100 Yes Reverse
7433
7434 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7435 Priority Enabled Name
7436 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7437
7438 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7439 Priority Enabled Name
7440 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7441
7442 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
7443 (gdb) info frame-filter
7444
7445 global frame-filters:
7446 Priority Enabled Name
7447 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7448 50 Yes Reverse
7449
7450 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7451 Priority Enabled Name
7452 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7453
7454 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7455 Priority Enabled Name
7456 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7457 @end smallexample
7458 @end table
7459
7460 @node Source
7461 @chapter Examining Source Files
7462
7463 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7464 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7465 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7466 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7467 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7468 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7469 source files by explicit command.
7470
7471 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7472 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7473 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7474
7475 @menu
7476 * List:: Printing source lines
7477 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7478 * Edit:: Editing source files
7479 * Search:: Searching source files
7480 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7481 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7482 @end menu
7483
7484 @node List
7485 @section Printing Source Lines
7486
7487 @kindex list
7488 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7489 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7490 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7491 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7492 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7493
7494 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7495
7496 @table @code
7497 @item list @var{linenum}
7498 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7499 current source file.
7500
7501 @item list @var{function}
7502 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7503 @var{function}.
7504
7505 @item list
7506 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7507 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7508 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7509 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7510 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7511
7512 @item list -
7513 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7514 @end table
7515
7516 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7517 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7518 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7519
7520 @table @code
7521 @kindex set listsize
7522 @item set listsize @var{count}
7523 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7524 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7525 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7526 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7527
7528 @kindex show listsize
7529 @item show listsize
7530 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7531 @end table
7532
7533 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7534 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7535 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7536 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7537 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7538
7539 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7540 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
7541 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7542 to specify some source line.
7543
7544 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7545
7546 @table @code
7547 @item list @var{location}
7548 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
7549
7550 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7551 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7552 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
7553 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
7554 the same source file as the first location.
7555
7556 @item list ,@var{last}
7557 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7558
7559 @item list @var{first},
7560 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7561
7562 @item list +
7563 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7564
7565 @item list -
7566 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7567
7568 @item list
7569 As described in the preceding table.
7570 @end table
7571
7572 @node Specify Location
7573 @section Specifying a Location
7574 @cindex specifying location
7575 @cindex location
7576 @cindex source location
7577
7578 @menu
7579 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
7580 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
7581 * Address Locations:: Address locations
7582 @end menu
7583
7584 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7585 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7586 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
7587 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
7588 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
7589
7590 @node Linespec Locations
7591 @subsection Linespec Locations
7592 @cindex linespec locations
7593
7594 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
7595 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
7596 specifying a linespec:
7597
7598 @table @code
7599 @item @var{linenum}
7600 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7601
7602 @item -@var{offset}
7603 @itemx +@var{offset}
7604 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7605 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7606 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7607 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7608 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7609 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7610 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7611 linespec.
7612
7613 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7614 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7615 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7616 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7617 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7618 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7619 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7620
7621 @item @var{function}
7622 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7623 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7624
7625 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7626 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7627
7628 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7629 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7630 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7631 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7632 functions in different source files.
7633
7634 @item @var{label}
7635 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
7636 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
7637 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
7638 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7639
7640 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7641 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7642 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7643 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7644 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7645 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7646
7647 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7648 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7649 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7650 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7651 each one of those probes.
7652 @end table
7653
7654 @node Explicit Locations
7655 @subsection Explicit Locations
7656 @cindex explicit locations
7657
7658 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
7659 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
7660
7661 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
7662 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
7663 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
7664 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
7665 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
7666
7667 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
7668 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
7669 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
7670 the symbol table to know.
7671
7672 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
7673 following table:
7674
7675 @table @code
7676 @item -source @var{filename}
7677 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
7678 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
7679 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
7680 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
7681 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
7682
7683 @item -function @var{function}
7684 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
7685 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
7686 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
7687 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
7688
7689 @item -label @var{label}
7690 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
7691 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
7692 selected stack frame.
7693
7694 @item -line @var{number}
7695 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
7696 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
7697 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
7698 relative to the current line.
7699 @end table
7700
7701 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
7702 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @code{break -s main.c -li 3}.
7703
7704 @node Address Locations
7705 @subsection Address Locations
7706 @cindex address locations
7707
7708 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
7709 the generalized form *@var{address}.
7710
7711 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
7712 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
7713 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7714 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7715 source files.
7716
7717 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7718 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7719 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7720 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
7721 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
7722 of @var{address}:
7723
7724 @table @code
7725 @item @var{expression}
7726 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7727
7728 @item @var{funcaddr}
7729 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7730 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7731 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7732 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7733 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7734 (although the Pascal form also works).
7735
7736 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7737 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7738
7739 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
7740 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7741 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7742 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7743 functions with identical names in different source files.
7744 @end table
7745
7746 @node Edit
7747 @section Editing Source Files
7748 @cindex editing source files
7749
7750 @kindex edit
7751 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7752 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7753 The editing program of your choice
7754 is invoked with the current line set to
7755 the active line in the program.
7756 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7757 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7758
7759 @table @code
7760 @item edit @var{location}
7761 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7762 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7763 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7764 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7765 command most commonly used:
7766
7767 @table @code
7768 @item edit @var{number}
7769 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7770
7771 @item edit @var{function}
7772 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7773 @end table
7774
7775 @end table
7776
7777 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7778 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7779 @footnote{
7780 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7781 following command-line syntax:
7782 @smallexample
7783 ex +@var{number} file
7784 @end smallexample
7785 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7786 the file where to start editing.}.
7787 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7788 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7789 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7790 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7791 @smallexample
7792 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7793 export EDITOR
7794 gdb @dots{}
7795 @end smallexample
7796 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7797 @smallexample
7798 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7799 gdb @dots{}
7800 @end smallexample
7801
7802 @node Search
7803 @section Searching Source Files
7804 @cindex searching source files
7805
7806 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7807 regular expression.
7808
7809 @table @code
7810 @kindex search
7811 @kindex forward-search
7812 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7813 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7814 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7815 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7816 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7817 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7818 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7819 @code{fo}.
7820
7821 @kindex reverse-search
7822 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7823 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7824 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7825 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7826 this command as @code{rev}.
7827 @end table
7828
7829 @node Source Path
7830 @section Specifying Source Directories
7831
7832 @cindex source path
7833 @cindex directories for source files
7834 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7835 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7836 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7837 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7838 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7839 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7840 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7841
7842 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7843 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7844 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7845 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7846 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7847 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7848 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7849 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7850 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7851 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7852 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7853
7854 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7855 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7856 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7857 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7858 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7859 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7860
7861 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7862 source files.
7863
7864 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7865 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7866 each line is in the file.
7867
7868 @kindex directory
7869 @kindex dir
7870 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7871 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7872 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7873
7874 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7875 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7876
7877 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7878 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7879 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7880 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7881 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7882 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7883 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7884 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7885 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7886 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7887 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7888 name to look up the sources.
7889
7890 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7891 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7892 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7893 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7894 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7895 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7896 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7897 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7898
7899 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7900 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7901 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7902 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7903 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7904 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7905 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7906
7907 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7908 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7909 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7910 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7911 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7912 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7913 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7914 command.
7915
7916 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7917 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7918 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7919 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7920 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7921 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7922 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7923
7924 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7925 @cindex default source path substitution
7926 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7927 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7928 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7929 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7930 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7931 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7932 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7933 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7934 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7935 together.
7936
7937 @table @code
7938 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7939 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7940 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7941 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7942 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7943 part of absolute file names) or
7944 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7945 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7946
7947 @kindex cdir
7948 @kindex cwd
7949 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7950 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7951 @cindex compilation directory
7952 @cindex current directory
7953 @cindex working directory
7954 @cindex directory, current
7955 @cindex directory, compilation
7956 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7957 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7958 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7959 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7960 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7961 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7962
7963 @item directory
7964 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7965
7966 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7967 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7968
7969 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7970 @kindex set directories
7971 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7972 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7973
7974 @item show directories
7975 @kindex show directories
7976 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7977
7978 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7979 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7980 @kindex set substitute-path
7981 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7982 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7983 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7984
7985 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7986 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7987
7988 @smallexample
7989 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
7990 @end smallexample
7991
7992 @noindent
7993 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
7994 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7995 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7996
7997 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7998 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7999 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
8000 the substitution.
8001
8002 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
8003
8004 @smallexample
8005 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
8006 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
8007 @end smallexample
8008
8009 @noindent
8010 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
8011 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
8012 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
8013 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
8014
8015
8016 @item unset substitute-path [path]
8017 @kindex unset substitute-path
8018 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
8019 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
8020 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
8021
8022 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
8023
8024 @item show substitute-path [path]
8025 @kindex show substitute-path
8026 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
8027 which would rewrite that path, if any.
8028
8029 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
8030 rules.
8031
8032 @end table
8033
8034 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
8035 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
8036 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
8037
8038 @enumerate
8039 @item
8040 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
8041
8042 @item
8043 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
8044 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
8045 directories in one command.
8046 @end enumerate
8047
8048 @node Machine Code
8049 @section Source and Machine Code
8050 @cindex source line and its code address
8051
8052 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
8053 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
8054 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
8055 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
8056 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
8057 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
8058 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
8059 well as hex.
8060
8061 @table @code
8062 @kindex info line
8063 @item info line @var{location}
8064 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
8065 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
8066 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
8067 @end table
8068
8069 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
8070 the object code for the first line of function
8071 @code{m4_changequote}:
8072
8073 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
8074 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
8075 @smallexample
8076 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
8077 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
8078 @end smallexample
8079
8080 @noindent
8081 @cindex code address and its source line
8082 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
8083 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
8084 @smallexample
8085 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
8086 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
8087 @end smallexample
8088
8089 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
8090 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
8091 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
8092 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
8093 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
8094 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
8095 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
8096 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8097 Variables}).
8098
8099 @table @code
8100 @kindex disassemble
8101 @cindex assembly instructions
8102 @cindex instructions, assembly
8103 @cindex machine instructions
8104 @cindex listing machine instructions
8105 @item disassemble
8106 @itemx disassemble /m
8107 @itemx disassemble /s
8108 @itemx disassemble /r
8109 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
8110 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
8111 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
8112 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
8113 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
8114 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
8115 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
8116 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
8117 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
8118 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
8119
8120 @table @code
8121 @item @var{start},@var{end}
8122 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
8123 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
8124 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
8125 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
8126 @end table
8127
8128 @noindent
8129 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
8130 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
8131
8132 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
8133 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
8134
8135 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
8136 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
8137 @end table
8138
8139 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
8140 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
8141
8142 @smallexample
8143 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
8144 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
8145 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
8146 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
8147 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8148 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
8149 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
8150 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
8151 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
8152 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8153 End of assembler dump.
8154 @end smallexample
8155
8156 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
8157 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
8158 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
8159
8160 @smallexample
8161 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8162 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8163 5 @{
8164 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
8165 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
8166 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
8167 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
8168 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
8169
8170 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
8171 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
8172 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
8173
8174 7 return 0;
8175 8 @}
8176 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
8177 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
8178 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
8179
8180 End of assembler dump.
8181 @end smallexample
8182
8183 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
8184 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
8185 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
8186 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
8187 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
8188 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
8189 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
8190 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
8191 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
8192
8193 @file{foo.h}:
8194
8195 @smallexample
8196 int
8197 foo (int a)
8198 @{
8199 if (a < 0)
8200 return a * 2;
8201 if (a == 0)
8202 return 1;
8203 return a + 10;
8204 @}
8205 @end smallexample
8206
8207 @file{foo.c}:
8208
8209 @smallexample
8210 #include "foo.h"
8211 volatile int x, y;
8212 int
8213 main ()
8214 @{
8215 x = foo (y);
8216 return 0;
8217 @}
8218 @end smallexample
8219
8220 @smallexample
8221 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8222 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8223 5 @{
8224
8225 6 x = foo (y);
8226 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8227 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8228
8229 7 return 0;
8230 8 @}
8231 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8232 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8233 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8234 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8235
8236 End of assembler dump.
8237 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
8238 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8239 foo.c:
8240 5 @{
8241 6 x = foo (y);
8242 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8243
8244 foo.h:
8245 4 if (a < 0)
8246 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
8247 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
8248
8249 6 if (a == 0)
8250 7 return 1;
8251 8 return a + 10;
8252 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
8253 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
8254 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
8255 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
8256
8257 foo.c:
8258 6 x = foo (y);
8259 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8260
8261 7 return 0;
8262 8 @}
8263 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8264 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8265
8266 foo.h:
8267 5 return a * 2;
8268 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8269 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8270 End of assembler dump.
8271 @end smallexample
8272
8273 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
8274
8275 @smallexample
8276 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
8277 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
8278 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
8279 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
8280 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
8281 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
8282 End of assembler dump.
8283 @end smallexample
8284
8285 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
8286 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
8287 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
8288 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
8289
8290 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
8291 mnemonics or other syntax.
8292
8293 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
8294 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
8295 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
8296 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
8297 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
8298
8299 @table @code
8300 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
8301 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
8302 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
8303 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
8304 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
8305 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
8306
8307 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
8308 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
8309 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
8310 assemblers for x86-based targets.
8311
8312 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
8313 @item show disassembly-flavor
8314 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
8315 @end table
8316
8317 @table @code
8318 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
8319 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
8320 @item set disassemble-next-line
8321 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
8322 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
8323 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
8324 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
8325 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
8326 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
8327 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
8328 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
8329 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
8330 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
8331 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
8332 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
8333 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
8334 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
8335 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
8336 instruction.
8337 @end table
8338
8339
8340 @node Data
8341 @chapter Examining Data
8342
8343 @cindex printing data
8344 @cindex examining data
8345 @kindex print
8346 @kindex inspect
8347 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
8348 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
8349 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
8350 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
8351 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
8352 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
8353
8354 @table @code
8355 @item print @var{expr}
8356 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
8357 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
8358 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
8359 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
8360 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
8361 Formats}.
8362
8363 @item print
8364 @itemx print /@var{f}
8365 @cindex reprint the last value
8366 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
8367 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
8368 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
8369 @end table
8370
8371 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
8372 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
8373 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8374
8375 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
8376 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
8377 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
8378 Table}.
8379
8380 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
8381 @kindex explore
8382 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
8383 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
8384 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
8385 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
8386 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
8387 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
8388 embedded in the higher level data types.
8389
8390 @table @code
8391 @item explore @var{arg}
8392 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
8393 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
8394 @end table
8395
8396 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
8397 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
8398 C program as
8399
8400 @smallexample
8401 struct SimpleStruct
8402 @{
8403 int i;
8404 double d;
8405 @};
8406
8407 struct ComplexStruct
8408 @{
8409 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
8410 int arr[10];
8411 @};
8412 @end smallexample
8413
8414 @noindent
8415 followed by variable declarations as
8416
8417 @smallexample
8418 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
8419 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
8420 @end smallexample
8421
8422 @noindent
8423 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
8424 @code{explore} command as follows.
8425
8426 @smallexample
8427 (gdb) explore cs
8428 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
8429 the following fields:
8430
8431 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
8432 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
8433
8434 Enter the field number of choice:
8435 @end smallexample
8436
8437 @noindent
8438 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
8439 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
8440 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
8441 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
8442 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
8443 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
8444 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
8445 field will be explored as if it were an array.
8446
8447 @smallexample
8448 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
8449 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
8450 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
8451 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
8452
8453 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
8454 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
8455
8456 Press enter to return to parent value:
8457 @end smallexample
8458
8459 @noindent
8460 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
8461 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
8462 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
8463 to explore.
8464
8465 @smallexample
8466 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
8467 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
8468
8469 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
8470
8471 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
8472
8473 Press enter to return to parent value:
8474 @end smallexample
8475
8476 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
8477 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
8478 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
8479 level data structure).
8480
8481 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
8482 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
8483 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
8484 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
8485 same example as above, your can explore the type
8486 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
8487 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
8488
8489 @smallexample
8490 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
8491 @end smallexample
8492
8493 @noindent
8494 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
8495 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
8496 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
8497 example.
8498
8499 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
8500 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
8501 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
8502 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
8503 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
8504
8505 @table @code
8506 @item explore value @var{expr}
8507 @cindex explore value
8508 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
8509 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
8510 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
8511 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
8512 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
8513
8514 @item explore type @var{arg}
8515 @cindex explore type
8516 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
8517 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
8518 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
8519 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
8520 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
8521 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
8522 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
8523 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
8524 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
8525 @end table
8526
8527 @menu
8528 * Expressions:: Expressions
8529 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8530 * Variables:: Program variables
8531 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8532 * Output Formats:: Output formats
8533 * Memory:: Examining memory
8534 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
8535 * Print Settings:: Print settings
8536 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8537 * Value History:: Value history
8538 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8539 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8540 * Registers:: Registers
8541 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8542 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8543 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8544 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8545 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8546 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8547 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8548 character set than GDB does
8549 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
8550 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8551 @end menu
8552
8553 @node Expressions
8554 @section Expressions
8555
8556 @cindex expressions
8557 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8558 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8559 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8560 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8561 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8562 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8563 @ref{Compilation}.
8564
8565 @cindex arrays in expressions
8566 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8567 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8568 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8569 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8570 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8571 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8572
8573 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8574 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8575 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8576 languages.
8577
8578 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8579 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8580
8581 @cindex casts, in expressions
8582 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8583 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8584 at that address in memory.
8585 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8586
8587 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8588 to programming languages:
8589
8590 @table @code
8591 @item @@
8592 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8593 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8594
8595 @item ::
8596 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8597 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8598
8599 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8600 @cindex type casting memory
8601 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8602 @cindex casts, to view memory
8603 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8604 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8605 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
8606 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
8607 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
8608 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8609 @end table
8610
8611 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8612 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8613 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8614
8615 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8616 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8617 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8618 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8619 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8620 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8621 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8622
8623 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8624 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8625 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8626 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8627 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8628 as well.
8629
8630 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8631 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8632 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8633 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8634 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8635 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8636 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8637 choices.
8638
8639 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8640 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8641 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8642
8643 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8644 @smallexample
8645 @group
8646 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8647 [0] cancel
8648 [1] all
8649 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8650 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8651 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8652 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8653 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8654 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8655 > 2 4 6
8656 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8657 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8658 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8659 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8660 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8661 breakpoints.
8662 (@value{GDBP})
8663 @end group
8664 @end smallexample
8665
8666 @table @code
8667 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8668 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8669 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8670
8671 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8672 is ambiguous.
8673
8674 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8675 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8676 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8677 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8678 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8679 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8680 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8681 in the use of the menu.
8682
8683 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8684 when an ambiguity is detected.
8685
8686 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8687 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8688
8689 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8690 @item show multiple-symbols
8691 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8692 @end table
8693
8694 @node Variables
8695 @section Program Variables
8696
8697 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8698 in your program.
8699
8700 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8701 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8702
8703 @itemize @bullet
8704 @item
8705 global (or file-static)
8706 @end itemize
8707
8708 @noindent or
8709
8710 @itemize @bullet
8711 @item
8712 visible according to the scope rules of the
8713 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8714 @end itemize
8715
8716 @noindent This means that in the function
8717
8718 @smallexample
8719 foo (a)
8720 int a;
8721 @{
8722 bar (a);
8723 @{
8724 int b = test ();
8725 bar (b);
8726 @}
8727 @}
8728 @end smallexample
8729
8730 @noindent
8731 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8732 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8733 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8734 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8735
8736 @cindex variable name conflict
8737 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8738 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8739 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8740 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8741 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8742 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8743 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8744
8745 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8746 @ifnotinfo
8747 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8748 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8749 @end ifnotinfo
8750 @smallexample
8751 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8752 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8753 @end smallexample
8754
8755 @noindent
8756 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8757 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8758 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8759 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8760
8761 @smallexample
8762 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8763 @end smallexample
8764
8765 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8766 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8767 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8768 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8769 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8770
8771 @smallexample
8772 void
8773 foo (int a)
8774 @{
8775 if (a < 10)
8776 bar (a);
8777 else
8778 process (a); /* Stop here */
8779 @}
8780
8781 int
8782 bar (int a)
8783 @{
8784 foo (a + 5);
8785 @}
8786 @end smallexample
8787
8788 @noindent
8789 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8790 here is what you might see
8791 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8792
8793 @smallexample
8794 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8795 $1 = 10
8796 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8797 $2 = 5
8798 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8799 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8800 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8801 $3 = 5
8802 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8803 $4 = 0
8804 @end smallexample
8805
8806 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8807 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
8808 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
8809 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
8810 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
8811
8812 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
8813 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
8814 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
8815 @code{some_global}.
8816
8817 @smallexample
8818 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
8819 $1 = 23
8820 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
8821 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
8822 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
8823 $2 = 27
8824 @end smallexample
8825
8826 @cindex wrong values
8827 @cindex variable values, wrong
8828 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8829 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8830 @quotation
8831 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8832 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8833 scope, and just before exit.
8834 @end quotation
8835 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8836 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8837 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8838 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8839 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8840 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8841 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8842 variable definitions may be gone.
8843
8844 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8845 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8846 when compiling.
8847
8848 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8849 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8850 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8851 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8852 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8853 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8854 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8855
8856 @smallexample
8857 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8858 @end smallexample
8859
8860 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8861 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8862 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8863 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8864 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8865
8866 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8867 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8868 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8869 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8870
8871 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8872 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8873 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8874 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8875 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8876
8877 @smallexample
8878 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8879 29 i++;
8880 (gdb) next
8881 30 e (i);
8882 (gdb) print i
8883 $1 = 31
8884 (gdb) print i@@entry
8885 $2 = 30
8886 @end smallexample
8887
8888 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8889 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8890 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8891 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8892 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8893 For program code
8894
8895 @smallexample
8896 char var0[] = "A";
8897 signed char var1[] = "A";
8898 @end smallexample
8899
8900 You get during debugging
8901 @smallexample
8902 (gdb) print var0
8903 $1 = "A"
8904 (gdb) print var1
8905 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8906 @end smallexample
8907
8908 @node Arrays
8909 @section Artificial Arrays
8910
8911 @cindex artificial array
8912 @cindex arrays
8913 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8914 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8915 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8916 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8917 program.
8918
8919 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8920 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8921 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8922 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8923 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8924 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8925 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8926 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8927 example. If a program says
8928
8929 @smallexample
8930 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8931 @end smallexample
8932
8933 @noindent
8934 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8935
8936 @smallexample
8937 p *array@@len
8938 @end smallexample
8939
8940 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8941 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8942 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8943 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8944 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8945
8946 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8947 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8948 The value need not be in memory:
8949 @smallexample
8950 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8951 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8952 @end smallexample
8953
8954 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8955 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8956 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8957 @smallexample
8958 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8959 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8960 @end smallexample
8961
8962 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8963 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8964 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8965 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8966 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8967 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8968 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8969 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8970 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8971 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8972
8973 @smallexample
8974 set $i = 0
8975 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8976 @key{RET}
8977 @key{RET}
8978 @dots{}
8979 @end smallexample
8980
8981 @node Output Formats
8982 @section Output Formats
8983
8984 @cindex formatted output
8985 @cindex output formats
8986 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8987 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8988 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8989 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8990 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8991
8992 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8993 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8994 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8995 letters supported are:
8996
8997 @table @code
8998 @item x
8999 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
9000 hexadecimal.
9001
9002 @item d
9003 Print as integer in signed decimal.
9004
9005 @item u
9006 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
9007
9008 @item o
9009 Print as integer in octal.
9010
9011 @item t
9012 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
9013 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
9014 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
9015 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
9016
9017 @item a
9018 @cindex unknown address, locating
9019 @cindex locate address
9020 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
9021 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
9022 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
9023
9024 @smallexample
9025 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
9026 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
9027 @end smallexample
9028
9029 @noindent
9030 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
9031 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
9032
9033 @item c
9034 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
9035 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
9036 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
9037 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
9038
9039 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
9040 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
9041 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
9042 data.
9043
9044 @item f
9045 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
9046 using typical floating point syntax.
9047
9048 @item s
9049 @cindex printing strings
9050 @cindex printing byte arrays
9051 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
9052 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
9053 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
9054 natural types.
9055
9056 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
9057 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
9058 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
9059 array.
9060
9061 @item z
9062 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
9063 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
9064 to the size of the integer type.
9065
9066 @item r
9067 @cindex raw printing
9068 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
9069 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
9070 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
9071 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
9072 pretty-printer which might exist.
9073 @end table
9074
9075 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
9076
9077 @smallexample
9078 p/x $pc
9079 @end smallexample
9080
9081 @noindent
9082 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
9083 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
9084
9085 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
9086 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
9087 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
9088
9089 @node Memory
9090 @section Examining Memory
9091
9092 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
9093 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
9094
9095 @cindex examining memory
9096 @table @code
9097 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
9098 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
9099 @itemx x @var{addr}
9100 @itemx x
9101 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
9102 @end table
9103
9104 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
9105 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
9106 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
9107 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
9108 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
9109
9110 @table @r
9111 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
9112 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
9113 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
9114 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
9115 @c 4.1.2.
9116
9117 @item @var{f}, the display format
9118 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
9119 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
9120 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
9121 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
9122 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
9123
9124 @item @var{u}, the unit size
9125 The unit size is any of
9126
9127 @table @code
9128 @item b
9129 Bytes.
9130 @item h
9131 Halfwords (two bytes).
9132 @item w
9133 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
9134 @item g
9135 Giant words (eight bytes).
9136 @end table
9137
9138 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
9139 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
9140 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
9141 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
9142 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
9143 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
9144 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
9145 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
9146 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
9147 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
9148 be altered.
9149
9150 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
9151 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
9152 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
9153 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
9154 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
9155 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
9156 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
9157 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
9158 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
9159 a value from memory).
9160 @end table
9161
9162 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
9163 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
9164 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
9165 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
9166 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
9167
9168 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
9169 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
9170 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
9171 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
9172 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
9173
9174 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
9175 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
9176 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
9177 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
9178 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
9179 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
9180 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
9181 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
9182 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
9183
9184 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
9185 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
9186 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
9187 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
9188 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
9189 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
9190 for successive uses of @code{x}.
9191
9192 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
9193 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
9194
9195 @smallexample
9196 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
9197 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
9198 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
9199 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
9200 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
9201 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
9202 @end smallexample
9203
9204 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
9205 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
9206 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
9207 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
9208 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
9209 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
9210 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
9211 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
9212 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
9213
9214 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
9215 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
9216 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
9217
9218 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
9219 @cindex addressable memory unit
9220 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
9221 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
9222 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
9223 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
9224 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
9225 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
9226 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
9227 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
9228 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
9229
9230 @cindex remote memory comparison
9231 @cindex target memory comparison
9232 @cindex verify remote memory image
9233 @cindex verify target memory image
9234 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
9235 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
9236 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
9237 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
9238 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
9239 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
9240
9241 @table @code
9242 @kindex compare-sections
9243 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
9244 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
9245 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
9246 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
9247 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
9248 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
9249
9250 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
9251 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
9252 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
9253 @end table
9254
9255 @node Auto Display
9256 @section Automatic Display
9257 @cindex automatic display
9258 @cindex display of expressions
9259
9260 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
9261 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
9262 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
9263 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
9264 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
9265 The automatic display looks like this:
9266
9267 @smallexample
9268 2: foo = 38
9269 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
9270 @end smallexample
9271
9272 @noindent
9273 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
9274 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
9275 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
9276 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
9277 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
9278 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
9279
9280 @table @code
9281 @kindex display
9282 @item display @var{expr}
9283 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
9284 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
9285
9286 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9287
9288 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
9289 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
9290 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
9291 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
9292 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
9293
9294 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
9295 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
9296 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
9297 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
9298 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9299 @end table
9300
9301 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
9302 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
9303 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9304
9305 @table @code
9306 @kindex delete display
9307 @kindex undisplay
9308 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
9309 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9310 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
9311 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
9312 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
9313 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
9314 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9315
9316 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9317 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
9318
9319 @kindex disable display
9320 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9321 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
9322 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
9323 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
9324 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
9325 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
9326 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
9327 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9328
9329 @kindex enable display
9330 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9331 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
9332 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
9333 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
9334 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
9335 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
9336 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9337
9338 @item display
9339 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
9340 done when your program stops.
9341
9342 @kindex info display
9343 @item info display
9344 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
9345 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
9346 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
9347 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
9348 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
9349 @end table
9350
9351 @cindex display disabled out of scope
9352 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
9353 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
9354 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
9355 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
9356 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
9357 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
9358 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
9359 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
9360 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
9361 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
9362
9363 @node Print Settings
9364 @section Print Settings
9365
9366 @cindex format options
9367 @cindex print settings
9368 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
9369 and symbols are printed.
9370
9371 @noindent
9372 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
9373
9374 @table @code
9375 @kindex set print
9376 @item set print address
9377 @itemx set print address on
9378 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
9379 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
9380 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
9381 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
9382 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
9383 @code{set print address on}:
9384
9385 @smallexample
9386 @group
9387 (@value{GDBP}) f
9388 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
9389 at input.c:530
9390 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9391 @end group
9392 @end smallexample
9393
9394 @item set print address off
9395 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
9396 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
9397
9398 @smallexample
9399 @group
9400 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
9401 (@value{GDBP}) f
9402 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
9403 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9404 @end group
9405 @end smallexample
9406
9407 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
9408 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
9409 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
9410 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
9411
9412 @kindex show print
9413 @item show print address
9414 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
9415 @end table
9416
9417 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
9418 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
9419 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
9420 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9421 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
9422 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
9423 it prints a symbolic address:
9424
9425 @table @code
9426 @item set print symbol-filename on
9427 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
9428 @cindex symbol, source file and line
9429 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
9430 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9431
9432 @item set print symbol-filename off
9433 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
9434 default.
9435
9436 @item show print symbol-filename
9437 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
9438 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9439 @end table
9440
9441 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
9442 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
9443 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
9444
9445 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
9446 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
9447
9448 @table @code
9449 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
9450 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
9451 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
9452 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
9453 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
9454 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
9455 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
9456 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
9457
9458 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
9459 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
9460 symbolic address.
9461 @end table
9462
9463 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
9464 @cindex pointer, finding referent
9465 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
9466 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
9467 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
9468 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
9469 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
9470 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9471
9472 @smallexample
9473 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
9474 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
9475 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
9476 @end smallexample
9477
9478 @quotation
9479 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
9480 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
9481 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
9482 @end quotation
9483
9484 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
9485 @samp{set print symbol on}:
9486
9487 @table @code
9488 @item set print symbol on
9489 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
9490 one exists.
9491
9492 @item set print symbol off
9493 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
9494 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
9495 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
9496
9497 @item show print symbol
9498 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
9499 address.
9500 @end table
9501
9502 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
9503
9504 @table @code
9505 @item set print array
9506 @itemx set print array on
9507 @cindex pretty print arrays
9508 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
9509 but uses more space. The default is off.
9510
9511 @item set print array off
9512 Return to compressed format for arrays.
9513
9514 @item show print array
9515 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
9516 arrays.
9517
9518 @cindex print array indexes
9519 @item set print array-indexes
9520 @itemx set print array-indexes on
9521 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
9522 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
9523 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
9524
9525 @item set print array-indexes off
9526 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
9527
9528 @item show print array-indexes
9529 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
9530 arrays.
9531
9532 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
9533 @itemx set print elements unlimited
9534 @cindex number of array elements to print
9535 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
9536 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
9537 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
9538 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
9539 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
9540 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
9541 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
9542 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
9543
9544 @item show print elements
9545 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
9546 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
9547
9548 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
9549 @kindex set print frame-arguments
9550 @cindex printing frame argument values
9551 @cindex print all frame argument values
9552 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
9553 @cindex do not print frame argument values
9554 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
9555 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
9556 values are:
9557
9558 @table @code
9559 @item all
9560 The values of all arguments are printed.
9561
9562 @item scalars
9563 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9564 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9565 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9566 only scalar arguments are shown:
9567
9568 @smallexample
9569 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9570 at frame-args.c:23
9571 @end smallexample
9572
9573 @item none
9574 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9575 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9576
9577 @smallexample
9578 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9579 at frame-args.c:23
9580 @end smallexample
9581 @end table
9582
9583 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9584 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9585 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9586 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9587 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9588 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9589 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9590 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9591 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9592 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9593
9594 @item show print frame-arguments
9595 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9596
9597 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
9598 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
9599
9600 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
9601 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
9602 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
9603 otherwise print the value in raw form.
9604 This is the default.
9605
9606 @item show print raw frame-arguments
9607 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
9608
9609 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9610 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9611 @kindex set print entry-values
9612 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9613 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9614 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9615 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9616 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9617
9618 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9619 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9620 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9621 @code{no} setting.
9622
9623 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9624 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9625 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9626 this information.
9627
9628 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9629
9630 @table @code
9631 @item no
9632 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9633 point.
9634 @smallexample
9635 #0 equal (val=5)
9636 #0 different (val=6)
9637 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9638 #0 born (val=10)
9639 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9640 @end smallexample
9641
9642 @item only
9643 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9644 values are never printed.
9645 @smallexample
9646 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9647 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9648 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9649 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9650 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9651 @end smallexample
9652
9653 @item preferred
9654 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9655 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9656 value for such parameter.
9657 @smallexample
9658 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9659 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9660 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9661 #0 born (val=10)
9662 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9663 @end smallexample
9664
9665 @item if-needed
9666 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9667 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9668 parameter.
9669 @smallexample
9670 #0 equal (val=5)
9671 #0 different (val=6)
9672 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9673 #0 born (val=10)
9674 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9675 @end smallexample
9676
9677 @item both
9678 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9679 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9680 optimizations.
9681 @smallexample
9682 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9683 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9684 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9685 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9686 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9687 @end smallexample
9688
9689 @item compact
9690 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9691 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9692 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9693 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9694 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9695 @smallexample
9696 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9697 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9698 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9699 #0 born (val=10)
9700 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9701 @end smallexample
9702
9703 @item default
9704 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9705 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9706 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9707 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9708 @smallexample
9709 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9710 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9711 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9712 #0 born (val=10)
9713 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9714 @end smallexample
9715 @end table
9716
9717 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9718 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9719
9720 @item show print entry-values
9721 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9722 entry.
9723
9724 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9725 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9726 @cindex repeated array elements
9727 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9728 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9729 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9730 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9731 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9732 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9733 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9734 is 10.
9735
9736 @item show print repeats
9737 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9738 elements.
9739
9740 @item set print null-stop
9741 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9742 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9743 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9744 contain only short strings.
9745 The default is off.
9746
9747 @item show print null-stop
9748 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9749 @sc{null} character.
9750
9751 @item set print pretty on
9752 @cindex print structures in indented form
9753 @cindex indentation in structure display
9754 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9755 per line, like this:
9756
9757 @smallexample
9758 @group
9759 $1 = @{
9760 next = 0x0,
9761 flags = @{
9762 sweet = 1,
9763 sour = 1
9764 @},
9765 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9766 @}
9767 @end group
9768 @end smallexample
9769
9770 @item set print pretty off
9771 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9772
9773 @smallexample
9774 @group
9775 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9776 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9777 @end group
9778 @end smallexample
9779
9780 @noindent
9781 This is the default format.
9782
9783 @item show print pretty
9784 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9785
9786 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9787 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9788 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9789 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9790 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9791 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9792 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9793 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9794
9795 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9796 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9797 international character sets, and is the default.
9798
9799 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9800 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9801
9802 @item set print union on
9803 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9804 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9805 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9806
9807 @item set print union off
9808 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9809 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9810 instead.
9811
9812 @item show print union
9813 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9814 structures and other unions.
9815
9816 For example, given the declarations
9817
9818 @smallexample
9819 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9820 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9821 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9822 Bug_forms;
9823
9824 struct thing @{
9825 Species it;
9826 union @{
9827 Tree_forms tree;
9828 Bug_forms bug;
9829 @} form;
9830 @};
9831
9832 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9833 @end smallexample
9834
9835 @noindent
9836 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9837
9838 @smallexample
9839 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9840 @end smallexample
9841
9842 @noindent
9843 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9844
9845 @smallexample
9846 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9847 @end smallexample
9848
9849 @noindent
9850 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9851 and in Pascal.
9852 @end table
9853
9854 @need 1000
9855 @noindent
9856 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9857
9858 @table @code
9859 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9860 @item set print demangle
9861 @itemx set print demangle on
9862 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9863 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9864 linkage. The default is on.
9865
9866 @item show print demangle
9867 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9868
9869 @item set print asm-demangle
9870 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9871 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9872 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9873 The default is off.
9874
9875 @item show print asm-demangle
9876 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9877 or demangled form.
9878
9879 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9880 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9881 @kindex set demangle-style
9882 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9883 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9884 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9885
9886 @table @code
9887 @item auto
9888 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9889 This is the default.
9890
9891 @item gnu
9892 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9893
9894 @item hp
9895 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9896
9897 @item lucid
9898 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9899
9900 @item arm
9901 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9902 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9903 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9904 require further enhancement to permit that.
9905
9906 @end table
9907 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9908
9909 @item show demangle-style
9910 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9911
9912 @item set print object
9913 @itemx set print object on
9914 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9915 @cindex display derived types
9916 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9917 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9918 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9919 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9920 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9921 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9922 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9923
9924 @item set print object off
9925 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9926 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9927
9928 @item show print object
9929 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9930
9931 @item set print static-members
9932 @itemx set print static-members on
9933 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9934 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9935
9936 @item set print static-members off
9937 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9938
9939 @item show print static-members
9940 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9941
9942 @item set print pascal_static-members
9943 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9944 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9945 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9946 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9947
9948 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9949 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9950
9951 @item show print pascal_static-members
9952 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9953
9954 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9955 @item set print vtbl
9956 @itemx set print vtbl on
9957 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9958 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9959 @cindex VTBL display
9960 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9961 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9962 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9963
9964 @item set print vtbl off
9965 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9966
9967 @item show print vtbl
9968 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9969 @end table
9970
9971 @node Pretty Printing
9972 @section Pretty Printing
9973
9974 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9975 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9976 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9977
9978 @menu
9979 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9980 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9981 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9982 @end menu
9983
9984 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9985 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9986
9987 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9988 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9989 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9990
9991 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9992 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9993 pretty-printers with their names.
9994 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9995 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9996 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9997 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9998
9999 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
10000 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
10001 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
10002 do anything special.
10003
10004 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
10005
10006 @itemize @bullet
10007 @item
10008 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
10009 all inferiors.
10010
10011 @item
10012 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
10013 when debugging that program.
10014 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
10015
10016 @item
10017 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
10018 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
10019 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
10020 @end itemize
10021
10022 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
10023 pretty-printers are selected,
10024
10025 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
10026 for new types.
10027
10028 @node Pretty-Printer Example
10029 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
10030
10031 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
10032
10033 @smallexample
10034 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10035 $1 = @{
10036 static npos = 4294967295,
10037 _M_dataplus = @{
10038 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
10039 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
10040 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
10041 @},
10042 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
10043 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
10044 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
10045 @}
10046 @}
10047 @end smallexample
10048
10049 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
10050
10051 @smallexample
10052 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10053 $2 = "abcd"
10054 @end smallexample
10055
10056 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
10057 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
10058 @cindex pretty-printer commands
10059
10060 @table @code
10061 @kindex info pretty-printer
10062 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10063 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
10064 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
10065
10066 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
10067 whose pretty-printers to list.
10068 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
10069 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
10070 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
10071 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
10072 looks up a printer from these three objects.
10073
10074 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
10075 to list.
10076
10077 @kindex disable pretty-printer
10078 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10079 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10080 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
10081
10082 @kindex enable pretty-printer
10083 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10084 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10085 @end table
10086
10087 Example:
10088
10089 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
10090 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
10091 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
10092 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
10093
10094 @smallexample
10095 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10096 library1.so:
10097 foo
10098 library2.so:
10099 bar
10100 bar1
10101 bar2
10102 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10103 library2.so:
10104 bar
10105 bar1
10106 bar2
10107 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
10108 1 printer disabled
10109 2 of 3 printers enabled
10110 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10111 library1.so:
10112 foo [disabled]
10113 library2.so:
10114 bar
10115 bar1
10116 bar2
10117 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
10118 1 printer disabled
10119 1 of 3 printers enabled
10120 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10121 library1.so:
10122 foo [disabled]
10123 library2.so:
10124 bar
10125 bar1 [disabled]
10126 bar2
10127 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
10128 1 printer disabled
10129 0 of 3 printers enabled
10130 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10131 library1.so:
10132 foo [disabled]
10133 library2.so:
10134 bar [disabled]
10135 bar1 [disabled]
10136 bar2
10137 @end smallexample
10138
10139 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
10140 as can each individual subprinter.
10141
10142 @node Value History
10143 @section Value History
10144
10145 @cindex value history
10146 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
10147 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
10148 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
10149 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
10150 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
10151 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
10152 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
10153 symbol table.
10154
10155 @cindex @code{$}
10156 @cindex @code{$$}
10157 @cindex history number
10158 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
10159 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
10160 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
10161 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
10162 history number.
10163
10164 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
10165 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
10166 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
10167 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
10168 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
10169 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
10170 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
10171
10172 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
10173 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
10174
10175 @smallexample
10176 p *$
10177 @end smallexample
10178
10179 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
10180 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
10181
10182 @smallexample
10183 p *$.next
10184 @end smallexample
10185
10186 @noindent
10187 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
10188 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
10189
10190 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
10191 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
10192
10193 @smallexample
10194 print x
10195 set x=5
10196 @end smallexample
10197
10198 @noindent
10199 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
10200 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
10201
10202 @table @code
10203 @kindex show values
10204 @item show values
10205 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
10206 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
10207 values} does not change the history.
10208
10209 @item show values @var{n}
10210 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
10211
10212 @item show values +
10213 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
10214 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
10215 @end table
10216
10217 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
10218 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
10219
10220 @node Convenience Vars
10221 @section Convenience Variables
10222
10223 @cindex convenience variables
10224 @cindex user-defined variables
10225 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
10226 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
10227 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
10228 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
10229 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
10230
10231 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
10232 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
10233 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10234 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
10235 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
10236
10237 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
10238 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
10239 For example:
10240
10241 @smallexample
10242 set $foo = *object_ptr
10243 @end smallexample
10244
10245 @noindent
10246 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
10247 @code{object_ptr}.
10248
10249 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
10250 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
10251 value with another assignment at any time.
10252
10253 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
10254 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
10255 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
10256 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
10257
10258 @table @code
10259 @kindex show convenience
10260 @cindex show all user variables and functions
10261 @item show convenience
10262 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
10263 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
10264 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
10265
10266 @kindex init-if-undefined
10267 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
10268 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
10269 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
10270 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
10271 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
10272 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
10273 override default values used in a command script.
10274
10275 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
10276 any side-effects do not occur.
10277 @end table
10278
10279 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
10280 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
10281 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
10282
10283 @smallexample
10284 set $i = 0
10285 print bar[$i++]->contents
10286 @end smallexample
10287
10288 @noindent
10289 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
10290
10291 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
10292 values likely to be useful.
10293
10294 @table @code
10295 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
10296 @item $_
10297 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
10298 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
10299 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
10300 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
10301 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
10302 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
10303 to the type of @code{$__}.
10304
10305 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
10306 @item $__
10307 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
10308 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
10309 to match the format in which the data was printed.
10310
10311 @item $_exitcode
10312 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
10313 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
10314 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
10315 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
10316
10317 @item $_exitsignal
10318 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
10319 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
10320 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
10321 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
10322
10323 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
10324 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
10325 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
10326 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
10327 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
10328
10329 @smallexample
10330 #include <signal.h>
10331
10332 int
10333 main (int argc, char *argv[])
10334 @{
10335 raise (SIGALRM);
10336 return 0;
10337 @}
10338 @end smallexample
10339
10340 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
10341 or signalled would be:
10342
10343 @smallexample
10344 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
10345 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
10346 End with a line saying just ``end''.
10347 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
10348 >echo The program has exited\n
10349 >else
10350 >echo The program has signalled\n
10351 >end
10352 >end
10353 (@value{GDBP}) run
10354 Starting program:
10355
10356 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
10357 The program no longer exists.
10358 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10359 The program has signalled
10360 @end smallexample
10361
10362 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
10363 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
10364 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
10365 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
10366
10367 @smallexample
10368 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10369 The program has exited
10370 @end smallexample
10371
10372 @item $_exception
10373 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
10374 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
10375
10376 @item $_probe_argc
10377 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
10378 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
10379
10380 @item $_sdata
10381 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
10382 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
10383 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
10384 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
10385 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
10386
10387 @item $_siginfo
10388 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
10389 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
10390 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
10391 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
10392 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
10393
10394 @item $_tlb
10395 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
10396 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
10397 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
10398 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
10399 @xref{General Query Packets}.
10400 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
10401
10402 @end table
10403
10404 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
10405 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
10406 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
10407
10408 @node Convenience Funs
10409 @section Convenience Functions
10410
10411 @cindex convenience functions
10412 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
10413 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
10414 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
10415 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
10416 @value{GDBN}.
10417
10418 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10419 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
10420
10421 @table @code
10422
10423 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
10424 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
10425 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
10426 returns zero.
10427
10428 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
10429 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
10430 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
10431 it is @code{void}:
10432
10433 @smallexample
10434 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10435 $1 = void
10436 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10437 $2 = 1
10438 (@value{GDBP}) run
10439 Starting program: ./a.out
10440 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
10441 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10442 $3 = 0
10443 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10444 $4 = 0
10445 @end smallexample
10446
10447 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
10448 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
10449 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
10450 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
10451 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
10452 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
10453 anymore.
10454
10455 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
10456 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
10457
10458 @smallexample
10459 void
10460 foo (void)
10461 @{
10462 @}
10463 @end smallexample
10464
10465 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
10466
10467 @smallexample
10468 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
10469 $1 = void
10470 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
10471 $2 = 1
10472 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
10473 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
10474 $3 = void
10475 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
10476 $4 = 1
10477 @end smallexample
10478
10479 @end table
10480
10481 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10482 @code{Python} support.
10483
10484 @table @code
10485
10486 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
10487 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
10488 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
10489 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
10490 Otherwise it returns zero.
10491
10492 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
10493 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
10494 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
10495 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10496 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
10497 regular expression support.
10498
10499 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
10500 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
10501 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
10502 Otherwise it returns zero.
10503
10504 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
10505 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
10506 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
10507
10508 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10509 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10510 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10511 Otherwise it returns zero.
10512
10513 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10514 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10515 The default is 1.
10516
10517 Example:
10518
10519 @smallexample
10520 (gdb) backtrace
10521 #0 bottom_func ()
10522 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
10523 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
10524 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
10525 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
10526 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
10527 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
10528 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
10529 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
10530 $1 = 1
10531 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
10532 $1 = 1
10533 @end smallexample
10534
10535 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10536 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10537 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
10538 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10539
10540 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10541 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10542 The default is 1.
10543
10544 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10545 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10546 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10547 Otherwise it returns zero.
10548
10549 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10550 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10551 The default is 1.
10552
10553 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
10554 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10555 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
10556 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10557
10558 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10559 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10560 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
10561 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10562
10563 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10564 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10565 The default is 1.
10566
10567 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
10568 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10569 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
10570 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10571
10572 @end table
10573
10574 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
10575 convenience functions.
10576
10577 @table @code
10578 @item help function
10579 @kindex help function
10580 @cindex show all convenience functions
10581 Print a list of all convenience functions.
10582 @end table
10583
10584 @node Registers
10585 @section Registers
10586
10587 @cindex registers
10588 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
10589 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
10590 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
10591 your machine.
10592
10593 @table @code
10594 @kindex info registers
10595 @item info registers
10596 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
10597 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10598
10599 @kindex info all-registers
10600 @cindex floating point registers
10601 @item info all-registers
10602 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
10603 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10604
10605 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
10606 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
10607 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
10608 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
10609 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
10610 @end table
10611
10612 @anchor{standard registers}
10613 @cindex stack pointer register
10614 @cindex program counter register
10615 @cindex process status register
10616 @cindex frame pointer register
10617 @cindex standard registers
10618 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
10619 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
10620 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
10621 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
10622 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
10623 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
10624 register that contains the processor status. For example,
10625 you could print the program counter in hex with
10626
10627 @smallexample
10628 p/x $pc
10629 @end smallexample
10630
10631 @noindent
10632 or print the instruction to be executed next with
10633
10634 @smallexample
10635 x/i $pc
10636 @end smallexample
10637
10638 @noindent
10639 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
10640 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
10641 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
10642 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
10643 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
10644 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
10645 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
10646
10647 @smallexample
10648 set $sp += 4
10649 @end smallexample
10650
10651 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
10652 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
10653 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
10654 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
10655 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
10656 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
10657 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
10658
10659 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
10660 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
10661 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
10662 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
10663 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
10664 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
10665 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
10666
10667 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
10668 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
10669 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
10670 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
10671 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
10672 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
10673 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
10674 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
10675 prints the data in both formats.
10676
10677 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
10678 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
10679 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
10680 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
10681 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
10682 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
10683 registers in @code{struct} notation:
10684
10685 @smallexample
10686 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
10687 $1 = @{
10688 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
10689 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
10690 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
10691 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
10692 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
10693 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
10694 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
10695 @}
10696 @end smallexample
10697
10698 @noindent
10699 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
10700 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
10701 value to a @code{struct} member:
10702
10703 @smallexample
10704 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
10705 @end smallexample
10706
10707 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
10708 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
10709 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
10710 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
10711 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
10712 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
10713
10714 @cindex caller-saved registers
10715 @cindex call-clobbered registers
10716 @cindex volatile registers
10717 @cindex <not saved> values
10718 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
10719 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
10720 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
10721 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
10722 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
10723 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
10724 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
10725 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
10726 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
10727 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
10728 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
10729 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
10730 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
10731 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
10732 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
10733 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
10734 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
10735 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
10736 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
10737 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
10738 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
10739 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
10740 represent the value the register had just before the call.
10741
10742 @node Floating Point Hardware
10743 @section Floating Point Hardware
10744 @cindex floating point
10745
10746 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
10747 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
10748
10749 @table @code
10750 @kindex info float
10751 @item info float
10752 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
10753 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
10754 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
10755 the ARM and x86 machines.
10756 @end table
10757
10758 @node Vector Unit
10759 @section Vector Unit
10760 @cindex vector unit
10761
10762 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
10763 more information about the status of the vector unit.
10764
10765 @table @code
10766 @kindex info vector
10767 @item info vector
10768 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
10769 layout vary depending on the hardware.
10770 @end table
10771
10772 @node OS Information
10773 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
10774 @cindex OS information
10775
10776 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
10777 you debug your program.
10778
10779 @cindex auxiliary vector
10780 @cindex vector, auxiliary
10781 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
10782 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10783 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10784 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10785 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10786 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10787 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10788 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10789 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10790 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10791 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10792
10793 @table @code
10794 @kindex info auxv
10795 @item info auxv
10796 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10797 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10798 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10799 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10800 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10801 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10802 an unrecognized tag.
10803 @end table
10804
10805 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10806 information and show it to you. The types of information available
10807 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10808 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10809 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10810 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10811 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10812
10813 @table @code
10814 @kindex info os
10815 @item info os @var{infotype}
10816
10817 Display OS information of the requested type.
10818
10819 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10820
10821 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10822 @table @code
10823 @kindex info os cpus
10824 @item cpus
10825 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
10826 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
10827 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
10828 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
10829 kernel initialization.
10830
10831 @kindex info os files
10832 @item files
10833 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10834 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10835 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10836 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10837
10838 @kindex info os modules
10839 @item modules
10840 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10841 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10842 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10843 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10844 in memory.
10845
10846 @kindex info os msg
10847 @item msg
10848 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10849 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10850 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10851 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10852 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10853 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10854 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10855 the message queue was last changed.
10856
10857 @kindex info os processes
10858 @item processes
10859 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10860 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10861 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10862 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10863 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10864 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10865
10866 @kindex info os procgroups
10867 @item procgroups
10868 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10869 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10870 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10871 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10872 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10873 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10874 and the process group leader is listed first.
10875
10876 @kindex info os semaphores
10877 @item semaphores
10878 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10879 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10880 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10881 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10882 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10883
10884 @kindex info os shm
10885 @item shm
10886 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10887 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10888 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10889 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10890 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10891 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10892 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10893
10894 @kindex info os sockets
10895 @item sockets
10896 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10897 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10898 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10899 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10900 connection.
10901
10902 @kindex info os threads
10903 @item threads
10904 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10905 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10906 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10907 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10908 process is not listed.
10909 @end table
10910
10911 @item info os
10912 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10913 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10914 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10915 types, this command will report an error.
10916 @end table
10917
10918 @node Memory Region Attributes
10919 @section Memory Region Attributes
10920 @cindex memory region attributes
10921
10922 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10923 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10924 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10925 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10926 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10927 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10928 user can override the fetched regions.
10929
10930 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10931 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10932 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10933 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10934 all memory.
10935
10936 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10937 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10938
10939 @table @code
10940 @kindex mem
10941 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10942 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10943 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10944 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10945 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10946 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10947
10948 @item mem auto
10949 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10950 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10951
10952 @kindex delete mem
10953 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10954 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10955 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10956
10957 @kindex disable mem
10958 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10959 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10960 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10961 It may be enabled again later.
10962
10963 @kindex enable mem
10964 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10965 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10966
10967 @kindex info mem
10968 @item info mem
10969 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10970 for each region:
10971
10972 @table @emph
10973 @item Memory Region Number
10974 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10975 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10976 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10977
10978 @item Lo Address
10979 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10980
10981 @item Hi Address
10982 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10983
10984 @item Attributes
10985 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10986 @end table
10987 @end table
10988
10989
10990 @subsection Attributes
10991
10992 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10993 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10994 write accesses to a memory region.
10995
10996 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10997 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10998 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10999
11000 @table @code
11001 @item ro
11002 Memory is read only.
11003 @item wo
11004 Memory is write only.
11005 @item rw
11006 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
11007 @end table
11008
11009 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
11010 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
11011 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
11012 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
11013 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
11014
11015 @table @code
11016 @item 8
11017 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
11018 @item 16
11019 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
11020 @item 32
11021 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
11022 @item 64
11023 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
11024 @end table
11025
11026 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
11027 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11028 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
11029 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
11030 @c
11031 @c @table @code
11032 @c @item hwbreak
11033 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
11034 @c @item swbreak (default)
11035 @c @end table
11036
11037 @subsubsection Data Cache
11038 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
11039 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
11040 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
11041 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
11042 registers.
11043
11044 @table @code
11045 @item cache
11046 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
11047 @item nocache
11048 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
11049 @end table
11050
11051 @subsection Memory Access Checking
11052 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
11053 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
11054 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
11055 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
11056
11057 @table @code
11058 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
11059 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
11060 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
11061 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
11062 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
11063 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
11064 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
11065 The default value is @code{on}.
11066 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
11067 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
11068 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
11069 @end table
11070
11071
11072 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
11073 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11074 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
11075 @c
11076 @c @table @code
11077 @c @item verify
11078 @c @item noverify (default)
11079 @c @end table
11080
11081 @node Dump/Restore Files
11082 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
11083 @cindex dump/restore files
11084 @cindex append data to a file
11085 @cindex dump data to a file
11086 @cindex restore data from a file
11087
11088 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
11089 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
11090 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
11091 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
11092 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
11093 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
11094 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
11095
11096 @table @code
11097
11098 @kindex dump
11099 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11100 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11101 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11102 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
11103
11104 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
11105 @table @code
11106 @item binary
11107 Raw binary form.
11108 @item ihex
11109 Intel hex format.
11110 @item srec
11111 Motorola S-record format.
11112 @item tekhex
11113 Tektronix Hex format.
11114 @item verilog
11115 Verilog Hex format.
11116 @end table
11117
11118 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
11119 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
11120 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
11121 form.
11122
11123 @kindex append
11124 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11125 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11126 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11127 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
11128 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
11129
11130 @kindex restore
11131 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
11132 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
11133 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
11134 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
11135 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
11136
11137 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
11138 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
11139 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
11140 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
11141 from that location.
11142
11143 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
11144 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
11145 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
11146 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
11147
11148 @end table
11149
11150 @node Core File Generation
11151 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
11152 @cindex dump core from inferior
11153
11154 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
11155 image of a running process and its process status (register values
11156 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
11157 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
11158 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
11159 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
11160 the post-mortem debugging mode.
11161
11162 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
11163 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
11164 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
11165
11166 @table @code
11167 @kindex gcore
11168 @kindex generate-core-file
11169 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
11170 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
11171 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
11172 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
11173 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
11174 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
11175
11176 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
11177 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
11178
11179 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
11180 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
11181 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}).
11182
11183 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
11184 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
11185 @item set use-coredump-filter on
11186 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
11187 Enable or disable the use of the file
11188 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
11189 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
11190 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
11191 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
11192
11193 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
11194 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
11195 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
11196 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
11197 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
11198 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
11199 about the bits that can be set in the
11200 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
11201 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
11202
11203 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
11204 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
11205 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
11206 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
11207 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
11208 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
11209 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
11210 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
11211 @end table
11212
11213 @node Character Sets
11214 @section Character Sets
11215 @cindex character sets
11216 @cindex charset
11217 @cindex translating between character sets
11218 @cindex host character set
11219 @cindex target character set
11220
11221 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
11222 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
11223 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
11224 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
11225 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
11226 @dfn{target character set}.
11227
11228 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
11229 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
11230 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
11231 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
11232 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
11233 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
11234 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
11235 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
11236 character and string literals in expressions.
11237
11238 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
11239 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
11240 target-charset} command, described below.
11241
11242 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
11243 support:
11244
11245 @table @code
11246 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
11247 @kindex set target-charset
11248 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
11249 list of supported target character sets, type
11250 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11251
11252 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
11253 @kindex set host-charset
11254 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
11255
11256 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
11257 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
11258 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
11259 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
11260 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
11261
11262 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
11263 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11264 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
11265
11266 @item set charset @var{charset}
11267 @kindex set charset
11268 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
11269 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11270 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
11271 for both host and target.
11272
11273 @item show charset
11274 @kindex show charset
11275 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
11276
11277 @item show host-charset
11278 @kindex show host-charset
11279 Show the name of the current host character set.
11280
11281 @item show target-charset
11282 @kindex show target-charset
11283 Show the name of the current target character set.
11284
11285 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
11286 @kindex set target-wide-charset
11287 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
11288 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
11289 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
11290 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11291
11292 @item show target-wide-charset
11293 @kindex show target-wide-charset
11294 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
11295 @end table
11296
11297 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
11298 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
11299 @file{charset-test.c}:
11300
11301 @smallexample
11302 #include <stdio.h>
11303
11304 char ascii_hello[]
11305 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
11306 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
11307 char ibm1047_hello[]
11308 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
11309 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
11310
11311 main ()
11312 @{
11313 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11314 @}
11315 @end smallexample
11316
11317 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
11318 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
11319 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
11320
11321 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
11322
11323 @smallexample
11324 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
11325 $ gdb -nw charset-test
11326 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
11327 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11328 @dots{}
11329 (@value{GDBP})
11330 @end smallexample
11331
11332 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
11333 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
11334 strings:
11335
11336 @smallexample
11337 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11338 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
11339 (@value{GDBP})
11340 @end smallexample
11341
11342 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
11343 initial character set:
11344 @smallexample
11345 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
11346 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11347 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
11348 (@value{GDBP})
11349 @end smallexample
11350
11351 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
11352 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
11353 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
11354 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
11355 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
11356
11357 @smallexample
11358 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11359 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
11360 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11361 $2 = 72 'H'
11362 (@value{GDBP})
11363 @end smallexample
11364
11365 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
11366 literals you use in expressions:
11367
11368 @smallexample
11369 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11370 $3 = 43 '+'
11371 (@value{GDBP})
11372 @end smallexample
11373
11374 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
11375 character.
11376
11377 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
11378 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
11379 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
11380
11381 @smallexample
11382 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11383 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
11384 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11385 $5 = 200 '\310'
11386 (@value{GDBP})
11387 @end smallexample
11388
11389 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
11390 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
11391
11392 @smallexample
11393 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11394 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
11395 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11396 @end smallexample
11397
11398 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
11399 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
11400 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
11401 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
11402 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
11403
11404 @smallexample
11405 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
11406 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11407 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
11408 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
11409 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11410 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
11411 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11412 $7 = 72 '\110'
11413 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11414 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
11415 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11416 $9 = 200 'H'
11417 (@value{GDBP})
11418 @end smallexample
11419
11420 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
11421 string literals you use in expressions:
11422
11423 @smallexample
11424 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11425 $10 = 78 '+'
11426 (@value{GDBP})
11427 @end smallexample
11428
11429 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
11430 character.
11431
11432 @node Caching Target Data
11433 @section Caching Data of Targets
11434 @cindex caching data of targets
11435
11436 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
11437 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
11438 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
11439 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
11440 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
11441 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
11442 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
11443 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
11444 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
11445 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
11446 is executing.
11447 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
11448 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
11449 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
11450 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
11451 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
11452 in the code segment.
11453 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
11454 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
11455
11456 @table @code
11457 @kindex set remotecache
11458 @item set remotecache on
11459 @itemx set remotecache off
11460 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
11461 with old scripts.
11462
11463 @kindex show remotecache
11464 @item show remotecache
11465 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
11466
11467 @kindex set stack-cache
11468 @item set stack-cache on
11469 @itemx set stack-cache off
11470 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
11471 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
11472
11473 @kindex show stack-cache
11474 @item show stack-cache
11475 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
11476
11477 @kindex set code-cache
11478 @item set code-cache on
11479 @itemx set code-cache off
11480 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
11481 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
11482 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
11483
11484 @kindex show code-cache
11485 @item show code-cache
11486 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
11487 accesses.
11488
11489 @kindex info dcache
11490 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
11491 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
11492 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
11493 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
11494 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
11495 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
11496
11497 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
11498 printed in hex.
11499
11500 @item set dcache size @var{size}
11501 @cindex dcache size
11502 @kindex set dcache size
11503 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
11504
11505 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
11506 @cindex dcache line-size
11507 @kindex set dcache line-size
11508 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
11509 Must be a power of 2.
11510
11511 @item show dcache size
11512 @kindex show dcache size
11513 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
11514
11515 @item show dcache line-size
11516 @kindex show dcache line-size
11517 Show default size of dcache lines.
11518
11519 @end table
11520
11521 @node Searching Memory
11522 @section Search Memory
11523 @cindex searching memory
11524
11525 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
11526 @code{find} command.
11527
11528 @table @code
11529 @kindex find
11530 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11531 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11532 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
11533 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
11534 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
11535 @end table
11536
11537 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
11538 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
11539
11540 @table @r
11541 @item @var{s}, search query size
11542 The size of each search query value.
11543
11544 @table @code
11545 @item b
11546 bytes
11547 @item h
11548 halfwords (two bytes)
11549 @item w
11550 words (four bytes)
11551 @item g
11552 giant words (eight bytes)
11553 @end table
11554
11555 All values are interpreted in the current language.
11556 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
11557 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
11558
11559 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
11560 value's type in the current language.
11561 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
11562 pattern as a mixture of types.
11563 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
11564 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
11565 which is typically four bytes.
11566
11567 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
11568 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
11569 @end table
11570
11571 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
11572 (@code{"}).
11573 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
11574 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
11575
11576 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
11577 number of matches found.
11578
11579 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
11580 @samp{$_}.
11581 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
11582
11583 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
11584
11585 @smallexample
11586 void
11587 hello ()
11588 @{
11589 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
11590 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
11591 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
11592 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
11593 printf ("%s\n", hello);
11594 @}
11595 @end smallexample
11596
11597 @noindent
11598 you get during debugging:
11599
11600 @smallexample
11601 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
11602 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11603 1 pattern found
11604 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
11605 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11606 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
11607 2 patterns found
11608 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
11609 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
11610 1 pattern found
11611 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
11612 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
11613 1 pattern found
11614 (gdb) print $numfound
11615 $1 = 1
11616 (gdb) print $_
11617 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
11618 @end smallexample
11619
11620 @node Optimized Code
11621 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
11622 @cindex optimized code, debugging
11623 @cindex debugging optimized code
11624
11625 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
11626 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
11627 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
11628 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
11629 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
11630 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
11631 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
11632
11633 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
11634 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
11635 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
11636 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
11637
11638 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
11639 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
11640 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
11641 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
11642 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
11643 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
11644
11645 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
11646 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
11647 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
11648 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
11649 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
11650
11651 @menu
11652 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
11653 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
11654 @end menu
11655
11656 @node Inline Functions
11657 @section Inline Functions
11658 @cindex inline functions, debugging
11659
11660 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
11661 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
11662 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
11663 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
11664 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
11665 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
11666 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
11667 @code{info frame} command.
11668
11669 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
11670 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
11671 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
11672 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
11673 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
11674 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
11675 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
11676 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
11677 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
11678 local variables in the caller.
11679
11680 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
11681 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
11682 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
11683 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
11684 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
11685 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
11686 instructions are executed.
11687
11688 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
11689 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
11690 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
11691 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
11692
11693 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
11694 function calls are the same as normal calls:
11695
11696 @itemize @bullet
11697 @item
11698 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
11699 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
11700 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
11701 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
11702 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
11703 or inside the inlined function instead.
11704
11705 @item
11706 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
11707 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
11708 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
11709 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
11710
11711 @end itemize
11712
11713 @node Tail Call Frames
11714 @section Tail Call Frames
11715 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
11716
11717 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
11718 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
11719 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
11720 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
11721 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
11722
11723 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
11724 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
11725 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
11726 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
11727 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
11728 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
11729 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
11730
11731 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11732 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
11733 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11734 this information.
11735
11736 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
11737 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
11738
11739 @smallexample
11740 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
11741 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
11742 (gdb) info frame
11743 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
11744 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
11745 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
11746 source language c++.
11747 Arglist at unknown address.
11748 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
11749 @end smallexample
11750
11751 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
11752 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
11753 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
11754 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
11755 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
11756 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
11757
11758 @table @code
11759 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
11760 @item set debug entry-values
11761 @kindex set debug entry-values
11762 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
11763 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
11764 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
11765 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
11766 result.
11767
11768 @item show debug entry-values
11769 @kindex show debug entry-values
11770 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
11771 values at function entry and tail calls.
11772 @end table
11773
11774 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
11775 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
11776 reference by variable @code{x}):
11777
11778 @smallexample
11779 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
11780 void (*x) (void) = c;
11781 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11782 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
11783 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
11784
11785 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
11786 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
11787 a () at t.c:3
11788 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11789 (gdb) bt
11790 #0 a () at t.c:3
11791 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
11792 @end smallexample
11793
11794 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
11795
11796 @smallexample
11797 int i;
11798 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
11799 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
11800 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
11801 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
11802 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
11803 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
11804 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
11805 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
11806
11807 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
11808 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
11809 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
11810 (gdb) bt
11811 #0 f () at t.c:2
11812 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
11813 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
11814 @end smallexample
11815
11816 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
11817 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
11818
11819 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
11820 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11821 @set ARROW @click{}
11822 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
11823 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
11824 @end ifset
11825 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11826 @set ARROW ->
11827 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
11828 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
11829 @end ifclear
11830
11831 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
11832 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
11833 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
11834
11835 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
11836 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
11837 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
11838 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
11839 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
11840 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
11841
11842 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11843 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11844 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11845 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11846 omitted.
11847
11848 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11849 entry may fail:
11850
11851 @smallexample
11852 int v;
11853 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11854 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11855 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11856 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11857 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11858 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11859
11860 (gdb) bt
11861 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11862 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11863 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11864 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11865 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11866 @end smallexample
11867
11868 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11869 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11870 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11871 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11872 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11873
11874 @node Macros
11875 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11876
11877 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11878 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11879 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11880 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11881 where it was defined.
11882
11883 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11884 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11885 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11886 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11887
11888 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11889 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11890 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11891 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11892 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11893 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11894 see @ref{List}.
11895
11896 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11897 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11898 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11899
11900 @table @code
11901
11902 @kindex macro expand
11903 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11904 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11905 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11906 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11907 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11908 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11909 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11910 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11911 it can be any string of tokens.
11912
11913 @kindex macro exp1
11914 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11915 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11916 @cindex expand macro once
11917 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11918 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11919 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11920 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11921 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11922 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11923 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11924 can be any string of tokens.
11925
11926 @kindex info macro
11927 @cindex macro definition, showing
11928 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11929 @cindex macros, from debug info
11930 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11931 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11932 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11933 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11934 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11935 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11936
11937 @kindex info macros
11938 @item info macros @var{location}
11939 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11940 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
11941 command-line where those definitions were established.
11942
11943 @kindex macro define
11944 @cindex user-defined macros
11945 @cindex defining macros interactively
11946 @cindex macros, user-defined
11947 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11948 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11949 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11950 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11951 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11952 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11953 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11954 @var{arglist}.
11955
11956 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11957 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11958 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11959 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11960 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11961
11962 @kindex macro undef
11963 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11964 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11965 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11966 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11967 in the program being debugged.
11968
11969 @kindex macro list
11970 @item macro list
11971 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11972 @end table
11973
11974 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11975 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11976 show our source files:
11977
11978 @smallexample
11979 $ cat sample.c
11980 #include <stdio.h>
11981 #include "sample.h"
11982
11983 #define M 42
11984 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11985
11986 main ()
11987 @{
11988 #define N 28
11989 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11990 #undef N
11991 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11992 #define N 1729
11993 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11994 @}
11995 $ cat sample.h
11996 #define Q <
11997 $
11998 @end smallexample
11999
12000 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
12001 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
12002 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
12003 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
12004 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
12005 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
12006 information.
12007
12008 @smallexample
12009 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
12010 $
12011 @end smallexample
12012
12013 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
12014
12015 @smallexample
12016 $ gdb -nw sample
12017 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
12018 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12019 GDB is free software, @dots{}
12020 (@value{GDBP})
12021 @end smallexample
12022
12023 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
12024 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
12025 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
12026
12027 @smallexample
12028 (@value{GDBP}) list main
12029 3
12030 4 #define M 42
12031 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12032 6
12033 7 main ()
12034 8 @{
12035 9 #define N 28
12036 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12037 11 #undef N
12038 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12039 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
12040 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
12041 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12042 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
12043 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
12044 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
12045 #define Q <
12046 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
12047 expands to: (42 + 1)
12048 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
12049 expands to: once (M + 1)
12050 (@value{GDBP})
12051 @end smallexample
12052
12053 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
12054 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
12055 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
12056 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
12057
12058 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
12059 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
12060
12061 @smallexample
12062 (@value{GDBP}) break main
12063 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
12064 (@value{GDBP}) run
12065 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
12066
12067 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
12068 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12069 (@value{GDBP})
12070 @end smallexample
12071
12072 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
12073
12074 @smallexample
12075 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12076 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
12077 #define N 28
12078 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12079 expands to: 28 < 42
12080 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12081 $1 = 1
12082 (@value{GDBP})
12083 @end smallexample
12084
12085 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
12086 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
12087 thereof) in force at each point:
12088
12089 @smallexample
12090 (@value{GDBP}) next
12091 Hello, world!
12092 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12093 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12094 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
12095 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
12096 (@value{GDBP}) next
12097 We're so creative.
12098 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12099 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12100 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
12101 #define N 1729
12102 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12103 expands to: 1729 < 42
12104 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12105 $2 = 0
12106 (@value{GDBP})
12107 @end smallexample
12108
12109 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
12110 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
12111 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
12112 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
12113
12114 @smallexample
12115 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
12116 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
12117 -D__STDC__=1
12118 (@value{GDBP})
12119 @end smallexample
12120
12121
12122 @node Tracepoints
12123 @chapter Tracepoints
12124 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
12125 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
12126
12127 @cindex tracepoints
12128 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
12129 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
12130 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
12131 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
12132 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
12133 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
12134 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
12135
12136 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
12137 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
12138 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
12139 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
12140 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
12141 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
12142 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
12143 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
12144 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
12145 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
12146 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
12147
12148 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
12149 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
12150 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
12151 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
12152 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
12153 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
12154 Packets}.
12155
12156 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
12157 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
12158 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
12159
12160 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
12161
12162 @menu
12163 * Set Tracepoints::
12164 * Analyze Collected Data::
12165 * Tracepoint Variables::
12166 * Trace Files::
12167 @end menu
12168
12169 @node Set Tracepoints
12170 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
12171
12172 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
12173 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
12174 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
12175 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
12176 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
12177 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
12178 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
12179
12180 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
12181 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
12182 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
12183 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
12184 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
12185 tracepoint was hit.
12186
12187 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
12188 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
12189 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
12190 either.
12191
12192 @cindex fast tracepoints
12193 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
12194 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
12195 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
12196
12197 @cindex static tracepoints
12198 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
12199 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
12200 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
12201 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
12202 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
12203 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
12204 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
12205 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
12206 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
12207 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
12208 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
12209 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
12210 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
12211 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
12212 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
12213 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
12214 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
12215 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
12216 static tracepoint marker.
12217
12218 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
12219 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
12220
12221 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
12222 conditions and actions.
12223
12224 @menu
12225 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
12226 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
12227 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
12228 * Tracepoint Conditions::
12229 * Trace State Variables::
12230 * Tracepoint Actions::
12231 * Listing Tracepoints::
12232 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
12233 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
12234 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
12235 @end menu
12236
12237 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
12238 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
12239
12240 @table @code
12241 @cindex set tracepoint
12242 @kindex trace
12243 @item trace @var{location}
12244 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
12245 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
12246 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
12247 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
12248 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
12249 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
12250 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
12251 in tracing}).
12252 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
12253 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
12254 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
12255 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
12256 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
12257 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
12258 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
12259 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
12260 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
12261 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
12262 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
12263 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
12264
12265 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
12266
12267 @smallexample
12268 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
12269
12270 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
12271
12272 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
12273
12274 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
12275
12276 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
12277 @end smallexample
12278
12279 @noindent
12280 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
12281
12282 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
12283 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
12284 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
12285 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
12286 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
12287 information on tracepoint conditions.
12288
12289 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12290 @cindex set fast tracepoint
12291 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
12292 @kindex ftrace
12293 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
12294 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
12295 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
12296 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
12297 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
12298 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
12299 message.
12300
12301 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
12302 @code{trace}.
12303
12304 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
12305 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
12306 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
12307 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
12308 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
12309 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
12310 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
12311 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
12312
12313 @example
12314 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
12315 @end example
12316
12317 @noindent
12318 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
12319 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
12320
12321 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12322 @cindex set static tracepoint
12323 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
12324 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
12325 @kindex strace
12326 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
12327 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
12328 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
12329 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
12330 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
12331
12332 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
12333 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
12334 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
12335 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
12336 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
12337 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
12338 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
12339 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
12340 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
12341 tracing engine:
12342
12343 @smallexample
12344 main ()
12345 @{
12346 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
12347 @}
12348 @end smallexample
12349
12350 @noindent
12351 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
12352 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
12353
12354 @smallexample
12355 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12356 Cnt Enb ID Address What
12357 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
12358 Data: "str %s"
12359 [etc...]
12360 @end smallexample
12361
12362 @noindent
12363 so you may probe the marker above with:
12364
12365 @smallexample
12366 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
12367 @end smallexample
12368
12369 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
12370 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
12371 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
12372 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
12373 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
12374 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
12375 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
12376 the @samp{Data:} field.
12377
12378 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
12379 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
12380 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
12381
12382 @vindex $tpnum
12383 @cindex last tracepoint number
12384 @cindex recent tracepoint number
12385 @cindex tracepoint number
12386 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
12387 of the most recently set tracepoint.
12388
12389 @kindex delete tracepoint
12390 @cindex tracepoint deletion
12391 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12392 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
12393 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
12394 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
12395
12396 Examples:
12397
12398 @smallexample
12399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
12400
12401 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
12402 @end smallexample
12403
12404 @noindent
12405 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
12406 @end table
12407
12408 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12409 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12410
12411 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
12412
12413 @table @code
12414 @kindex disable tracepoint
12415 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12416 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
12417 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
12418 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
12419 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
12420 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
12421 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
12422 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
12423 next trace experiment.
12424
12425 @kindex enable tracepoint
12426 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12427 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
12428 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
12429 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
12430 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
12431 next time a trace experiment is run.
12432 @end table
12433
12434 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
12435 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
12436
12437 @table @code
12438 @kindex passcount
12439 @cindex tracepoint pass count
12440 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
12441 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
12442 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
12443 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
12444 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
12445 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
12446 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
12447 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
12448 user.
12449
12450 Examples:
12451
12452 @smallexample
12453 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
12454 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
12455
12456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
12457 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
12458 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12459 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
12460 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
12461 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
12462 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
12463 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
12464 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
12465 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
12466 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
12467 @end smallexample
12468 @end table
12469
12470 @node Tracepoint Conditions
12471 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
12472 @cindex conditional tracepoints
12473 @cindex tracepoint conditions
12474
12475 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
12476 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
12477 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
12478 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
12479 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
12480 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
12481 is true.
12482
12483 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
12484 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
12485 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
12486 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
12487 just as with breakpoints.
12488
12489 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
12490 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
12491 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
12492 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
12493 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
12494 accesses, and so forth.
12495
12496 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
12497 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
12498 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
12499 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
12500 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
12501 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
12502 search through.
12503
12504 @smallexample
12505 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
12506 @end smallexample
12507
12508 @node Trace State Variables
12509 @subsection Trace State Variables
12510 @cindex trace state variables
12511
12512 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
12513 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
12514 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
12515 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
12516 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
12517 integers.
12518
12519 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
12520 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
12521 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
12522 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
12523
12524 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
12525 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
12526 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
12527 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
12528 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
12529 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
12530 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
12531 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
12532 variable with the same name.
12533
12534 @table @code
12535
12536 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
12537 @kindex tvariable
12538 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
12539 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
12540 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
12541 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
12542 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
12543 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
12544 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
12545 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
12546 value. The default initial value is 0.
12547
12548 @item info tvariables
12549 @kindex info tvariables
12550 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
12551 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
12552 currently running.
12553
12554 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
12555 @kindex delete tvariable
12556 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
12557 are specified.
12558
12559 @end table
12560
12561 @node Tracepoint Actions
12562 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
12563
12564 @table @code
12565 @kindex actions
12566 @cindex tracepoint actions
12567 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12568 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
12569 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
12570 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
12571 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
12572 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
12573 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
12574 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
12575 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
12576 @code{while-stepping}.
12577
12578 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
12579 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
12580 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
12581
12582 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
12583 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
12584 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
12585
12586 @smallexample
12587 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
12588
12589 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
12590
12591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
12592 @end smallexample
12593
12594 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
12595 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
12596 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
12597 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
12598 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
12599 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
12600 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
12601 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
12602
12603 @smallexample
12604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12605 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12606 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
12607 > collect bar,baz
12608 > collect $regs
12609 > while-stepping 12
12610 > collect $pc, arr[i]
12611 > end
12612 end
12613 @end smallexample
12614
12615 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
12616 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12617 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
12618 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
12619 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
12620 special arguments are supported:
12621
12622 @table @code
12623 @item $regs
12624 Collect all registers.
12625
12626 @item $args
12627 Collect all function arguments.
12628
12629 @item $locals
12630 Collect all local variables.
12631
12632 @item $_ret
12633 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
12634 of a backtrace.
12635
12636 @item $_probe_argc
12637 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
12638 tracepoint is located.
12639 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12640
12641 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
12642 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
12643 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
12644 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
12645
12646 @item $_sdata
12647 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
12648 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
12649 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
12650 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
12651 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
12652 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
12653 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
12654 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
12655 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
12656
12657 @smallexample
12658 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
12659 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
12660 @end smallexample
12661
12662 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
12663 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
12664 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
12665 @value{GDBN}.
12666 @end table
12667
12668 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
12669 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
12670 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
12671
12672 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
12673 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
12674 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
12675 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
12676 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
12677 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
12678 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
12679 @samp{mystr}.
12680
12681 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
12682 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
12683
12684 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
12685 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12686 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
12687 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
12688 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
12689 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
12690 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
12691 action were used.
12692
12693 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
12694 @item while-stepping @var{n}
12695 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
12696 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
12697 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
12698 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
12699
12700 @smallexample
12701 > while-stepping 12
12702 > collect $regs, myglobal
12703 > end
12704 >
12705 @end smallexample
12706
12707 @noindent
12708 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
12709 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
12710 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
12711 @code{stepping}.
12712
12713 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12714 @kindex set default-collect
12715 @cindex default collection action
12716 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
12717 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
12718 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
12719 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
12720 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
12721 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
12722
12723 @item show default-collect
12724 @kindex show default-collect
12725 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
12726 tracepoint hit.
12727
12728 @end table
12729
12730 @node Listing Tracepoints
12731 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
12732
12733 @table @code
12734 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12735 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12736 @cindex information about tracepoints
12737 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
12738 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
12739 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
12740 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
12741 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
12742 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
12743
12744 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
12745 tracing:
12746
12747 @itemize @bullet
12748 @item
12749 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
12750
12751 @item
12752 the state about installed on target of each location
12753 @end itemize
12754
12755 @smallexample
12756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
12757 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
12758 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
12759 while-stepping 20
12760 collect globfoo, $regs
12761 end
12762 collect globfoo2
12763 end
12764 pass count 1200
12765 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
12766 collect $eip
12767 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12768 installed on target
12769 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12770 installed on target
12771 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
12772 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
12773 not installed on target
12774 (@value{GDBP})
12775 @end smallexample
12776
12777 @noindent
12778 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
12779 @end table
12780
12781 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12782 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12783
12784 @table @code
12785 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
12786 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
12787 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
12788 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
12789 program.
12790
12791 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
12792
12793 @table @emph
12794 @item Count
12795 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
12796 stable identifier.
12797 @item ID
12798 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
12799 @item Enabled or Disabled
12800 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
12801 that are not enabled.
12802 @item Address
12803 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
12804 @item What
12805 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
12806 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
12807 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
12808 will be left blank.
12809 @end table
12810
12811 @noindent
12812 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
12813
12814 @table @emph
12815 @item Data
12816 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
12817 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
12818 marker call.
12819 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
12820 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
12821 @end table
12822
12823 @smallexample
12824 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12825 Cnt ID Enb Address What
12826 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
12827 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
12828 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
12829 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
12830 Data: str %s
12831 (@value{GDBP})
12832 @end smallexample
12833 @end table
12834
12835 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12836 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12837
12838 @table @code
12839 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
12840 @cindex start a new trace experiment
12841 @cindex collected data discarded
12842 @item tstart
12843 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12844 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12845 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12846 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12847 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12848 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12849 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12850 information, and so forth.
12851
12852 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12853 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
12854 @item tstop
12855 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12856 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12857 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12858 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12859 needs to be stopped quickly.
12860
12861 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12862 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12863 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12864
12865 @kindex tstatus
12866 @cindex status of trace data collection
12867 @cindex trace experiment, status of
12868 @item tstatus
12869 This command displays the status of the current trace data
12870 collection.
12871 @end table
12872
12873 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12874
12875 @smallexample
12876 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12877 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12878 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12879 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12880 > while-stepping 11
12881 > collect $regs
12882 > end
12883 > end
12884 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12885 [time passes @dots{}]
12886 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12887 @end smallexample
12888
12889 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12890 @cindex disconnected tracing
12891 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12892 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12893 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12894 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12895 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12896 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12897 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12898 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12899
12900 @table @code
12901 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12902 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12903 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12904 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12905 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12906 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12907 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12908 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12909
12910 @item show disconnected-tracing
12911 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12912 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12913
12914 @end table
12915
12916 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12917 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12918 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12919 it will continue after reconnection.
12920
12921 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12922 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12923 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12924 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12925 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12926 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12927 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12928 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12929 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12930 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12931
12932 @cindex circular trace buffer
12933 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12934 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12935 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12936 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12937 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12938 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12939 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12940 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12941 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12942 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12943 the next run.
12944
12945 @table @code
12946 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12947 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12948 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12949 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12950 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12951 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12952 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12953
12954 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12955 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12956 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12957 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12958 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12959 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12960
12961 @end table
12962
12963 @table @code
12964 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12965 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12966 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12967 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12968 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12969 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12970 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12971 likes. This is also the default.
12972
12973 @item show trace-buffer-size
12974 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12975 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12976 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12977 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12978 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12979 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12980 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12981 @end table
12982
12983 @table @code
12984 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12985 @kindex set trace-user
12986
12987 @item show trace-user
12988 @kindex show trace-user
12989
12990 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12991 @kindex set trace-notes
12992 Set the trace run's notes.
12993
12994 @item show trace-notes
12995 @kindex show trace-notes
12996 Show the trace run's notes.
12997
12998 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12999 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
13000 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
13001 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
13002 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
13003
13004 @item show trace-stop-notes
13005 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
13006 Show the trace run's stop notes.
13007
13008 @end table
13009
13010 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
13011 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
13012
13013 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
13014 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
13015 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
13016 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
13017 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
13018 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
13019 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
13020 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
13021 mentioned here.
13022
13023 @itemize @bullet
13024
13025 @item
13026 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
13027 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
13028 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
13029 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
13030 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
13031 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
13032 cannot be collected either.
13033
13034 @item
13035 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
13036 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
13037 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
13038 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
13039 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
13040 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
13041 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
13042 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
13043 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
13044 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
13045
13046 @item
13047 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
13048 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
13049 in a misleading way.
13050
13051 @item
13052 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
13053 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
13054 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
13055 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
13056 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
13057 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
13058 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
13059 by @code{ptr}.
13060
13061 @item
13062 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
13063 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
13064 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
13065 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
13066 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
13067 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
13068 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
13069 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
13070 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
13071 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
13072 invalid address.
13073
13074 @item
13075 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
13076 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
13077 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
13078 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
13079 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
13080 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
13081 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
13082 it to zero.
13083
13084 @end itemize
13085
13086 @node Analyze Collected Data
13087 @section Using the Collected Data
13088
13089 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
13090 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
13091 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
13092 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
13093 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
13094 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
13095 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
13096 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
13097 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
13098 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
13099 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
13100 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
13101 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
13102 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
13103 the buffer will fail.
13104
13105 @menu
13106 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
13107 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
13108 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
13109 @end menu
13110
13111 @node tfind
13112 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
13113
13114 @kindex tfind
13115 @cindex select trace snapshot
13116 @cindex find trace snapshot
13117 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
13118 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
13119 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
13120 snapshot is selected.
13121
13122 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
13123
13124 @table @code
13125 @item tfind start
13126 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
13127 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
13128
13129 @item tfind none
13130 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
13131
13132 @item tfind end
13133 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
13134
13135 @item tfind
13136 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
13137
13138 @item tfind -
13139 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
13140 retracing earlier steps.
13141
13142 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
13143 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
13144 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
13145 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
13146 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
13147
13148 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
13149 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
13150 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
13151 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
13152 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
13153
13154 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13155 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
13156 addresses (exclusive).
13157
13158 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13159 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
13160 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
13161
13162 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
13163 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
13164 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
13165 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
13166 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
13167 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
13168 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
13169 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
13170 @end table
13171
13172 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
13173 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
13174 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
13175 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
13176 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
13177 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
13178 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
13179 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
13180 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
13181 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
13182 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
13183 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
13184 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
13185 tracepoint as the current one.
13186
13187 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
13188 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
13189 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
13190 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
13191 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
13192
13193 @smallexample
13194 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13195 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13196 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
13197 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
13198 > tfind
13199 > end
13200
13201 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
13202 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
13203 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
13204 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
13205 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
13206 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
13207 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
13208 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
13209 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
13210 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
13211 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
13212 @end smallexample
13213
13214 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
13215 the buffer:
13216
13217 @smallexample
13218 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13219 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13220 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
13221 > tfind line
13222 > end
13223
13224 Frame 0, X = 1
13225 Frame 7, X = 2
13226 Frame 13, X = 255
13227 @end smallexample
13228
13229 @node tdump
13230 @subsection @code{tdump}
13231 @kindex tdump
13232 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
13233 @cindex tracepoint data, display
13234
13235 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
13236 the current trace snapshot.
13237
13238 @smallexample
13239 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
13240 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13241 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
13242 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
13243 > end
13244
13245 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
13246
13247 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
13248 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
13249 at gdb_test.c:444
13250 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
13251
13252 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
13253 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
13254 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
13255 d1 0x18 24
13256 d2 0x80 128
13257 d3 0x33 51
13258 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
13259 d5 0x22 34
13260 d6 0xe0 224
13261 d7 0x380035 3670069
13262 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
13263 a1 0x3000668 50333288
13264 a2 0x100 256
13265 a3 0x322000 3284992
13266 a4 0x3000698 50333336
13267 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
13268 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
13269 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
13270 ps 0x0 0
13271 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
13272 fpcontrol 0x0 0
13273 fpstatus 0x0 0
13274 fpiaddr 0x0 0
13275 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
13276 p1 = (void *) 0x11
13277 p2 = (void *) 0x22
13278 p3 = (void *) 0x33
13279 p4 = (void *) 0x44
13280 p5 = (void *) 0x55
13281 p6 = (void *) 0x66
13282 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
13283
13284 (@value{GDBP})
13285 @end smallexample
13286
13287 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
13288 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
13289 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
13290 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
13291
13292 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
13293 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
13294 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
13295 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
13296 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
13297 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
13298 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
13299 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
13300 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
13301 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
13302
13303 @node save tracepoints
13304 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
13305 @kindex save tracepoints
13306 @kindex save-tracepoints
13307 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
13308
13309 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
13310 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
13311 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
13312 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
13313 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
13314 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
13315
13316 @node Tracepoint Variables
13317 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
13318 @cindex tracepoint variables
13319 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
13320
13321 @table @code
13322 @vindex $trace_frame
13323 @item (int) $trace_frame
13324 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
13325 snapshot is selected.
13326
13327 @vindex $tracepoint
13328 @item (int) $tracepoint
13329 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
13330
13331 @vindex $trace_line
13332 @item (int) $trace_line
13333 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
13334
13335 @vindex $trace_file
13336 @item (char []) $trace_file
13337 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
13338
13339 @vindex $trace_func
13340 @item (char []) $trace_func
13341 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
13342 @end table
13343
13344 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
13345 use @code{output} instead.
13346
13347 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
13348 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
13349 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
13350 which are managed by the target.
13351
13352 @smallexample
13353 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13354
13355 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
13356 > output $trace_file
13357 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
13358 > tfind
13359 > end
13360 @end smallexample
13361
13362 @node Trace Files
13363 @section Using Trace Files
13364 @cindex trace files
13365
13366 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
13367 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
13368 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
13369 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
13370 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
13371
13372 @table @code
13373
13374 @kindex tsave
13375 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
13376 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
13377 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
13378 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
13379 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
13380 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
13381 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
13382 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
13383 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
13384 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
13385 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
13386 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
13387 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
13388 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
13389 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
13390
13391 @kindex target tfile
13392 @kindex tfile
13393 @kindex target ctf
13394 @kindex ctf
13395 @item target tfile @var{filename}
13396 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
13397 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
13398 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
13399 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
13400 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
13401 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
13402 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
13403 the host.
13404
13405 @smallexample
13406 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
13407 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
13408 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
13409 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
13410 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
13411 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
13412 i = 0
13413 a = 0
13414 b = 1 '\001'
13415 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
13416 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
13417 (@value{GDBP}) p b
13418 $1 = 1
13419 @end smallexample
13420
13421 @end table
13422
13423 @node Overlays
13424 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
13425 @cindex overlays
13426
13427 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
13428 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
13429 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
13430 use overlays.
13431
13432 @menu
13433 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
13434 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
13435 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
13436 mapped by asking the inferior.
13437 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
13438 @end menu
13439
13440 @node How Overlays Work
13441 @section How Overlays Work
13442 @cindex mapped overlays
13443 @cindex unmapped overlays
13444 @cindex load address, overlay's
13445 @cindex mapped address
13446 @cindex overlay area
13447
13448 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
13449 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
13450 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
13451 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
13452 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
13453
13454 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
13455 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
13456 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
13457 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
13458 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
13459 largest overlay as well.
13460
13461 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
13462 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
13463 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
13464 there.
13465
13466 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
13467 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
13468 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
13469
13470 @smallexample
13471 @group
13472 Data Instruction Larger
13473 Address Space Address Space Address Space
13474 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
13475 | | | | | |
13476 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
13477 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
13478 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
13479 | and heap | | | | | |
13480 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
13481 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
13482 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
13483 | | | | | |
13484 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
13485 address | | | | | |
13486 | overlay | <-' | | |
13487 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
13488 | | <---. | | load address
13489 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
13490 | | | |
13491 +-----------+ | |
13492 +-----------+
13493 | |
13494 +-----------+
13495
13496 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
13497 @end group
13498 @end smallexample
13499
13500 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
13501 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
13502 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
13503 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
13504 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
13505 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
13506 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
13507 program and the overlay area.
13508
13509 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
13510 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
13511 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
13512 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
13513 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
13514 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
13515 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
13516
13517 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
13518 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
13519 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
13520
13521 @itemize @bullet
13522
13523 @item
13524 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
13525 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
13526 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
13527 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
13528
13529 @item
13530 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
13531 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
13532 your program's performance.
13533
13534 @item
13535 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
13536 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
13537 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
13538 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
13539 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
13540 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
13541 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
13542
13543 @item
13544 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
13545 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
13546 instruction and data spaces.
13547
13548 @end itemize
13549
13550 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
13551 improved in many ways:
13552
13553 @itemize @bullet
13554
13555 @item
13556 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
13557 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
13558 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
13559 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
13560 area in the usual way.
13561
13562 @item
13563 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
13564 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
13565
13566 @item
13567 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
13568 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
13569 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
13570 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
13571 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
13572 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
13573 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
13574
13575 @end itemize
13576
13577
13578 @node Overlay Commands
13579 @section Overlay Commands
13580
13581 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
13582 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
13583 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
13584 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
13585 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
13586 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
13587
13588 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
13589 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
13590
13591 @table @code
13592 @item overlay off
13593 @kindex overlay
13594 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
13595 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
13596 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
13597 overlay support is disabled.
13598
13599 @item overlay manual
13600 @cindex manual overlay debugging
13601 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13602 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
13603 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
13604 commands described below.
13605
13606 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
13607 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
13608 @cindex map an overlay
13609 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
13610 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
13611 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
13612 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
13613 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
13614 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
13615
13616 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
13617 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
13618 @cindex unmap an overlay
13619 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
13620 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
13621 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
13622 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
13623
13624 @item overlay auto
13625 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13626 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
13627 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
13628 Overlay Debugging}.
13629
13630 @item overlay load-target
13631 @itemx overlay load
13632 @cindex reloading the overlay table
13633 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
13634 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
13635 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
13636 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
13637 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
13638
13639 @item overlay list-overlays
13640 @itemx overlay list
13641 @cindex listing mapped overlays
13642 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
13643 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
13644
13645 @end table
13646
13647 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
13648 of the function the address falls in:
13649
13650 @smallexample
13651 (@value{GDBP}) print main
13652 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
13653 @end smallexample
13654 @noindent
13655 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
13656 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
13657 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
13658 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
13659
13660 @smallexample
13661 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13662 No sections are mapped.
13663 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13664 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
13665 @end smallexample
13666 @noindent
13667 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
13668 name normally:
13669
13670 @smallexample
13671 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13672 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
13673 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
13674 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
13675 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
13676 @end smallexample
13677
13678 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
13679 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
13680 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
13681 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
13682 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
13683
13684 @itemize @bullet
13685 @item
13686 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
13687 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
13688 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
13689 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
13690 @item
13691 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
13692 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
13693 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
13694 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
13695 breakpoints properly.
13696 @end itemize
13697
13698
13699 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
13700 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
13701 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
13702
13703 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
13704 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
13705 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
13706 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
13707 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
13708 current state of the overlays.
13709
13710 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
13711 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
13712
13713 @table @asis
13714
13715 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
13716 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
13717
13718 @smallexample
13719 struct
13720 @{
13721 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
13722 unsigned long vma;
13723
13724 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
13725 unsigned long size;
13726
13727 /* The overlay's load address. */
13728 unsigned long lma;
13729
13730 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
13731 zero otherwise. */
13732 unsigned long mapped;
13733 @}
13734 @end smallexample
13735
13736 @item @code{_novlys}:
13737 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
13738 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
13739
13740 @end table
13741
13742 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
13743 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
13744 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
13745 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
13746 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
13747 currently mapped.
13748
13749 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
13750 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
13751 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
13752 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
13753 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
13754 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
13755 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
13756 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
13757 are not being executed.
13758
13759 @node Overlay Sample Program
13760 @section Overlay Sample Program
13761 @cindex overlay example program
13762
13763 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
13764 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
13765 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
13766 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
13767 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
13768 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
13769 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
13770
13771 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
13772 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
13773 suite. The program consists of the following files from
13774 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
13775
13776 @table @file
13777 @item overlays.c
13778 The main program file.
13779 @item ovlymgr.c
13780 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
13781 @item foo.c
13782 @itemx bar.c
13783 @itemx baz.c
13784 @itemx grbx.c
13785 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
13786 @item d10v.ld
13787 @itemx m32r.ld
13788 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
13789 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
13790 @end table
13791
13792 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
13793 cross-compiler like this:
13794
13795 @smallexample
13796 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
13797 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
13798 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
13799 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
13800 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
13801 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
13802 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
13803 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
13804 @end smallexample
13805
13806 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
13807 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
13808 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
13809
13810
13811 @node Languages
13812 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
13813 @cindex languages
13814
13815 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
13816 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
13817 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
13818 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
13819 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
13820 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
13821
13822 @cindex working language
13823 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
13824 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
13825 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
13826 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
13827 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
13828 language}.
13829
13830 @menu
13831 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
13832 * Show:: Displaying the language
13833 * Checks:: Type and range checks
13834 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
13835 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
13836 @end menu
13837
13838 @node Setting
13839 @section Switching Between Source Languages
13840
13841 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13842 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13843 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13844 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13845 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13846 are printed, etc.
13847
13848 In addition to the working language, every source file that
13849 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13850 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13851 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13852 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13853 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13854 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13855 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13856 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13857 Displaying the Language}.
13858
13859 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13860 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13861 another language. In that case, make the
13862 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13863 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13864 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13865
13866 @menu
13867 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13868 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13869 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13870 @end menu
13871
13872 @node Filenames
13873 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13874
13875 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13876 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13877
13878 @table @file
13879 @item .ada
13880 @itemx .ads
13881 @itemx .adb
13882 @itemx .a
13883 Ada source file.
13884
13885 @item .c
13886 C source file
13887
13888 @item .C
13889 @itemx .cc
13890 @itemx .cp
13891 @itemx .cpp
13892 @itemx .cxx
13893 @itemx .c++
13894 C@t{++} source file
13895
13896 @item .d
13897 D source file
13898
13899 @item .m
13900 Objective-C source file
13901
13902 @item .f
13903 @itemx .F
13904 Fortran source file
13905
13906 @item .mod
13907 Modula-2 source file
13908
13909 @item .s
13910 @itemx .S
13911 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13912 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13913 @end table
13914
13915 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13916 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13917
13918 @node Manually
13919 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13920
13921 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13922 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13923 your program.
13924
13925 @kindex set language
13926 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13927 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13928 a language, such as
13929 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13930 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13931
13932 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13933 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13934 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13935 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13936 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13937 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13938 command such as:
13939
13940 @smallexample
13941 print a = b + c
13942 @end smallexample
13943
13944 @noindent
13945 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13946 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13947 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13948 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13949
13950 @node Automatically
13951 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13952
13953 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13954 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13955 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13956 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13957 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13958 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13959 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13960 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13961 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13962
13963 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13964 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13965 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13966 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13967 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13968
13969 @node Show
13970 @section Displaying the Language
13971
13972 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13973 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13974
13975 @table @code
13976 @item show language
13977 @anchor{show language}
13978 @kindex show language
13979 Display the current working language. This is the
13980 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13981 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13982
13983 @item info frame
13984 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13985 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13986 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13987 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13988 information listed here.
13989
13990 @item info source
13991 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13992 Display the source language of this source file.
13993 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13994 information listed here.
13995 @end table
13996
13997 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13998 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13999 with a language explicitly:
14000
14001 @table @code
14002 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
14003 @kindex set extension-language
14004 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
14005 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
14006
14007 @item info extensions
14008 @kindex info extensions
14009 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
14010 @end table
14011
14012 @node Checks
14013 @section Type and Range Checking
14014
14015 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
14016 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
14017 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
14018 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
14019 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
14020 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
14021 errors when your program is running.
14022
14023 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
14024 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
14025 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
14026 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
14027
14028 @menu
14029 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
14030 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
14031 @end menu
14032
14033 @cindex type checking
14034 @cindex checks, type
14035 @node Type Checking
14036 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
14037
14038 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
14039 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
14040 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
14041 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
14042
14043 @smallexample
14044 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
14045
14046 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
14047 $1 = 2
14048 @exdent but
14049 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
14050 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
14051 @end smallexample
14052
14053 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
14054 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
14055
14056 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14057 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
14058 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
14059 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
14060 expressions like the second example above.
14061
14062 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
14063 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
14064 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
14065 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
14066 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
14067 little sense to evaluate anyway.
14068
14069 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
14070
14071 @kindex set check type
14072 @kindex show check type
14073 @table @code
14074 @item set check type on
14075 @itemx set check type off
14076 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
14077 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
14078 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
14079
14080 @item show check type
14081 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
14082 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
14083 @end table
14084
14085 @cindex range checking
14086 @cindex checks, range
14087 @node Range Checking
14088 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
14089
14090 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
14091 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
14092 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
14093 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
14094 not exceed the bounds of the array.
14095
14096 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14097 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
14098 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
14099 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
14100
14101 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
14102 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
14103 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
14104 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
14105 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
14106 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
14107
14108 @smallexample
14109 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
14110 @end smallexample
14111
14112 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
14113 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
14114 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
14115
14116 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
14117
14118 @kindex set check range
14119 @kindex show check range
14120 @table @code
14121 @item set check range auto
14122 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
14123 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
14124 each language.
14125
14126 @item set check range on
14127 @itemx set check range off
14128 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
14129 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
14130 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
14131 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
14132
14133 @item set check range warn
14134 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
14135 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
14136 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
14137 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
14138 systems).
14139
14140 @item show range
14141 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
14142 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
14143 @end table
14144
14145 @node Supported Languages
14146 @section Supported Languages
14147
14148 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
14149 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
14150 @c This is false ...
14151 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
14152 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
14153 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
14154 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
14155 language.
14156
14157 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
14158 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
14159 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
14160 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
14161 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
14162 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
14163 language reference or tutorial.
14164
14165 @menu
14166 * C:: C and C@t{++}
14167 * D:: D
14168 * Go:: Go
14169 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
14170 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
14171 * Fortran:: Fortran
14172 * Pascal:: Pascal
14173 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
14174 * Ada:: Ada
14175 @end menu
14176
14177 @node C
14178 @subsection C and C@t{++}
14179
14180 @cindex C and C@t{++}
14181 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
14182
14183 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
14184 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
14185 together.
14186
14187 @cindex C@t{++}
14188 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
14189 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
14190 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
14191 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
14192 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
14193 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
14194 compiler (@code{aCC}).
14195
14196 @menu
14197 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
14198 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
14199 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
14200 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
14201 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
14202 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
14203 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
14204 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
14205 @end menu
14206
14207 @node C Operators
14208 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
14209
14210 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
14211
14212 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14213 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14214 often defined on groups of types.
14215
14216 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
14217
14218 @itemize @bullet
14219
14220 @item
14221 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
14222 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
14223
14224 @item
14225 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
14226 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
14227
14228 @item
14229 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
14230
14231 @item
14232 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
14233
14234 @end itemize
14235
14236 @noindent
14237 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
14238 in order of increasing precedence:
14239
14240 @table @code
14241 @item ,
14242 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
14243 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
14244 expression being the last expression evaluated.
14245
14246 @item =
14247 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
14248 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
14249
14250 @item @var{op}=
14251 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
14252 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
14253 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
14254 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
14255 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
14256
14257 @item ?:
14258 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
14259 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
14260 should be of an integral type.
14261
14262 @item ||
14263 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14264
14265 @item &&
14266 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14267
14268 @item |
14269 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14270
14271 @item ^
14272 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14273
14274 @item &
14275 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14276
14277 @item ==@r{, }!=
14278 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
14279 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
14280
14281 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
14282 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
14283 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
14284 and non-zero for true.
14285
14286 @item <<@r{, }>>
14287 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
14288
14289 @item @@
14290 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14291
14292 @item +@r{, }-
14293 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
14294 pointer types.
14295
14296 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
14297 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
14298 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
14299 integral types.
14300
14301 @item ++@r{, }--
14302 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
14303 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
14304 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
14305 operation takes place.
14306
14307 @item *
14308 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
14309 @code{++}.
14310
14311 @item &
14312 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
14313
14314 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
14315 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
14316 to examine the address
14317 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
14318 stored.
14319
14320 @item -
14321 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
14322 precedence as @code{++}.
14323
14324 @item !
14325 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14326 @code{++}.
14327
14328 @item ~
14329 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14330 @code{++}.
14331
14332
14333 @item .@r{, }->
14334 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
14335 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
14336 pointer based on the stored type information.
14337 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
14338
14339 @item .*@r{, }->*
14340 Dereferences of pointers to members.
14341
14342 @item []
14343 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
14344 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14345
14346 @item ()
14347 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14348
14349 @item ::
14350 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
14351 and @code{class} types.
14352
14353 @item ::
14354 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
14355 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
14356 above.
14357 @end table
14358
14359 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
14360 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
14361 predefined meaning.
14362
14363 @node C Constants
14364 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
14365
14366 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
14367
14368 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
14369 following ways:
14370
14371 @itemize @bullet
14372 @item
14373 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
14374 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
14375 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
14376 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
14377 @code{long} value.
14378
14379 @item
14380 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
14381 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
14382 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
14383 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
14384 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
14385 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
14386 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
14387 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
14388 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
14389 constant.
14390
14391 @item
14392 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
14393 integral equivalents.
14394
14395 @item
14396 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
14397 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
14398 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
14399 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
14400 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
14401 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
14402 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
14403 @samp{\n} for newline.
14404
14405 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
14406 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
14407 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
14408 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14409
14410 @item
14411 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
14412 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
14413 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
14414 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
14415 characters.
14416
14417 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
14418 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
14419 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
14420
14421 @item
14422 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
14423 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
14424
14425 @item
14426 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
14427 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
14428 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
14429 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
14430 @end itemize
14431
14432 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
14433 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
14434
14435 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
14436 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
14437
14438 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
14439 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
14440 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
14441 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
14442 @quotation
14443 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
14444 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
14445 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
14446 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
14447 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
14448 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
14449 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
14450 code. @xref{Compilation}.
14451 @end quotation
14452
14453 @enumerate
14454
14455 @cindex member functions
14456 @item
14457 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
14458
14459 @smallexample
14460 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
14461 @end smallexample
14462
14463 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
14464 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
14465 @item
14466 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
14467 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
14468 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
14469 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
14470 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
14471
14472 @cindex call overloaded functions
14473 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
14474 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
14475 @item
14476 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
14477 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
14478 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
14479 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
14480 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
14481 default arguments.
14482
14483 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
14484 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
14485 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
14486 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
14487 number of function arguments.
14488
14489 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
14490 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
14491 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
14492
14493 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
14494 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
14495 @smallexample
14496 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
14497 @end smallexample
14498
14499 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
14500 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
14501
14502 @cindex reference declarations
14503 @item
14504 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
14505 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
14506 dereferenced.
14507
14508 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
14509 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
14510 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
14511 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
14512 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
14513
14514 @item
14515 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
14516 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
14517 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
14518 necessary, for example in an expression like
14519 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
14520 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
14521 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
14522
14523 @item
14524 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
14525 specification.
14526 @end enumerate
14527
14528 @node C Defaults
14529 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
14530
14531 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
14532
14533 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
14534 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
14535 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14536 selects the working language.
14537
14538 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
14539 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
14540 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
14541 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
14542 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
14543 for further details.
14544
14545 @node C Checks
14546 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
14547
14548 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
14549
14550 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
14551 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
14552 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
14553 constants to pointers.
14554
14555 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
14556 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
14557 that is not itself an array.
14558
14559 @node Debugging C
14560 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
14561
14562 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
14563 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
14564 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
14565 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
14566
14567 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
14568 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
14569 ,Expressions}.
14570
14571 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
14572 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
14573
14574 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
14575
14576 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
14577 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
14578
14579 @table @code
14580 @cindex break in overloaded functions
14581 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
14582 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
14583 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
14584 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
14585 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
14586
14587 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
14588 @item rbreak @var{regex}
14589 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
14590 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
14591 classes.
14592 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14593
14594 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
14595 @item catch throw
14596 @itemx catch rethrow
14597 @itemx catch catch
14598 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
14599 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
14600
14601 @cindex inheritance
14602 @item ptype @var{typename}
14603 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
14604 @var{typename}.
14605 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
14606
14607 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
14608 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
14609 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
14610 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
14611 multiple inheritance is in use.
14612
14613 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
14614 @item demangle @var{name}
14615 Demangle @var{name}.
14616 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
14617
14618 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
14619 @item set print demangle
14620 @itemx show print demangle
14621 @itemx set print asm-demangle
14622 @itemx show print asm-demangle
14623 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
14624 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
14625 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14626
14627 @item set print object
14628 @itemx show print object
14629 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
14630 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14631
14632 @item set print vtbl
14633 @itemx show print vtbl
14634 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
14635 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14636 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
14637 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
14638
14639 @kindex set overload-resolution
14640 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
14641 @item set overload-resolution on
14642 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
14643 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
14644 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
14645 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
14646 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
14647 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
14648
14649 @item set overload-resolution off
14650 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
14651 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14652 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
14653 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
14654 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14655 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
14656 argument types.
14657
14658 @kindex show overload-resolution
14659 @item show overload-resolution
14660 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
14661
14662 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
14663 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
14664 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
14665 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
14666 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
14667 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
14668 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
14669 @end table
14670
14671 @node Decimal Floating Point
14672 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
14673 @cindex decimal floating point format
14674
14675 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
14676 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
14677 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
14678 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
14679
14680 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
14681 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
14682 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
14683 configured target.
14684
14685 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
14686 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
14687 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
14688
14689 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
14690 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
14691 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
14692
14693 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
14694 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
14695 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
14696
14697 @node D
14698 @subsection D
14699
14700 @cindex D
14701 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
14702 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
14703 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
14704
14705 @node Go
14706 @subsection Go
14707
14708 @cindex Go (programming language)
14709 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
14710 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
14711
14712 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
14713
14714 @table @code
14715 @cindex current Go package
14716 @item The current Go package
14717 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
14718 specifying global variables and functions.
14719
14720 For example, given the program:
14721
14722 @example
14723 package main
14724 var myglob = "Shall we?"
14725 func main () @{
14726 // ...
14727 @}
14728 @end example
14729
14730 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
14731
14732 @example
14733 (gdb) p myglob
14734 (gdb) p main.myglob
14735 @end example
14736
14737 @cindex builtin Go types
14738 @item Builtin Go types
14739 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
14740 as a string.
14741
14742 @cindex builtin Go functions
14743 @item Builtin Go functions
14744 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
14745 function and handles it internally.
14746
14747 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
14748 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
14749 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
14750 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
14751 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
14752 @end table
14753
14754 @node Objective-C
14755 @subsection Objective-C
14756
14757 @cindex Objective-C
14758 This section provides information about some commands and command
14759 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
14760 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
14761 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
14762
14763 @menu
14764 * Method Names in Commands::
14765 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
14766 @end menu
14767
14768 @node Method Names in Commands
14769 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
14770
14771 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
14772 names as line specifications:
14773
14774 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
14775 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
14776 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
14777 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
14778 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
14779 @itemize
14780 @item @code{clear}
14781 @item @code{break}
14782 @item @code{info line}
14783 @item @code{jump}
14784 @item @code{list}
14785 @end itemize
14786
14787 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
14788
14789 @smallexample
14790 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
14791 @end smallexample
14792
14793 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
14794 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
14795 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
14796 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
14797 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
14798 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
14799 debugged, enter:
14800
14801 @smallexample
14802 break -[Fruit create]
14803 @end smallexample
14804
14805 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
14806 enter:
14807
14808 @smallexample
14809 list +[NSText initialize]
14810 @end smallexample
14811
14812 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
14813 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
14814 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
14815 is also possible to specify just a method name:
14816
14817 @smallexample
14818 break create
14819 @end smallexample
14820
14821 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
14822 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
14823 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
14824 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
14825 none apply.
14826
14827 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
14828 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
14829
14830 @smallexample
14831 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
14832 @end smallexample
14833
14834 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
14835 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
14836 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
14837 @kindex print-object
14838 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
14839
14840 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
14841
14842 @smallexample
14843 print -[@var{object} hash]
14844 @end smallexample
14845
14846 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
14847 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14848 @noindent
14849 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14850 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14851 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14852 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14853 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14854 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14855
14856 @node OpenCL C
14857 @subsection OpenCL C
14858
14859 @cindex OpenCL C
14860 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14861
14862 @menu
14863 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
14864 * OpenCL C Expressions::
14865 * OpenCL C Operators::
14866 @end menu
14867
14868 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
14869 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14870
14871 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14872 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14873 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14874 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14875 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14876
14877 @node OpenCL C Expressions
14878 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14879
14880 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14881 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14882 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14883 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14884
14885 @node OpenCL C Operators
14886 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14887
14888 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14889 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14890 vector data types.
14891
14892 @node Fortran
14893 @subsection Fortran
14894 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14895
14896 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14897 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14898
14899 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14900 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14901 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14902 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14903 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14904 underscore.
14905
14906 @menu
14907 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14908 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14909 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14910 @end menu
14911
14912 @node Fortran Operators
14913 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14914
14915 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14916
14917 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14918 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14919 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14920
14921 @table @code
14922 @item **
14923 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14924 of the second one.
14925
14926 @item :
14927 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14928 represent a section of array.
14929
14930 @item %
14931 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14932 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14933 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14934 union type.
14935 @end table
14936
14937 @node Fortran Defaults
14938 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14939
14940 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14941
14942 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14943 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14944 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14945 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14946
14947 @node Special Fortran Commands
14948 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14949
14950 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14951
14952 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14953 such as displaying common blocks.
14954
14955 @table @code
14956 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14957 @kindex info common
14958 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14959 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14960 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14961 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14962 printed.
14963 @end table
14964
14965 @node Pascal
14966 @subsection Pascal
14967
14968 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14969 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14970 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14971 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14972 syntax.
14973
14974 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14975 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14976 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14977
14978 @node Modula-2
14979 @subsection Modula-2
14980
14981 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14982
14983 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14984 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14985 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14986 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14987 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14988 table.
14989
14990 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14991 @menu
14992 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14993 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14994 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14995 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14996 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14997 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14998 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14999 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15000 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15001 @end menu
15002
15003 @node M2 Operators
15004 @subsubsection Operators
15005 @cindex Modula-2 operators
15006
15007 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15008 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
15009 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
15010 following definitions hold:
15011
15012 @itemize @bullet
15013
15014 @item
15015 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
15016 their subranges.
15017
15018 @item
15019 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
15020
15021 @item
15022 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
15023
15024 @item
15025 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
15026 @var{type}}.
15027
15028 @item
15029 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
15030
15031 @item
15032 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
15033
15034 @item
15035 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
15036 @end itemize
15037
15038 @noindent
15039 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
15040 increasing precedence:
15041
15042 @table @code
15043 @item ,
15044 Function argument or array index separator.
15045
15046 @item :=
15047 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
15048 @var{value}.
15049
15050 @item <@r{, }>
15051 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
15052 types.
15053
15054 @item <=@r{, }>=
15055 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
15056 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
15057 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
15058
15059 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
15060 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
15061 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
15062 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
15063 comment character.
15064
15065 @item IN
15066 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
15067 Same precedence as @code{<}.
15068
15069 @item OR
15070 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15071
15072 @item AND@r{, }&
15073 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15074
15075 @item @@
15076 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15077
15078 @item +@r{, }-
15079 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
15080 and difference on set types.
15081
15082 @item *
15083 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
15084 on set types.
15085
15086 @item /
15087 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
15088 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
15089
15090 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
15091 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
15092 precedence as @code{*}.
15093
15094 @item -
15095 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
15096
15097 @item ^
15098 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
15099
15100 @item NOT
15101 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
15102 @code{^}.
15103
15104 @item .
15105 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
15106 precedence as @code{^}.
15107
15108 @item []
15109 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
15110
15111 @item ()
15112 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
15113 as @code{^}.
15114
15115 @item ::@r{, }.
15116 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
15117 @end table
15118
15119 @quotation
15120 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
15121 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
15122 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
15123 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
15124 @end quotation
15125
15126
15127 @node Built-In Func/Proc
15128 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
15129 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
15130
15131 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
15132 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
15133
15134 @table @var
15135
15136 @item a
15137 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
15138
15139 @item c
15140 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
15141
15142 @item i
15143 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
15144
15145 @item m
15146 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
15147 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
15148 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
15149
15150 @item n
15151 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
15152
15153 @item r
15154 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
15155
15156 @item t
15157 represents a type.
15158
15159 @item v
15160 represents a variable.
15161
15162 @item x
15163 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
15164 explanation of the function for details.
15165 @end table
15166
15167 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
15168
15169 @table @code
15170 @item ABS(@var{n})
15171 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
15172
15173 @item CAP(@var{c})
15174 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
15175 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
15176
15177 @item CHR(@var{i})
15178 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15179
15180 @item DEC(@var{v})
15181 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15182
15183 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
15184 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15185 new value.
15186
15187 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15188 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
15189 set.
15190
15191 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
15192 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
15193
15194 @item HIGH(@var{a})
15195 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
15196
15197 @item INC(@var{v})
15198 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15199
15200 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
15201 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15202 new value.
15203
15204 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15205 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
15206 there. Returns the new set.
15207
15208 @item MAX(@var{t})
15209 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
15210
15211 @item MIN(@var{t})
15212 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
15213
15214 @item ODD(@var{i})
15215 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
15216
15217 @item ORD(@var{x})
15218 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
15219 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
15220 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
15221 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
15222
15223 @item SIZE(@var{x})
15224 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15225 variable or a type.
15226
15227 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
15228 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
15229
15230 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
15231 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15232 variable or a type.
15233
15234 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
15235 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15236 @end table
15237
15238 @quotation
15239 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
15240 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
15241 an error.
15242 @end quotation
15243
15244 @cindex Modula-2 constants
15245 @node M2 Constants
15246 @subsubsection Constants
15247
15248 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
15249 ways:
15250
15251 @itemize @bullet
15252
15253 @item
15254 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
15255 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
15256 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
15257 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
15258
15259 @item
15260 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
15261 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
15262 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
15263 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
15264 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
15265 digits.
15266
15267 @item
15268 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
15269 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
15270 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
15271 followed by a @samp{C}.
15272
15273 @item
15274 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
15275 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
15276 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
15277 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
15278 sequences.
15279
15280 @item
15281 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
15282
15283 @item
15284 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
15285 @code{FALSE}.
15286
15287 @item
15288 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
15289
15290 @item
15291 Set constants are not yet supported.
15292 @end itemize
15293
15294 @node M2 Types
15295 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
15296 @cindex Modula-2 types
15297
15298 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
15299 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
15300 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
15301 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
15302 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
15303 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
15304
15305 The first example contains the following section of code:
15306
15307 @smallexample
15308 VAR
15309 s: SET OF CHAR ;
15310 r: [20..40] ;
15311 @end smallexample
15312
15313 @noindent
15314 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
15315 @code{r} and @code{s}.
15316
15317 @smallexample
15318 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15319 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
15320 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15321 SET OF CHAR
15322 (@value{GDBP}) print r
15323 21
15324 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
15325 [20..40]
15326 @end smallexample
15327
15328 @noindent
15329 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
15330
15331 @smallexample
15332 VAR
15333 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
15334 @end smallexample
15335
15336 @noindent
15337 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
15338
15339 @smallexample
15340 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15341 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
15342 @end smallexample
15343
15344 @noindent
15345 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
15346 expressions using the debugger.
15347
15348 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
15349 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
15350
15351 @smallexample
15352 VAR
15353 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
15354 @end smallexample
15355
15356 @smallexample
15357 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15358 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
15359 @end smallexample
15360
15361 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
15362 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
15363 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
15364 above.
15365
15366 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
15367
15368 @smallexample
15369 TYPE
15370 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
15371 t = [blue..yellow] ;
15372 VAR
15373 s: t ;
15374 BEGIN
15375 s := blue ;
15376 @end smallexample
15377
15378 @noindent
15379 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
15380 and value of a variable.
15381
15382 @smallexample
15383 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15384 $1 = blue
15385 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
15386 type = [blue..yellow]
15387 @end smallexample
15388
15389 @noindent
15390 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
15391 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
15392 their @code{C} counterparts.
15393
15394 @smallexample
15395 VAR
15396 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15397 BEGIN
15398 s[1] := 1 ;
15399 @end smallexample
15400
15401 @smallexample
15402 (@value{GDBP}) print s
15403 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
15404 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15405 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15406 @end smallexample
15407
15408 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
15409 pointer types as shown in this example:
15410
15411 @smallexample
15412 VAR
15413 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
15414 BEGIN
15415 NEW(s) ;
15416 s^[1] := 1 ;
15417 @end smallexample
15418
15419 @noindent
15420 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
15421
15422 @smallexample
15423 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15424 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
15425 @end smallexample
15426
15427 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
15428 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
15429 types:
15430
15431 @smallexample
15432 TYPE
15433 foo = RECORD
15434 f1: CARDINAL ;
15435 f2: CHAR ;
15436 f3: myarray ;
15437 END ;
15438
15439 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
15440 myrange = [-2..2] ;
15441 VAR
15442 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
15443 @end smallexample
15444
15445 @noindent
15446 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
15447 below.
15448
15449 @smallexample
15450 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
15451 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
15452 f1 : CARDINAL;
15453 f2 : CHAR;
15454 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
15455 END
15456 @end smallexample
15457
15458 @node M2 Defaults
15459 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
15460 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
15461
15462 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
15463 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
15464 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15465 selected the working language.
15466
15467 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
15468 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
15469 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
15470 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
15471
15472 @node Deviations
15473 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
15474 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
15475
15476 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
15477 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
15478
15479 @itemize @bullet
15480 @item
15481 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
15482 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
15483 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
15484 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
15485 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
15486 returned a pointer.)
15487
15488 @item
15489 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
15490 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
15491 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
15492 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
15493
15494 @item
15495 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
15496 argument.
15497
15498 @item
15499 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
15500 @end itemize
15501
15502 @node M2 Checks
15503 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
15504 @cindex Modula-2 checks
15505
15506 @quotation
15507 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
15508 range checking.
15509 @end quotation
15510 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
15511
15512 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
15513
15514 @itemize @bullet
15515 @item
15516 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
15517 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
15518
15519 @item
15520 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
15521 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
15522 @end itemize
15523
15524 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
15525 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
15526
15527 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
15528 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
15529
15530 @node M2 Scope
15531 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15532 @cindex scope
15533 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
15534 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
15535 @ifinfo
15536 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
15537 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
15538 @end ifinfo
15539 @ifnotinfo
15540 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
15541 @end ifnotinfo
15542
15543 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
15544 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
15545 similar syntax:
15546
15547 @smallexample
15548
15549 @var{module} . @var{id}
15550 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
15551 @end smallexample
15552
15553 @noindent
15554 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
15555 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
15556 identifier within your program, except another module.
15557
15558 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
15559 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
15560 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
15561 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
15562
15563 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
15564 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
15565 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
15566 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
15567 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
15568 @var{module}.
15569
15570 @node GDB/M2
15571 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15572
15573 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
15574 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
15575 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
15576 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
15577 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
15578 analogue in Modula-2.
15579
15580 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
15581 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
15582 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
15583 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
15584 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
15585 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
15586
15587 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
15588 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
15589 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
15590
15591 @node Ada
15592 @subsection Ada
15593 @cindex Ada
15594
15595 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
15596 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
15597 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
15598 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15599 to be difficult.
15600
15601
15602 @cindex expressions in Ada
15603 @menu
15604 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
15605 and semantics supported by Ada mode
15606 in @value{GDBN}.
15607 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
15608 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
15609 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
15610 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
15611 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
15612 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15613 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
15614 Profile
15615 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
15616 @end menu
15617
15618 @node Ada Mode Intro
15619 @subsubsection Introduction
15620 @cindex Ada mode, general
15621
15622 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
15623 syntax, with some extensions.
15624 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
15625
15626 @itemize @bullet
15627 @item
15628 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
15629 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
15630 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
15631 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
15632
15633 @item
15634 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
15635 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15636
15637 @item
15638 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15639 @end itemize
15640
15641 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
15642 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
15643 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
15644 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
15645 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
15646
15647 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
15648 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
15649 was translated from an Ada source file.
15650
15651 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
15652 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
15653 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
15654 middle (to allow based literals).
15655
15656 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
15657 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
15658 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
15659 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
15660 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
15661 functions to procedures elsewhere.
15662
15663 @node Omissions from Ada
15664 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
15665 @cindex Ada, omissions from
15666
15667 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
15668
15669 @itemize @bullet
15670 @item
15671 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
15672
15673 @itemize @minus
15674 @item
15675 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
15676 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
15677
15678 @item
15679 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
15680
15681 @item
15682 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
15683
15684 @item
15685 @t{'Tag}.
15686
15687 @item
15688 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
15689 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
15690
15691 @item
15692 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
15693 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
15694
15695 @item
15696 @t{'Address}.
15697 @end itemize
15698
15699 @item
15700 The names in
15701 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
15702 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
15703 not currently available.
15704
15705 @item
15706 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
15707 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
15708 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
15709 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
15710 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
15711 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
15712 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
15713 indeterminate values.
15714
15715 @item
15716 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
15717 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
15718 are not implemented.
15719
15720 @item
15721 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
15722 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
15723 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
15724 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
15725 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
15726
15727 @smallexample
15728 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
15729 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
15730 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
15731 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
15732 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
15733 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
15734 @end smallexample
15735
15736 Changing a
15737 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
15738 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
15739 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
15740 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
15741 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
15742 declared to have a type such as:
15743
15744 @smallexample
15745 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
15746 Id : Integer;
15747 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
15748 end record;
15749 @end smallexample
15750
15751 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
15752 assignments:
15753
15754 @smallexample
15755 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
15756 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
15757 @end smallexample
15758
15759 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
15760 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
15761 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
15762 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
15763 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
15764 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
15765 redundant component associations, although which component values are
15766 assigned in such cases is not defined.
15767
15768 @item
15769 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
15770
15771 @item
15772 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
15773 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
15774 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
15775 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
15776 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
15777 the proper resolution.
15778
15779 @item
15780 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
15781
15782 @item
15783 Entry calls are not implemented.
15784
15785 @item
15786 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
15787 formats are not supported.
15788
15789 @item
15790 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
15791
15792 @item
15793 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
15794 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
15795 context.
15796 Should your program
15797 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
15798 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
15799 @end itemize
15800
15801 @node Additions to Ada
15802 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
15803 @cindex Ada, deviations from
15804
15805 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
15806 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
15807
15808 @itemize @bullet
15809 @item
15810 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
15811 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
15812 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
15813 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
15814 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
15815 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
15816 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
15817 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
15818
15819 @item
15820 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
15821 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
15822 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
15823
15824 @item
15825 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
15826 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
15827
15828 @item
15829 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
15830 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
15831 @end itemize
15832
15833 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
15834 additions specific to Ada:
15835
15836 @itemize @bullet
15837 @item
15838 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
15839 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
15840
15841 @smallexample
15842 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
15843 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
15844 @end smallexample
15845
15846 @item
15847 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
15848 the value of its right-hand operand.
15849 This allows, for example,
15850 complex conditional breaks:
15851
15852 @smallexample
15853 (@value{GDBP}) break f
15854 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15855 @end smallexample
15856
15857 @item
15858 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15859 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15860 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15861 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15862 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15863 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15864 in strings. For example,
15865 @smallexample
15866 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15867 @end smallexample
15868 @noindent
15869 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15870 after each period.
15871
15872 @item
15873 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15874 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15875 to write
15876
15877 @smallexample
15878 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15879 @end smallexample
15880
15881 @item
15882 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15883 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15884 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15885 of 3 might print as
15886
15887 @smallexample
15888 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15889 @end smallexample
15890
15891 @noindent
15892 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15893 clause.
15894
15895 @item
15896 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15897 multi-character subsequence of
15898 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15899 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15900 in place of @t{a'length}.
15901
15902 @item
15903 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15904 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15905 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15906 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15907 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15908 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15909 For example,
15910 @smallexample
15911 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15912 @end smallexample
15913
15914 @item
15915 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15916 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15917 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15918 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15919 object.
15920
15921 @end itemize
15922
15923 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15924 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15925
15926 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15927 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15928 before reaching the main procedure.
15929 As defined in the Ada Reference
15930 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15931 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15932 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15933 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15934
15935 @node Ada Exceptions
15936 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
15937
15938 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
15939
15940 @table @code
15941 @kindex info exceptions
15942 @item info exceptions
15943 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
15944 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
15945 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
15946 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
15947 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
15948 @end table
15949
15950 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
15951 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
15952 argument.
15953
15954 @smallexample
15955 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
15956 All defined Ada exceptions:
15957 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15958 program_error: 0x613d20
15959 storage_error: 0x613ce0
15960 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
15961 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15962 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
15963 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
15964 constraint_error: 0x613da0
15965 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15966 @end smallexample
15967
15968 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
15969 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
15970
15971 @node Ada Tasks
15972 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15973 @cindex Ada, tasking
15974
15975 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15976 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15977
15978 @table @code
15979 @kindex info tasks
15980 @item info tasks
15981 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15982
15983
15984 @smallexample
15985 @iftex
15986 @leftskip=0.5cm
15987 @end iftex
15988 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15989 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15990 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15991 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15992 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15993 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15994
15995 @end smallexample
15996
15997 @noindent
15998 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15999 task currently being inspected.
16000
16001 @table @asis
16002 @item ID
16003 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
16004
16005 @item TID
16006 The Ada task ID.
16007
16008 @item P-ID
16009 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
16010
16011 @item Pri
16012 The base priority of the task.
16013
16014 @item State
16015 Current state of the task.
16016
16017 @table @code
16018 @item Unactivated
16019 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
16020 executing.
16021
16022 @item Runnable
16023 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
16024 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
16025
16026 @item Terminated
16027 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
16028 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
16029 terminated themselves.
16030
16031 @item Child Activation Wait
16032 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
16033
16034 @item Accept Statement
16035 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
16036
16037 @item Waiting on entry call
16038 The task is waiting on an entry call.
16039
16040 @item Async Select Wait
16041 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
16042 select statement.
16043
16044 @item Delay Sleep
16045 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
16046 alternative open.
16047
16048 @item Child Termination Wait
16049 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
16050 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
16051 waiting on a terminate Phase.
16052
16053 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
16054 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
16055 finish terminating.
16056
16057 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
16058 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
16059 @end table
16060
16061 @item Name
16062 Name of the task in the program.
16063
16064 @end table
16065
16066 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
16067 @item info task @var{taskno}
16068 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
16069 the following example:
16070 @smallexample
16071 @iftex
16072 @leftskip=0.5cm
16073 @end iftex
16074 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16075 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16076 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16077 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
16078 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
16079 Ada Task: 0x807c468
16080 Name: task_1
16081 Thread: 0x807f378
16082 Parent: 1 (main_task)
16083 Base Priority: 15
16084 State: Runnable
16085 @end smallexample
16086
16087 @item task
16088 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
16089 @cindex current Ada task ID
16090 This command prints the ID of the current task.
16091
16092 @smallexample
16093 @iftex
16094 @leftskip=0.5cm
16095 @end iftex
16096 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16097 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16098 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16099 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16100 (@value{GDBP}) task
16101 [Current task is 2]
16102 @end smallexample
16103
16104 @item task @var{taskno}
16105 @cindex Ada task switching
16106 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
16107 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
16108 from the current task to the given task.
16109
16110 @smallexample
16111 @iftex
16112 @leftskip=0.5cm
16113 @end iftex
16114 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16115 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16116 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16117 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16118 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
16119 [Switching to task 1]
16120 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16121 (@value{GDBP}) bt
16122 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16123 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
16124 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
16125 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
16126 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
16127 @end smallexample
16128
16129 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
16130 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
16131 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
16132 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
16133 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
16134 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
16135 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
16136 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
16137 in @ref{Specify Location}.
16138
16139 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
16140 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
16141 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
16142 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
16143 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
16144
16145 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
16146 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
16147 program.
16148
16149 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
16150 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
16151 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
16152
16153 For example,
16154
16155 @smallexample
16156 @iftex
16157 @leftskip=0.5cm
16158 @end iftex
16159 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16160 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16161 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16162 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
16163 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16164 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
16165 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
16166 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
16167 (@value{GDBP}) cont
16168 Continuing.
16169 task # 1 running
16170 task # 2 running
16171
16172 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
16173 15 flush;
16174 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16175 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16176 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16177 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
16178 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16179 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
16180 @end smallexample
16181 @end table
16182
16183 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
16184 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
16185 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
16186
16187 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
16188 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
16189 the platform being used.
16190 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
16191 switching is not supported.
16192
16193 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
16194 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
16195 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
16196 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
16197 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
16198 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
16199
16200 @node Ravenscar Profile
16201 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
16202 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
16203
16204 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
16205 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
16206 requirements.
16207
16208 @table @code
16209 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
16210 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
16211 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
16212 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16213 Profile. This is the default.
16214
16215 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
16216 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
16217 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16218 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
16219 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
16220 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
16221 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
16222
16223 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
16224 @item show ravenscar task-switching
16225 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
16226 using the Ravenscar Profile.
16227
16228 @end table
16229
16230 @node Ada Glitches
16231 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
16232 @cindex Ada, problems
16233
16234 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
16235 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
16236 @value{GDBN},
16237 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
16238 and the GNU Ada compiler.
16239
16240 @itemize @bullet
16241 @item
16242 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
16243 storage are invisible to the debugger.
16244
16245 @item
16246 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
16247 argument lists are treated as positional).
16248
16249 @item
16250 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
16251
16252 @item
16253 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
16254 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
16255 the host machine.
16256
16257 @item
16258 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
16259 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
16260 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
16261 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
16262 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
16263 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
16264 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
16265 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
16266 you can usually resolve the confusion
16267 by qualifying the problematic names with package
16268 @code{Standard} explicitly.
16269 @end itemize
16270
16271 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
16272 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
16273 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
16274 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
16275 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
16276 enabled.
16277
16278 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
16279 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
16280 @table @code
16281
16282 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
16283 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
16284 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
16285 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
16286 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
16287 This is the default.
16288
16289 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
16290 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
16291 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
16292 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
16293 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
16294 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
16295 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
16296
16297 @end table
16298
16299 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
16300 @cindex GNAT encoding
16301 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
16302 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
16303 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
16304 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
16305 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
16306 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
16307
16308 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
16309 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
16310 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
16311 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
16312 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
16313 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
16314 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
16315 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
16316
16317 @table @code
16318
16319 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
16320 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
16321 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
16322 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
16323
16324 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
16325 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
16326 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
16327
16328 @end table
16329
16330 @node Unsupported Languages
16331 @section Unsupported Languages
16332
16333 @cindex unsupported languages
16334 @cindex minimal language
16335 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
16336 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
16337 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
16338 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
16339 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
16340 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
16341
16342 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
16343 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
16344 language.
16345
16346 @node Symbols
16347 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
16348
16349 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
16350 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
16351 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
16352 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
16353 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
16354 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
16355 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16356
16357 @cindex symbol names
16358 @cindex names of symbols
16359 @cindex quoting names
16360 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
16361 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
16362 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
16363 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
16364 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
16365 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
16366 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
16367 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
16368
16369 @smallexample
16370 p 'foo.c'::x
16371 @end smallexample
16372
16373 @noindent
16374 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
16375
16376 @table @code
16377 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
16378 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
16379 @kindex set case-sensitive
16380 @item set case-sensitive on
16381 @itemx set case-sensitive off
16382 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
16383 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
16384 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
16385 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
16386 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
16387 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
16388 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
16389 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
16390 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
16391 case-insensitive matches.
16392
16393 @kindex show case-sensitive
16394 @item show case-sensitive
16395 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
16396 lookups.
16397
16398 @kindex set print type methods
16399 @item set print type methods
16400 @itemx set print type methods on
16401 @itemx set print type methods off
16402 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
16403 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16404 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16405 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16406 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
16407 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
16408
16409 @kindex show print type methods
16410 @item show print type methods
16411 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
16412 classes.
16413
16414 @kindex set print type typedefs
16415 @item set print type typedefs
16416 @itemx set print type typedefs on
16417 @itemx set print type typedefs off
16418
16419 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
16420 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
16421 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
16422 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
16423 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
16424 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
16425 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
16426 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
16427 types.
16428
16429 @kindex show print type typedefs
16430 @item show print type typedefs
16431 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
16432 printing classes.
16433
16434 @kindex info address
16435 @cindex address of a symbol
16436 @item info address @var{symbol}
16437 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
16438 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
16439 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
16440 is always stored.
16441
16442 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
16443 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
16444 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
16445
16446 @kindex info symbol
16447 @cindex symbol from address
16448 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
16449 @item info symbol @var{addr}
16450 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
16451 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
16452 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
16453
16454 @smallexample
16455 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
16456 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
16457 @end smallexample
16458
16459 @noindent
16460 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
16461 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
16462
16463 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
16464 library containing the symbol is also printed:
16465
16466 @smallexample
16467 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
16468 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
16469 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
16470 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
16471 @end smallexample
16472
16473 @kindex demangle
16474 @cindex demangle
16475 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
16476 Demangle @var{name}.
16477 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
16478 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
16479
16480 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
16481 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
16482
16483 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
16484 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
16485
16486 @kindex whatis
16487 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16488 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
16489 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
16490 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16491
16492 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
16493 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
16494 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
16495
16496 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
16497 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
16498 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
16499 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
16500 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
16501 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
16502 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
16503 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
16504 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
16505
16506 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
16507 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
16508 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
16509 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
16510 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
16511 unroll it.
16512
16513 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
16514 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
16515 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
16516
16517 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
16518 Available flags are:
16519
16520 @table @code
16521 @item r
16522 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
16523 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
16524 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
16525
16526 @item m
16527 Do not print methods defined in the class.
16528
16529 @item M
16530 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16531 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
16532
16533 @item t
16534 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
16535 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
16536 names are substituted when printing other types.
16537
16538 @item T
16539 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16540 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
16541 @end table
16542
16543 @kindex ptype
16544 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16545 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
16546 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
16547 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
16548
16549 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
16550 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
16551 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
16552 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
16553 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
16554 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
16555 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
16556 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
16557
16558 For example, for this variable declaration:
16559
16560 @smallexample
16561 typedef double real_t;
16562 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
16563 typedef struct complex complex_t;
16564 complex_t var;
16565 real_t *real_pointer_var;
16566 @end smallexample
16567
16568 @noindent
16569 the two commands give this output:
16570
16571 @smallexample
16572 @group
16573 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
16574 type = complex_t
16575 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
16576 type = struct complex @{
16577 real_t real;
16578 double imag;
16579 @}
16580 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
16581 type = struct complex
16582 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
16583 type = struct complex
16584 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
16585 type = struct complex @{
16586 real_t real;
16587 double imag;
16588 @}
16589 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
16590 type = real_t *
16591 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
16592 type = double *
16593 @end group
16594 @end smallexample
16595
16596 @noindent
16597 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
16598 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16599
16600 @cindex incomplete type
16601 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
16602 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
16603 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
16604 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
16605 given these declarations:
16606
16607 @smallexample
16608 struct foo;
16609 struct foo *fooptr;
16610 @end smallexample
16611
16612 @noindent
16613 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
16614
16615 @smallexample
16616 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
16617 $1 = <incomplete type>
16618 @end smallexample
16619
16620 @noindent
16621 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
16622 completely specified.
16623
16624 @kindex info types
16625 @item info types @var{regexp}
16626 @itemx info types
16627 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
16628 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
16629 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
16630 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
16631 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
16632 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
16633 name is @code{value}.
16634
16635 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
16636 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
16637 lists all source files where a type is defined.
16638
16639 @kindex info type-printers
16640 @item info type-printers
16641 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
16642 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
16643 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
16644 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
16645 type printers.
16646
16647 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
16648
16649 @kindex enable type-printer
16650 @kindex disable type-printer
16651 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16652 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16653 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
16654
16655 @kindex info scope
16656 @cindex local variables
16657 @item info scope @var{location}
16658 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
16659 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
16660 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
16661 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
16662 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
16663
16664 @smallexample
16665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
16666 Scope for command_line_handler:
16667 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
16668 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
16669 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
16670 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
16671 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
16672 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
16673 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
16674 @end smallexample
16675
16676 @noindent
16677 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
16678 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
16679 collect}.
16680
16681 @kindex info source
16682 @item info source
16683 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
16684 the function containing the current point of execution:
16685 @itemize @bullet
16686 @item
16687 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
16688 @item
16689 the directory it was compiled in,
16690 @item
16691 its length, in lines,
16692 @item
16693 which programming language it is written in,
16694 @item
16695 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
16696 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
16697 @item
16698 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
16699 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
16700 @item
16701 whether the debugging information includes information about
16702 preprocessor macros.
16703 @end itemize
16704
16705
16706 @kindex info sources
16707 @item info sources
16708 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
16709 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
16710 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
16711
16712 @kindex info functions
16713 @item info functions
16714 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
16715
16716 @item info functions @var{regexp}
16717 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
16718 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
16719 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
16720 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
16721 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
16722 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
16723 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
16724
16725 @kindex info variables
16726 @item info variables
16727 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
16728 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
16729
16730 @item info variables @var{regexp}
16731 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
16732 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
16733 @var{regexp}.
16734
16735 @kindex info classes
16736 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
16737 @item info classes
16738 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
16739 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
16740 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16741 expression.
16742
16743 @kindex info selectors
16744 @item info selectors
16745 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
16746 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
16747 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16748 expression.
16749
16750 @ignore
16751 This was never implemented.
16752 @kindex info methods
16753 @item info methods
16754 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
16755 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
16756 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
16757 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
16758 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
16759 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
16760 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
16761 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
16762 @end ignore
16763
16764 @cindex opaque data types
16765 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
16766 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
16767 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
16768 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
16769 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
16770 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
16771 another source file. The default is on.
16772
16773 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
16774 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
16775
16776 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
16777 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
16778 is printed as follows:
16779 @smallexample
16780 @{<no data fields>@}
16781 @end smallexample
16782
16783 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
16784 @item show opaque-type-resolution
16785 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
16786
16787 @kindex set print symbol-loading
16788 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
16789 @item set print symbol-loading
16790 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
16791 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
16792 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
16793 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
16794 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
16795 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
16796 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
16797 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
16798 can be annoying.
16799 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
16800 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
16801 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
16802 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
16803
16804 @kindex show print symbol-loading
16805 @item show print symbol-loading
16806 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
16807 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
16808
16809 @kindex maint print symbols
16810 @cindex symbol dump
16811 @kindex maint print psymbols
16812 @cindex partial symbol dump
16813 @kindex maint print msymbols
16814 @cindex minimal symbol dump
16815 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
16816 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
16817 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
16818 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
16819 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
16820 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
16821 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
16822 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
16823 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
16824 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
16825 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
16826 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
16827 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
16828 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
16829 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
16830 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
16831 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
16832
16833 @kindex maint info symtabs
16834 @kindex maint info psymtabs
16835 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
16836 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16837 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16838 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16839 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16840 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16841
16842 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
16843 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
16844 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
16845 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
16846 structure in more detail. For example:
16847
16848 @smallexample
16849 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
16850 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16851 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16852 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16853 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
16854 readin no
16855 fullname (null)
16856 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
16857 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
16858 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
16859 dependencies (none)
16860 @}
16861 @}
16862 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16863 (@value{GDBP})
16864 @end smallexample
16865 @noindent
16866 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
16867 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
16868 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
16869 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
16870 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
16871
16872 @smallexample
16873 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
16874 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
16875 line 1574.
16876 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16877 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16878 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16879 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16880 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
16881 dirname (null)
16882 fullname (null)
16883 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
16884 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
16885 debugformat DWARF 2
16886 @}
16887 @}
16888 (@value{GDBP})
16889 @end smallexample
16890
16891 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
16892 @cindex symbol cache size
16893 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
16894 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
16895 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
16896 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
16897 with different sizes.
16898
16899 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
16900 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
16901 Show the size of the symbol cache.
16902
16903 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
16904 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
16905 @item maint print symbol-cache
16906 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
16907 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
16908
16909 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16910 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
16911 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
16912 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
16913 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
16914
16915 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
16916 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
16917 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
16918 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
16919 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
16920 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
16921
16922 @end table
16923
16924 @node Altering
16925 @chapter Altering Execution
16926
16927 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
16928 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
16929 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
16930 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
16931 program.
16932
16933 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
16934 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
16935 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
16936
16937 @menu
16938 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
16939 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
16940 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
16941 * Returning:: Returning from a function
16942 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
16943 * Patching:: Patching your program
16944 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
16945 @end menu
16946
16947 @node Assignment
16948 @section Assignment to Variables
16949
16950 @cindex assignment
16951 @cindex setting variables
16952 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
16953 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
16954
16955 @smallexample
16956 print x=4
16957 @end smallexample
16958
16959 @noindent
16960 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
16961 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
16962 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
16963 information on operators in supported languages.
16964
16965 @kindex set variable
16966 @cindex variables, setting
16967 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
16968 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
16969 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
16970 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
16971 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
16972
16973 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
16974 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
16975 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
16976 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
16977 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
16978 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
16979 command @code{set width}:
16980
16981 @smallexample
16982 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
16983 type = double
16984 (@value{GDBP}) p width
16985 $4 = 13
16986 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
16987 Invalid syntax in expression.
16988 @end smallexample
16989
16990 @noindent
16991 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
16992 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
16993
16994 @smallexample
16995 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
16996 @end smallexample
16997
16998 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
16999 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
17000 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
17001 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
17002 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
17003 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
17004
17005 @smallexample
17006 @group
17007 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
17008 type = double
17009 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17010 $1 = 1
17011 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
17012 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17013 $2 = 1
17014 (@value{GDBP}) r
17015 The program being debugged has been started already.
17016 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
17017 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
17018 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
17019 Invalid bfd target.
17020 (@value{GDBP}) show g
17021 The current BFD target is "=4".
17022 @end group
17023 @end smallexample
17024
17025 @noindent
17026 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
17027 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
17028 @code{g}, use
17029
17030 @smallexample
17031 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
17032 @end smallexample
17033
17034 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
17035 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
17036 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
17037 same length or shorter.
17038 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
17039 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
17040
17041 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
17042 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
17043 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
17044 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
17045 and representation in memory), and
17046
17047 @smallexample
17048 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
17049 @end smallexample
17050
17051 @noindent
17052 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
17053
17054 @node Jumping
17055 @section Continuing at a Different Address
17056
17057 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
17058 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
17059 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
17060
17061 @table @code
17062 @kindex jump
17063 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
17064 @item jump @var{location}
17065 @itemx j @var{location}
17066 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
17067 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
17068 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
17069 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
17070 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
17071
17072 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
17073 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
17074 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
17075 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
17076 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
17077 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
17078 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
17079 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
17080 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
17081 @end table
17082
17083 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
17084 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
17085 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
17086 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
17087 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
17088 example,
17089
17090 @smallexample
17091 set $pc = 0x485
17092 @end smallexample
17093
17094 @noindent
17095 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
17096 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
17097 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
17098
17099 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
17100 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
17101 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
17102 detail.
17103
17104 @c @group
17105 @node Signaling
17106 @section Giving your Program a Signal
17107 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
17108
17109 @table @code
17110 @kindex signal
17111 @item signal @var{signal}
17112 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
17113 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
17114 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
17115 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
17116
17117 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
17118 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
17119 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
17120 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
17121 signal.
17122
17123 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
17124 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
17125 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
17126 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
17127 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
17128 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
17129 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
17130 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
17131
17132 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
17133 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
17134 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
17135 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
17136 passes the signal directly to your program.
17137
17138 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
17139 after executing the command.
17140
17141 @kindex queue-signal
17142 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
17143 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
17144 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
17145 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
17146 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
17147 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
17148 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
17149 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
17150 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
17151
17152 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
17153 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
17154 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
17155 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
17156 @code{continue} command.
17157
17158 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
17159 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
17160 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
17161 (@pxref{Signals}).
17162 @end table
17163 @c @end group
17164
17165 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
17166 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
17167
17168 @node Returning
17169 @section Returning from a Function
17170
17171 @table @code
17172 @cindex returning from a function
17173 @kindex return
17174 @item return
17175 @itemx return @var{expression}
17176 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
17177 command. If you give an
17178 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
17179 value.
17180 @end table
17181
17182 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
17183 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
17184 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
17185 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
17186
17187 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
17188 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
17189 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
17190 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
17191 of functions.
17192
17193 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
17194 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
17195 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
17196 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
17197 selected stack frame returns naturally.
17198
17199 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
17200 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
17201 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
17202 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
17203 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
17204 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
17205 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
17206 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
17207 assignment into the right register(s).
17208
17209 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
17210 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
17211 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
17212 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
17213 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
17214 into a @code{long long int}:
17215
17216 @smallexample
17217 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
17218 29 return 31;
17219 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
17220 Make func return now? (y or n) y
17221 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
17222 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
17223 (@value{GDBP})
17224 @end smallexample
17225
17226 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
17227 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
17228 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
17229 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
17230 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
17231 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
17232 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
17233 an appropriate cast explicitly:
17234
17235 @smallexample
17236 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
17237 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
17238 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
17239 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
17240 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
17241 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
17242 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
17243 (@value{GDBP})
17244 @end smallexample
17245
17246 @node Calling
17247 @section Calling Program Functions
17248
17249 @table @code
17250 @cindex calling functions
17251 @cindex inferior functions, calling
17252 @item print @var{expr}
17253 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
17254 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
17255 debugged.
17256
17257 @kindex call
17258 @item call @var{expr}
17259 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
17260 returned values.
17261
17262 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
17263 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
17264 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
17265 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
17266 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
17267 value history.
17268 @end table
17269
17270 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
17271 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
17272 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
17273 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
17274
17275 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
17276 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
17277 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
17278 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
17279 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
17280 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
17281 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
17282 in that case is controlled by the
17283 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
17284
17285 @table @code
17286 @item set unwindonsignal
17287 @kindex set unwindonsignal
17288 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
17289 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
17290 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
17291 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
17292 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
17293 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
17294 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
17295 received.
17296
17297 @item show unwindonsignal
17298 @kindex show unwindonsignal
17299 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
17300 @value{GDBN}.
17301
17302 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
17303 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
17304 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
17305 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
17306 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
17307 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
17308 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
17309 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
17310 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
17311 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
17312
17313 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
17314 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
17315 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
17316 @value{GDBN}.
17317
17318 @end table
17319
17320 @cindex weak alias functions
17321 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
17322 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
17323 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
17324 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
17325 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
17326 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
17327 function instead.
17328
17329 @node Patching
17330 @section Patching Programs
17331
17332 @cindex patching binaries
17333 @cindex writing into executables
17334 @cindex writing into corefiles
17335
17336 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
17337 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
17338 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
17339 patching your program's binary.
17340
17341 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
17342 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
17343 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
17344 repairs.
17345
17346 @table @code
17347 @kindex set write
17348 @item set write on
17349 @itemx set write off
17350 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
17351 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
17352 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
17353
17354 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
17355 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
17356 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
17357
17358 @item show write
17359 @kindex show write
17360 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
17361 as well as reading.
17362 @end table
17363
17364 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
17365 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
17366 @cindex injecting code
17367 @cindex writing into executables
17368 @cindex compiling code
17369
17370 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
17371 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
17372 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
17373 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
17374
17375 @table @code
17376 @kindex compile code
17377 @item compile code @var{source-code}
17378 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
17379 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
17380 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
17381 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
17382 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
17383 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
17384 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
17385 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
17386 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
17387 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
17388 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
17389
17390 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
17391 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
17392 E.g.:
17393
17394 @smallexample
17395 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
17396 @end smallexample
17397
17398 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
17399 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
17400 from actual source code. E.g.:
17401
17402 @smallexample
17403 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
17404 @end smallexample
17405
17406 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
17407 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
17408 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
17409 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
17410 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
17411 editor.
17412
17413 @smallexample
17414 compile code
17415 >printf ("hello\n");
17416 >printf ("world\n");
17417 >end
17418 @end smallexample
17419
17420 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
17421 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
17422 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
17423 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
17424 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
17425 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
17426 inferior symbols otherwise.
17427
17428 @kindex compile file
17429 @item compile file @var{filename}
17430 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
17431 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
17432
17433 @smallexample
17434 compile file /home/user/example.c
17435 @end smallexample
17436 @end table
17437
17438 @table @code
17439 @item compile print @var{expr}
17440 @itemx compile print /@var{f} @var{expr}
17441 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
17442 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
17443 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
17444 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
17445 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
17446 Formats}.
17447
17448 @item compile print
17449 @itemx compile print /@var{f}
17450 @cindex reprint the last value
17451 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
17452 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
17453 command without any text following the command. This will start the
17454 multiple-line editor.
17455 @end table
17456
17457 @noindent
17458 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
17459
17460 @table @code
17461 @anchor{set debug compile}
17462 @item set debug compile
17463 @cindex compile command debugging info
17464 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
17465 injecting the code. The default is off.
17466
17467 @item show debug compile
17468 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
17469 compiling and injecting the code.
17470 @end table
17471
17472 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
17473
17474 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
17475 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
17476 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
17477 injecting process.
17478
17479 @noindent
17480 The options used, in increasing precedence:
17481
17482 @table @asis
17483 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
17484 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
17485 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
17486 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
17487
17488 @item compilation options recorded in the target
17489 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
17490 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
17491 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
17492 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
17493 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
17494 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
17495 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
17496
17497 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
17498 @end table
17499
17500 @noindent
17501 You can override compilation options using the following command:
17502
17503 @table @code
17504 @item set compile-args
17505 @cindex compile command options override
17506 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
17507 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
17508 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
17509 compilation.
17510
17511 @item show compile-args
17512 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
17513 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
17514 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
17515 @end table
17516
17517 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
17518
17519 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
17520 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
17521 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
17522
17523 @table @asis
17524 @item C code examples and caveats
17525 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
17526 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
17527 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
17528 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
17529 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
17530
17531 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
17532 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
17533 much like any other normal debugging session.
17534
17535 @smallexample
17536 void function1 (void)
17537 @{
17538 int i = 42;
17539 printf ("function 1\n");
17540 @}
17541
17542 void function2 (void)
17543 @{
17544 int j = 12;
17545 function1 ();
17546 @}
17547
17548 int main(void)
17549 @{
17550 int k = 6;
17551 int *p;
17552 function2 ();
17553 return 0;
17554 @}
17555 @end smallexample
17556
17557 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
17558 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
17559 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
17560
17561 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
17562 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
17563 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
17564 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
17565 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
17566
17567 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
17568 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
17569 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
17570 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
17571 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
17572 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
17573 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
17574 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
17575 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
17576 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
17577
17578 @smallexample
17579 compile code k = 3;
17580 @end smallexample
17581
17582 @noindent
17583 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
17584 something else in the example program changes it, or another
17585 @code{compile} command changes it.
17586
17587 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
17588 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
17589 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
17590 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
17591 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
17592
17593 @smallexample
17594 compile code j = 3;
17595 @end smallexample
17596
17597 @noindent
17598 will result in a compilation error message.
17599
17600 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
17601 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
17602 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
17603
17604 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
17605 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
17606 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
17607 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
17608
17609 @smallexample
17610 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
17611 @end smallexample
17612
17613 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
17614 command has completed:
17615
17616 @smallexample
17617 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
17618 @end smallexample
17619
17620 @noindent
17621 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
17622 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
17623 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
17624 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
17625 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
17626
17627 @smallexample
17628 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
17629 @end smallexample
17630
17631 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
17632 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
17633 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
17634 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
17635 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
17636 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
17637 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
17638 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
17639
17640 @smallexample
17641 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
17642 @end smallexample
17643
17644 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
17645 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
17646 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
17647 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
17648 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
17649 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
17650 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
17651
17652 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
17653 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
17654 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
17655 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
17656 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
17657 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
17658
17659 @smallexample
17660 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
17661 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17662 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
17663 Compilation failed.
17664 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
17665 42
17666 @end smallexample
17667
17668 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
17669 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
17670 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
17671 will print to the console.
17672 @end table
17673
17674 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
17675
17676 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged which
17677 may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture than where
17678 @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} (@code{PATH} from
17679 shell that executed @value{GDBN}, not the one set by @value{GDBN}
17680 command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}. @code{PATH} on
17681 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
17682 target architecture and operating system.
17683
17684 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
17685 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
17686 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
17687 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
17688 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
17689 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
17690 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
17691
17692 @node GDB Files
17693 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
17694
17695 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
17696 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
17697 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
17698 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
17699
17700 @menu
17701 * Files:: Commands to specify files
17702 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
17703 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
17704 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
17705 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
17706 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
17707 * Data Files:: GDB data files
17708 @end menu
17709
17710 @node Files
17711 @section Commands to Specify Files
17712
17713 @cindex symbol table
17714 @cindex core dump file
17715
17716 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
17717 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
17718 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
17719 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
17720
17721 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
17722 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
17723 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
17724 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
17725 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
17726 new files are useful.
17727
17728 @table @code
17729 @cindex executable file
17730 @kindex file
17731 @item file @var{filename}
17732 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
17733 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
17734 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
17735 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
17736 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
17737 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
17738 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
17739 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
17740
17741 @cindex unlinked object files
17742 @cindex patching object files
17743 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
17744 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
17745 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
17746 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
17747 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
17748 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
17749 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
17750 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
17751
17752 @item file
17753 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
17754 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
17755
17756 @kindex exec-file
17757 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17758 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
17759 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
17760 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
17761 discard information on the executable file.
17762
17763 @kindex symbol-file
17764 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
17765 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
17766 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
17767 table and program to run from the same file.
17768
17769 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
17770 program's symbol table.
17771
17772 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
17773 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
17774 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
17775 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
17776 @value{GDBN}.
17777
17778 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
17779 executing it once.
17780
17781 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
17782 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
17783 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
17784 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
17785 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
17786 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
17787 optimized code.
17788
17789 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
17790 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
17791 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
17792 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
17793 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
17794
17795 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
17796 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
17797 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
17798 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
17799 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
17800 Warnings and Messages}.)
17801
17802 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
17803 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
17804 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
17805 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
17806 in stabs format.
17807
17808 @kindex readnow
17809 @cindex reading symbols immediately
17810 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
17811 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17812 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
17813 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
17814 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
17815 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
17816 entire symbol table available.
17817
17818 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
17819 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
17820 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
17821 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
17822 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
17823 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
17824 @c files.
17825
17826 @kindex core-file
17827 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17828 @itemx core
17829 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
17830 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
17831 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
17832 executable file itself for other parts.
17833
17834 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
17835 to be used.
17836
17837 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
17838 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
17839 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
17840 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
17841 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
17842
17843 @kindex add-symbol-file
17844 @cindex dynamic linking
17845 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
17846 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
17847 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
17848 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
17849 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
17850 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
17851 into the program that is running. The @var{address} should give the memory
17852 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
17853 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
17854 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
17855 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
17856 @var{address} as an expression.
17857
17858 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
17859 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
17860 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
17861 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
17862
17863 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
17864
17865 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
17866 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
17867 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
17868 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
17869 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
17870 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
17871 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
17872 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
17873 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
17874
17875 @itemize @bullet
17876 @item
17877 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
17878 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
17879 @item
17880 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
17881 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
17882 @item
17883 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
17884 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17885 @end itemize
17886
17887 @noindent
17888 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
17889 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
17890 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
17891 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
17892 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
17893 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
17894 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
17895 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
17896 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
17897 way.
17898
17899 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17900
17901 @kindex remove-symbol-file
17902 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
17903 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
17904 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
17905 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
17906 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
17907
17908 @smallexample
17909 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
17910 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
17911 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
17912 (y or n) y
17913 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
17914 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
17915 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
17916 (gdb)
17917 @end smallexample
17918
17919
17920 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17921
17922 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
17923 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
17924 @cindex load symbols from memory
17925 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
17926 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
17927 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
17928 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
17929 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
17930 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
17931 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
17932 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
17933 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
17934
17935 @kindex section
17936 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
17937 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
17938 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
17939 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
17940 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
17941 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
17942 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
17943 their addresses.
17944
17945 @kindex info files
17946 @kindex info target
17947 @item info files
17948 @itemx info target
17949 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
17950 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
17951 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
17952 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
17953 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
17954 current ones.
17955
17956 @kindex maint info sections
17957 @item maint info sections
17958 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
17959 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
17960 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
17961 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
17962 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
17963 may be arbitrarily combined):
17964
17965 @table @code
17966 @item ALLOBJ
17967 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
17968 @item @var{sections}
17969 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
17970 @item @var{section-flags}
17971 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
17972 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
17973 @table @code
17974 @item ALLOC
17975 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
17976 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
17977 @item LOAD
17978 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
17979 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
17980 @item RELOC
17981 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
17982 @item READONLY
17983 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
17984 @item CODE
17985 Section contains executable code only.
17986 @item DATA
17987 Section contains data only (no executable code).
17988 @item ROM
17989 Section will reside in ROM.
17990 @item CONSTRUCTOR
17991 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
17992 @item HAS_CONTENTS
17993 Section is not empty.
17994 @item NEVER_LOAD
17995 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
17996 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
17997 A notification to the linker that the section contains
17998 COFF shared library information.
17999 @item IS_COMMON
18000 Section contains common symbols.
18001 @end table
18002 @end table
18003 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
18004 @cindex read-only sections
18005 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
18006 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
18007 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
18008 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
18009 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
18010 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
18011 enhancement to debugging performance.
18012
18013 The default is off.
18014
18015 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
18016 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
18017 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
18018 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
18019
18020 @item show trust-readonly-sections
18021 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
18022 @end table
18023
18024 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
18025 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
18026 name and remembers it that way.
18027
18028 @cindex shared libraries
18029 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
18030 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
18031 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
18032
18033 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
18034 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
18035
18036 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
18037 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
18038 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
18039 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
18040 debugging a core file).
18041
18042 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
18043 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
18044
18045 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
18046 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
18047 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
18048
18049 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
18050 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
18051 particularly large or there are many of them.
18052
18053 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
18054 commands:
18055
18056 @table @code
18057 @kindex set auto-solib-add
18058 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
18059 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
18060 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
18061 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
18062 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
18063 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
18064 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
18065
18066 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
18067 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
18068 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
18069 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
18070 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
18071 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
18072 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
18073 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
18074 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
18075
18076 @kindex show auto-solib-add
18077 @item show auto-solib-add
18078 Display the current autoloading mode.
18079 @end table
18080
18081 @cindex load shared library
18082 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
18083 command:
18084
18085 @table @code
18086 @kindex info sharedlibrary
18087 @kindex info share
18088 @item info share @var{regex}
18089 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
18090 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
18091 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
18092 all shared libraries that are loaded.
18093
18094 @kindex info dll
18095 @item info dll @var{regex}
18096 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
18097
18098 @kindex sharedlibrary
18099 @kindex share
18100 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
18101 @itemx share @var{regex}
18102 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
18103 Unix regular expression.
18104 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
18105 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
18106 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
18107 loaded.
18108
18109 @item nosharedlibrary
18110 @kindex nosharedlibrary
18111 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
18112 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
18113 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
18114 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
18115 discarded.
18116 @end table
18117
18118 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
18119 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
18120 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
18121 Catchpoints}).
18122
18123 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
18124 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
18125 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
18126 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
18127
18128 @table @code
18129 @item set stop-on-solib-events
18130 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
18131 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
18132 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
18133 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
18134 shared library.
18135
18136 @item show stop-on-solib-events
18137 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
18138 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
18139 library events happen.
18140 @end table
18141
18142 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
18143 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
18144 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
18145 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
18146 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
18147 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
18148 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
18149 not.
18150
18151 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
18152 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
18153 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
18154 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
18155 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
18156
18157 @table @code
18158 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
18159 @cindex system root, alternate
18160 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
18161 @kindex set sysroot
18162 @item set sysroot @var{path}
18163 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
18164 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
18165 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
18166 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
18167 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
18168 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
18169 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
18170 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
18171 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
18172 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
18173 @var{path}.
18174
18175 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
18176 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
18177 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
18178 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
18179 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
18180 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
18181 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
18182 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
18183 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
18184 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
18185 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
18186 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
18187 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
18188 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
18189
18190 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
18191 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
18192 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
18193 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
18194 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
18195
18196 @smallexample
18197 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
18198 @end smallexample
18199
18200 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
18201 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
18202 system:
18203
18204 @smallexample
18205 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
18206 @end smallexample
18207
18208 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
18209 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
18210 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
18211 colons:
18212
18213 @smallexample
18214 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
18215 @end smallexample
18216
18217 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
18218 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
18219 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
18220 @samp{z}):
18221
18222 @smallexample
18223 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
18224 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
18225 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
18226 @end smallexample
18227
18228 @noindent
18229 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
18230 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
18231 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
18232
18233 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
18234 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
18235
18236 @smallexample
18237 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
18238 @end smallexample
18239
18240 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
18241 if you don't want or need to.
18242
18243 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
18244 sysroot}.
18245
18246 @cindex default system root
18247 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
18248 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
18249 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
18250 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18251 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
18252 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18253 location.
18254
18255 @kindex show sysroot
18256 @item show sysroot
18257 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
18258
18259 @kindex set solib-search-path
18260 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
18261 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18262 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
18263 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
18264 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
18265 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
18266 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
18267 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
18268 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
18269 of shared library symbols.
18270
18271 @kindex show solib-search-path
18272 @item show solib-search-path
18273 Display the current shared library search path.
18274
18275 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
18276 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
18277 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
18278 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
18279 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
18280
18281 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
18282 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
18283 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
18284 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
18285 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
18286 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
18287 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
18288 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
18289 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
18290 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
18291 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
18292 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
18293 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
18294 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
18295 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
18296 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
18297 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
18298 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
18299 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
18300 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
18301 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
18302 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
18303
18304 @table @code
18305 @item unix
18306 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
18307 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
18308 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
18309 the forward slash.
18310
18311 @item dos-based
18312 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
18313 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
18314 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
18315 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
18316 considered directory separators.
18317
18318 @item auto
18319 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
18320 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
18321 This is the default.
18322 @end table
18323 @end table
18324
18325 @cindex file name canonicalization
18326 @cindex base name differences
18327 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
18328 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
18329 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
18330 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
18331 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
18332 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
18333 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
18334 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
18335 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
18336 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
18337 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
18338 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
18339 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
18340 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
18341 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
18342
18343 @table @code
18344 @item set basenames-may-differ
18345 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
18346 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
18347
18348 @item show basenames-may-differ
18349 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
18350 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
18351 @end table
18352
18353 @node File Caching
18354 @section File Caching
18355 @cindex caching of opened files
18356 @cindex caching of bfd objects
18357
18358 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
18359 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
18360 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
18361 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
18362
18363 @table @code
18364 @kindex maint info bfds
18365 @item maint info bfds
18366 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
18367 @value{GDBN}.
18368
18369 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
18370 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
18371 @kindex bfd caching
18372 @item maint set bfd-sharing
18373 @item maint show bfd-sharing
18374 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
18375 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
18376 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
18377 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
18378 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
18379 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
18380 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
18381
18382 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
18383 @kindex bfd caching
18384 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
18385 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
18386
18387 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
18388 @kindex bfd caching
18389 @item show debug bfd-cache
18390 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
18391 @end table
18392
18393 @node Separate Debug Files
18394 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
18395 @cindex separate debugging information files
18396 @cindex debugging information in separate files
18397 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
18398 @cindex debugging information directory, global
18399 @cindex global debugging information directories
18400 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
18401 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
18402
18403 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
18404 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
18405 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
18406 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
18407 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
18408 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
18409 install only when they need to debug a problem.
18410
18411 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
18412 file:
18413
18414 @itemize @bullet
18415 @item
18416 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
18417 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
18418 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
18419 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
18420 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
18421 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
18422 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
18423 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
18424
18425 @item
18426 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
18427 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
18428 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
18429 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
18430 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
18431 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
18432 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
18433 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
18434 below.
18435 @end itemize
18436
18437 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
18438 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
18439
18440 @itemize @bullet
18441 @item
18442 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
18443 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
18444 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
18445 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
18446 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
18447
18448 @item
18449 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
18450 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
18451 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
18452 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
18453 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
18454 hex characters, not 10.)
18455 @end itemize
18456
18457 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
18458 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
18459 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
18460 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
18461 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
18462 debug information files, in the indicated order:
18463
18464 @itemize @minus
18465 @item
18466 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
18467 @item
18468 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
18469 @item
18470 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
18471 @item
18472 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
18473 @end itemize
18474
18475 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
18476 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
18477 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
18478 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
18479 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
18480
18481 @table @code
18482
18483 @kindex set debug-file-directory
18484 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
18485 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
18486 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
18487 concatenating them by a path separator.
18488
18489 @kindex show debug-file-directory
18490 @item show debug-file-directory
18491 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
18492 information files.
18493
18494 @end table
18495
18496 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
18497 @cindex debug link sections
18498 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
18499 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
18500
18501 @itemize
18502 @item
18503 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
18504 a zero byte,
18505 @item
18506 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
18507 boundary within the section, and
18508 @item
18509 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
18510 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
18511 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
18512 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
18513 @end itemize
18514
18515 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
18516 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
18517 described above.
18518
18519 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
18520 @cindex build ID sections
18521 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
18522 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
18523 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
18524 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
18525 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
18526 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
18527 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
18528 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
18529 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
18530
18531 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
18532 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
18533 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
18534 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
18535 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
18536 in an ordinary executable.
18537
18538 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
18539 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
18540 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
18541 following commands:
18542
18543 @smallexample
18544 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
18545 @kbd{strip -g foo}
18546 @end smallexample
18547
18548 @noindent
18549 These commands remove the debugging
18550 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
18551 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
18552 two files:
18553
18554 @itemize @bullet
18555 @item
18556 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
18557 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
18558
18559 @smallexample
18560 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
18561 @end smallexample
18562
18563 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
18564 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
18565 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
18566 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
18567
18568 @item
18569 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
18570 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
18571 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
18572 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
18573 @end itemize
18574
18575 @noindent
18576
18577 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
18578 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
18579 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
18580
18581 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
18582 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
18583 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
18584 @c different ways!
18585 @ifhtml
18586 @display
18587 @html
18588 <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>
18589 + <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
18590 @end html
18591 @end display
18592 @end ifhtml
18593 @ifnothtml
18594 @display
18595 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
18596 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
18597 @end display
18598 @end ifnothtml
18599
18600 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
18601 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
18602 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
18603 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
18604 CRC.
18605
18606 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
18607 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
18608 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
18609 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
18610 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
18611
18612 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
18613 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
18614 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
18615 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
18616 @code{0xffffffff}.
18617
18618 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
18619 @smallexample
18620 unsigned long
18621 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
18622 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
18623 @{
18624 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
18625 @{
18626 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
18627 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
18628 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
18629 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
18630 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
18631 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
18632 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
18633 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
18634 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
18635 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
18636 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
18637 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
18638 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
18639 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
18640 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
18641 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
18642 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
18643 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
18644 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
18645 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
18646 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
18647 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
18648 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
18649 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
18650 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
18651 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
18652 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
18653 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
18654 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
18655 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
18656 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
18657 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
18658 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
18659 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
18660 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
18661 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
18662 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
18663 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
18664 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
18665 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
18666 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
18667 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
18668 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
18669 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
18670 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
18671 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
18672 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
18673 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
18674 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
18675 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
18676 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
18677 0x2d02ef8d
18678 @};
18679 unsigned char *end;
18680
18681 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18682 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
18683 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
18684 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
18685 @}
18686 @end smallexample
18687
18688 @noindent
18689 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
18690
18691 @node MiniDebugInfo
18692 @section Debugging information in a special section
18693 @cindex separate debug sections
18694 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
18695
18696 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
18697 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
18698 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
18699 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
18700
18701 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
18702 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
18703 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
18704 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
18705 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
18706 debugging information might be included in the section.
18707
18708 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
18709 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
18710 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
18711
18712 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
18713 standard utilities:
18714
18715 @smallexample
18716 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
18717 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
18718 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18719 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
18720
18721 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
18722 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
18723 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
18724 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
18725 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
18726 | sort > funcsyms
18727
18728 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
18729 # table.
18730 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
18731
18732 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
18733 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
18734
18735 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
18736 # removing some unnecessary sections.
18737 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
18738 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
18739
18740 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
18741 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
18742
18743 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
18744 # original binary.
18745 xz mini_debuginfo
18746 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
18747 @end smallexample
18748
18749 @node Index Files
18750 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
18751 @cindex index files
18752 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
18753
18754 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
18755 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
18756 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
18757 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
18758 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
18759 startup.
18760
18761 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
18762 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
18763 using @command{objcopy}.
18764
18765 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
18766
18767 @table @code
18768 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
18769 @kindex save gdb-index
18770 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
18771 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
18772 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
18773 @var{directory}.
18774 @end table
18775
18776 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
18777 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
18778
18779 @smallexample
18780 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
18781 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
18782 @end smallexample
18783
18784 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
18785 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
18786 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
18787 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
18788 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
18789 The default is @code{off}.
18790 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
18791 @xref{Index Section Format}.
18792
18793 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
18794 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
18795
18796 @smallexample
18797 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18798 @end smallexample
18799
18800 Instead you must do, for example,
18801
18802 @smallexample
18803 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
18804 @end smallexample
18805
18806 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
18807 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
18808 currently work for programs using Ada.
18809
18810 @node Symbol Errors
18811 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
18812
18813 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
18814 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
18815 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
18816 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
18817 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
18818 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
18819 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
18820 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
18821 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
18822 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18823 Messages}).
18824
18825 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
18826
18827 @table @code
18828 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
18829
18830 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
18831 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
18832 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
18833 in its outer scope blocks.
18834
18835 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
18836 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
18837 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
18838 function.
18839
18840 @item block at @var{address} out of order
18841
18842 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
18843 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
18844 do so.
18845
18846 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
18847 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
18848 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
18849 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
18850 Messages}.)
18851
18852 @item bad block start address patched
18853
18854 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
18855 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
18856 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
18857
18858 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
18859 starting on the previous source line.
18860
18861 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
18862
18863 @cindex foo
18864 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
18865 larger than the size of the string table.
18866
18867 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
18868 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
18869 with this name.
18870
18871 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
18872
18873 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
18874 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
18875 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
18876
18877 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
18878 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
18879 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18880 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
18881 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
18882 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
18883
18884 @item stub type has NULL name
18885
18886 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
18887
18888 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
18889 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
18890 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
18891 it.
18892
18893 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
18894
18895 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
18896
18897 @end table
18898
18899 @node Data Files
18900 @section GDB Data Files
18901
18902 @cindex prefix for data files
18903 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
18904 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
18905
18906 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
18907 is currently using.
18908
18909 @table @code
18910 @kindex set data-directory
18911 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
18912 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
18913 to @var{directory}.
18914
18915 @kindex show data-directory
18916 @item show data-directory
18917 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
18918 @end table
18919
18920 @cindex default data directory
18921 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
18922 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
18923 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
18924 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18925 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
18926 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18927 location.
18928
18929 The data directory may also be specified with the
18930 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
18931 @xref{Mode Options}.
18932
18933 @node Targets
18934 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
18935
18936 @cindex debugging target
18937 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18938
18939 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
18940 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
18941 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18942 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
18943 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
18944 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
18945 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
18946 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
18947
18948 @cindex target architecture
18949 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
18950 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
18951 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
18952 command.
18953
18954 @table @code
18955 @kindex set architecture
18956 @kindex show architecture
18957 @item set architecture @var{arch}
18958 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
18959 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
18960 supported architectures.
18961
18962 @item show architecture
18963 Show the current target architecture.
18964
18965 @item set processor
18966 @itemx processor
18967 @kindex set processor
18968 @kindex show processor
18969 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
18970 and @code{show architecture}.
18971 @end table
18972
18973 @menu
18974 * Active Targets:: Active targets
18975 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
18976 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
18977 @end menu
18978
18979 @node Active Targets
18980 @section Active Targets
18981
18982 @cindex stacking targets
18983 @cindex active targets
18984 @cindex multiple targets
18985
18986 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
18987 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
18988 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
18989 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
18990 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
18991 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
18992 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
18993 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
18994 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
18995
18996 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
18997 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
18998 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
18999 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
19000
19001 @node Target Commands
19002 @section Commands for Managing Targets
19003
19004 @table @code
19005 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
19006 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
19007 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
19008 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
19009 protocol of the target machine.
19010
19011 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
19012 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
19013 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
19014
19015 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
19016 after executing the command.
19017
19018 @kindex help target
19019 @item help target
19020 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
19021 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
19022 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
19023
19024 @item help target @var{name}
19025 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
19026 select it.
19027
19028 @kindex set gnutarget
19029 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
19030 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
19031 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
19032 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
19033 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
19034 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
19035
19036 @quotation
19037 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
19038 you must know the actual BFD name.
19039 @end quotation
19040
19041 @noindent
19042 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
19043
19044 @kindex show gnutarget
19045 @item show gnutarget
19046 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
19047 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
19048 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
19049 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
19050 @end table
19051
19052 @cindex common targets
19053 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
19054 configuration):
19055
19056 @table @code
19057 @kindex target
19058 @item target exec @var{program}
19059 @cindex executable file target
19060 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
19061 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
19062
19063 @item target core @var{filename}
19064 @cindex core dump file target
19065 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
19066 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
19067
19068 @item target remote @var{medium}
19069 @cindex remote target
19070 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
19071 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
19072 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
19073
19074 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
19075 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
19076
19077 @smallexample
19078 target remote /dev/ttya
19079 @end smallexample
19080
19081 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
19082 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
19083 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
19084 clobbered by the download.
19085
19086 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19087 @cindex built-in simulator target
19088 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
19089 In general,
19090 @smallexample
19091 target sim
19092 load
19093 run
19094 @end smallexample
19095 @noindent
19096 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
19097 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
19098 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
19099 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
19100 Processors}.
19101
19102 @item target native
19103 @cindex native target
19104 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
19105 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
19106 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
19107 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
19108
19109 @end table
19110
19111 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
19112 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
19113
19114 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
19115 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
19116 various aspects of this process.
19117
19118 @table @code
19119
19120 @item set hash
19121 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
19122 @cindex hash mark while downloading
19123 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
19124 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
19125 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
19126 monitor.
19127
19128 @item show hash
19129 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
19130 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
19131
19132 @item set debug monitor
19133 @kindex set debug monitor
19134 @cindex display remote monitor communications
19135 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
19136 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
19137
19138 @item show debug monitor
19139 @kindex show debug monitor
19140 Show the current status of displaying communications between
19141 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
19142 @end table
19143
19144 @table @code
19145
19146 @kindex load @var{filename}
19147 @item load @var{filename}
19148 @anchor{load}
19149 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
19150 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
19151 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
19152 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
19153 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
19154 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
19155
19156 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
19157 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
19158 target is @dots{}}''
19159
19160 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
19161 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
19162 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
19163 specifies a fixed address.
19164 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
19165
19166 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
19167 load programs into flash memory.
19168
19169 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
19170 @end table
19171
19172 @node Byte Order
19173 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
19174
19175 @cindex choosing target byte order
19176 @cindex target byte order
19177
19178 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
19179 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
19180 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
19181 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
19182 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
19183 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
19184
19185 @table @code
19186 @kindex set endian
19187 @item set endian big
19188 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
19189
19190 @item set endian little
19191 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
19192
19193 @item set endian auto
19194 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
19195 executable.
19196
19197 @item show endian
19198 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
19199
19200 @end table
19201
19202 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
19203 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
19204 target system.
19205
19206
19207 @node Remote Debugging
19208 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
19209 @cindex remote debugging
19210
19211 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
19212 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
19213 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
19214 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
19215 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
19216
19217 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
19218 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
19219 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
19220 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
19221 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
19222 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
19223
19224 Other remote targets may be available in your
19225 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
19226
19227 @menu
19228 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
19229 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
19230 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
19231 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
19232 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
19233 @end menu
19234
19235 @node Connecting
19236 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
19237
19238 @value{GDBN} needs an unstripped copy of your program to access symbol
19239 and debugging information. Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer
19240 executable filename read}, and @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow
19241 @value{GDBN} to access program files over the same connection used to
19242 communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a target, if the remote
19243 program is unstripped, the only command you need is @code{target
19244 remote}. Otherwise, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
19245 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
19246 @code{file} command.
19247
19248 @cindex @code{target remote}
19249 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
19250 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
19251 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
19252 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
19253 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
19254 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
19255
19256 @table @code
19257
19258 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
19259 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
19260 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
19261 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
19262
19263 @smallexample
19264 target remote /dev/ttyb
19265 @end smallexample
19266
19267 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
19268 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
19269 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
19270 @code{target} command.
19271
19272 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
19273 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19274 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
19275 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
19276 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
19277 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
19278 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
19279 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
19280 target.
19281
19282 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
19283 @code{manyfarms}:
19284
19285 @smallexample
19286 target remote manyfarms:2828
19287 @end smallexample
19288
19289 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
19290 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
19291 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
19292 port 1234 on your local machine:
19293
19294 @smallexample
19295 target remote :1234
19296 @end smallexample
19297 @noindent
19298
19299 Note that the colon is still required here.
19300
19301 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
19302 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
19303 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
19304 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
19305
19306 @smallexample
19307 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
19308 @end smallexample
19309
19310 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
19311 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
19312 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
19313 cause havoc with your debugging session.
19314
19315 @item target remote | @var{command}
19316 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
19317 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
19318 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
19319 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
19320 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
19321 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
19322 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
19323 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
19324
19325 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
19326 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
19327 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
19328
19329 @end table
19330
19331 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
19332 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
19333 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
19334 need to use @kbd{run}.
19335
19336 @cindex interrupting remote programs
19337 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
19338 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
19339 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
19340 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
19341 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
19342 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
19343
19344 @smallexample
19345 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
19346 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
19347 @end smallexample
19348
19349 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
19350 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
19351 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
19352 goes back to waiting.
19353
19354 @table @code
19355 @kindex detach (remote)
19356 @item detach
19357 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
19358 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
19359 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
19360 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
19361 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
19362
19363 @kindex disconnect
19364 @item disconnect
19365 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
19366 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
19367 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
19368 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
19369 another target.
19370
19371 @cindex send command to remote monitor
19372 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
19373 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
19374 @kindex monitor
19375 @item monitor @var{cmd}
19376 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
19377 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
19378 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
19379 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
19380 and implement.
19381 @end table
19382
19383 @node File Transfer
19384 @section Sending files to a remote system
19385 @cindex remote target, file transfer
19386 @cindex file transfer
19387 @cindex sending files to remote systems
19388
19389 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
19390 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
19391 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
19392 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
19393 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
19394 the only way to upload or download files.
19395
19396 Not all remote targets support these commands.
19397
19398 @table @code
19399 @kindex remote put
19400 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
19401 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
19402 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
19403
19404 @kindex remote get
19405 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
19406 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
19407 on the host system.
19408
19409 @kindex remote delete
19410 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
19411 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
19412
19413 @end table
19414
19415 @node Server
19416 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
19417
19418 @kindex gdbserver
19419 @cindex remote connection without stubs
19420 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
19421 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
19422 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
19423
19424 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
19425 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
19426 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
19427 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
19428 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
19429 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
19430 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
19431 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
19432 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
19433 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
19434 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
19435 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
19436 choice for debugging.
19437
19438 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
19439 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
19440 protocol.
19441
19442 @quotation
19443 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
19444 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
19445 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
19446 target system with the same privileges as the user running
19447 @code{gdbserver}.
19448 @end quotation
19449
19450 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
19451 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
19452 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
19453
19454 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
19455 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
19456 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
19457 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
19458 system does all the symbol handling.
19459
19460 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
19461 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
19462 syntax is:
19463
19464 @smallexample
19465 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
19466 @end smallexample
19467
19468 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
19469 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
19470 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
19471 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
19472 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
19473 @file{/dev/com1}:
19474
19475 @smallexample
19476 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
19477 @end smallexample
19478
19479 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
19480 with it.
19481
19482 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
19483
19484 @smallexample
19485 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
19486 @end smallexample
19487
19488 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
19489 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
19490 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
19491 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
19492 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
19493 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
19494 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
19495 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
19496 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
19497 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
19498 @code{target remote} command.
19499
19500 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
19501 with ssh:
19502
19503 @smallexample
19504 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
19505 @end smallexample
19506
19507 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
19508 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
19509 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
19510 You could elide it if you want to.
19511
19512 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
19513 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
19514 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
19515 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
19516
19517 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
19518 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
19519 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
19520
19521 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
19522 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
19523
19524 @smallexample
19525 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
19526 @end smallexample
19527
19528 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
19529 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
19530
19531 @pindex pidof
19532 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
19533 @code{pidof} utility:
19534
19535 @smallexample
19536 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
19537 @end smallexample
19538
19539 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
19540 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
19541 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
19542
19543 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
19544 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
19545 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
19546
19547 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
19548 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
19549 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
19550 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
19551
19552 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
19553 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
19554 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
19555 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
19556 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
19557 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
19558 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
19559 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
19560 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
19561
19562 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
19563 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
19564 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
19565 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
19566 the program you want to debug.
19567
19568 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
19569 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
19570 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
19571 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
19572 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
19573 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
19574
19575 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
19576
19577 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
19578
19579 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
19580 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
19581 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
19582 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
19583 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
19584 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
19585 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
19586 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
19587
19588 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
19589 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
19590 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
19591
19592 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
19593 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
19594 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
19595 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
19596 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
19597 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
19598 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
19599 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
19600 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
19601 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
19602 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
19603 instance closes its port after the first connection.
19604
19605 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
19606 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
19607
19608 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19609 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
19610 status information about the debugging process.
19611 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
19612 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
19613 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
19614 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
19615
19616 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
19617 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
19618 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
19619 Possible options are:
19620
19621 @table @code
19622 @item none
19623 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19624 @item all
19625 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19626 @item timestamps
19627 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19628 @end table
19629
19630 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19631 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19632
19633 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
19634 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
19635 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
19636 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
19637 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
19638
19639 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
19640 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
19641 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
19642 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
19643
19644 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
19645 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
19646 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
19647 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
19648
19649 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
19650 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
19651 environment:
19652
19653 @smallexample
19654 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
19655 @end smallexample
19656
19657 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
19658
19659 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
19660
19661 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
19662 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
19663 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
19664 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
19665
19666 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
19667 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
19668 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
19669 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
19670 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
19671 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
19672 programs.
19673
19674 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19675 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
19676 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
19677 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
19678 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
19679 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
19680 already on the target.
19681
19682 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
19683 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
19684 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
19685
19686 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
19687 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
19688 Here are the available commands.
19689
19690 @table @code
19691 @item monitor help
19692 List the available monitor commands.
19693
19694 @item monitor set debug 0
19695 @itemx monitor set debug 1
19696 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
19697
19698 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
19699 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
19700 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
19701 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
19702
19703 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
19704 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
19705 Possible options are:
19706
19707 @table @code
19708 @item none
19709 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
19710 @item all
19711 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
19712 @item timestamps
19713 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
19714 @end table
19715
19716 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
19717 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
19718
19719 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
19720 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
19721 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
19722 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
19723 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
19724 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
19725
19726 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
19727 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
19728
19729 @item monitor exit
19730 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
19731 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
19732 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
19733 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
19734 of a multi-process mode debug session.
19735
19736 @end table
19737
19738 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19739 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
19740
19741 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
19742 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
19743
19744 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
19745 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
19746 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
19747 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
19748 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
19749 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
19750 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
19751 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
19752 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
19753 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
19754 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
19755 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
19756
19757 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
19758
19759 @table @code
19760 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
19761
19762 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
19763 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
19764 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
19765
19766 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
19767
19768 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
19769 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
19770 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
19771 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
19772 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
19773 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
19774
19775 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
19776
19777 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
19778 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
19779 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
19780 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
19781 command for that. For example:
19782
19783 @smallexample
19784 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
19785 @end smallexample
19786
19787 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
19788 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
19789 @end table
19790
19791 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
19792 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
19793 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
19794 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
19795 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
19796 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
19797 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
19798 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
19799 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
19800 @code{gdbserver} like so:
19801
19802 @smallexample
19803 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
19804 @end smallexample
19805
19806 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
19807
19808 @smallexample
19809 $ gdb myprogram
19810 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
19811 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
19812 (@value{GDBP}) b main
19813 (@value{GDBP}) continue
19814 @end smallexample
19815
19816 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
19817 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
19818 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
19819 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
19820 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
19821 tracing.
19822
19823 @node Remote Configuration
19824 @section Remote Configuration
19825
19826 @kindex set remote
19827 @kindex show remote
19828 This section documents the configuration options available when
19829 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
19830 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
19831 system-call-allowed}.
19832
19833 @table @code
19834 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
19835 @cindex address size for remote targets
19836 @cindex bits in remote address
19837 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
19838 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
19839 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
19840 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
19841
19842 @item show remoteaddresssize
19843 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
19844
19845 @item set serial baud @var{n}
19846 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
19847 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
19848 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
19849 remote targets.
19850
19851 @item show serial baud
19852 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
19853
19854 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
19855 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
19856 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
19857
19858 @item show serial parity
19859 Show the current parity of the serial port.
19860
19861 @item set remotebreak
19862 @cindex interrupt remote programs
19863 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
19864 @anchor{set remotebreak}
19865 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
19866 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
19867 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
19868 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
19869 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
19870
19871 @item show remotebreak
19872 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
19873 interrupt the remote program.
19874
19875 @item set remoteflow on
19876 @itemx set remoteflow off
19877 @kindex set remoteflow
19878 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
19879 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
19880
19881 @item show remoteflow
19882 @kindex show remoteflow
19883 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
19884
19885 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
19886 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
19887 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
19888 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
19889 @code{ascii}.
19890
19891 @item show remotelogbase
19892 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
19893 protocol.
19894
19895 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
19896 @cindex record serial communications on file
19897 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
19898 default is not to record at all.
19899
19900 @item show remotelogfile.
19901 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
19902 serial communications.
19903
19904 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
19905 @cindex timeout for serial communications
19906 @cindex remote timeout
19907 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
19908 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
19909
19910 @item show remotetimeout
19911 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
19912 responses.
19913
19914 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
19915 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
19916 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
19917 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
19918 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
19919 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
19920 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
19921 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
19922
19923 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
19924 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
19925 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
19926 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
19927 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
19928 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
19929 as unlimited.
19930
19931 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
19932 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
19933 a remote hardware watchpoint.
19934
19935 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
19936 @itemx show remote exec-file
19937 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
19938 @cindex executable file, for remote target
19939 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
19940 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
19941 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
19942 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
19943
19944 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
19945 @cindex interrupt remote programs
19946 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
19947 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
19948 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
19949 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
19950 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
19951 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
19952 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
19953 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
19954
19955 @item show interrupt-sequence
19956 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
19957 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
19958 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
19959 also known as Magic SysRq g.
19960
19961 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
19962 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
19963 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
19964 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
19965 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
19966 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
19967
19968 @item show interrupt-on-connect
19969 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
19970 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
19971
19972 @kindex set tcp
19973 @kindex show tcp
19974 @item set tcp auto-retry on
19975 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
19976 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
19977 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
19978 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
19979 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
19980 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
19981 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
19982 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
19983
19984 @item set tcp auto-retry off
19985 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
19986
19987 @item show tcp auto-retry
19988 Show the current auto-retry setting.
19989
19990 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
19991 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
19992 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
19993 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
19994 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
19995 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
19996 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
19997 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
19998 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
19999 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
20000 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
20001
20002 @item show tcp connect-timeout
20003 Show the current connection timeout setting.
20004 @end table
20005
20006 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
20007 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
20008 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
20009 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
20010 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
20011 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
20012 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
20013 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
20014 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
20015
20016 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
20017 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
20018 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
20019 @value{GDBN} developers.
20020
20021 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
20022 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
20023 are:
20024
20025 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
20026 @item Command Name
20027 @tab Remote Packet
20028 @tab Related Features
20029
20030 @item @code{fetch-register}
20031 @tab @code{p}
20032 @tab @code{info registers}
20033
20034 @item @code{set-register}
20035 @tab @code{P}
20036 @tab @code{set}
20037
20038 @item @code{binary-download}
20039 @tab @code{X}
20040 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
20041
20042 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
20043 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
20044 @tab @code{info auxv}
20045
20046 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
20047 @tab @code{qSymbol}
20048 @tab Detecting multiple threads
20049
20050 @item @code{attach}
20051 @tab @code{vAttach}
20052 @tab @code{attach}
20053
20054 @item @code{verbose-resume}
20055 @tab @code{vCont}
20056 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
20057
20058 @item @code{run}
20059 @tab @code{vRun}
20060 @tab @code{run}
20061
20062 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
20063 @tab @code{Z0}
20064 @tab @code{break}
20065
20066 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
20067 @tab @code{Z1}
20068 @tab @code{hbreak}
20069
20070 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
20071 @tab @code{Z2}
20072 @tab @code{watch}
20073
20074 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
20075 @tab @code{Z3}
20076 @tab @code{rwatch}
20077
20078 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
20079 @tab @code{Z4}
20080 @tab @code{awatch}
20081
20082 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
20083 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
20084 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
20085
20086 @item @code{target-features}
20087 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
20088 @tab @code{set architecture}
20089
20090 @item @code{library-info}
20091 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
20092 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
20093
20094 @item @code{memory-map}
20095 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
20096 @tab @code{info mem}
20097
20098 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
20099 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
20100 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
20101
20102 @item @code{read-spu-object}
20103 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
20104 @tab @code{info spu}
20105
20106 @item @code{write-spu-object}
20107 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
20108 @tab @code{info spu}
20109
20110 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
20111 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
20112 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
20113
20114 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
20115 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
20116 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
20117
20118 @item @code{threads}
20119 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
20120 @tab @code{info threads}
20121
20122 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
20123 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
20124 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
20125
20126 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
20127 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
20128 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
20129
20130 @item @code{search-memory}
20131 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
20132 @tab @code{find}
20133
20134 @item @code{supported-packets}
20135 @tab @code{qSupported}
20136 @tab Remote communications parameters
20137
20138 @item @code{pass-signals}
20139 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
20140 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
20141
20142 @item @code{program-signals}
20143 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
20144 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
20145
20146 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
20147 @tab @code{vFile:close}
20148 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20149
20150 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
20151 @tab @code{vFile:open}
20152 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20153
20154 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
20155 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
20156 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20157
20158 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
20159 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
20160 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
20161
20162 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
20163 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
20164 @tab @code{remote delete}
20165
20166 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
20167 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
20168 @tab Host I/O
20169
20170 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
20171 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
20172 @tab Host I/O
20173
20174 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
20175 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
20176 @tab Host I/O
20177
20178 @item @code{noack-packet}
20179 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
20180 @tab Packet acknowledgment
20181
20182 @item @code{osdata}
20183 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
20184 @tab @code{info os}
20185
20186 @item @code{query-attached}
20187 @tab @code{qAttached}
20188 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
20189
20190 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
20191 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
20192 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
20193
20194 @item @code{trace-status}
20195 @tab @code{qTStatus}
20196 @tab @code{tstatus}
20197
20198 @item @code{traceframe-info}
20199 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
20200 @tab Traceframe info
20201
20202 @item @code{install-in-trace}
20203 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
20204 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
20205
20206 @item @code{disable-randomization}
20207 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
20208 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
20209
20210 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
20211 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
20212 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
20213
20214 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
20215 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
20216 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
20217
20218 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
20219 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
20220 @tab @code{break}
20221
20222 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
20223 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
20224 @tab @code{hbreak}
20225
20226 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
20227 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
20228 @tab @code{fork}
20229
20230 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
20231 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
20232 @tab @code{vfork}
20233
20234 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
20235 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
20236 @tab @code{exec}
20237
20238 @item @code{thread-events}
20239 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
20240 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
20241
20242 @end multitable
20243
20244 @node Remote Stub
20245 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
20246
20247 @cindex debugging stub, example
20248 @cindex remote stub, example
20249 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
20250 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
20251 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
20252 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
20253 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
20254 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
20255 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
20256 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
20257
20258 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
20259 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
20260 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
20261 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
20262 program, you need:
20263
20264 @enumerate
20265 @item
20266 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
20267 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
20268 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
20269
20270 @item
20271 A C subroutine library to support your program's
20272 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
20273
20274 @item
20275 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
20276 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
20277 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
20278 documentation.
20279 @end enumerate
20280
20281 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
20282 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
20283 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
20284
20285 @table @emph
20286 @item On the host,
20287 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
20288 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
20289 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20290
20291 @item On the target,
20292 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
20293 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
20294 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
20295
20296 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
20297 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
20298 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
20299 @end table
20300
20301 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
20302 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
20303 @sc{sparc} boards.
20304
20305 @cindex remote serial stub list
20306 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
20307
20308 @table @code
20309
20310 @item i386-stub.c
20311 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
20312 @cindex Intel
20313 @cindex i386
20314 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
20315
20316 @item m68k-stub.c
20317 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
20318 @cindex Motorola 680x0
20319 @cindex m680x0
20320 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
20321
20322 @item sh-stub.c
20323 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
20324 @cindex Renesas
20325 @cindex SH
20326 For Renesas SH architectures.
20327
20328 @item sparc-stub.c
20329 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
20330 @cindex Sparc
20331 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
20332
20333 @item sparcl-stub.c
20334 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
20335 @cindex Fujitsu
20336 @cindex SparcLite
20337 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
20338
20339 @end table
20340
20341 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
20342 recently added stubs.
20343
20344 @menu
20345 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
20346 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
20347 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
20348 @end menu
20349
20350 @node Stub Contents
20351 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
20352
20353 @cindex remote serial stub
20354 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
20355 subroutines:
20356
20357 @table @code
20358 @item set_debug_traps
20359 @findex set_debug_traps
20360 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
20361 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
20362 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
20363 program's startup code.
20364
20365 @item handle_exception
20366 @findex handle_exception
20367 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
20368 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
20369 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
20370 run when a trap is triggered.
20371
20372 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
20373 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
20374 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
20375 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
20376 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
20377 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
20378 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
20379 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
20380 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
20381 machine.
20382
20383 @item breakpoint
20384 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
20385 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
20386 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
20387 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
20388 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
20389 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
20390 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
20391 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
20392 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
20393 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
20394 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
20395
20396 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
20397 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
20398 start of your debugging session.
20399 @end table
20400
20401 @node Bootstrapping
20402 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
20403
20404 @cindex remote stub, support routines
20405 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
20406 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
20407 debugging target machine.
20408
20409 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
20410 serial port.
20411
20412 @table @code
20413 @item int getDebugChar()
20414 @findex getDebugChar
20415 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
20416 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
20417 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
20418
20419 @item void putDebugChar(int)
20420 @findex putDebugChar
20421 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
20422 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
20423 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
20424 @end table
20425
20426 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
20427 @cindex interrupting remote targets
20428 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
20429 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
20430 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
20431 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
20432 remote system to stop.
20433
20434 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
20435 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
20436 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
20437 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
20438
20439 Other routines you need to supply are:
20440
20441 @table @code
20442 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
20443 @findex exceptionHandler
20444 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
20445 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
20446 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
20447 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
20448 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
20449 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
20450 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
20451 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
20452 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
20453 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
20454 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
20455 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
20456 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
20457
20458 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
20459 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
20460 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
20461 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
20462 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
20463
20464 @item void flush_i_cache()
20465 @findex flush_i_cache
20466 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
20467 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
20468 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
20469
20470 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
20471 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
20472 @end table
20473
20474 @noindent
20475 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
20476
20477 @table @code
20478 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
20479 @findex memset
20480 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
20481 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
20482 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
20483 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
20484 @end table
20485
20486 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
20487 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
20488 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
20489 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
20490
20491
20492 @node Debug Session
20493 @subsection Putting it All Together
20494
20495 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
20496 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
20497 steps.
20498
20499 @enumerate
20500 @item
20501 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
20502 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
20503 @display
20504 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
20505 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
20506 @end display
20507
20508 @item
20509 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
20510 procedure is called:
20511
20512 @smallexample
20513 set_debug_traps();
20514 breakpoint();
20515 @end smallexample
20516
20517 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
20518 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
20519 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
20520 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
20521 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
20522 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
20523 progress.
20524
20525 @item
20526 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
20527 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
20528
20529 @smallexample
20530 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
20531 @end smallexample
20532
20533 @noindent
20534 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
20535 function in your program, that function is called when
20536 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
20537 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
20538 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
20539
20540 @item
20541 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
20542 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
20543
20544 @item
20545 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
20546 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
20547
20548 @item
20549 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
20550 @c document that. FIXME.
20551 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
20552 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
20553
20554 @item
20555 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
20556 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
20557
20558 @end enumerate
20559
20560 @node Configurations
20561 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
20562
20563 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
20564 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
20565 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
20566
20567 There are three major categories of configurations: native
20568 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
20569 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
20570 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
20571 are quite different from each other.
20572
20573 @menu
20574 * Native::
20575 * Embedded OS::
20576 * Embedded Processors::
20577 * Architectures::
20578 @end menu
20579
20580 @node Native
20581 @section Native
20582
20583 This section describes details specific to particular native
20584 configurations.
20585
20586 @menu
20587 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
20588 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
20589 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
20590 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
20591 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
20592 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
20593 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
20594 @end menu
20595
20596 @node HP-UX
20597 @subsection HP-UX
20598
20599 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
20600 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
20601 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
20602
20603
20604 @node BSD libkvm Interface
20605 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
20606
20607 @cindex libkvm
20608 @cindex kernel memory image
20609 @cindex kernel crash dump
20610
20611 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
20612 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
20613 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
20614 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
20615 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
20616 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
20617 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
20618 @code{kvm} target:
20619
20620 @smallexample
20621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
20622 @end smallexample
20623
20624 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
20625 argument:
20626
20627 @smallexample
20628 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
20629 @end smallexample
20630
20631 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
20632 available:
20633
20634 @table @code
20635 @kindex kvm
20636 @item kvm pcb
20637 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
20638
20639 @item kvm proc
20640 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
20641 modern FreeBSD systems.
20642 @end table
20643
20644 @node SVR4 Process Information
20645 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
20646 @cindex /proc
20647 @cindex examine process image
20648 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
20649
20650 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
20651 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
20652 process using file-system subroutines.
20653
20654 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
20655 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
20656 information about the process running your program, or about any
20657 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
20658 @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris, but not HP-UX, for example.
20659
20660 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
20661 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
20662
20663 @table @code
20664 @kindex info proc
20665 @cindex process ID
20666 @item info proc
20667 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
20668 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
20669 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
20670 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
20671 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
20672 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
20673 executable file's absolute file name.
20674
20675 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
20676 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
20677 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
20678 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
20679 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
20680 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
20681
20682 @item info proc cmdline
20683 @cindex info proc cmdline
20684 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
20685 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20686
20687 @item info proc cwd
20688 @cindex info proc cwd
20689 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
20690 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20691
20692 @item info proc exe
20693 @cindex info proc exe
20694 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
20695 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
20696
20697 @item info proc mappings
20698 @cindex memory address space mappings
20699 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
20700 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
20701 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
20702 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
20703 memory access rights to that range.
20704
20705 @item info proc stat
20706 @itemx info proc status
20707 @cindex process detailed status information
20708 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
20709 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
20710 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
20711 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
20712 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
20713 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
20714 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
20715
20716 @item info proc all
20717 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
20718 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
20719
20720 @ignore
20721 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
20722 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
20723 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
20724 @kindex info proc times
20725 @item info proc times
20726 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
20727 its children.
20728
20729 @kindex info proc id
20730 @item info proc id
20731 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
20732 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
20733 @end ignore
20734
20735 @item set procfs-trace
20736 @kindex set procfs-trace
20737 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
20738 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
20739
20740 @item show procfs-trace
20741 @kindex show procfs-trace
20742 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
20743
20744 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
20745 @kindex set procfs-file
20746 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
20747 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
20748 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
20749 standard output.
20750
20751 @item show procfs-file
20752 @kindex show procfs-file
20753 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
20754
20755 @item proc-trace-entry
20756 @itemx proc-trace-exit
20757 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
20758 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
20759 @kindex proc-trace-entry
20760 @kindex proc-trace-exit
20761 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
20762 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
20763 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
20764 from the @code{syscall} interface.
20765
20766 @item info pidlist
20767 @kindex info pidlist
20768 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
20769 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
20770 processes and all the threads within each process.
20771
20772 @item info meminfo
20773 @kindex info meminfo
20774 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
20775 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
20776 @end table
20777
20778 @node DJGPP Native
20779 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
20780 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
20781 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
20782 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
20783
20784 @cindex DPMI
20785 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
20786 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
20787 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
20788 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
20789
20790 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
20791 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
20792 subsection describes those commands.
20793
20794 @table @code
20795 @kindex info dos
20796 @item info dos
20797 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
20798 information about the target system and important OS structures.
20799
20800 @kindex sysinfo
20801 @cindex MS-DOS system info
20802 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
20803 @item info dos sysinfo
20804 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
20805 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
20806 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
20807
20808 @cindex GDT
20809 @cindex LDT
20810 @cindex IDT
20811 @cindex segment descriptor tables
20812 @cindex descriptor tables display
20813 @item info dos gdt
20814 @itemx info dos ldt
20815 @itemx info dos idt
20816 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
20817 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
20818 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
20819 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
20820 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
20821 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
20822 rights.
20823
20824 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
20825 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
20826 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
20827 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
20828 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
20829
20830 @cindex garbled pointers
20831 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
20832 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
20833 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
20834 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
20835 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
20836 debugged program's data segment:
20837
20838 @smallexample
20839 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
20840 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
20841 @end smallexample
20842
20843 @noindent
20844 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
20845 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
20846
20847 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
20848 @item info dos pde
20849 @itemx info dos pte
20850 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
20851 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
20852 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
20853 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
20854 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
20855 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
20856 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
20857 that is currently in use.
20858
20859 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
20860 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
20861 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
20862 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
20863 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
20864 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
20865 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
20866
20867 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
20868 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
20869 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
20870 controller.
20871
20872 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
20873
20874 @cindex physical address from linear address
20875 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
20876 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
20877 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
20878 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
20879 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
20880 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
20881 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
20882
20883 @smallexample
20884 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
20885 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
20886 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
20887 @end smallexample
20888
20889 @noindent
20890 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
20891 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
20892 attributes of that page.
20893
20894 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
20895 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
20896 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
20897 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
20898 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
20899 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
20900
20901 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
20902 transfer buffer:
20903
20904 @smallexample
20905 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
20906 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
20907 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
20908 @end smallexample
20909
20910 @noindent
20911 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
20912 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
20913 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
20914 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
20915 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
20916
20917 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
20918 @end table
20919
20920 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
20921 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
20922 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
20923 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
20924
20925 @table @code
20926 @kindex set com1base
20927 @kindex set com1irq
20928 @kindex set com2base
20929 @kindex set com2irq
20930 @kindex set com3base
20931 @kindex set com3irq
20932 @kindex set com4base
20933 @kindex set com4irq
20934 @item set com1base @var{addr}
20935 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
20936 port.
20937
20938 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
20939 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
20940 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
20941
20942 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
20943 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
20944 other 3 COM ports.
20945
20946 @kindex show com1base
20947 @kindex show com1irq
20948 @kindex show com2base
20949 @kindex show com2irq
20950 @kindex show com3base
20951 @kindex show com3irq
20952 @kindex show com4base
20953 @kindex show com4irq
20954 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
20955 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
20956 lines used by the COM ports.
20957
20958 @item info serial
20959 @kindex info serial
20960 @cindex DOS serial port status
20961 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
20962 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
20963 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
20964 counts of various errors encountered so far.
20965 @end table
20966
20967
20968 @node Cygwin Native
20969 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
20970 @cindex MS Windows debugging
20971 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
20972 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
20973
20974 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
20975 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
20976
20977 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
20978 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
20979 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
20980 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
20981 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
20982 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
20983 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
20984 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
20985
20986 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
20987 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
20988 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
20989
20990 @table @code
20991 @kindex info w32
20992 @item info w32
20993 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
20994 information about the target system and important OS structures.
20995
20996 @item info w32 selector
20997 This command displays information returned by
20998 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
20999 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
21000 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
21001 Without argument, this command displays information
21002 about the six segment registers.
21003
21004 @item info w32 thread-information-block
21005 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
21006 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
21007 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
21008
21009 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
21010 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
21011 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
21012 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
21013 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
21014 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
21015 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
21016 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
21017 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
21018 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
21019 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
21020
21021 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
21022 @item show cygwin-exceptions
21023 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
21024 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
21025
21026 @kindex set new-console
21027 @item set new-console @var{mode}
21028 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
21029 be started in a new console on next start.
21030 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
21031 be started in the same console as the debugger.
21032
21033 @kindex show new-console
21034 @item show new-console
21035 Displays whether a new console is used
21036 when the debuggee is started.
21037
21038 @kindex set new-group
21039 @item set new-group @var{mode}
21040 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
21041 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
21042 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
21043 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
21044
21045 @kindex show new-group
21046 @item show new-group
21047 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
21048
21049 @kindex set debugevents
21050 @item set debugevents
21051 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
21052 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
21053 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
21054 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
21055 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
21056
21057 @kindex set debugexec
21058 @item set debugexec
21059 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
21060 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
21061
21062 @kindex set debugexceptions
21063 @item set debugexceptions
21064 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
21065 debuggee seen by the debugger.
21066
21067 @kindex set debugmemory
21068 @item set debugmemory
21069 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
21070 and writes by the debugger.
21071
21072 @kindex set shell
21073 @item set shell
21074 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
21075 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
21076
21077 @kindex show shell
21078 @item show shell
21079 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
21080
21081 @end table
21082
21083 @menu
21084 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
21085 @end menu
21086
21087 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
21088 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
21089 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
21090 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
21091
21092 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
21093 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
21094 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
21095 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
21096 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
21097 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
21098 ``minimal symbols''.
21099
21100 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
21101 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
21102 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
21103 program run once to completion.
21104
21105 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
21106
21107 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
21108 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
21109 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
21110 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
21111 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
21112 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
21113 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
21114 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
21115 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
21116
21117 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
21118 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
21119 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
21120 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
21121 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
21122 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
21123
21124 @smallexample
21125 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
21126 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
21127
21128 Non-debugging symbols:
21129 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
21130 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
21131 @end smallexample
21132
21133 @smallexample
21134 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
21135 All functions matching regular expression "!":
21136
21137 Non-debugging symbols:
21138 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
21139 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
21140 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
21141 [etc...]
21142 @end smallexample
21143
21144 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
21145
21146 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
21147 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
21148 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
21149 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
21150 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
21151 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
21152 a function within a DLL without a running program.
21153
21154 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
21155 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
21156 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
21157 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
21158 problem:
21159
21160 @smallexample
21161 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
21162 $1 = 268572168
21163 @end smallexample
21164
21165 @smallexample
21166 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
21167 0x10021610: "\230y\""
21168 @end smallexample
21169
21170 And two possible solutions:
21171
21172 @smallexample
21173 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
21174 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
21175 @end smallexample
21176
21177 @smallexample
21178 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
21179 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
21180 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
21181 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
21182 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
21183 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
21184 @end smallexample
21185
21186 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
21187 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
21188 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
21189 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
21190 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
21191
21192 @smallexample
21193 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
21194 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
21195 @end smallexample
21196
21197 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
21198 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
21199 safe.
21200
21201 @node Hurd Native
21202 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
21203 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
21204
21205 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
21206 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
21207
21208 @table @code
21209 @item set signals
21210 @itemx set sigs
21211 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
21212 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
21213 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
21214 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
21215 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
21216 @code{signals}.
21217
21218 @item show signals
21219 @itemx show sigs
21220 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
21221 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
21222 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
21223
21224 @item set signal-thread
21225 @itemx set sigthread
21226 @kindex set signal-thread
21227 @kindex set sigthread
21228 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
21229 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
21230 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
21231 signal-thread}.
21232
21233 @item show signal-thread
21234 @itemx show sigthread
21235 @kindex show signal-thread
21236 @kindex show sigthread
21237 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
21238 delivered a signal.
21239
21240 @item set stopped
21241 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
21242 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
21243 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
21244 continued by delivering a signal to it.
21245
21246 @item show stopped
21247 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
21248 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
21249 stopped.
21250
21251 @item set exceptions
21252 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
21253 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
21254 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
21255 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
21256 trapping on.
21257
21258 @item show exceptions
21259 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
21260 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
21261
21262 @item set task pause
21263 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
21264 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21265 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21266 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
21267 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
21268 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
21269 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
21270 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
21271 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
21272
21273 @item show task pause
21274 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
21275 Show the current state of task suspension.
21276
21277 @item set task detach-suspend-count
21278 @cindex task suspend count
21279 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21280 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
21281 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
21282
21283 @item show task detach-suspend-count
21284 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
21285
21286 @item set task exception-port
21287 @itemx set task excp
21288 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21289 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
21290 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
21291 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
21292
21293 @item set noninvasive
21294 @cindex noninvasive task options
21295 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
21296 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
21297 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
21298 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
21299
21300 @item info send-rights
21301 @itemx info receive-rights
21302 @itemx info port-rights
21303 @itemx info port-sets
21304 @itemx info dead-names
21305 @itemx info ports
21306 @itemx info psets
21307 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21308 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21309 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21310 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21311 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21312 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
21313 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
21314 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
21315 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
21316
21317 @item set thread pause
21318 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
21319 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21320 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
21321 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
21322 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
21323 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
21324 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
21325 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
21326 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
21327 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
21328 only the current thread.
21329
21330 @item show thread pause
21331 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
21332 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
21333
21334 @item set thread run
21335 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
21336
21337 @item show thread run
21338 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
21339
21340 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
21341 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21342 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21343 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
21344 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
21345 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
21346 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
21347
21348 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
21349 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
21350 detaching.
21351
21352 @item set thread exception-port
21353 @itemx set thread excp
21354 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
21355 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
21356 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
21357
21358 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
21359 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
21360 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
21361 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
21362
21363 @item set thread default
21364 @itemx show thread default
21365 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
21366 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
21367 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
21368 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
21369 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
21370 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
21371 the non-default commands.
21372 @end table
21373
21374 @node Darwin
21375 @subsection Darwin
21376 @cindex Darwin
21377
21378 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
21379
21380 @table @code
21381 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
21382 @kindex set debug darwin
21383 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
21384 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
21385
21386 @item show debug darwin
21387 @kindex show debug darwin
21388 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
21389
21390 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
21391 @kindex set debug mach-o
21392 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
21393 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
21394 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
21395 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
21396 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
21397 usage.
21398
21399 @item show debug mach-o
21400 @kindex show debug mach-o
21401 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
21402
21403 @item set mach-exceptions on
21404 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
21405 @kindex set mach-exceptions
21406 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
21407 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
21408 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
21409 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
21410
21411 @item show mach-exceptions
21412 @kindex show mach-exceptions
21413 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
21414 @end table
21415
21416
21417 @node Embedded OS
21418 @section Embedded Operating Systems
21419
21420 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
21421 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
21422 architectures.
21423
21424 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
21425 various real-time operating systems.
21426
21427 @node Embedded Processors
21428 @section Embedded Processors
21429
21430 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
21431 configurations.
21432
21433 @cindex send command to simulator
21434 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
21435 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
21436
21437 @table @code
21438 @item sim @var{command}
21439 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
21440 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
21441 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
21442 acceptable commands.
21443 @end table
21444
21445
21446 @menu
21447 * ARM:: ARM
21448 * M32R/SDI:: Renesas M32R/SDI
21449 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
21450 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
21451 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
21452 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
21453 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
21454 * CRIS:: CRIS
21455 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
21456 @end menu
21457
21458 @node ARM
21459 @subsection ARM
21460
21461 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
21462
21463 @table @code
21464 @item set arm disassembler
21465 @kindex set arm
21466 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
21467 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
21468
21469 @item show arm disassembler
21470 @kindex show arm
21471 Show the current disassembly style.
21472
21473 @item set arm apcs32
21474 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
21475 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
21476
21477 @item show arm apcs32
21478 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
21479
21480 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
21481 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
21482 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
21483
21484 @table @code
21485 @item auto
21486 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
21487 @item softfpa
21488 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
21489 processors.
21490 @item fpa
21491 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
21492 @item softvfp
21493 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
21494 @item vfp
21495 VFP co-processor.
21496 @end table
21497
21498 @item show arm fpu
21499 Show the current type of the FPU.
21500
21501 @item set arm abi
21502 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
21503
21504 @item show arm abi
21505 Show the currently used ABI.
21506
21507 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
21508 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
21509 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
21510 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
21511 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
21512 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
21513 register).
21514
21515 @item show arm fallback-mode
21516 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
21517
21518 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
21519 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
21520 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
21521 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
21522 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
21523
21524 @item show arm force-mode
21525 Show the current forced instruction mode.
21526
21527 @item set debug arm
21528 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
21529 target support subsystem.
21530
21531 @item show debug arm
21532 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
21533 @end table
21534
21535 @table @code
21536 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
21537 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
21538
21539 @table @code
21540 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
21541 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
21542 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
21543 The default value is @code{all}.
21544
21545 @table @code
21546 @item none
21547 @item demon
21548 @item angel
21549 @item redboot
21550 @item all
21551 @end table
21552 @end table
21553 @end table
21554
21555 @node M32R/SDI
21556 @subsection Renesas M32R/SDI
21557
21558 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
21559
21560 @table @code
21561 @item sdireset
21562 @kindex sdireset
21563 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
21564 This command resets the SDI connection.
21565
21566 @item sdistatus
21567 @kindex sdistatus
21568 This command shows the SDI connection status.
21569
21570 @item debug_chaos
21571 @kindex debug_chaos
21572 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
21573 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
21574
21575 @item use_debug_dma
21576 @kindex use_debug_dma
21577 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
21578
21579 @item use_mon_code
21580 @kindex use_mon_code
21581 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
21582
21583 @item use_ib_break
21584 @kindex use_ib_break
21585 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
21586
21587 @item use_dbt_break
21588 @kindex use_dbt_break
21589 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
21590 @end table
21591
21592 @node M68K
21593 @subsection M68k
21594
21595 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
21596
21597 @node MicroBlaze
21598 @subsection MicroBlaze
21599 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
21600 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
21601
21602 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
21603 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
21604 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
21605 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
21606 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
21607 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
21608 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
21609 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
21610 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
21611 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
21612 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
21613
21614 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
21615
21616 @table @code
21617 @item target remote :1234
21618 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
21619 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
21620
21621 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
21622 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
21623 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
21624
21625 @item load
21626 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
21627
21628 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
21629 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
21630
21631 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
21632 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
21633 @end table
21634
21635 @node MIPS Embedded
21636 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
21637
21638 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
21639 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
21640 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
21641 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
21642
21643 @need 1000
21644 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
21645
21646 @table @code
21647 @item target mips @var{port}
21648 @kindex target mips @var{port}
21649 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
21650 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
21651 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
21652 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
21653 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
21654 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
21655
21656 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
21657 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
21658 debugger:
21659
21660 @smallexample
21661 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
21662 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
21663 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
21664 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
21665 (@value{GDBP}) run
21666 @end smallexample
21667
21668 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
21669 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
21670 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
21671 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
21672 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
21673
21674 @item target pmon @var{port}
21675 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
21676 PMON ROM monitor.
21677
21678 @item target ddb @var{port}
21679 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
21680 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
21681
21682 @item target lsi @var{port}
21683 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
21684 LSI variant of PMON.
21685
21686 @end table
21687
21688
21689 @noindent
21690 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
21691
21692 @table @code
21693 @item set mipsfpu double
21694 @itemx set mipsfpu single
21695 @itemx set mipsfpu none
21696 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
21697 @itemx show mipsfpu
21698 @kindex set mipsfpu
21699 @kindex show mipsfpu
21700 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
21701 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
21702 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
21703 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
21704 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
21705 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
21706 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
21707 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
21708 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
21709 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
21710 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
21711 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
21712 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
21713
21714 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
21715 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
21716 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
21717
21718 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
21719 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
21720
21721 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
21722 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
21723 @itemx show timeout
21724 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
21725 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21726 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21727 @kindex set timeout
21728 @kindex show timeout
21729 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
21730 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
21731 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
21732 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
21733 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
21734 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
21735 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
21736 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
21737 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
21738 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
21739
21740 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
21741 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
21742 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
21743 to run before stopping.
21744
21745 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
21746 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21747 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
21748 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
21749 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
21750 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
21751
21752 @item show syn-garbage-limit
21753 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21754 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
21755 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
21756
21757 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
21758 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21759 @cindex remote monitor prompt
21760 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
21761 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
21762 @table @asis
21763 @item pmon target
21764 @samp{PMON}
21765 @item ddb target
21766 @samp{NEC010}
21767 @item lsi target
21768 @samp{PMON>}
21769 @end table
21770
21771 @item show monitor-prompt
21772 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21773 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
21774 remote monitor.
21775
21776 @item set monitor-warnings
21777 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21778 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
21779 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
21780 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
21781 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
21782
21783 @item show monitor-warnings
21784 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21785 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
21786
21787 @item pmon @var{command}
21788 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21789 @cindex send PMON command
21790 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
21791 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
21792 @end table
21793
21794 @node PowerPC Embedded
21795 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
21796
21797 @cindex DVC register
21798 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
21799 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
21800
21801 @smallexample
21802 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
21803 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
21804 @end smallexample
21805
21806 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
21807 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
21808 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
21809 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
21810 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
21811 or newer.
21812
21813 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
21814 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
21815 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
21816 watching variables of scalar types.
21817
21818 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
21819 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
21820
21821 @smallexample
21822 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
21823 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
21824 @end smallexample
21825
21826 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
21827 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
21828
21829 @cindex ranged breakpoint
21830 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
21831 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
21832 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
21833 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
21834 use the @code{break-range} command.
21835
21836 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
21837
21838 @table @code
21839 @kindex break-range
21840 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
21841 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
21842 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
21843 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
21844 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
21845 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
21846 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
21847 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
21848 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
21849
21850 @kindex set powerpc
21851 @item set powerpc soft-float
21852 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
21853 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
21854 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
21855 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21856
21857 @item set powerpc vector-abi
21858 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
21859 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
21860 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
21861 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
21862 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
21863 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
21864 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21865
21866 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
21867 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
21868 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
21869 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
21870 address of its first byte.
21871
21872 @end table
21873
21874 @node AVR
21875 @subsection Atmel AVR
21876 @cindex AVR
21877
21878 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
21879 following AVR-specific commands:
21880
21881 @table @code
21882 @item info io_registers
21883 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
21884 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
21885 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
21886 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
21887 @end table
21888
21889 @node CRIS
21890 @subsection CRIS
21891 @cindex CRIS
21892
21893 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
21894 following CRIS-specific commands:
21895
21896 @table @code
21897 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
21898 @cindex CRIS version
21899 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
21900 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
21901 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
21902
21903 @item show cris-version
21904 Show the current CRIS version.
21905
21906 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
21907 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
21908 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
21909 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
21910 @code{R59}.
21911
21912 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
21913 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
21914
21915 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
21916 @cindex CRIS mode
21917 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
21918 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
21919 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
21920
21921 @item show cris-mode
21922 Show the current CRIS mode.
21923 @end table
21924
21925 @node Super-H
21926 @subsection Renesas Super-H
21927 @cindex Super-H
21928
21929 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
21930 commands:
21931
21932 @table @code
21933 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
21934 @kindex set sh calling-convention
21935 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
21936 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
21937 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
21938 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
21939 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
21940 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
21941 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
21942 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
21943 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
21944 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
21945
21946 @item show sh calling-convention
21947 @kindex show sh calling-convention
21948 Show the current calling convention setting.
21949
21950 @end table
21951
21952
21953 @node Architectures
21954 @section Architectures
21955
21956 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21957 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21958
21959 @menu
21960 * AArch64::
21961 * i386::
21962 * Alpha::
21963 * MIPS::
21964 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21965 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21966 * PowerPC::
21967 * Nios II::
21968 @end menu
21969
21970 @node AArch64
21971 @subsection AArch64
21972 @cindex AArch64 support
21973
21974 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21975 following special commands:
21976
21977 @table @code
21978 @item set debug aarch64
21979 @kindex set debug aarch64
21980 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21981 messages are to be displayed.
21982
21983 @item show debug aarch64
21984 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21985
21986 @end table
21987
21988 @node i386
21989 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21990
21991 @table @code
21992 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21993 @kindex set struct-convention
21994 @cindex struct return convention
21995 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21996 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21997 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21998 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21999 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
22000 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
22001 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
22002 be returned in a register.
22003
22004 @item show struct-convention
22005 @kindex show struct-convention
22006 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
22007 from functions.
22008 @end table
22009
22010
22011 @subsubsection Intel(R) @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
22012 @cindex Intel(R) Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
22013
22014 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
22015 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
22016 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
22017 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
22018 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
22019 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
22020 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
22021
22022 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
22023 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
22024 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
22025 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
22026 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
22027 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
22028
22029 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
22030 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
22031 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
22032
22033 @smallexample
22034 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
22035 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
22036 @end smallexample
22037
22038 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
22039 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
22040 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
22041 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
22042 the pointer.
22043
22044 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
22045 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
22046 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
22047 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
22048 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
22049
22050 @table @code
22051 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
22052 @kindex show mpx bound
22053 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
22054
22055 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
22056 @kindex set mpx bound
22057 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
22058 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
22059 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
22060 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
22061 @end table
22062
22063 @node Alpha
22064 @subsection Alpha
22065
22066 See the following section.
22067
22068 @node MIPS
22069 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
22070
22071 @cindex stack on Alpha
22072 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
22073 @cindex Alpha stack
22074 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
22075 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
22076 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
22077 find the beginning of a function.
22078
22079 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
22080 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
22081 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
22082 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
22083 commands:
22084
22085 @table @code
22086 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
22087 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
22088 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
22089 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
22090 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
22091 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
22092 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
22093 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
22094
22095 @item show heuristic-fence-post
22096 Display the current limit.
22097 @end table
22098
22099 @noindent
22100 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
22101 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
22102
22103 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
22104 programs:
22105
22106 @table @code
22107 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
22108 @kindex set mips abi
22109 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
22110 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
22111 values of @var{arg} are:
22112
22113 @table @samp
22114 @item auto
22115 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
22116 default).
22117 @item o32
22118 @item o64
22119 @item n32
22120 @item n64
22121 @item eabi32
22122 @item eabi64
22123 @end table
22124
22125 @item show mips abi
22126 @kindex show mips abi
22127 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
22128
22129 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
22130 @kindex set mips compression
22131 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
22132 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
22133 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
22134 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
22135 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
22136 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
22137 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
22138 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
22139 provided by the executable.
22140
22141 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
22142 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
22143 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
22144 identified as such.
22145
22146 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
22147 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
22148 implicitly from an executable.
22149
22150 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
22151 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
22152 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
22153 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
22154 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
22155
22156 @item show mips compression
22157 @kindex show mips compression
22158 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
22159 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
22160
22161 @item set mipsfpu
22162 @itemx show mipsfpu
22163 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
22164
22165 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
22166 @kindex set mips mask-address
22167 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
22168 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
22169 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
22170 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
22171 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
22172
22173 @item show mips mask-address
22174 @kindex show mips mask-address
22175 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
22176 not.
22177
22178 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22179 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22180 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
22181 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
22182 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
22183 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
22184
22185 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22186 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
22187 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
22188
22189 @item set debug mips
22190 @kindex set debug mips
22191 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
22192 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22193
22194 @item show debug mips
22195 @kindex show debug mips
22196 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
22197 @end table
22198
22199
22200 @node HPPA
22201 @subsection HPPA
22202 @cindex HPPA support
22203
22204 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
22205 following special commands:
22206
22207 @table @code
22208 @item set debug hppa
22209 @kindex set debug hppa
22210 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
22211 messages are to be displayed.
22212
22213 @item show debug hppa
22214 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
22215
22216 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
22217 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
22218 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
22219 given @var{address}.
22220
22221 @end table
22222
22223
22224 @node SPU
22225 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
22226 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
22227 @cindex SPU
22228
22229 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
22230 it provides the following special commands:
22231
22232 @table @code
22233 @item info spu event
22234 @kindex info spu
22235 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
22236 and pending event status.
22237
22238 @item info spu signal
22239 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
22240 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
22241 notification channels.
22242
22243 @item info spu mailbox
22244 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
22245 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
22246 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
22247
22248 @item info spu dma
22249 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22250 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22251 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22252
22253 @item info spu proxydma
22254 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
22255 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
22256 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
22257
22258 @end table
22259
22260 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
22261 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
22262 special commands:
22263
22264 @table @code
22265 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
22266 @kindex set spu
22267 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
22268 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
22269 function. The default is @code{off}.
22270
22271 @item show spu stop-on-load
22272 @kindex show spu
22273 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
22274
22275 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
22276 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
22277 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
22278 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
22279 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
22280 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
22281
22282 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
22283 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
22284
22285 @end table
22286
22287 @node PowerPC
22288 @subsection PowerPC
22289 @cindex PowerPC architecture
22290
22291 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
22292 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
22293 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
22294 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
22295 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
22296
22297 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
22298 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
22299 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
22300
22301 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
22302 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
22303
22304 @node Nios II
22305 @subsection Nios II
22306 @cindex Nios II architecture
22307
22308 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
22309 it provides the following special commands:
22310
22311 @table @code
22312
22313 @item set debug nios2
22314 @kindex set debug nios2
22315 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
22316 target code in @value{GDBN}.
22317
22318 @item show debug nios2
22319 @kindex show debug nios2
22320 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
22321 @end table
22322
22323 @node Controlling GDB
22324 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
22325
22326 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
22327 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
22328 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
22329 described here.
22330
22331 @menu
22332 * Prompt:: Prompt
22333 * Editing:: Command editing
22334 * Command History:: Command history
22335 * Screen Size:: Screen size
22336 * Numbers:: Numbers
22337 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
22338 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
22339 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
22340 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
22341 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
22342 @end menu
22343
22344 @node Prompt
22345 @section Prompt
22346
22347 @cindex prompt
22348
22349 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
22350 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
22351 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
22352 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
22353 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
22354 which one you are talking to.
22355
22356 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
22357 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
22358 or a prompt that does not.
22359
22360 @table @code
22361 @kindex set prompt
22362 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
22363 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
22364
22365 @kindex show prompt
22366 @item show prompt
22367 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
22368 @end table
22369
22370 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
22371 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
22372 are:
22373
22374 @table @code
22375 @kindex set extended-prompt
22376 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
22377 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
22378 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
22379 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
22380 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
22381 is displayed.
22382
22383 For example:
22384
22385 @smallexample
22386 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
22387 @end smallexample
22388
22389 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
22390 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
22391
22392 @kindex show extended-prompt
22393 @item show extended-prompt
22394 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
22395 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
22396 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
22397 @end table
22398
22399 @node Editing
22400 @section Command Editing
22401 @cindex readline
22402 @cindex command line editing
22403
22404 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
22405 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
22406 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
22407 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
22408 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
22409 debugging sessions.
22410
22411 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
22412 command @code{set}.
22413
22414 @table @code
22415 @kindex set editing
22416 @cindex editing
22417 @item set editing
22418 @itemx set editing on
22419 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
22420
22421 @item set editing off
22422 Disable command line editing.
22423
22424 @kindex show editing
22425 @item show editing
22426 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
22427 @end table
22428
22429 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22430 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
22431 @end ifset
22432 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22433 @xref{Command Line Editing},
22434 @end ifclear
22435 for more details about the Readline
22436 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
22437 encouraged to read that chapter.
22438
22439 @node Command History
22440 @section Command History
22441 @cindex command history
22442
22443 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
22444 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
22445 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
22446 history facility.
22447
22448 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
22449 package, to provide the history facility.
22450 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22451 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
22452 @end ifset
22453 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22454 @xref{Using History Interactively},
22455 @end ifclear
22456 for the detailed description of the History library.
22457
22458 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
22459 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
22460 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
22461 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
22462 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
22463 pressed on a line by itself.
22464
22465 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
22466 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
22467 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
22468 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
22469
22470 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
22471 history.
22472
22473 @table @code
22474 @cindex history substitution
22475 @cindex history file
22476 @kindex set history filename
22477 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
22478 @item set history filename @var{fname}
22479 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
22480 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
22481 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
22482 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
22483 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
22484 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
22485 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
22486 is not set.
22487
22488 @cindex save command history
22489 @kindex set history save
22490 @item set history save
22491 @itemx set history save on
22492 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
22493 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
22494
22495 @item set history save off
22496 Stop recording command history in a file.
22497
22498 @cindex history size
22499 @kindex set history size
22500 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
22501 @item set history size @var{size}
22502 @itemx set history size unlimited
22503 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
22504 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
22505 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
22506 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
22507 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
22508 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
22509
22510 @cindex remove duplicate history
22511 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
22512 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
22513 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
22514 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
22515 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
22516 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
22517 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
22518 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
22519 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
22520
22521 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
22522 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
22523
22524 @end table
22525
22526 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
22527 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22528 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
22529 @end ifset
22530 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22531 @xref{Event Designators},
22532 @end ifclear
22533 for more details.
22534
22535 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
22536 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
22537 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
22538 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
22539 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
22540 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
22541 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
22542 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
22543
22544 The commands to control history expansion are:
22545
22546 @table @code
22547 @item set history expansion on
22548 @itemx set history expansion
22549 @kindex set history expansion
22550 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
22551
22552 @item set history expansion off
22553 Disable history expansion.
22554
22555 @c @group
22556 @kindex show history
22557 @item show history
22558 @itemx show history filename
22559 @itemx show history save
22560 @itemx show history size
22561 @itemx show history expansion
22562 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
22563 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
22564 @c @end group
22565 @end table
22566
22567 @table @code
22568 @kindex show commands
22569 @cindex show last commands
22570 @cindex display command history
22571 @item show commands
22572 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
22573
22574 @item show commands @var{n}
22575 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
22576
22577 @item show commands +
22578 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
22579 @end table
22580
22581 @node Screen Size
22582 @section Screen Size
22583 @cindex size of screen
22584 @cindex screen size
22585 @cindex pagination
22586 @cindex page size
22587 @cindex pauses in output
22588
22589 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
22590 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
22591 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
22592 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
22593 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
22594 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
22595 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
22596 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
22597
22598 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
22599 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
22600 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
22601 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
22602 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
22603 width} commands:
22604
22605 @table @code
22606 @kindex set height
22607 @kindex set width
22608 @kindex show width
22609 @kindex show height
22610 @item set height @var{lpp}
22611 @itemx set height unlimited
22612 @itemx show height
22613 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
22614 @itemx set width unlimited
22615 @itemx show width
22616 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
22617 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
22618 commands display the current settings.
22619
22620 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
22621 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
22622 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
22623 buffer.
22624
22625 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
22626 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
22627
22628 @item set pagination on
22629 @itemx set pagination off
22630 @kindex set pagination
22631 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
22632 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
22633 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
22634 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
22635
22636 @item show pagination
22637 @kindex show pagination
22638 Show the current pagination mode.
22639 @end table
22640
22641 @node Numbers
22642 @section Numbers
22643 @cindex number representation
22644 @cindex entering numbers
22645
22646 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
22647 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
22648 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
22649 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
22650 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
22651 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
22652 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
22653 both input and output with the commands described below.
22654
22655 @table @code
22656 @kindex set input-radix
22657 @item set input-radix @var{base}
22658 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
22659 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22660 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
22661 example, any of
22662
22663 @smallexample
22664 set input-radix 012
22665 set input-radix 10.
22666 set input-radix 0xa
22667 @end smallexample
22668
22669 @noindent
22670 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
22671 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
22672 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
22673 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
22674 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
22675 change the radix.
22676
22677 @kindex set output-radix
22678 @item set output-radix @var{base}
22679 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
22680 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22681 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
22682
22683 @kindex show input-radix
22684 @item show input-radix
22685 Display the current default base for numeric input.
22686
22687 @kindex show output-radix
22688 @item show output-radix
22689 Display the current default base for numeric display.
22690
22691 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
22692 @itemx show radix
22693 @kindex set radix
22694 @kindex show radix
22695 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
22696 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
22697 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
22698 default value of 10.
22699
22700 @end table
22701
22702 @node ABI
22703 @section Configuring the Current ABI
22704
22705 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
22706 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
22707 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
22708 current ABI.
22709
22710 @cindex OS ABI
22711 @kindex set osabi
22712 @kindex show osabi
22713 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
22714
22715 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
22716 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
22717 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
22718 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
22719 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
22720 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
22721 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
22722 platform provides.
22723
22724 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
22725 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
22726 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
22727 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
22728
22729 @table @code
22730 @item show osabi
22731 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
22732
22733 @item set osabi
22734 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
22735
22736 @item set osabi @var{abi}
22737 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
22738 @end table
22739
22740 @cindex float promotion
22741
22742 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
22743 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
22744 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
22745 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
22746 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
22747 @code{double} and then passed.
22748
22749 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
22750 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
22751 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
22752
22753 @table @code
22754 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
22755 @item set coerce-float-to-double
22756 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
22757 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
22758 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
22759
22760 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
22761 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
22762 functions.
22763
22764 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
22765 @item show coerce-float-to-double
22766 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
22767 @end table
22768
22769 @kindex set cp-abi
22770 @kindex show cp-abi
22771 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
22772 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
22773 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
22774 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
22775 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
22776 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
22777 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
22778 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
22779 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
22780 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
22781 ``auto''.
22782
22783 @table @code
22784 @item show cp-abi
22785 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
22786
22787 @item set cp-abi
22788 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
22789
22790 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
22791 @itemx set cp-abi auto
22792 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
22793 @end table
22794
22795 @node Auto-loading
22796 @section Automatically loading associated files
22797 @cindex auto-loading
22798
22799 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
22800 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
22801 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
22802 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
22803 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
22804 sources).
22805
22806 @menu
22807 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22808 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
22809
22810 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
22811 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
22812 @end menu
22813
22814 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
22815 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
22816 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
22817
22818 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
22819 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
22820 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22821
22822 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
22823 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
22824
22825 @table @code
22826 @anchor{set auto-load off}
22827 @kindex set auto-load off
22828 @item set auto-load off
22829 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
22830 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
22831 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
22832 @smallexample
22833 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
22834 @end smallexample
22835
22836 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
22837 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
22838 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
22839 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
22840 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
22841 @code{set auto-load no}.
22842
22843 @anchor{show auto-load}
22844 @kindex show auto-load
22845 @item show auto-load
22846 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
22847 or disabled.
22848
22849 @smallexample
22850 (gdb) show auto-load
22851 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
22852 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
22853 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
22854 is on.
22855 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
22856 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22857 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22858 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
22859 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22860 @end smallexample
22861
22862 @anchor{info auto-load}
22863 @kindex info auto-load
22864 @item info auto-load
22865 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
22866 not.
22867
22868 @smallexample
22869 (gdb) info auto-load
22870 gdb-scripts:
22871 Loaded Script
22872 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
22873 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
22874 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
22875 loaded.
22876 python-scripts:
22877 Loaded Script
22878 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
22879 @end smallexample
22880 @end table
22881
22882 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
22883
22884 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
22885 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
22886 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
22887 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
22888 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
22889 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
22890 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
22891 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22892 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22893 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22894 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22895 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22896 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22897 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22898 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22899 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
22900 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22901 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
22902 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22903 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
22904 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22905 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
22906 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22907 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
22908 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22909 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22910 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22911 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
22912 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22913 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
22914 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
22915 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22916 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
22917 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22918 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
22919 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22920 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
22921 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
22922 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
22923 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
22924 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
22925 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
22926 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
22927 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
22928 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
22929 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
22930 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
22931 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
22932 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
22933 @end multitable
22934
22935 @node Init File in the Current Directory
22936 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
22937 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
22938
22939 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
22940 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
22941 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
22942
22943 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
22944 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22945
22946 @table @code
22947 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
22948 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
22949 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
22950 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
22951 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
22952
22953 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
22954 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
22955 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
22956 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22957 current directory is enabled or disabled.
22958
22959 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22960 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
22961 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
22962 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22963 current directory have been auto-loaded.
22964 @end table
22965
22966 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
22967 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
22968 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
22969
22970 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
22971
22972 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
22973 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
22974
22975 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
22976 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
22977 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
22978 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
22979 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
22980 library.
22981
22982 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
22983 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22984
22985 @table @code
22986 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
22987 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
22988 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
22989 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
22990
22991 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
22992 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
22993 @item show auto-load libthread-db
22994 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
22995 enabled or disabled.
22996
22997 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
22998 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
22999 @item info auto-load libthread-db
23000 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
23001 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
23002 @end table
23003
23004 @node Auto-loading safe path
23005 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
23006 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
23007
23008 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
23009 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
23010 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
23011 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
23012 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
23013
23014 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
23015 get loaded:
23016
23017 @smallexample
23018 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
23019 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
23020 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
23021 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
23022 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
23023 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
23024 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
23025 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
23026 @end smallexample
23027
23028 @noindent
23029 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
23030 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
23031
23032 @smallexample
23033 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
23034 @end smallexample
23035
23036 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
23037
23038 @table @code
23039 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
23040 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
23041 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
23042 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
23043 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
23044 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
23045 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
23046 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
23047 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
23048 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
23049
23050 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
23051 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
23052 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
23053
23054 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
23055 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
23056 @item show auto-load safe-path
23057 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
23058 scripts.
23059
23060 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
23061 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
23062 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
23063 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
23064 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
23065 by the host platform path separator in use.
23066 @end table
23067
23068 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
23069 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
23070 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
23071 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
23072 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
23073
23074 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
23075 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
23076 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
23077 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
23078 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
23079 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
23080 init file in the current directory
23081 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
23082
23083 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
23084 example, you could use one of the following ways:
23085
23086 @table @asis
23087 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
23088 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
23089 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
23090 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
23091
23092 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
23093 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
23094 @value{GDBN} session.
23095
23096 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
23097 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
23098 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
23099 from trusted sources.
23100
23101 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
23102 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
23103 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
23104 trusted sources.
23105 @end table
23106
23107 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
23108 also suppresses any such warning messages:
23109
23110 @table @asis
23111 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
23112 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
23113
23114 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
23115 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
23116 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
23117 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
23118 @end table
23119
23120 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
23121 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
23122 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
23123 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
23124 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
23125 recommended to be entered.
23126
23127 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
23128 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
23129 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
23130
23131 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
23132 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
23133 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
23134 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
23135 be printed.
23136
23137 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
23138 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
23139 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
23140
23141 @smallexample
23142 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
23143 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
23144 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
23145 for objfile "/tmp/true".
23146 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
23147 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
23148 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
23149 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
23150 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
23151 @end smallexample
23152
23153 @table @code
23154 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
23155 @kindex set debug auto-load
23156 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
23157 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
23158
23159 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
23160 @kindex show debug auto-load
23161 @item show debug auto-load
23162 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
23163 on or off.
23164 @end table
23165
23166 @node Messages/Warnings
23167 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
23168
23169 @cindex verbose operation
23170 @cindex optional warnings
23171 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
23172 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
23173 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
23174 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
23175
23176 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
23177 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
23178 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23179
23180 @table @code
23181 @kindex set verbose
23182 @item set verbose on
23183 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
23184
23185 @item set verbose off
23186 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
23187
23188 @kindex show verbose
23189 @item show verbose
23190 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
23191 @end table
23192
23193 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
23194 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
23195 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
23196 Symbol Files}).
23197
23198 @table @code
23199
23200 @kindex set complaints
23201 @item set complaints @var{limit}
23202 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
23203 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
23204 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
23205 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
23206
23207 @kindex show complaints
23208 @item show complaints
23209 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
23210
23211 @end table
23212
23213 @anchor{confirmation requests}
23214 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
23215 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
23216 you try to run a program which is already running:
23217
23218 @smallexample
23219 (@value{GDBP}) run
23220 The program being debugged has been started already.
23221 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
23222 @end smallexample
23223
23224 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
23225 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
23226
23227 @table @code
23228
23229 @kindex set confirm
23230 @cindex flinching
23231 @cindex confirmation
23232 @cindex stupid questions
23233 @item set confirm off
23234 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
23235 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
23236 automatically disables confirmation requests.
23237
23238 @item set confirm on
23239 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
23240
23241 @kindex show confirm
23242 @item show confirm
23243 Displays state of confirmation requests.
23244
23245 @end table
23246
23247 @cindex command tracing
23248 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
23249 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
23250 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
23251 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
23252
23253 @table @code
23254 @kindex set trace-commands
23255 @cindex command scripts, debugging
23256 @item set trace-commands on
23257 Enable command tracing.
23258 @item set trace-commands off
23259 Disable command tracing.
23260 @item show trace-commands
23261 Display the current state of command tracing.
23262 @end table
23263
23264 @node Debugging Output
23265 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
23266 @cindex optional debugging messages
23267
23268 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
23269 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
23270 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
23271 section documents those commands.
23272
23273 @table @code
23274 @kindex set exec-done-display
23275 @item set exec-done-display
23276 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
23277 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
23278 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
23279 @kindex show exec-done-display
23280 @item show exec-done-display
23281 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
23282 notification.
23283 @kindex set debug
23284 @cindex ARM AArch64
23285 @item set debug aarch64
23286 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
23287 The default is off.
23288 @kindex show debug
23289 @item show debug aarch64
23290 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23291 ARM AArch64.
23292 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
23293 @cindex architecture debugging info
23294 @item set debug arch
23295 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
23296 @item show debug arch
23297 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
23298 @item set debug aix-solib
23299 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
23300 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
23301 support module. The default is off.
23302 @item show debug aix-thread
23303 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
23304 @item set debug aix-thread
23305 @cindex AIX threads
23306 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
23307 module.
23308 @item show debug aix-thread
23309 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
23310 @item set debug check-physname
23311 @cindex physname
23312 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
23313 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
23314 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
23315 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
23316 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
23317 both ways and display any discrepancies.
23318 @item show debug check-physname
23319 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
23320 @item set debug coff-pe-read
23321 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
23322 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
23323 exported symbols. The default is off.
23324 @item show debug coff-pe-read
23325 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23326 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23327 @item set debug dwarf-die
23328 @cindex DWARF DIEs
23329 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
23330 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
23331 A value of zero turns off the display.
23332 @item show debug dwarf-die
23333 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
23334 @item set debug dwarf-line
23335 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
23336 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
23337 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
23338 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23339 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23340 @item show debug dwarf-line
23341 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
23342 @item set debug dwarf-read
23343 @cindex DWARF Reading
23344 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
23345 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
23346 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23347 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23348 @item show debug dwarf-read
23349 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
23350 @item set debug displaced
23351 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
23352 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
23353 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
23354 @item show debug displaced
23355 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
23356 related to displaced stepping.
23357 @item set debug event
23358 @cindex event debugging info
23359 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
23360 default is off.
23361 @item show debug event
23362 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
23363 info.
23364 @item set debug expression
23365 @cindex expression debugging info
23366 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
23367 expression parsing. The default is off.
23368 @item show debug expression
23369 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
23370 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
23371 @item set debug frame
23372 @cindex frame debugging info
23373 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
23374 default is off.
23375 @item show debug frame
23376 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
23377 info.
23378 @item set debug gnu-nat
23379 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
23380 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
23381 @item show debug gnu-nat
23382 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
23383 @item set debug infrun
23384 @cindex inferior debugging info
23385 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
23386 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
23387 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
23388 @item show debug infrun
23389 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
23390 @item set debug jit
23391 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
23392 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
23393 @item show debug jit
23394 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
23395 @item set debug lin-lwp
23396 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
23397 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
23398 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
23399 @item show debug lin-lwp
23400 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
23401 @item set debug linux-namespaces
23402 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
23403 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
23404 @item show debug linux-namespaces
23405 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
23406 @item set debug mach-o
23407 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
23408 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
23409 processing. The default is off.
23410 @item show debug mach-o
23411 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23412 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23413 @item set debug notification
23414 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
23415 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
23416 The default is off.
23417 @item show debug notification
23418 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
23419 @item set debug observer
23420 @cindex observer debugging info
23421 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
23422 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
23423 @item show debug observer
23424 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
23425 @item set debug overload
23426 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
23427 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
23428 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
23429 is off.
23430 @item show debug overload
23431 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
23432 debugging info.
23433 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
23434 @cindex debug expression parser
23435 @item set debug parser
23436 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
23437 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
23438 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
23439 details. The default is off.
23440 @item show debug parser
23441 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
23442 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
23443 @cindex serial connections, debugging
23444 @cindex debug remote protocol
23445 @cindex remote protocol debugging
23446 @cindex display remote packets
23447 @item set debug remote
23448 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
23449 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
23450 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
23451 @item show debug remote
23452 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
23453 @item set debug serial
23454 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
23455 default is off.
23456 @item show debug serial
23457 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
23458 info.
23459 @item set debug solib-frv
23460 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
23461 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
23462 @item show debug solib-frv
23463 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
23464 messages.
23465 @item set debug symbol-lookup
23466 @cindex symbol lookup
23467 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
23468 The default is 0 (off).
23469 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23470 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23471 @item show debug symbol-lookup
23472 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
23473 @item set debug symfile
23474 @cindex symbol file functions
23475 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
23476 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
23477 @item show debug symfile
23478 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
23479 @item set debug symtab-create
23480 @cindex symbol table creation
23481 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
23482 The default is 0 (off).
23483 A value of 1 provides basic information.
23484 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23485 @item show debug symtab-create
23486 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
23487 @item set debug target
23488 @cindex target debugging info
23489 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
23490 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
23491 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
23492 value of large memory transfers.
23493 @item show debug target
23494 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
23495 info.
23496 @item set debug timestamp
23497 @cindex timestampping debugging info
23498 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
23499 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
23500 message.
23501 @item show debug timestamp
23502 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
23503 debugging info.
23504 @item set debug varobj
23505 @cindex variable object debugging info
23506 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
23507 info. The default is off.
23508 @item show debug varobj
23509 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
23510 debugging info.
23511 @item set debug xml
23512 @cindex XML parser debugging
23513 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
23514 @item show debug xml
23515 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
23516 @end table
23517
23518 @node Other Misc Settings
23519 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
23520 @cindex miscellaneous settings
23521
23522 @table @code
23523 @kindex set interactive-mode
23524 @item set interactive-mode
23525 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
23526 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
23527 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
23528 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
23529 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
23530 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
23531 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
23532 is, non-interactively otherwise.
23533
23534 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
23535 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
23536 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
23537 inside a cygwin window.
23538
23539 @kindex show interactive-mode
23540 @item show interactive-mode
23541 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
23542 @end table
23543
23544 @node Extending GDB
23545 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
23546 @cindex extending GDB
23547
23548 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
23549 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
23550 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
23551 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
23552 being debugged.
23553
23554 @menu
23555 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
23556 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
23557 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
23558 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
23559 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
23560 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
23561 @end menu
23562
23563 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
23564 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
23565 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
23566 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
23567 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23568 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
23569
23570 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
23571 setting:
23572
23573 @table @code
23574 @kindex set script-extension
23575 @kindex show script-extension
23576 @item set script-extension off
23577 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23578
23579 @item set script-extension soft
23580 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23581 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
23582 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
23583 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
23584
23585 @item set script-extension strict
23586 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23587 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
23588 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
23589
23590 @item show script-extension
23591 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
23592
23593 @end table
23594
23595 @node Sequences
23596 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
23597
23598 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
23599 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
23600 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
23601 files.
23602
23603 @menu
23604 * Define:: How to define your own commands
23605 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
23606 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
23607 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
23608 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
23609 @end menu
23610
23611 @node Define
23612 @subsection User-defined Commands
23613
23614 @cindex user-defined command
23615 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
23616 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
23617 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
23618 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
23619 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
23620 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
23621
23622 @smallexample
23623 define adder
23624 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23625 end
23626 @end smallexample
23627
23628 @noindent
23629 To execute the command use:
23630
23631 @smallexample
23632 adder 1 2 3
23633 @end smallexample
23634
23635 @noindent
23636 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
23637 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
23638 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
23639 functions calls.
23640
23641 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
23642 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
23643 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
23644 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
23645
23646 @smallexample
23647 define adder
23648 if $argc == 2
23649 print $arg0 + $arg1
23650 end
23651 if $argc == 3
23652 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23653 end
23654 end
23655 @end smallexample
23656
23657 @table @code
23658
23659 @kindex define
23660 @item define @var{commandname}
23661 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
23662 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
23663 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
23664 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
23665 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
23666 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
23667
23668 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
23669 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
23670 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23671
23672 @kindex document
23673 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
23674 @item document @var{commandname}
23675 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
23676 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
23677 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
23678 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
23679 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
23680 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
23681
23682 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
23683 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
23684 does not change the documentation.
23685
23686 @kindex dont-repeat
23687 @cindex don't repeat command
23688 @item dont-repeat
23689 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
23690 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
23691 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
23692
23693 @kindex help user-defined
23694 @item help user-defined
23695 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
23696 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
23697 included (if any).
23698
23699 @kindex show user
23700 @item show user
23701 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
23702 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
23703 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
23704 definitions for all user-defined commands.
23705 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
23706
23707 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
23708 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
23709 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
23710 @item show max-user-call-depth
23711 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
23712 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
23713 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
23714 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
23715 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
23716 @end table
23717
23718 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
23719 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
23720
23721 When user-defined commands are executed, the
23722 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
23723 stops execution of the user-defined command.
23724
23725 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
23726 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
23727 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
23728 messages when used in a user-defined command.
23729
23730 @node Hooks
23731 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
23732 @cindex command hooks
23733 @cindex hooks, for commands
23734 @cindex hooks, pre-command
23735
23736 @kindex hook
23737 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
23738 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
23739 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
23740 before that command.
23741
23742 @cindex hooks, post-command
23743 @kindex hookpost
23744 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
23745 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
23746 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
23747 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
23748 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
23749
23750 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
23751 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
23752
23753 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
23754 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
23755
23756 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
23757 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
23758 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
23759 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
23760 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
23761
23762 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
23763 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
23764 you could define:
23765
23766 @smallexample
23767 define hook-stop
23768 handle SIGALRM nopass
23769 end
23770
23771 define hook-run
23772 handle SIGALRM pass
23773 end
23774
23775 define hook-continue
23776 handle SIGALRM pass
23777 end
23778 @end smallexample
23779
23780 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
23781 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
23782 you could define:
23783
23784 @smallexample
23785 define hook-echo
23786 echo <<<---
23787 end
23788
23789 define hookpost-echo
23790 echo --->>>\n
23791 end
23792
23793 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
23794 <<<---Hello World--->>>
23795 (@value{GDBP})
23796
23797 @end smallexample
23798
23799 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
23800 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
23801 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
23802 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
23803 @c or not?
23804 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
23805 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
23806 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
23807
23808 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
23809 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
23810 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
23811
23812 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
23813 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
23814
23815 @node Command Files
23816 @subsection Command Files
23817
23818 @cindex command files
23819 @cindex scripting commands
23820 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
23821 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
23822 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
23823 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
23824 terminal.
23825
23826 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
23827 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
23828 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
23829 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
23830 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
23831
23832 @table @code
23833 @kindex source
23834 @cindex execute commands from a file
23835 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
23836 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
23837 @end table
23838
23839 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
23840 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
23841 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
23842 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
23843 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
23844
23845 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
23846 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
23847 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
23848 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
23849 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
23850 is not relevant to scripts.
23851
23852 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
23853 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
23854 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
23855 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
23856 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23857 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
23858 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
23859 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
23860 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23861 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
23862 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
23863 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
23864 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
23865 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
23866
23867 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
23868 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
23869 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
23870
23871 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
23872 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
23873 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
23874 when called from command files.
23875
23876 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
23877 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
23878 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
23879 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
23880 the next command.
23881
23882 @smallexample
23883 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
23884 @end smallexample
23885
23886 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
23887 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
23888 would be directed to @file{log}.
23889
23890 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
23891 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
23892 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
23893 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
23894 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
23895 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
23896 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
23897 conditionally, etc.
23898
23899 @table @code
23900 @kindex if
23901 @kindex else
23902 @item if
23903 @itemx else
23904 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
23905 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
23906 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
23907 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
23908 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
23909 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
23910 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23911
23912 @kindex while
23913 @item while
23914 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
23915 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
23916 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
23917 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
23918 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
23919 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
23920
23921 @kindex loop_break
23922 @item loop_break
23923 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
23924 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
23925 line.
23926
23927 @kindex loop_continue
23928 @item loop_continue
23929 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
23930 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
23931 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
23932 the controlling expression.
23933
23934 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
23935 @item end
23936 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
23937 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
23938 @end table
23939
23940
23941 @node Output
23942 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
23943
23944 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
23945 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
23946 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
23947 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
23948 want.
23949
23950 @table @code
23951 @kindex echo
23952 @item echo @var{text}
23953 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
23954 @c because it is not in ANSI.
23955 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
23956 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
23957 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
23958 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
23959 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
23960 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
23961 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
23962 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
23963 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
23964
23965 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
23966 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
23967
23968 @smallexample
23969 echo This is some text\n\
23970 which is continued\n\
23971 onto several lines.\n
23972 @end smallexample
23973
23974 produces the same output as
23975
23976 @smallexample
23977 echo This is some text\n
23978 echo which is continued\n
23979 echo onto several lines.\n
23980 @end smallexample
23981
23982 @kindex output
23983 @item output @var{expression}
23984 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
23985 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
23986 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
23987 on expressions.
23988
23989 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
23990 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
23991 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
23992 Formats}, for more information.
23993
23994 @kindex printf
23995 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23996 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23997 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
23998 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
23999 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
24000 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
24001 executing the code below:
24002
24003 @smallexample
24004 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
24005 @end smallexample
24006
24007 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
24008 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
24009 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
24010 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
24011 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
24012 printed.
24013
24014 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
24015
24016 @smallexample
24017 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
24018 @end smallexample
24019
24020 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
24021 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
24022 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
24023
24024 @itemize @bullet
24025 @item
24026 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
24027
24028 @item
24029 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
24030 width.
24031
24032 @item
24033 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
24034 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
24035
24036 @item
24037 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
24038 supported.
24039
24040 @item
24041 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
24042
24043 @item
24044 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
24045 @end itemize
24046
24047 @noindent
24048 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
24049 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
24050 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
24051 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
24052
24053 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
24054 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
24055 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
24056 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
24057 supported.
24058
24059 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
24060 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
24061 together with a floating point specifier.
24062 letters:
24063
24064 @itemize @bullet
24065 @item
24066 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
24067
24068 @item
24069 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
24070
24071 @item
24072 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
24073 @end itemize
24074
24075 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
24076 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
24077 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
24078
24079 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
24080 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
24081
24082 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
24083 @smallexample
24084 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
24085 @end smallexample
24086
24087 @kindex eval
24088 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
24089 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
24090 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
24091
24092 @end table
24093
24094 @node Auto-loading sequences
24095 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
24096 @cindex native script auto-loading
24097
24098 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24099 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
24100 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
24101 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
24102
24103 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24104 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24105
24106 @table @code
24107 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
24108 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
24109 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
24110 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
24111
24112 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
24113 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
24114 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
24115 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
24116 disabled.
24117
24118 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
24119 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
24120 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
24121 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
24122 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
24123 auto-loaded.
24124 @end table
24125
24126 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
24127 matching names are printed.
24128
24129 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
24130 @include python.texi
24131
24132 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
24133 @include guile.texi
24134
24135 @node Auto-loading extensions
24136 @section Auto-loading extensions
24137 @cindex auto-loading extensions
24138
24139 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
24140 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24141 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
24142 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
24143 section of modern file formats like ELF.
24144
24145 @menu
24146 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
24147 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24148 * Which flavor to choose?::
24149 @end menu
24150
24151 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
24152 debugging commands and features.
24153
24154 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24155 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24156 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
24157 for more information.
24158 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
24159 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
24160
24161 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
24162 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24163
24164 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
24165 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
24166 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
24167 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24168 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
24169
24170 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
24171 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
24172 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
24173 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
24174
24175 @table @code
24176 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
24177 GDB's own command language
24178 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24179 Python
24180 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
24181 Guile
24182 @end table
24183
24184 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
24185 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
24186 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
24187 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
24188 script in the specified extension language.
24189
24190 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
24191 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
24192
24193 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
24194 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24195
24196 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
24197 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
24198 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
24199 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
24200 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
24201 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
24202
24203 @table @code
24204 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
24205 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
24206 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
24207 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
24208 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
24209 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
24210
24211 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
24212 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
24213
24214 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
24215 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
24216 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
24217 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
24218
24219 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
24220 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
24221 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
24222 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
24223 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
24224 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
24225 platform.
24226
24227 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
24228 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
24229 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
24230
24231 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
24232 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
24233 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
24234 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24235
24236 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
24237 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
24238 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
24239 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
24240 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
24241 @end table
24242
24243 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
24244 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
24245 @var{objfile} is opened.
24246 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
24247 is evaluated more than once.
24248
24249 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
24250 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24251 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24252
24253 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
24254 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
24255 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24256 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
24257 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
24258 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
24259 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24260
24261 The following entries are supported:
24262
24263 @table @code
24264 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
24265 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
24266 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
24267 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
24268 @end table
24269
24270 @subsubsection Script File Entries
24271
24272 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
24273 in the current directory and then along the source search path
24274 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
24275 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
24276 directory is not relevant to scripts.
24277
24278 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
24279 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
24280
24281 @example
24282 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
24283 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
24284 asm("\
24285 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
24286 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
24287 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
24288 .popsection \n\
24289 ");
24290 @end example
24291
24292 @noindent
24293 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
24294 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
24295
24296 @example
24297 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
24298 @end example
24299
24300 The script name may include directories if desired.
24301
24302 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
24303 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24304
24305 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
24306 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
24307 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
24308 will remove duplicates.
24309
24310 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
24311
24312 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
24313 itself instead of loading it from a file.
24314 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
24315 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
24316 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
24317 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
24318 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
24319 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
24320 on its name.
24321
24322 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
24323 testsuite.
24324
24325 @example
24326 #include "symcat.h"
24327 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
24328 asm(
24329 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
24330 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
24331 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
24332 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
24333 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
24334 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
24335 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
24336 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
24337 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
24338 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
24339 ".byte 0\n"
24340 ".popsection\n"
24341 );
24342 @end example
24343
24344 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
24345 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24346 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
24347 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
24348
24349 @node Which flavor to choose?
24350 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
24351
24352 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
24353 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
24354
24355 @noindent
24356 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
24357
24358 @itemize @bullet
24359 @item
24360 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
24361
24362 @item
24363 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
24364
24365 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
24366 in the source search path.
24367 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
24368 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
24369
24370 @item
24371 Doesn't require source code additions.
24372 @end itemize
24373
24374 @noindent
24375 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
24376
24377 @itemize @bullet
24378 @item
24379 Works with static linking.
24380
24381 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
24382 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
24383 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
24384 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
24385 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
24386
24387 @item
24388 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
24389
24390 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
24391 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
24392
24393 @item
24394 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
24395
24396 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
24397 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
24398 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
24399 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
24400 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
24401 top of the source tree to the source search path.
24402 @end itemize
24403
24404 @node Multiple Extension Languages
24405 @section Multiple Extension Languages
24406
24407 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
24408 and generally do not interfere with each other.
24409 There are some things to be aware of, however.
24410
24411 @subsection Python comes first
24412
24413 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
24414 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
24415 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
24416 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
24417 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
24418 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
24419 pretty-printed form of a value).
24420 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
24421 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
24422 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
24423
24424 @node Aliases
24425 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
24426 @cindex aliases for commands
24427
24428 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
24429 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
24430 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
24431 that involves less typing.
24432
24433 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
24434 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
24435 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
24436
24437 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
24438 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
24439 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
24440
24441 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
24442
24443 @table @code
24444
24445 @kindex alias
24446 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
24447
24448 @end table
24449
24450 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
24451 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
24452 underscores.
24453
24454 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
24455 that is being aliased.
24456
24457 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
24458 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
24459 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
24460
24461 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
24462 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
24463
24464 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
24465 of a command so that there is less to type.
24466 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
24467 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
24468 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
24469 The following will accomplish this.
24470
24471 @smallexample
24472 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
24473 @end smallexample
24474
24475 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
24476 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
24477 for it with the @samp{document} command.
24478 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
24479
24480 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
24481 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
24482 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
24483 of a command.
24484
24485 @smallexample
24486 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
24487 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
24488 (gdb) set p elms 20
24489 (gdb) show p elms
24490 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
24491 @end smallexample
24492
24493 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
24494 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
24495 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
24496
24497 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
24498 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
24499
24500 @smallexample
24501 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
24502 @end smallexample
24503
24504 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
24505 alias for a more complex command.
24506 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
24507
24508 @smallexample
24509 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
24510 (gdb) spe 20
24511 @end smallexample
24512
24513 @node Interpreters
24514 @chapter Command Interpreters
24515 @cindex command interpreters
24516
24517 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24518 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24519 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24520
24521 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24522 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24523 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24524 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24525
24526 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24527 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24528 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24529 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24530
24531 @table @code
24532 @item console
24533 @cindex console interpreter
24534 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24535 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24536 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24537
24538 @item mi
24539 @cindex mi interpreter
24540 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24541 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24542 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24543 Interface}.
24544
24545 @item mi2
24546 @cindex mi2 interpreter
24547 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24548
24549 @item mi1
24550 @cindex mi1 interpreter
24551 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24552
24553 @end table
24554
24555 @cindex invoke another interpreter
24556 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24557 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24558 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24559 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24560 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24561 the IDE inoperable!
24562
24563 @kindex interpreter-exec
24564 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24565 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24566 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24567 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24568
24569 @smallexample
24570 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24571 @end smallexample
24572
24573 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24574 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24575
24576 @node TUI
24577 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24578 @cindex TUI
24579 @cindex Text User Interface
24580
24581 @menu
24582 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24583 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24584 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24585 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24586 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24587 @end menu
24588
24589 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24590 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24591 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24592 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24593 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24594 is available.
24595
24596 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24597 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24598 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24599 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
24600 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
24601 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24602
24603 @node TUI Overview
24604 @section TUI Overview
24605
24606 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24607
24608 @table @emph
24609 @item command
24610 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24611 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24612 managed using readline.
24613
24614 @item source
24615 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24616 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24617
24618 @item assembly
24619 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24620
24621 @item register
24622 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24623 when their values change.
24624 @end table
24625
24626 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24627 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24628 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24629 indicates the breakpoint type:
24630
24631 @table @code
24632 @item B
24633 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24634
24635 @item b
24636 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24637
24638 @item H
24639 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24640
24641 @item h
24642 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24643 @end table
24644
24645 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24646
24647 @table @code
24648 @item +
24649 Breakpoint is enabled.
24650
24651 @item -
24652 Breakpoint is disabled.
24653 @end table
24654
24655 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24656 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24657 changes.
24658
24659 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24660 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24661 layouts:
24662
24663 @itemize @bullet
24664 @item
24665 source only,
24666
24667 @item
24668 assembly only,
24669
24670 @item
24671 source and assembly,
24672
24673 @item
24674 source and registers, or
24675
24676 @item
24677 assembly and registers.
24678 @end itemize
24679
24680 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24681
24682 @table @emph
24683 @item target
24684 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24685 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24686
24687 @item process
24688 Gives the current process or thread number.
24689 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24690
24691 @item function
24692 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24693 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24694 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24695 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24696
24697 @item line
24698 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24699 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24700
24701 @item pc
24702 Indicates the current program counter address.
24703 @end table
24704
24705 @node TUI Keys
24706 @section TUI Key Bindings
24707 @cindex TUI key bindings
24708
24709 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24710 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24711 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24712 @end ifset
24713 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24714 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24715 @end ifclear
24716 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24717 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24718
24719 @table @kbd
24720 @kindex C-x C-a
24721 @item C-x C-a
24722 @kindex C-x a
24723 @itemx C-x a
24724 @kindex C-x A
24725 @itemx C-x A
24726 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24727 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24728 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24729 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24730 The screen is then refreshed.
24731
24732 @kindex C-x 1
24733 @item C-x 1
24734 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24735 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24736 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24737
24738 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24739
24740 @kindex C-x 2
24741 @item C-x 2
24742 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24743 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24744 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24745 previous layout and the new one.
24746
24747 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24748
24749 @kindex C-x o
24750 @item C-x o
24751 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24752 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24753 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24754
24755 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24756
24757 @kindex C-x s
24758 @item C-x s
24759 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24760 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24761 @end table
24762
24763 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24764
24765 @table @asis
24766 @kindex PgUp
24767 @item @key{PgUp}
24768 Scroll the active window one page up.
24769
24770 @kindex PgDn
24771 @item @key{PgDn}
24772 Scroll the active window one page down.
24773
24774 @kindex Up
24775 @item @key{Up}
24776 Scroll the active window one line up.
24777
24778 @kindex Down
24779 @item @key{Down}
24780 Scroll the active window one line down.
24781
24782 @kindex Left
24783 @item @key{Left}
24784 Scroll the active window one column left.
24785
24786 @kindex Right
24787 @item @key{Right}
24788 Scroll the active window one column right.
24789
24790 @kindex C-L
24791 @item @kbd{C-L}
24792 Refresh the screen.
24793 @end table
24794
24795 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24796 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24797 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24798 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24799 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24800
24801 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24802 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24803 @cindex TUI single key mode
24804
24805 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24806 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24807 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24808
24809 @table @kbd
24810 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24811 @item c
24812 continue
24813
24814 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24815 @item d
24816 down
24817
24818 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24819 @item f
24820 finish
24821
24822 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24823 @item n
24824 next
24825
24826 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24827 @item q
24828 exit the SingleKey mode.
24829
24830 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24831 @item r
24832 run
24833
24834 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24835 @item s
24836 step
24837
24838 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24839 @item u
24840 up
24841
24842 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24843 @item v
24844 info locals
24845
24846 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24847 @item w
24848 where
24849 @end table
24850
24851 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24852 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24853 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24854 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24855 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24856 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24857
24858
24859 @node TUI Commands
24860 @section TUI-specific Commands
24861 @cindex TUI commands
24862
24863 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24864 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24865 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24866 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24867
24868 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24869 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24870 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24871 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24872 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24873
24874 @table @code
24875 @item tui enable
24876 @kindex tui enable
24877 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
24878 TUI mode has prevsiouly been used in the current debugging session,
24879 otherwise a default layout is used.
24880
24881 @item tui disable
24882 @kindex tui disable
24883 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
24884
24885 @item info win
24886 @kindex info win
24887 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24888
24889 @item layout @var{name}
24890 @kindex layout
24891 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
24892 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
24893 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
24894
24895 @table @code
24896 @item next
24897 Display the next layout.
24898
24899 @item prev
24900 Display the previous layout.
24901
24902 @item src
24903 Display the source and command windows.
24904
24905 @item asm
24906 Display the assembly and command windows.
24907
24908 @item split
24909 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
24910
24911 @item regs
24912 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
24913 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
24914 register, assembler, and command windows.
24915 @end table
24916
24917 @item focus @var{name}
24918 @kindex focus
24919 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
24920 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
24921
24922 @table @code
24923 @item next
24924 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24925
24926 @item prev
24927 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24928
24929 @item src
24930 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24931
24932 @item asm
24933 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24934
24935 @item regs
24936 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24937
24938 @item cmd
24939 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24940 @end table
24941
24942 @item refresh
24943 @kindex refresh
24944 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24945
24946 @item tui reg @var{group}
24947 @kindex tui reg
24948 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
24949 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
24950 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
24951 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
24952 following groups are available on most targets:
24953 @table @code
24954 @item next
24955 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
24956 through all of the available register groups.
24957
24958 @item prev
24959 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
24960 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
24961 @var{next}.
24962
24963 @item general
24964 Display the general registers.
24965 @item float
24966 Display the floating point registers.
24967 @item system
24968 Display the system registers.
24969 @item vector
24970 Display the vector registers.
24971 @item all
24972 Display all registers.
24973 @end table
24974
24975 @item update
24976 @kindex update
24977 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24978
24979 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24980 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24981 @kindex winheight
24982 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24983 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24984 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
24985 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
24986 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
24987
24988 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24989 @kindex tabset
24990 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
24991 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
24992 assembly windows.
24993 @end table
24994
24995 @node TUI Configuration
24996 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24997 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24998
24999 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
25000
25001 @table @code
25002 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
25003 @kindex set tui border-kind
25004 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
25005 The possible values are the following:
25006 @table @code
25007 @item space
25008 Use a space character to draw the border.
25009
25010 @item ascii
25011 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
25012
25013 @item acs
25014 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
25015 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
25016 @end table
25017
25018 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
25019 @kindex set tui border-mode
25020 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
25021 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
25022 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
25023 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
25024 @table @code
25025 @item normal
25026 Use normal attributes to display the border.
25027
25028 @item standout
25029 Use standout mode.
25030
25031 @item reverse
25032 Use reverse video mode.
25033
25034 @item half
25035 Use half bright mode.
25036
25037 @item half-standout
25038 Use half bright and standout mode.
25039
25040 @item bold
25041 Use extra bright or bold mode.
25042
25043 @item bold-standout
25044 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
25045 @end table
25046 @end table
25047
25048 @node Emacs
25049 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
25050
25051 @cindex Emacs
25052 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
25053 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
25054 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
25055 @value{GDBN}.
25056
25057 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
25058 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
25059 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
25060 created Emacs buffer.
25061 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
25062
25063 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
25064 things:
25065
25066 @itemize @bullet
25067 @item
25068 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
25069 the GUD buffer.
25070
25071 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
25072 and output done by the program you are debugging.
25073
25074 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
25075 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
25076 in this way.
25077
25078 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
25079 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
25080 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
25081 stop.
25082
25083 @item
25084 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
25085
25086 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
25087 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
25088 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
25089 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
25090 and the source.
25091
25092 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
25093 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
25094 @end itemize
25095
25096 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
25097 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
25098 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
25099 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
25100
25101 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
25102 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
25103 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
25104 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
25105 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
25106 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
25107 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
25108 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
25109 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
25110
25111 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
25112 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
25113 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
25114 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25115
25116 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
25117 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
25118 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
25119 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
25120 one you want.
25121
25122 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
25123 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
25124
25125 @table @kbd
25126 @item C-h m
25127 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
25128
25129 @item C-c C-s
25130 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
25131 update the display window to show the current file and location.
25132
25133 @item C-c C-n
25134 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
25135 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
25136 to show the current file and location.
25137
25138 @item C-c C-i
25139 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
25140 display window accordingly.
25141
25142 @item C-c C-f
25143 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
25144 @code{finish} command.
25145
25146 @item C-c C-r
25147 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
25148 command.
25149
25150 @item C-c <
25151 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
25152 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
25153 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
25154
25155 @item C-c >
25156 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
25157 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
25158 @end table
25159
25160 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
25161 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
25162
25163 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
25164 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
25165 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
25166 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
25167 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
25168 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
25169 speedbar displays watch expressions.
25170
25171 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
25172 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
25173 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
25174 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
25175 frame.
25176
25177 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
25178 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
25179 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
25180 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
25181 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
25182 to correspond properly with the code.
25183
25184 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
25185 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
25186 Emacs Manual}).
25187
25188 @node GDB/MI
25189 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
25190
25191 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
25192
25193 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
25194 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
25195 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
25196 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
25197 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
25198 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
25199
25200 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
25201 in the form of a reference manual.
25202
25203 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
25204 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
25205 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
25206
25207 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
25208
25209 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
25210 This chapter uses the following notation:
25211
25212 @itemize @bullet
25213 @item
25214 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
25215
25216 @item
25217 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
25218 it may or may not be given.
25219
25220 @item
25221 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25222 may repeat zero or more times.
25223
25224 @item
25225 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25226 may repeat one or more times.
25227
25228 @item
25229 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
25230 @end itemize
25231
25232 @ignore
25233 @heading Dependencies
25234 @end ignore
25235
25236 @menu
25237 * GDB/MI General Design::
25238 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
25239 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
25240 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
25241 * GDB/MI Output Records::
25242 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
25243 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
25244 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
25245 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
25246 * GDB/MI Program Context::
25247 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
25248 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
25249 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
25250 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
25251 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
25252 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
25253 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
25254 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
25255 * GDB/MI File Commands::
25256 @ignore
25257 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
25258 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
25259 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
25260 @end ignore
25261 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
25262 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
25263 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
25264 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
25265 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
25266 @end menu
25267
25268 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25269 @node GDB/MI General Design
25270 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
25271 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
25272
25273 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
25274 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
25275 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
25276 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
25277 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
25278 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
25279 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
25280 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
25281 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
25282 a command and reported as part of that command response.
25283
25284 The important examples of notifications are:
25285 @itemize @bullet
25286
25287 @item
25288 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
25289 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
25290 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
25291 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
25292 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
25293 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
25294 command itself was successfully executed.
25295
25296 @item
25297 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
25298 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
25299 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
25300 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
25301 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
25302 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
25303
25304 @item
25305 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
25306 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
25307 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
25308 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
25309 orthogonal frontend design.
25310
25311 @end itemize
25312
25313 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
25314 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
25315 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
25316 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
25317 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
25318 the user interface.
25319
25320
25321 @menu
25322 * Context management::
25323 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
25324 * Thread groups::
25325 @end menu
25326
25327 @node Context management
25328 @subsection Context management
25329
25330 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
25331
25332 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
25333 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
25334 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
25335 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
25336 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
25337 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
25338 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
25339 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
25340 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
25341
25342 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
25343 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
25344 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
25345 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
25346 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
25347 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
25348 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
25349 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
25350 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
25351 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
25352 for thread and frame to operate on.
25353
25354 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
25355 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
25356 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
25357 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
25358 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
25359 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
25360 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
25361 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
25362 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
25363 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
25364
25365 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
25366 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
25367 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
25368 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
25369 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
25370 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
25371 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
25372 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
25373 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
25374 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
25375 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
25376 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
25377 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
25378 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
25379 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
25380 @samp{--frame} options.
25381
25382 @subsubsection Language
25383
25384 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
25385 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
25386 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
25387 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
25388 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
25389 For instance:
25390
25391 @smallexample
25392 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
25393 ^done,value="4"
25394 (gdb)
25395 @end smallexample
25396
25397 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
25398 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
25399 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
25400
25401 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
25402 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
25403
25404 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
25405 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
25406 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
25407 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
25408 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
25409 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
25410 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
25411 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
25412 @code{-list-target-features} command.
25413
25414 @table @code
25415 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
25416 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
25417 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
25418
25419 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
25420 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
25421 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
25422
25423 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
25424 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
25425 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
25426 MI commands even while the target is running.
25427
25428 @item -gdb-show mi-async
25429 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
25430 @end table
25431
25432 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
25433 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
25434 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
25435 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
25436 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
25437 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
25438
25439 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
25440 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
25441 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
25442 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
25443 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
25444 are running.
25445
25446 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
25447 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
25448 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
25449 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
25450 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
25451 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
25452 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
25453 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
25454 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
25455 @samp{--thread} option).
25456
25457 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
25458 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
25459 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
25460 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
25461
25462 @node Thread groups
25463 @subsection Thread groups
25464 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
25465 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
25466 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
25467 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
25468 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
25469
25470 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
25471 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
25472 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
25473 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
25474 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
25475 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
25476 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
25477 into processes.
25478
25479 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
25480 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
25481 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
25482 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
25483 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
25484 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
25485 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
25486 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
25487 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
25488 the members of specific thread group.
25489
25490 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
25491 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
25492 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
25493 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
25494 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
25495 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
25496 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
25497 after attaching to that thread group.
25498
25499 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
25500 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
25501 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
25502 such thread groups.
25503
25504 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25505 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
25506 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
25507
25508 @menu
25509 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25510 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25511 @end menu
25512
25513 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25514 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25515
25516 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25517 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25518 @table @code
25519 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
25520 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25521
25522 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25523 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25524 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25525
25526 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25527 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25528 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25529
25530 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25531 "any sequence of digits"
25532
25533 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
25534 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25535
25536 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25537 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25538
25539 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25540 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25541
25542 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25543 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25544 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25545
25546 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25547 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25548
25549 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25550 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25551 @end table
25552
25553 @noindent
25554 Notes:
25555
25556 @itemize @bullet
25557 @item
25558 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25559 output is described below.
25560
25561 @item
25562 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25563 finishes.
25564
25565 @item
25566 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25567 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25568 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25569 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25570 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25571 @end itemize
25572
25573 Pragmatics:
25574
25575 @itemize @bullet
25576 @item
25577 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25578
25579 @item
25580 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25581 @end itemize
25582
25583 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25584 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25585
25586 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25587 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25588 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25589 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25590 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25591 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25592
25593 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25594 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25595 @var{token}.
25596
25597 @table @code
25598 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
25599 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25600
25601 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25602 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25603
25604 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25605 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25606
25607 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25608 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25609
25610 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25611 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
25612
25613 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25614 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
25615
25616 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25617 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
25618
25619 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25620 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
25621
25622 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25623 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25624
25625 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25626 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25627 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25628
25629 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
25630 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25631
25632 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25633 @code{ @var{string} }
25634
25635 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25636 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25637
25638 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25639 @code{@var{c-string}}
25640
25641 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25642 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25643
25644 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25645 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25646 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25647
25648 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25649 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25650
25651 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25652 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
25653
25654 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25655 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
25656
25657 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25658 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
25659
25660 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25661 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25662
25663 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25664 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25665 @end table
25666
25667 @noindent
25668 Notes:
25669
25670 @itemize @bullet
25671 @item
25672 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25673
25674 @item
25675 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25676 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25677 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25678 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25679 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25680 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25681 prior command.
25682
25683 @item
25684 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25685 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25686 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25687 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25688
25689 @item
25690 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25691 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25692 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25693 @samp{*}.
25694
25695 @item
25696 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25697 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25698 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25699 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25700
25701 @item
25702 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25703 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25704 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25705 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25706
25707 @item
25708 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25709 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25710 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25711
25712 @item
25713 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25714 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25715 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25716 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25717
25718 @item
25719 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25720 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25721 @var{values}.
25722
25723
25724 @end itemize
25725
25726 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25727 details about the various output records.
25728
25729 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25730 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25731 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25732
25733 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25734 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25735
25736 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25737 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25738 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25739 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25740 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25741 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25742
25743 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25744 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25745 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25746
25747 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25748 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25749 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25750 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25751
25752 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25753 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25754
25755 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25756 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25757 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25758 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25759 might change.
25760
25761 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25762 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25763 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25764 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25765
25766 @itemize @bullet
25767 @item
25768 New MI commands may be added.
25769
25770 @item
25771 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25772
25773 @item
25774 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25775 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25776
25777 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25778 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25779
25780 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25781 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25782 @end itemize
25783
25784 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25785 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25786 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25787 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25788 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25789
25790 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25791 @c version?
25792
25793 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25794 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25795 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25796 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25797 @cindex mailing lists
25798
25799 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25800 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25801 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25802
25803 @menu
25804 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25805 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25806 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25807 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
25808 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25809 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25810 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25811 @end menu
25812
25813 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25814 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25815
25816 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25817 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25818 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25819 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25820
25821 @table @code
25822 @findex ^done
25823 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25824 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25825 values.
25826
25827 @item "^running"
25828 @findex ^running
25829 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25830 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25831 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25832 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25833 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25834 which threads are resumed.
25835
25836 @item "^connected"
25837 @findex ^connected
25838 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25839
25840 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
25841 @findex ^error
25842 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
25843 the corresponding error message.
25844
25845 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
25846 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
25847 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
25848
25849 @table @samp
25850 @item "undefined-command"
25851 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
25852 @end table
25853
25854 @item "^exit"
25855 @findex ^exit
25856 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25857
25858 @end table
25859
25860 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25861 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25862
25863 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25864 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25865 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25866 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25867 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25868
25869 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25870 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25871 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25872 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25873 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25874
25875 @table @code
25876 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25877 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25878 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25879
25880 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25881 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25882 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25883 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25884
25885 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25886 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25887 internals.
25888 @end table
25889
25890 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25891 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25892
25893 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25894 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25895 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25896 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25897 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25898 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25899
25900 The following is the list of possible async records:
25901
25902 @table @code
25903
25904 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25905 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25906 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25907 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25908 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25909 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25910 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25911 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25912 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25913 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25914
25915 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25916 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25917 following values:
25918
25919 @table @code
25920 @item breakpoint-hit
25921 A breakpoint was reached.
25922 @item watchpoint-trigger
25923 A watchpoint was triggered.
25924 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25925 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25926 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25927 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25928 @item function-finished
25929 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25930 @item location-reached
25931 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25932 @item watchpoint-scope
25933 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25934 @item end-stepping-range
25935 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25936 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25937 @item exited-signalled
25938 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25939 @item exited
25940 The inferior exited.
25941 @item exited-normally
25942 The inferior exited normally.
25943 @item signal-received
25944 A signal was received by the inferior.
25945 @item solib-event
25946 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
25947 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
25948 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
25949 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
25950 @item fork
25951 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
25952 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25953 @item vfork
25954 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
25955 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25956 @item syscall-entry
25957 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
25958 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25959 @item syscall-return
25960 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
25961 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25962 @item exec
25963 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
25964 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25965 @end table
25966
25967 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25968 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25969 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25970 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25971 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25972 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25973 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25974 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25975 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25976 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25977 if such information is not available.
25978
25979 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25980 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25981 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25982 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25983 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25984 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25985 cannot be used in any way.
25986
25987 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25988 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25989 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25990 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25991 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25992 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25993
25994 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25995 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25996 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25997 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25998 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25999 only when the inferior exited with some code.
26000
26001 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26002 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26003 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
26004 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
26005 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
26006
26007 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
26008 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
26009 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
26010 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
26011 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
26012 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
26013 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
26014
26015 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
26016 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
26017 that thread.
26018
26019 @item =library-loaded,...
26020 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
26021 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
26022 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
26023 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
26024 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
26025 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
26026 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
26027 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
26028 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
26029 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
26030 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
26031 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
26032 thread groups.
26033
26034 @item =library-unloaded,...
26035 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
26036 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
26037 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
26038 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
26039 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
26040 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
26041 thread groups.
26042
26043 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
26044 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
26045 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
26046 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
26047 frame is @var{tpnum}.
26048
26049 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
26050 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
26051 initial value @var{initial}.
26052
26053 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
26054 @itemx =tsv-deleted
26055 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
26056 trace state variables are deleted.
26057
26058 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
26059 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
26060 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
26061 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
26062 value of trace state variable is known.
26063
26064 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
26065 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
26066 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
26067 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
26068 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
26069 user.
26070
26071 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
26072 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
26073 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
26074
26075 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
26076 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
26077
26078 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
26079 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
26080 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
26081 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
26082 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
26083
26084 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
26085 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
26086 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
26087 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
26088 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
26089 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
26090
26091 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
26092 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
26093 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
26094 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
26095 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
26096 executable code.
26097 @end table
26098
26099 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
26100 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
26101
26102 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
26103 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
26104 following fields:
26105
26106 @table @code
26107 @item number
26108 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
26109 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
26110 @samp{1.2}.
26111
26112 @item type
26113 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
26114 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
26115
26116 @item catch-type
26117 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
26118 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
26119
26120 @item disp
26121 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
26122 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
26123 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
26124
26125 @item enabled
26126 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
26127 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
26128 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
26129
26130 @item addr
26131 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
26132 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
26133 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
26134 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
26135 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
26136
26137 @item func
26138 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
26139 If not known, this field is not present.
26140
26141 @item filename
26142 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
26143 If not known, this field is not present.
26144
26145 @item fullname
26146 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
26147 known. If not known, this field is not present.
26148
26149 @item line
26150 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
26151 If not known, this field is not present.
26152
26153 @item at
26154 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
26155 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
26156 by a symbol name.
26157
26158 @item pending
26159 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
26160 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
26161
26162 @item evaluated-by
26163 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
26164 @samp{target}.
26165
26166 @item thread
26167 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
26168 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
26169
26170 @item task
26171 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
26172 field will hold the task identifier.
26173
26174 @item cond
26175 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
26176
26177 @item ignore
26178 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
26179
26180 @item enable
26181 The enable count of the breakpoint.
26182
26183 @item traceframe-usage
26184 FIXME.
26185
26186 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
26187 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
26188
26189 @item mask
26190 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
26191
26192 @item pass
26193 A tracepoint's pass count.
26194
26195 @item original-location
26196 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
26197 This field is optional.
26198
26199 @item times
26200 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
26201
26202 @item installed
26203 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
26204 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
26205 is not.
26206
26207 @item what
26208 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
26209
26210 @end table
26211
26212 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
26213 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
26214
26215 @smallexample
26216 -> -break-insert main
26217 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26218 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26219 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
26220 times="0"@}
26221 <- (gdb)
26222 @end smallexample
26223
26224 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
26225 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
26226
26227 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
26228 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
26229 fields:
26230
26231 @table @code
26232 @item level
26233 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
26234 zero. This field is always present.
26235
26236 @item func
26237 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
26238 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
26239
26240 @item addr
26241 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
26242
26243 @item file
26244 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
26245 address. This field may be absent.
26246
26247 @item line
26248 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
26249 may be absent.
26250
26251 @item from
26252 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
26253 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
26254
26255 @end table
26256
26257 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
26258 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
26259
26260 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
26261 uses a tuple with the following fields:
26262
26263 @table @code
26264 @item id
26265 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
26266 always present.
26267
26268 @item target-id
26269 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
26270
26271 @item details
26272 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
26273 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
26274 frontend. This field is optional.
26275
26276 @item state
26277 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
26278 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
26279
26280 @item core
26281 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
26282 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
26283 @end table
26284
26285 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
26286 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
26287
26288 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
26289 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
26290 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
26291 the @code{exception-name} field.
26292
26293 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26294 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
26295 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
26296 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
26297
26298 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
26299 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
26300 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
26301 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
26302
26303 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
26304 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
26305
26306 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
26307
26308 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
26309 information of the breakpoint.
26310
26311 @smallexample
26312 -> -break-insert main
26313 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26314 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26315 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
26316 times="0"@}
26317 <- (gdb)
26318 @end smallexample
26319
26320 @subheading Program Execution
26321
26322 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
26323 reason that execution stopped.
26324
26325 @smallexample
26326 -> -exec-run
26327 <- ^running
26328 <- (gdb)
26329 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26330 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
26331 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
26332 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
26333 <- (gdb)
26334 -> -exec-continue
26335 <- ^running
26336 <- (gdb)
26337 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26338 <- (gdb)
26339 @end smallexample
26340
26341 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
26342
26343 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
26344
26345 @smallexample
26346 -> (gdb)
26347 <- -gdb-exit
26348 <- ^exit
26349 @end smallexample
26350
26351 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
26352 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
26353 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
26354 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
26355 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
26356 fails to exit in reasonable time.
26357
26358 @subheading A Bad Command
26359
26360 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
26361
26362 @smallexample
26363 -> -rubbish
26364 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
26365 <- (gdb)
26366 @end smallexample
26367
26368
26369 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26370 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
26371 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
26372
26373 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
26374 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
26375
26376 @subheading Motivation
26377
26378 The motivation for this collection of commands.
26379
26380 @subheading Introduction
26381
26382 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
26383
26384 @subheading Commands
26385
26386 For each command in the block, the following is described:
26387
26388 @subsubheading Synopsis
26389
26390 @smallexample
26391 -command @var{args}@dots{}
26392 @end smallexample
26393
26394 @subsubheading Result
26395
26396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26397
26398 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
26399
26400 @subsubheading Example
26401
26402 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
26403 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
26404
26405
26406 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26407 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
26408 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
26409
26410 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
26411 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
26412 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26413 breakpoints.
26414
26415 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
26416 @findex -break-after
26417
26418 @subsubheading Synopsis
26419
26420 @smallexample
26421 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
26422 @end smallexample
26423
26424 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
26425 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
26426 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
26427 @samp{-break-list} command below.
26428
26429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26430
26431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
26432
26433 @subsubheading Example
26434
26435 @smallexample
26436 (gdb)
26437 -break-insert main
26438 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26439 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26440 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26441 times="0"@}
26442 (gdb)
26443 -break-after 1 3
26444 ~
26445 ^done
26446 (gdb)
26447 -break-list
26448 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26449 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26450 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26451 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26452 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26453 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26454 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26455 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26456 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26457 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26458 (gdb)
26459 @end smallexample
26460
26461 @ignore
26462 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
26463 @findex -break-catch
26464 @end ignore
26465
26466 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
26467 @findex -break-commands
26468
26469 @subsubheading Synopsis
26470
26471 @smallexample
26472 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
26473 @end smallexample
26474
26475 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
26476 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
26477 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
26478 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
26479 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
26480 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
26481
26482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26483
26484 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
26485
26486 @subsubheading Example
26487
26488 @smallexample
26489 (gdb)
26490 -break-insert main
26491 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26492 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26493 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26494 times="0"@}
26495 (gdb)
26496 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
26497 ^done
26498 (gdb)
26499 @end smallexample
26500
26501 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
26502 @findex -break-condition
26503
26504 @subsubheading Synopsis
26505
26506 @smallexample
26507 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26508 @end smallexample
26509
26510 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26511 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26512 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26513 command below).
26514
26515 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26516
26517 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26518
26519 @subsubheading Example
26520
26521 @smallexample
26522 (gdb)
26523 -break-condition 1 1
26524 ^done
26525 (gdb)
26526 -break-list
26527 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26528 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26529 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26530 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26531 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26532 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26533 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26534 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26535 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26536 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26537 (gdb)
26538 @end smallexample
26539
26540 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26541 @findex -break-delete
26542
26543 @subsubheading Synopsis
26544
26545 @smallexample
26546 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26547 @end smallexample
26548
26549 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26550 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26551
26552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26553
26554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26555
26556 @subsubheading Example
26557
26558 @smallexample
26559 (gdb)
26560 -break-delete 1
26561 ^done
26562 (gdb)
26563 -break-list
26564 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26565 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26566 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26567 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26568 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26569 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26570 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26571 body=[]@}
26572 (gdb)
26573 @end smallexample
26574
26575 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26576 @findex -break-disable
26577
26578 @subsubheading Synopsis
26579
26580 @smallexample
26581 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26582 @end smallexample
26583
26584 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26585 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26586
26587 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26588
26589 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26590
26591 @subsubheading Example
26592
26593 @smallexample
26594 (gdb)
26595 -break-disable 2
26596 ^done
26597 (gdb)
26598 -break-list
26599 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26600 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26601 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26602 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26603 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26604 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26605 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26606 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26607 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26608 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26609 (gdb)
26610 @end smallexample
26611
26612 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26613 @findex -break-enable
26614
26615 @subsubheading Synopsis
26616
26617 @smallexample
26618 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26619 @end smallexample
26620
26621 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
26622
26623 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26624
26625 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
26626
26627 @subsubheading Example
26628
26629 @smallexample
26630 (gdb)
26631 -break-enable 2
26632 ^done
26633 (gdb)
26634 -break-list
26635 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26636 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26637 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26638 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26639 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26640 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26641 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26642 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26643 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26644 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26645 (gdb)
26646 @end smallexample
26647
26648 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
26649 @findex -break-info
26650
26651 @subsubheading Synopsis
26652
26653 @smallexample
26654 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
26655 @end smallexample
26656
26657 @c REDUNDANT???
26658 Get information about a single breakpoint.
26659
26660 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
26661 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
26662 table.
26663
26664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26665
26666 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
26667
26668 @subsubheading Example
26669 N.A.
26670
26671 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
26672 @findex -break-insert
26673 @anchor{-break-insert}
26674
26675 @subsubheading Synopsis
26676
26677 @smallexample
26678 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
26679 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26680 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
26681 @end smallexample
26682
26683 @noindent
26684 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26685
26686 @table @var
26687 @item linespec location
26688 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
26689
26690 @item explicit location
26691 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
26692 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
26693 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
26694
26695 @table @samp
26696 @item --source @var{filename}
26697 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
26698 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
26699
26700 @item --function @var{function}
26701 The name of a function or method.
26702
26703 @item --label @var{label}
26704 The name of a label.
26705
26706 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
26707 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
26708 @end table
26709
26710 @item address location
26711 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
26712 @end table
26713
26714 @noindent
26715 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26716
26717 @table @samp
26718 @item -t
26719 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26720 @item -h
26721 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
26722 @item -f
26723 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
26724 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26725 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26726 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26727 cannot be parsed.
26728 @item -d
26729 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26730 @item -a
26731 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26732 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26733 @item -c @var{condition}
26734 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26735 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26736 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
26737 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26738 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26739 @end table
26740
26741 @subsubheading Result
26742
26743 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26744 resulting breakpoint.
26745
26746 Note: this format is open to change.
26747 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26748
26749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26750
26751 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26752 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
26753
26754 @subsubheading Example
26755
26756 @smallexample
26757 (gdb)
26758 -break-insert main
26759 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26760 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26761 times="0"@}
26762 (gdb)
26763 -break-insert -t foo
26764 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26765 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26766 times="0"@}
26767 (gdb)
26768 -break-list
26769 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26770 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26771 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26772 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26773 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26774 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26775 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26776 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26777 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26778 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26779 times="0"@},
26780 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26781 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26782 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26783 times="0"@}]@}
26784 (gdb)
26785 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
26786 @c ~int foo(int, int);
26787 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26788 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26789 @c times="0"@}
26790 @c (gdb)
26791 @end smallexample
26792
26793 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
26794 @findex -dprintf-insert
26795
26796 @subsubheading Synopsis
26797
26798 @smallexample
26799 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
26800 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26801 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
26802 [ @var{argument} ]
26803 @end smallexample
26804
26805 @noindent
26806 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
26807 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
26808
26809 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26810
26811 @table @samp
26812 @item -t
26813 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26814 @item -f
26815 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
26816 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26817 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26818 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26819 cannot be parsed.
26820 @item -d
26821 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26822 @item -c @var{condition}
26823 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26824 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26825 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
26826 to @var{ignore-count}.
26827 @item -p @var{thread-id}
26828 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26829 @end table
26830
26831 @subsubheading Result
26832
26833 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26834 resulting breakpoint.
26835
26836 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26837
26838 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26839
26840 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
26841
26842 @subsubheading Example
26843
26844 @smallexample
26845 (gdb)
26846 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
26847 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26848 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26849 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
26850 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
26851 original-location="foo"@}
26852 (gdb)
26853 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
26854 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26855 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26856 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
26857 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
26858 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
26859 (gdb)
26860 @end smallexample
26861
26862 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26863 @findex -break-list
26864
26865 @subsubheading Synopsis
26866
26867 @smallexample
26868 -break-list
26869 @end smallexample
26870
26871 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
26872
26873 @table @samp
26874 @item Number
26875 number of the breakpoint
26876 @item Type
26877 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
26878 @item Disposition
26879 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
26880 or @samp{nokeep}
26881 @item Enabled
26882 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
26883 @item Address
26884 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
26885 @item What
26886 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
26887 name, line number
26888 @item Thread-groups
26889 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
26890 @item Times
26891 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
26892 @end table
26893
26894 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
26895 @code{body} field is an empty list.
26896
26897 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26898
26899 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
26900
26901 @subsubheading Example
26902
26903 @smallexample
26904 (gdb)
26905 -break-list
26906 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26907 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26908 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26909 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26910 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26911 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26912 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26913 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26914 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26915 times="0"@},
26916 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26917 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26918 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26919 (gdb)
26920 @end smallexample
26921
26922 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26923
26924 @smallexample
26925 (gdb)
26926 -break-list
26927 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26928 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26929 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26930 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26931 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26932 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26933 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26934 body=[]@}
26935 (gdb)
26936 @end smallexample
26937
26938 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26939 @findex -break-passcount
26940
26941 @subsubheading Synopsis
26942
26943 @smallexample
26944 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26945 @end smallexample
26946
26947 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26948 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26949 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26950 command @samp{passcount}.
26951
26952 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26953 @findex -break-watch
26954
26955 @subsubheading Synopsis
26956
26957 @smallexample
26958 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26959 @end smallexample
26960
26961 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26962 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26963 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26964 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26965 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26966 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26967 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26968 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26969
26970 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26971 breakpoints inserted.
26972
26973 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26974
26975 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26976 @samp{rwatch}.
26977
26978 @subsubheading Example
26979
26980 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26981
26982 @smallexample
26983 (gdb)
26984 -break-watch x
26985 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26986 (gdb)
26987 -exec-continue
26988 ^running
26989 (gdb)
26990 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26991 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26992 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26993 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26994 (gdb)
26995 @end smallexample
26996
26997 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26998 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26999 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
27000
27001 @smallexample
27002 (gdb)
27003 -break-watch C
27004 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
27005 (gdb)
27006 -exec-continue
27007 ^running
27008 (gdb)
27009 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
27010 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27011 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27012 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27013 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27014 (gdb)
27015 -exec-continue
27016 ^running
27017 (gdb)
27018 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
27019 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27020 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27021 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27022 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27023 (gdb)
27024 @end smallexample
27025
27026 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
27027 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
27028 deleted.
27029
27030 @smallexample
27031 (gdb)
27032 -break-watch C
27033 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
27034 (gdb)
27035 -break-list
27036 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27037 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27038 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27039 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27040 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27041 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27042 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27043 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27044 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27045 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27046 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
27047 times="1"@},
27048 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27049 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
27050 (gdb)
27051 -exec-continue
27052 ^running
27053 (gdb)
27054 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
27055 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27056 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27057 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27058 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27059 (gdb)
27060 -break-list
27061 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27062 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27063 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27064 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27065 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27066 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27067 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27068 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27069 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27070 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27071 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
27072 times="1"@},
27073 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27074 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
27075 (gdb)
27076 -exec-continue
27077 ^running
27078 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
27079 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27080 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27081 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27082 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27083 (gdb)
27084 -break-list
27085 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27086 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27087 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27088 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27089 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27090 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27091 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27092 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27093 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27094 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27095 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
27096 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
27097 (gdb)
27098 @end smallexample
27099
27100
27101 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27102 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27103 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
27104
27105 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27106 catchpoints.
27107
27108 @menu
27109 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27110 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27111 @end menu
27112
27113 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27114 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
27115
27116 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
27117 @findex -catch-load
27118
27119 @subsubheading Synopsis
27120
27121 @smallexample
27122 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
27123 @end smallexample
27124
27125 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
27126 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
27127 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
27128 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
27129 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
27130
27131
27132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27133
27134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
27135
27136 @subsubheading Example
27137
27138 @smallexample
27139 -catch-load -t foo.so
27140 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
27141 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
27142 (gdb)
27143 @end smallexample
27144
27145
27146 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
27147 @findex -catch-unload
27148
27149 @subsubheading Synopsis
27150
27151 @smallexample
27152 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
27153 @end smallexample
27154
27155 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
27156 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
27157 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
27158 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
27159 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
27160
27161 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27162
27163 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
27164
27165 @subsubheading Example
27166
27167 @smallexample
27168 -catch-unload -d bar.so
27169 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
27170 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
27171 (gdb)
27172 @end smallexample
27173
27174 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
27175 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
27176
27177 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
27178 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
27179
27180 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
27181 @findex -catch-assert
27182
27183 @subsubheading Synopsis
27184
27185 @smallexample
27186 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
27187 @end smallexample
27188
27189 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
27190
27191 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
27192
27193 @table @samp
27194 @item -c @var{condition}
27195 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
27196 @item -d
27197 Create a disabled catchpoint.
27198 @item -t
27199 Create a temporary catchpoint.
27200 @end table
27201
27202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27203
27204 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
27205
27206 @subsubheading Example
27207
27208 @smallexample
27209 -catch-assert
27210 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27211 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
27212 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
27213 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
27214 (gdb)
27215 @end smallexample
27216
27217 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
27218 @findex -catch-exception
27219
27220 @subsubheading Synopsis
27221
27222 @smallexample
27223 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
27224 [ -t ] [ -u ]
27225 @end smallexample
27226
27227 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
27228 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
27229 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
27230 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
27231 catchpoints.
27232
27233 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
27234
27235 @table @samp
27236 @item -c @var{condition}
27237 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
27238 @item -d
27239 Create a disabled catchpoint.
27240 @item -e @var{exception-name}
27241 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
27242 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
27243 @item -t
27244 Create a temporary catchpoint.
27245 @item -u
27246 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
27247 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
27248 @end table
27249
27250 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27251
27252 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
27253 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
27254
27255 @subsubheading Example
27256
27257 @smallexample
27258 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
27259 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27260 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
27261 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
27262 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
27263 (gdb)
27264 @end smallexample
27265
27266 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27267 @node GDB/MI Program Context
27268 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
27269
27270 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
27271 @findex -exec-arguments
27272
27273
27274 @subsubheading Synopsis
27275
27276 @smallexample
27277 -exec-arguments @var{args}
27278 @end smallexample
27279
27280 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
27281 @samp{-exec-run}.
27282
27283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27284
27285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
27286
27287 @subsubheading Example
27288
27289 @smallexample
27290 (gdb)
27291 -exec-arguments -v word
27292 ^done
27293 (gdb)
27294 @end smallexample
27295
27296
27297 @ignore
27298 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
27299 @findex -exec-show-arguments
27300
27301 @subsubheading Synopsis
27302
27303 @smallexample
27304 -exec-show-arguments
27305 @end smallexample
27306
27307 Print the arguments of the program.
27308
27309 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27310
27311 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
27312
27313 @subsubheading Example
27314 N.A.
27315 @end ignore
27316
27317
27318 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
27319 @findex -environment-cd
27320
27321 @subsubheading Synopsis
27322
27323 @smallexample
27324 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
27325 @end smallexample
27326
27327 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
27328
27329 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27330
27331 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
27332
27333 @subsubheading Example
27334
27335 @smallexample
27336 (gdb)
27337 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27338 ^done
27339 (gdb)
27340 @end smallexample
27341
27342
27343 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
27344 @findex -environment-directory
27345
27346 @subsubheading Synopsis
27347
27348 @smallexample
27349 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27350 @end smallexample
27351
27352 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
27353 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
27354 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
27355 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27356 occurs as normal.
27357 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27358 multiple directories in a single command
27359 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27360 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27361 If blanks are needed as
27362 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27363 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27364 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27365 character must not be used
27366 in any directory name.
27367 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
27368
27369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27370
27371 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
27372
27373 @subsubheading Example
27374
27375 @smallexample
27376 (gdb)
27377 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27378 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27379 (gdb)
27380 -environment-directory ""
27381 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27382 (gdb)
27383 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
27384 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
27385 (gdb)
27386 -environment-directory -r
27387 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
27388 (gdb)
27389 @end smallexample
27390
27391
27392 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
27393 @findex -environment-path
27394
27395 @subsubheading Synopsis
27396
27397 @smallexample
27398 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27399 @end smallexample
27400
27401 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
27402 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
27403 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
27404 supplied in addition to the
27405 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27406 occurs as normal.
27407 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27408 multiple directories in a single command
27409 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27410 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27411 If blanks are needed as
27412 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27413 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27414 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27415 character must not be used
27416 in any directory name.
27417 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
27418
27419
27420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27421
27422 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
27423
27424 @subsubheading Example
27425
27426 @smallexample
27427 (gdb)
27428 -environment-path
27429 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
27430 (gdb)
27431 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
27432 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
27433 (gdb)
27434 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
27435 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
27436 (gdb)
27437 @end smallexample
27438
27439
27440 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
27441 @findex -environment-pwd
27442
27443 @subsubheading Synopsis
27444
27445 @smallexample
27446 -environment-pwd
27447 @end smallexample
27448
27449 Show the current working directory.
27450
27451 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27452
27453 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
27454
27455 @subsubheading Example
27456
27457 @smallexample
27458 (gdb)
27459 -environment-pwd
27460 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
27461 (gdb)
27462 @end smallexample
27463
27464 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27465 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
27466 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
27467
27468
27469 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
27470 @findex -thread-info
27471
27472 @subsubheading Synopsis
27473
27474 @smallexample
27475 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
27476 @end smallexample
27477
27478 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
27479 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
27480 threads. When printing information about all threads,
27481 also reports the current thread.
27482
27483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27484
27485 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
27486 about all threads.
27487
27488 @subsubheading Result
27489
27490 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
27491 defined for a given thread:
27492
27493 @table @samp
27494 @item current
27495 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27496
27497 @item id
27498 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
27499
27500 @item target-id
27501 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
27502
27503 @item details
27504 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
27505 field is optional.
27506
27507 @item name
27508 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
27509 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
27510 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
27511 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
27512 field is omitted.
27513
27514 @item frame
27515 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
27516
27517 @item state
27518 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27519 values:
27520
27521 @table @code
27522 @item stopped
27523 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27524 threads.
27525
27526 @item running
27527 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27528 threads.
27529
27530 @end table
27531
27532 @item core
27533 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27534 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27535
27536 @end table
27537
27538 @subsubheading Example
27539
27540 @smallexample
27541 -thread-info
27542 ^done,threads=[
27543 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27544 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27545 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27546 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27547 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27548 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27549 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27550 state="running"@}],
27551 current-thread-id="1"
27552 (gdb)
27553 @end smallexample
27554
27555 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27556 @findex -thread-list-ids
27557
27558 @subsubheading Synopsis
27559
27560 @smallexample
27561 -thread-list-ids
27562 @end smallexample
27563
27564 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27565 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27566
27567 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27568 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27569
27570 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27571
27572 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27573
27574 @subsubheading Example
27575
27576 @smallexample
27577 (gdb)
27578 -thread-list-ids
27579 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27580 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27581 (gdb)
27582 @end smallexample
27583
27584
27585 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27586 @findex -thread-select
27587
27588 @subsubheading Synopsis
27589
27590 @smallexample
27591 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27592 @end smallexample
27593
27594 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27595 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27596
27597 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27598 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
27599
27600 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27601
27602 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27603
27604 @subsubheading Example
27605
27606 @smallexample
27607 (gdb)
27608 -exec-next
27609 ^running
27610 (gdb)
27611 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27612 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27613 (gdb)
27614 -thread-list-ids
27615 ^done,
27616 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27617 number-of-threads="3"
27618 (gdb)
27619 -thread-select 3
27620 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
27621 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27622 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27623 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27624 (gdb)
27625 @end smallexample
27626
27627 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27628 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27629 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27630
27631 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27632 @findex -ada-task-info
27633
27634 @subsubheading Synopsis
27635
27636 @smallexample
27637 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27638 @end smallexample
27639
27640 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27641 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27642
27643 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27644
27645 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27646 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27647
27648 @subsubheading Result
27649
27650 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27651 defined for each Ada task:
27652
27653 @table @samp
27654 @item current
27655 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27656
27657 @item id
27658 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27659
27660 @item task-id
27661 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27662
27663 @item thread-id
27664 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27665
27666 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27667 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27668 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27669
27670 @item parent-id
27671 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27672 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27673
27674 @item priority
27675 The base priority of the task.
27676
27677 @item state
27678 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27679 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27680
27681 @item name
27682 The name of the task.
27683
27684 @end table
27685
27686 @subsubheading Example
27687
27688 @smallexample
27689 -ada-task-info
27690 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27691 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27692 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27693 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27694 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27695 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27696 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27697 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27698 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27699 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27700 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27701 (gdb)
27702 @end smallexample
27703
27704 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27705 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
27706 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27707
27708 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27709 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27710 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27711 other cases.
27712
27713 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27714 @findex -exec-continue
27715
27716 @subsubheading Synopsis
27717
27718 @smallexample
27719 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27720 @end smallexample
27721
27722 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27723 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27724 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27725 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27726 @itemize @bullet
27727 @item
27728 breakpoints or watchpoints
27729 @item
27730 signals or exceptions
27731 @item
27732 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27733 @item
27734 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27735 @end itemize
27736 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27737 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27738 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27739 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27740 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27741 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27742
27743 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27744
27745 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27746
27747 @subsubheading Example
27748
27749 @smallexample
27750 -exec-continue
27751 ^running
27752 (gdb)
27753 @@Hello world
27754 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27755 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27756 line="13"@}
27757 (gdb)
27758 @end smallexample
27759
27760
27761 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27762 @findex -exec-finish
27763
27764 @subsubheading Synopsis
27765
27766 @smallexample
27767 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27768 @end smallexample
27769
27770 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27771 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27772 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27773 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27774 function was called.
27775
27776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27777
27778 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27779
27780 @subsubheading Example
27781
27782 Function returning @code{void}.
27783
27784 @smallexample
27785 -exec-finish
27786 ^running
27787 (gdb)
27788 @@hello from foo
27789 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27790 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27791 (gdb)
27792 @end smallexample
27793
27794 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27795 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27796 value itself.
27797
27798 @smallexample
27799 -exec-finish
27800 ^running
27801 (gdb)
27802 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27803 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27804 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27805 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27806 (gdb)
27807 @end smallexample
27808
27809
27810 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27811 @findex -exec-interrupt
27812
27813 @subsubheading Synopsis
27814
27815 @smallexample
27816 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27817 @end smallexample
27818
27819 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27820 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27821 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27822 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27823 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27824
27825 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27826 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27827 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27828 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27829
27830 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27831 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27832 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27833 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27834
27835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27836
27837 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27838
27839 @subsubheading Example
27840
27841 @smallexample
27842 (gdb)
27843 111-exec-continue
27844 111^running
27845
27846 (gdb)
27847 222-exec-interrupt
27848 222^done
27849 (gdb)
27850 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27851 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27852 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27853 (gdb)
27854
27855 (gdb)
27856 -exec-interrupt
27857 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27858 (gdb)
27859 @end smallexample
27860
27861 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27862 @findex -exec-jump
27863
27864 @subsubheading Synopsis
27865
27866 @smallexample
27867 -exec-jump @var{location}
27868 @end smallexample
27869
27870 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
27871 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
27872 different forms of @var{location}.
27873
27874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27875
27876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
27877
27878 @subsubheading Example
27879
27880 @smallexample
27881 -exec-jump foo.c:10
27882 *running,thread-id="all"
27883 ^running
27884 @end smallexample
27885
27886
27887 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
27888 @findex -exec-next
27889
27890 @subsubheading Synopsis
27891
27892 @smallexample
27893 -exec-next [--reverse]
27894 @end smallexample
27895
27896 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27897 of the next source line is reached.
27898
27899 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27900 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
27901 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
27902 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
27903 source line where the function was called.
27904
27905
27906 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27907
27908 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
27909
27910 @subsubheading Example
27911
27912 @smallexample
27913 -exec-next
27914 ^running
27915 (gdb)
27916 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
27917 (gdb)
27918 @end smallexample
27919
27920
27921 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
27922 @findex -exec-next-instruction
27923
27924 @subsubheading Synopsis
27925
27926 @smallexample
27927 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
27928 @end smallexample
27929
27930 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
27931 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
27932 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
27933 printed as well.
27934
27935 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27936 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
27937 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
27938 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
27939 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
27940
27941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27942
27943 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
27944
27945 @subsubheading Example
27946
27947 @smallexample
27948 (gdb)
27949 -exec-next-instruction
27950 ^running
27951
27952 (gdb)
27953 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27954 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
27955 (gdb)
27956 @end smallexample
27957
27958
27959 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
27960 @findex -exec-return
27961
27962 @subsubheading Synopsis
27963
27964 @smallexample
27965 -exec-return
27966 @end smallexample
27967
27968 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
27969 Displays the new current frame.
27970
27971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27972
27973 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
27974
27975 @subsubheading Example
27976
27977 @smallexample
27978 (gdb)
27979 200-break-insert callee4
27980 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
27981 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27982 (gdb)
27983 000-exec-run
27984 000^running
27985 (gdb)
27986 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27987 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27988 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27989 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27990 (gdb)
27991 205-break-delete
27992 205^done
27993 (gdb)
27994 111-exec-return
27995 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
27996 args=[@{name="strarg",
27997 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27998 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27999 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28000 (gdb)
28001 @end smallexample
28002
28003
28004 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
28005 @findex -exec-run
28006
28007 @subsubheading Synopsis
28008
28009 @smallexample
28010 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
28011 @end smallexample
28012
28013 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
28014 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
28015 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
28016 the program has exited exceptionally.
28017
28018 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
28019 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
28020 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
28021 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
28022 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
28023
28024 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
28025 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
28026 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
28027 (@pxref{Starting}).
28028
28029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28030
28031 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
28032
28033 @subsubheading Examples
28034
28035 @smallexample
28036 (gdb)
28037 -break-insert main
28038 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28039 (gdb)
28040 -exec-run
28041 ^running
28042 (gdb)
28043 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
28044 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28045 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28046 (gdb)
28047 @end smallexample
28048
28049 @noindent
28050 Program exited normally:
28051
28052 @smallexample
28053 (gdb)
28054 -exec-run
28055 ^running
28056 (gdb)
28057 x = 55
28058 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28059 (gdb)
28060 @end smallexample
28061
28062 @noindent
28063 Program exited exceptionally:
28064
28065 @smallexample
28066 (gdb)
28067 -exec-run
28068 ^running
28069 (gdb)
28070 x = 55
28071 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
28072 (gdb)
28073 @end smallexample
28074
28075 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
28076 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
28077
28078 @smallexample
28079 (gdb)
28080 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
28081 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
28082 @end smallexample
28083
28084
28085 @c @subheading -exec-signal
28086
28087
28088 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
28089 @findex -exec-step
28090
28091 @subsubheading Synopsis
28092
28093 @smallexample
28094 -exec-step [--reverse]
28095 @end smallexample
28096
28097 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
28098 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
28099 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
28100 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
28101 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
28102 previously executed source line.
28103
28104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28105
28106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
28107
28108 @subsubheading Example
28109
28110 Stepping into a function:
28111
28112 @smallexample
28113 -exec-step
28114 ^running
28115 (gdb)
28116 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28117 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
28118 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
28119 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
28120 (gdb)
28121 @end smallexample
28122
28123 Regular stepping:
28124
28125 @smallexample
28126 -exec-step
28127 ^running
28128 (gdb)
28129 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
28130 (gdb)
28131 @end smallexample
28132
28133
28134 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
28135 @findex -exec-step-instruction
28136
28137 @subsubheading Synopsis
28138
28139 @smallexample
28140 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
28141 @end smallexample
28142
28143 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
28144 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
28145 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
28146 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
28147 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
28148 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
28149 as well.
28150
28151 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28152
28153 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
28154
28155 @subsubheading Example
28156
28157 @smallexample
28158 (gdb)
28159 -exec-step-instruction
28160 ^running
28161
28162 (gdb)
28163 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28164 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28165 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28166 (gdb)
28167 -exec-step-instruction
28168 ^running
28169
28170 (gdb)
28171 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28172 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28173 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28174 (gdb)
28175 @end smallexample
28176
28177
28178 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
28179 @findex -exec-until
28180
28181 @subsubheading Synopsis
28182
28183 @smallexample
28184 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
28185 @end smallexample
28186
28187 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
28188 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
28189 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
28190 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
28191
28192 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28193
28194 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
28195
28196 @subsubheading Example
28197
28198 @smallexample
28199 (gdb)
28200 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
28201 ^running
28202 (gdb)
28203 x = 55
28204 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28205 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
28206 (gdb)
28207 @end smallexample
28208
28209 @ignore
28210 @subheading -file-clear
28211 Is this going away????
28212 @end ignore
28213
28214 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28215 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
28216 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
28217
28218 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
28219 @findex -enable-frame-filters
28220
28221 @smallexample
28222 -enable-frame-filters
28223 @end smallexample
28224
28225 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
28226 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
28227 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28228 request that this functionality be enabled.
28229
28230 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28231
28232 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28233 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28234
28235 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
28236 @findex -stack-info-frame
28237
28238 @subsubheading Synopsis
28239
28240 @smallexample
28241 -stack-info-frame
28242 @end smallexample
28243
28244 Get info on the selected frame.
28245
28246 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28247
28248 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
28249 (without arguments).
28250
28251 @subsubheading Example
28252
28253 @smallexample
28254 (gdb)
28255 -stack-info-frame
28256 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28257 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28258 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
28259 (gdb)
28260 @end smallexample
28261
28262 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
28263 @findex -stack-info-depth
28264
28265 @subsubheading Synopsis
28266
28267 @smallexample
28268 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
28269 @end smallexample
28270
28271 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
28272 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
28273
28274 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28275
28276 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
28277
28278 @subsubheading Example
28279
28280 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
28281
28282 @smallexample
28283 (gdb)
28284 -stack-info-depth
28285 ^done,depth="12"
28286 (gdb)
28287 -stack-info-depth 4
28288 ^done,depth="4"
28289 (gdb)
28290 -stack-info-depth 12
28291 ^done,depth="12"
28292 (gdb)
28293 -stack-info-depth 11
28294 ^done,depth="11"
28295 (gdb)
28296 -stack-info-depth 13
28297 ^done,depth="12"
28298 (gdb)
28299 @end smallexample
28300
28301 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
28302 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
28303 @findex -stack-list-arguments
28304
28305 @subsubheading Synopsis
28306
28307 @smallexample
28308 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28309 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28310 @end smallexample
28311
28312 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
28313 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
28314 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
28315 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
28316 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
28317 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
28318 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
28319 which case only existing frames will be returned.
28320
28321 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28322 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28323 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28324 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28325 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28326 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28327
28328 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
28329 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
28330 are still displayed, however.
28331
28332 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
28333 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28334
28335 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28336
28337 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
28338 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
28339 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
28340
28341 @subsubheading Example
28342
28343 @smallexample
28344 (gdb)
28345 -stack-list-frames
28346 ^done,
28347 stack=[
28348 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28349 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28350 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
28351 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28352 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28353 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
28354 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
28355 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28356 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
28357 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
28358 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28359 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
28360 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
28361 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28362 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
28363 (gdb)
28364 -stack-list-arguments 0
28365 ^done,
28366 stack-args=[
28367 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28368 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
28369 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
28370 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
28371 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28372 (gdb)
28373 -stack-list-arguments 1
28374 ^done,
28375 stack-args=[
28376 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28377 frame=@{level="1",
28378 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28379 frame=@{level="2",args=[
28380 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28381 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28382 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
28383 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28384 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
28385 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
28386 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28387 (gdb)
28388 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
28389 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
28390 (gdb)
28391 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
28392 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
28393 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28394 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
28395 (gdb)
28396 @end smallexample
28397
28398 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
28399
28400
28401 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
28402 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
28403 @findex -stack-list-frames
28404
28405 @subsubheading Synopsis
28406
28407 @smallexample
28408 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28409 @end smallexample
28410
28411 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
28412 following info:
28413
28414 @table @samp
28415 @item @var{level}
28416 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
28417 @item @var{addr}
28418 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
28419 @item @var{func}
28420 Function name.
28421 @item @var{file}
28422 File name of the source file where the function lives.
28423 @item @var{fullname}
28424 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
28425 @item @var{line}
28426 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
28427 @item @var{from}
28428 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
28429 if the frame's function is not known.
28430 @end table
28431
28432 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
28433 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
28434 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
28435 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
28436 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
28437 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
28438 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
28439 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28440 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28441
28442 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28443
28444 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
28445
28446 @subsubheading Example
28447
28448 Full stack backtrace:
28449
28450 @smallexample
28451 (gdb)
28452 -stack-list-frames
28453 ^done,stack=
28454 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
28455 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
28456 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28457 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28458 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28459 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28460 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28461 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28462 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28463 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28464 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28465 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28466 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28467 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28468 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28469 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28470 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28471 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28472 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28473 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28474 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28475 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28476 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
28477 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
28478 (gdb)
28479 @end smallexample
28480
28481 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
28482
28483 @smallexample
28484 (gdb)
28485 -stack-list-frames 3 5
28486 ^done,stack=
28487 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28488 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28489 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28490 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28491 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28492 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28493 (gdb)
28494 @end smallexample
28495
28496 Show a single frame:
28497
28498 @smallexample
28499 (gdb)
28500 -stack-list-frames 3 3
28501 ^done,stack=
28502 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28503 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28504 (gdb)
28505 @end smallexample
28506
28507
28508 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
28509 @findex -stack-list-locals
28510 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
28511
28512 @subsubheading Synopsis
28513
28514 @smallexample
28515 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28516 @end smallexample
28517
28518 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
28519 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28520 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28521 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28522 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28523 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
28524 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
28525 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
28526 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28527 Python frame filters will not be executed.
28528
28529 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28530 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
28531 variables are still displayed, however.
28532
28533 This command is deprecated in favor of the
28534 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28535
28536 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28537
28538 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
28539
28540 @subsubheading Example
28541
28542 @smallexample
28543 (gdb)
28544 -stack-list-locals 0
28545 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
28546 (gdb)
28547 -stack-list-locals --all-values
28548 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
28549 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
28550 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
28551 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
28552 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
28553 (gdb)
28554 @end smallexample
28555
28556 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
28557 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28558 @findex -stack-list-variables
28559
28560 @subsubheading Synopsis
28561
28562 @smallexample
28563 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28564 @end smallexample
28565
28566 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28567 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28568 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28569 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28570 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28571 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28572 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28573
28574 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28575 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
28576 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
28577
28578 @subsubheading Example
28579
28580 @smallexample
28581 (gdb)
28582 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28583 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28584 (gdb)
28585 @end smallexample
28586
28587
28588 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28589 @findex -stack-select-frame
28590
28591 @subsubheading Synopsis
28592
28593 @smallexample
28594 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28595 @end smallexample
28596
28597 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28598 the stack.
28599
28600 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28601 option to every command.
28602
28603 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28604
28605 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28606 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28607
28608 @subsubheading Example
28609
28610 @smallexample
28611 (gdb)
28612 -stack-select-frame 2
28613 ^done
28614 (gdb)
28615 @end smallexample
28616
28617 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28618 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28619 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28620
28621 @ignore
28622
28623 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28624
28625 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28626 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28627 used by @code{Insight}.
28628
28629 The two main reasons for that are:
28630
28631 @enumerate 1
28632 @item
28633 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28634
28635 @item
28636 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28637 now).
28638 @end enumerate
28639
28640 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28641 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28642 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28643 hints about their use.
28644
28645 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28646 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28647 least, the following operations:
28648
28649 @itemize @bullet
28650 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28651 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28652 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28653 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28654 @end itemize
28655
28656 @end ignore
28657
28658 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28659
28660 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28661
28662 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28663 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28664 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28665 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28666 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28667 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28668 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28669 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28670 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28671 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28672 object, or to change display format.
28673
28674 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28675 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28676 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28677 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28678 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28679 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28680 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28681 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28682 child will be created.
28683
28684 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28685 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28686 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28687 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28688 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28689
28690 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28691 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28692 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28693 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28694 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28695 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28696 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28697 variables that frontend has created.
28698
28699 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28700 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28701 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28702 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28703 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28704 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28705 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28706 implicitly updated.
28707
28708 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28709 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28710 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28711 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28712 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28713 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28714 frame. Consider this example:
28715
28716 @smallexample
28717 void do_work(...)
28718 @{
28719 struct work_state state;
28720
28721 if (...)
28722 do_work(...);
28723 @}
28724 @end smallexample
28725
28726 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28727 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28728 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28729 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28730 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28731
28732 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28733 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28734 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28735 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28736 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28737 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28738
28739 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28740 access this functionality:
28741
28742 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28743 @item @strong{Operation}
28744 @tab @strong{Description}
28745
28746 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28747 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28748 @item @code{-var-create}
28749 @tab create a variable object
28750 @item @code{-var-delete}
28751 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28752 @item @code{-var-set-format}
28753 @tab set the display format of this variable
28754 @item @code{-var-show-format}
28755 @tab show the display format of this variable
28756 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28757 @tab tells how many children this object has
28758 @item @code{-var-list-children}
28759 @tab return a list of the object's children
28760 @item @code{-var-info-type}
28761 @tab show the type of this variable object
28762 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
28763 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28764 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28765 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28766 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28767 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28768 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28769 @tab get the value of this variable
28770 @item @code{-var-assign}
28771 @tab set the value of this variable
28772 @item @code{-var-update}
28773 @tab update the variable and its children
28774 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28775 @tab set frozeness attribute
28776 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28777 @tab set range of children to display on update
28778 @end multitable
28779
28780 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28781 how it can be used.
28782
28783 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28784
28785 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28786 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
28787
28788 @smallexample
28789 -enable-pretty-printing
28790 @end smallexample
28791
28792 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28793 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28794 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28795 request that this functionality be enabled.
28796
28797 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28798
28799 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28800 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28801
28802 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28803 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28804
28805 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28806 @findex -var-create
28807
28808 @subsubheading Synopsis
28809
28810 @smallexample
28811 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28812 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28813 @end smallexample
28814
28815 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28816 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28817 register.
28818
28819 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28820 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28821 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28822 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28823 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28824
28825 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28826 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28827 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28828 object must be created.
28829
28830 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28831 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28832
28833 @itemize @bullet
28834 @item
28835 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28836
28837 @item
28838 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28839
28840 @item
28841 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28842 @end itemize
28843
28844 @cindex dynamic varobj
28845 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28846 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28847 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28848 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28849 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28850 compatibility for existing clients.
28851
28852 @subsubheading Result
28853
28854 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28855 are:
28856
28857 @table @samp
28858 @item name
28859 The name of the varobj.
28860
28861 @item numchild
28862 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28863 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28864 @samp{has_more} attribute.
28865
28866 @item value
28867 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
28868 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
28869 will not be interesting.
28870
28871 @item type
28872 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
28873 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
28874 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
28875 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
28876 @emph{declared} one.
28877
28878 @item thread-id
28879 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
28880 thread's identifier.
28881
28882 @item has_more
28883 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
28884 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
28885
28886 @item dynamic
28887 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28888 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28889 then this attribute will not be present.
28890
28891 @item displayhint
28892 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28893 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28894 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28895 @end table
28896
28897 Typical output will look like this:
28898
28899 @smallexample
28900 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
28901 has_more="@var{has_more}"
28902 @end smallexample
28903
28904
28905 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
28906 @findex -var-delete
28907
28908 @subsubheading Synopsis
28909
28910 @smallexample
28911 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
28912 @end smallexample
28913
28914 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
28915 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
28916
28917 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
28918
28919
28920 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
28921 @findex -var-set-format
28922
28923 @subsubheading Synopsis
28924
28925 @smallexample
28926 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
28927 @end smallexample
28928
28929 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
28930 @var{format-spec}.
28931
28932 @anchor{-var-set-format}
28933 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
28934
28935 @smallexample
28936 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
28937 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
28938 @end smallexample
28939
28940 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
28941 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
28942 for pointers, etc.).
28943
28944 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
28945 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
28946
28947 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
28948 @findex -var-show-format
28949
28950 @subsubheading Synopsis
28951
28952 @smallexample
28953 -var-show-format @var{name}
28954 @end smallexample
28955
28956 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
28957
28958 @smallexample
28959 @var{format} @expansion{}
28960 @var{format-spec}
28961 @end smallexample
28962
28963
28964 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
28965 @findex -var-info-num-children
28966
28967 @subsubheading Synopsis
28968
28969 @smallexample
28970 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
28971 @end smallexample
28972
28973 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
28974
28975 @smallexample
28976 numchild=@var{n}
28977 @end smallexample
28978
28979 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
28980 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
28981 be available.
28982
28983
28984 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
28985 @findex -var-list-children
28986
28987 @subsubheading Synopsis
28988
28989 @smallexample
28990 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
28991 @end smallexample
28992 @anchor{-var-list-children}
28993
28994 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
28995 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
28996 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
28997 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
28998 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
28999 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
29000 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
29001 and unions.
29002
29003 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
29004 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
29005 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
29006 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
29007 reported.
29008
29009 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
29010 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
29011 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
29012 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
29013 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
29014 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
29015 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
29016 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
29017 the visible items.
29018
29019 For each child the following results are returned:
29020
29021 @table @var
29022
29023 @item name
29024 Name of the variable object created for this child.
29025
29026 @item exp
29027 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
29028 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
29029
29030 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
29031 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
29032
29033 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
29034 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
29035 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
29036 type and value are not present.
29037
29038 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
29039 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
29040 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
29041
29042 @item numchild
29043 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
29044 0.
29045
29046 @item type
29047 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
29048 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
29049 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
29050 @emph{declared} one.
29051
29052 @item value
29053 If values were requested, this is the value.
29054
29055 @item thread-id
29056 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
29057 Otherwise this result is not present.
29058
29059 @item frozen
29060 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
29061
29062 @item displayhint
29063 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29064 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29065 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29066
29067 @item dynamic
29068 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29069 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29070 then this attribute will not be present.
29071
29072 @end table
29073
29074 The result may have its own attributes:
29075
29076 @table @samp
29077 @item displayhint
29078 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29079 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29080 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29081
29082 @item has_more
29083 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
29084 remaining after the end of the selected range.
29085 @end table
29086
29087 @subsubheading Example
29088
29089 @smallexample
29090 (gdb)
29091 -var-list-children n
29092 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29093 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29094 (gdb)
29095 -var-list-children --all-values n
29096 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29097 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29098 @end smallexample
29099
29100
29101 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
29102 @findex -var-info-type
29103
29104 @subsubheading Synopsis
29105
29106 @smallexample
29107 -var-info-type @var{name}
29108 @end smallexample
29109
29110 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
29111 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
29112 @value{GDBN} CLI:
29113
29114 @smallexample
29115 type=@var{typename}
29116 @end smallexample
29117
29118
29119 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
29120 @findex -var-info-expression
29121
29122 @subsubheading Synopsis
29123
29124 @smallexample
29125 -var-info-expression @var{name}
29126 @end smallexample
29127
29128 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
29129 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
29130 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
29131
29132 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
29133 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
29134
29135 @smallexample
29136 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
29137 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
29138 @end smallexample
29139
29140 @noindent
29141 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
29142 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
29143
29144 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
29145 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
29146 is of limited use.
29147
29148 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
29149 @findex -var-info-path-expression
29150
29151 @subsubheading Synopsis
29152
29153 @smallexample
29154 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
29155 @end smallexample
29156
29157 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
29158 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
29159 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
29160 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
29161 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
29162 watchpoint from a variable object.
29163
29164 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
29165 and will give an error when invoked on one.
29166
29167 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
29168 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
29169 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
29170 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
29171 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
29172 @smallexample
29173 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
29174 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
29175 @end smallexample
29176
29177 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
29178 @findex -var-show-attributes
29179
29180 @subsubheading Synopsis
29181
29182 @smallexample
29183 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
29184 @end smallexample
29185
29186 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
29187
29188 @smallexample
29189 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
29190 @end smallexample
29191
29192 @noindent
29193 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
29194
29195 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
29196 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
29197
29198 @subsubheading Synopsis
29199
29200 @smallexample
29201 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
29202 @end smallexample
29203
29204 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
29205 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
29206 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
29207 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
29208 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
29209 the current display format will be used. The current display format
29210 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
29211
29212 @smallexample
29213 value=@var{value}
29214 @end smallexample
29215
29216 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
29217 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
29218
29219 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
29220 @findex -var-assign
29221
29222 @subsubheading Synopsis
29223
29224 @smallexample
29225 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
29226 @end smallexample
29227
29228 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
29229 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
29230 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
29231 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
29232
29233 @subsubheading Example
29234
29235 @smallexample
29236 (gdb)
29237 -var-assign var1 3
29238 ^done,value="3"
29239 (gdb)
29240 -var-update *
29241 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
29242 (gdb)
29243 @end smallexample
29244
29245 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
29246 @findex -var-update
29247
29248 @subsubheading Synopsis
29249
29250 @smallexample
29251 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
29252 @end smallexample
29253
29254 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
29255 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
29256 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
29257 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
29258 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
29259 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
29260 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
29261 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
29262 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
29263 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
29264 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
29265 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
29266 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
29267
29268 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
29269 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
29270 diagnostic.
29271
29272 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
29273 only the selected range of children will be reported.
29274
29275 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
29276 @samp{changelist}.
29277
29278 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
29279
29280 @table @samp
29281 @item name
29282 The name of the varobj.
29283
29284 @item value
29285 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
29286 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
29287
29288 @item in_scope
29289 @anchor{-var-update}
29290 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
29291
29292 @table @code
29293 @item "true"
29294 The variable object's current value is valid.
29295
29296 @item "false"
29297 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
29298 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
29299 scope.
29300
29301 @item "invalid"
29302 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
29303 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
29304 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
29305 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
29306 objects.
29307 @end table
29308
29309 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
29310 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
29311
29312 @item type_changed
29313 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
29314 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
29315 be @samp{false}.
29316
29317 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
29318 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
29319 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
29320 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
29321 unset.
29322
29323 @item new_type
29324 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
29325 hold the new type.
29326
29327 @item new_num_children
29328 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
29329 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
29330
29331 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
29332 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
29333 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
29334 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
29335 children which may be available.
29336
29337 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
29338 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
29339 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
29340 only happen at the end of the update range).
29341
29342 @item displayhint
29343 The display hint, if any.
29344
29345 @item has_more
29346 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
29347 available outside the varobj's update range.
29348
29349 @item dynamic
29350 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29351 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29352 then this attribute will not be present.
29353
29354 @item new_children
29355 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
29356 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
29357 be listed in this attribute.
29358 @end table
29359
29360 @subsubheading Example
29361
29362 @smallexample
29363 (gdb)
29364 -var-assign var1 3
29365 ^done,value="3"
29366 (gdb)
29367 -var-update --all-values var1
29368 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
29369 type_changed="false"@}]
29370 (gdb)
29371 @end smallexample
29372
29373 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
29374 @findex -var-set-frozen
29375 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
29376
29377 @subsubheading Synopsis
29378
29379 @smallexample
29380 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
29381 @end smallexample
29382
29383 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
29384 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
29385 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
29386 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
29387 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
29388 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
29389 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
29390 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
29391 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
29392 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
29393 @code{-var-update} does.
29394
29395 @subsubheading Example
29396
29397 @smallexample
29398 (gdb)
29399 -var-set-frozen V 1
29400 ^done
29401 (gdb)
29402 @end smallexample
29403
29404 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
29405 @findex -var-set-update-range
29406 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
29407
29408 @subsubheading Synopsis
29409
29410 @smallexample
29411 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
29412 @end smallexample
29413
29414 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
29415 @code{-var-update}.
29416
29417 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
29418 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
29419 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
29420 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
29421
29422 @subsubheading Example
29423
29424 @smallexample
29425 (gdb)
29426 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
29427 ^done
29428 @end smallexample
29429
29430 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
29431 @findex -var-set-visualizer
29432 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
29433
29434 @subsubheading Synopsis
29435
29436 @smallexample
29437 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
29438 @end smallexample
29439
29440 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
29441
29442 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
29443 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
29444
29445 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
29446 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
29447 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
29448 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
29449 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
29450 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
29451 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
29452
29453 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
29454 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
29455 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
29456 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
29457
29458 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
29459 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
29460 can be used to check this.
29461
29462 @subsubheading Example
29463
29464 Resetting the visualizer:
29465
29466 @smallexample
29467 (gdb)
29468 -var-set-visualizer V None
29469 ^done
29470 @end smallexample
29471
29472 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
29473
29474 @smallexample
29475 (gdb)
29476 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
29477 ^done
29478 @end smallexample
29479
29480 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
29481 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
29482
29483 @smallexample
29484 (gdb)
29485 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
29486 ^done
29487 @end smallexample
29488
29489 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29490 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
29491 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
29492
29493 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
29494 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
29495 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
29496 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
29497
29498 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
29499 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
29500
29501 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
29502 @c @subheading -data-assign
29503 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
29504 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
29505 @c set variable
29506 @c @subsubheading Example
29507 @c N.A.
29508
29509 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
29510 @findex -data-disassemble
29511
29512 @subsubheading Synopsis
29513
29514 @smallexample
29515 -data-disassemble
29516 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
29517 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
29518 -- @var{mode}
29519 @end smallexample
29520
29521 @noindent
29522 Where:
29523
29524 @table @samp
29525 @item @var{start-addr}
29526 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
29527 @item @var{end-addr}
29528 is the end address
29529 @item @var{filename}
29530 is the name of the file to disassemble
29531 @item @var{linenum}
29532 is the line number to disassemble around
29533 @item @var{lines}
29534 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
29535 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
29536 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
29537 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
29538 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
29539 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
29540 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
29541 are displayed.
29542 @item @var{mode}
29543 is one of:
29544 @itemize @bullet
29545 @item 0 disassembly only
29546 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
29547 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
29548 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
29549 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
29550 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
29551 @end itemize
29552
29553 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
29554 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
29555 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
29556 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
29557 @end table
29558
29559 @subsubheading Result
29560
29561 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
29562 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
29563 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
29564
29565 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
29566 following fields:
29567
29568 @table @code
29569 @item address
29570 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
29571
29572 @item func-name
29573 The name of the function this instruction is within.
29574
29575 @item offset
29576 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
29577
29578 @item inst
29579 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
29580
29581 @item opcodes
29582 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
29583 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
29584
29585 @end table
29586
29587 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
29588 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
29589
29590 @table @code
29591 @item line
29592 The line number within @samp{file}.
29593
29594 @item file
29595 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
29596 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
29597 used.
29598
29599 @item fullname
29600 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
29601 using the source file search path
29602 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
29603 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
29604
29605 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
29606 present in the debug information.
29607
29608 @item line_asm_insn
29609 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
29610 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
29611 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
29612 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
29613 @samp{opcodes}.
29614
29615 @end table
29616
29617 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
29618 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
29619 adjust its format.
29620
29621 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29622
29623 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
29624
29625 @subsubheading Example
29626
29627 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
29628
29629 @smallexample
29630 (gdb)
29631 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
29632 ^done,
29633 asm_insns=[
29634 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29635 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29636 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29637 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29638 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
29639 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
29640 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
29641 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29642 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
29643 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
29644 (gdb)
29645 @end smallexample
29646
29647 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29648 @code{main}.
29649
29650 @smallexample
29651 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29652 ^done,asm_insns=[
29653 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29654 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29655 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29656 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29657 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29658 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29659 [@dots{}]
29660 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29661 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29662 (gdb)
29663 @end smallexample
29664
29665 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29666
29667 @smallexample
29668 (gdb)
29669 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29670 ^done,asm_insns=[
29671 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29672 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29673 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29674 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29675 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29676 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29677 (gdb)
29678 @end smallexample
29679
29680 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29681
29682 @smallexample
29683 (gdb)
29684 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29685 ^done,asm_insns=[
29686 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29687 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29688 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29689 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
29690 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29691 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29692 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29693 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29694 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
29695 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29696 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29697 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29698 (gdb)
29699 @end smallexample
29700
29701
29702 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29703 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
29704
29705 @subsubheading Synopsis
29706
29707 @smallexample
29708 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29709 @end smallexample
29710
29711 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29712 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29713 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29714
29715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29716
29717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29718 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29719 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
29720
29721 @subsubheading Example
29722
29723 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29724 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29725 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29726 output.
29727
29728 @smallexample
29729 211-data-evaluate-expression A
29730 211^done,value="1"
29731 (gdb)
29732 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29733 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29734 (gdb)
29735 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29736 411^done,value="4"
29737 (gdb)
29738 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29739 511^done,value="4"
29740 (gdb)
29741 @end smallexample
29742
29743
29744 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29745 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
29746
29747 @subsubheading Synopsis
29748
29749 @smallexample
29750 -data-list-changed-registers
29751 @end smallexample
29752
29753 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29754
29755 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29756
29757 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29758 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29759
29760 @subsubheading Example
29761
29762 On a PPC MBX board:
29763
29764 @smallexample
29765 (gdb)
29766 -exec-continue
29767 ^running
29768
29769 (gdb)
29770 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29771 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29772 line="5"@}
29773 (gdb)
29774 -data-list-changed-registers
29775 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29776 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29777 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29778 (gdb)
29779 @end smallexample
29780
29781
29782 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29783 @findex -data-list-register-names
29784
29785 @subsubheading Synopsis
29786
29787 @smallexample
29788 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29789 @end smallexample
29790
29791 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29792 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29793 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29794 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29795 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29796 include empty register names.
29797
29798 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29799
29800 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29801 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29802 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29803
29804 @subsubheading Example
29805
29806 For the PPC MBX board:
29807 @smallexample
29808 (gdb)
29809 -data-list-register-names
29810 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29811 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29812 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29813 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29814 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29815 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29816 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29817 (gdb)
29818 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29819 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29820 (gdb)
29821 @end smallexample
29822
29823 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29824 @findex -data-list-register-values
29825
29826 @subsubheading Synopsis
29827
29828 @smallexample
29829 -data-list-register-values
29830 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29831 @end smallexample
29832
29833 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
29834 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
29835 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
29836 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
29837 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
29838 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
29839
29840 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29841
29842 @table @code
29843 @item x
29844 Hexadecimal
29845 @item o
29846 Octal
29847 @item t
29848 Binary
29849 @item d
29850 Decimal
29851 @item r
29852 Raw
29853 @item N
29854 Natural
29855 @end table
29856
29857 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29858
29859 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
29860 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
29861
29862 @subsubheading Example
29863
29864 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
29865 don't appear in the actual output):
29866
29867 @smallexample
29868 (gdb)
29869 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
29870 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29871 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
29872 (gdb)
29873 -data-list-register-values x
29874 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
29875 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29876 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
29877 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
29878 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
29879 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
29880 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
29881 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
29882 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
29883 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29884 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
29885 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
29886 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
29887 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
29888 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
29889 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
29890 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
29891 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
29892 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
29893 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
29894 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
29895 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
29896 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
29897 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
29898 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
29899 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
29900 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
29901 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
29902 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
29903 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
29904 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
29905 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
29906 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29907 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
29908 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
29909 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
29910 (gdb)
29911 @end smallexample
29912
29913
29914 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
29915 @findex -data-read-memory
29916
29917 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
29918
29919 @subsubheading Synopsis
29920
29921 @smallexample
29922 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29923 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
29924 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
29925 @end smallexample
29926
29927 @noindent
29928 where:
29929
29930 @table @samp
29931 @item @var{address}
29932 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29933 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29934 quoted using the C convention.
29935
29936 @item @var{word-format}
29937 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
29938 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
29939 ,Output Formats}).
29940
29941 @item @var{word-size}
29942 The size of each memory word in bytes.
29943
29944 @item @var{nr-rows}
29945 The number of rows in the output table.
29946
29947 @item @var{nr-cols}
29948 The number of columns in the output table.
29949
29950 @item @var{aschar}
29951 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
29952 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
29953 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
29954 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
29955
29956 @item @var{byte-offset}
29957 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
29958 @end table
29959
29960 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
29961 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
29962 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
29963 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
29964 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
29965 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
29966 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
29967 @samp{addr}.
29968
29969 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
29970 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
29971 @samp{prev-page}.
29972
29973 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29974
29975 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
29976 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
29977
29978 @subsubheading Example
29979
29980 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
29981 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
29982 word. Display each word in hex.
29983
29984 @smallexample
29985 (gdb)
29986 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
29987 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
29988 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
29989 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
29990 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
29991 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
29992 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
29993 (gdb)
29994 @end smallexample
29995
29996 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
29997 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
29998
29999 @smallexample
30000 (gdb)
30001 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
30002 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
30003 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
30004 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
30005 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
30006 (gdb)
30007 @end smallexample
30008
30009 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
30010 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
30011 used as the non-printable character.
30012
30013 @smallexample
30014 (gdb)
30015 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
30016 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
30017 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
30018 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
30019 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30020 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30021 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30022 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30023 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
30024 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
30025 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
30026 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
30027 (gdb)
30028 @end smallexample
30029
30030 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
30031 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
30032
30033 @subsubheading Synopsis
30034
30035 @smallexample
30036 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
30037 @var{address} @var{count}
30038 @end smallexample
30039
30040 @noindent
30041 where:
30042
30043 @table @samp
30044 @item @var{address}
30045 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
30046 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30047 quoted using the C convention.
30048
30049 @item @var{count}
30050 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
30051 literal.
30052
30053 @item @var{offset}
30054 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
30055 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
30056 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
30057 arithmetics itself.
30058
30059 @end table
30060
30061 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
30062 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
30063 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
30064 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
30065 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
30066 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
30067
30068 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
30069 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
30070 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
30071 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
30072 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
30073 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
30074 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
30075 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
30076
30077 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
30078 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
30079 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
30080 and has the following fields:
30081
30082 @table @code
30083 @item begin
30084 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30085
30086 @item end
30087 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30088
30089 @item offset
30090 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
30091 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
30092
30093 @item contents
30094 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
30095
30096 @end table
30097
30098
30099
30100 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30101
30102 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
30103
30104 @subsubheading Example
30105
30106 @smallexample
30107 (gdb)
30108 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
30109 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
30110 end="0xbffff15e",
30111 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
30112 (gdb)
30113 @end smallexample
30114
30115
30116 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
30117 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
30118
30119 @subsubheading Synopsis
30120
30121 @smallexample
30122 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
30123 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
30124 @end smallexample
30125
30126 @noindent
30127 where:
30128
30129 @table @samp
30130 @item @var{address}
30131 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
30132 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
30133 be quoted using the C convention.
30134
30135 @item @var{contents}
30136 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
30137 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
30138
30139 @item @var{count}
30140 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
30141 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
30142 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
30143 @var{count} memory units.
30144
30145 @end table
30146
30147 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30148
30149 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30150
30151 @subsubheading Example
30152
30153 @smallexample
30154 (gdb)
30155 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
30156 ^done
30157 (gdb)
30158 @end smallexample
30159
30160 @smallexample
30161 (gdb)
30162 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
30163 ^done
30164 (gdb)
30165 @end smallexample
30166
30167 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30168 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
30169 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
30170
30171 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
30172 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
30173
30174 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
30175 @findex -trace-find
30176
30177 @subsubheading Synopsis
30178
30179 @smallexample
30180 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
30181 @end smallexample
30182
30183 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
30184 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
30185 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
30186
30187 @table @samp
30188
30189 @item none
30190 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
30191
30192 @item frame-number
30193 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
30194 that index.
30195
30196 @item tracepoint-number
30197 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
30198 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
30199
30200 @item pc
30201 An address is required as parameter. Finds
30202 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
30203 address.
30204
30205 @item pc-inside-range
30206 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
30207 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
30208 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30209
30210 @item pc-outside-range
30211 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
30212 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
30213 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30214
30215 @item line
30216 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
30217 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
30218 the specified location.
30219
30220 @end table
30221
30222 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
30223 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
30224
30225 @table @samp
30226 @item found
30227 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
30228 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
30229
30230 @item traceframe
30231 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
30232 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30233
30234 @item tracepoint
30235 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
30236 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30237
30238 @item frame
30239 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
30240 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
30241 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
30242
30243 @end table
30244
30245 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30246
30247 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
30248
30249 @subheading -trace-define-variable
30250 @findex -trace-define-variable
30251
30252 @subsubheading Synopsis
30253
30254 @smallexample
30255 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
30256 @end smallexample
30257
30258 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
30259 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
30260 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
30261 with the @samp{$} character.
30262
30263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30264
30265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
30266
30267 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
30268 @findex -trace-frame-collected
30269
30270 @subsubheading Synopsis
30271
30272 @smallexample
30273 -trace-frame-collected
30274 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
30275 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
30276 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
30277 [--memory-contents]
30278 @end smallexample
30279
30280 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
30281 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
30282 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
30283 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
30284 See the output description table below for more details.
30285
30286 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
30287 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
30288 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
30289 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
30290 memory range and which is a computed expression.
30291
30292 For instance, if the actions were
30293 @smallexample
30294 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
30295 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
30296 @end smallexample
30297
30298 @noindent
30299 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
30300 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
30301 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
30302 objects would be computed expressions.
30303
30304 An example output would be:
30305
30306 @smallexample
30307 (gdb)
30308 -trace-frame-collected
30309 ^done,
30310 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
30311 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
30312 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
30313 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
30314 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
30315 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
30316 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
30317 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
30318 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
30319 ...
30320 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
30321 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
30322 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
30323 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
30324 (gdb)
30325 @end smallexample
30326
30327 Where:
30328
30329 @table @code
30330 @item explicit-variables
30331 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
30332 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
30333 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
30334 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
30335 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
30336 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
30337 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
30338 arrays, structures and unions.
30339
30340 @item computed-expressions
30341 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
30342 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
30343 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
30344 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
30345
30346 @item registers
30347 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
30348 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
30349 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
30350 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
30351 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
30352
30353 @item tvars
30354 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
30355 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
30356 current value are returned.
30357
30358 @item memory
30359 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
30360 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
30361 collected memory range and has the following fields:
30362
30363 @table @code
30364 @item address
30365 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
30366
30367 @item length
30368 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
30369
30370 @item contents
30371 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
30372 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
30373
30374 @end table
30375
30376 @end table
30377
30378 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30379
30380 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30381
30382 @subsubheading Example
30383
30384 @subheading -trace-list-variables
30385 @findex -trace-list-variables
30386
30387 @subsubheading Synopsis
30388
30389 @smallexample
30390 -trace-list-variables
30391 @end smallexample
30392
30393 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
30394 table has the following fields:
30395
30396 @table @samp
30397 @item name
30398 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
30399
30400 @item initial
30401 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
30402 field is always present.
30403
30404 @item current
30405 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
30406 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
30407 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
30408 presently running.
30409
30410 @end table
30411
30412 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30413
30414 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
30415
30416 @subsubheading Example
30417
30418 @smallexample
30419 (gdb)
30420 -trace-list-variables
30421 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
30422 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
30423 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
30424 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
30425 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
30426 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
30427 (gdb)
30428 @end smallexample
30429
30430 @subheading -trace-save
30431 @findex -trace-save
30432
30433 @subsubheading Synopsis
30434
30435 @smallexample
30436 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
30437 @end smallexample
30438
30439 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
30440 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
30441 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
30442 to perform the save.
30443
30444 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30445
30446 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
30447
30448
30449 @subheading -trace-start
30450 @findex -trace-start
30451
30452 @subsubheading Synopsis
30453
30454 @smallexample
30455 -trace-start
30456 @end smallexample
30457
30458 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
30459 have any fields.
30460
30461 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30462
30463 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
30464
30465 @subheading -trace-status
30466 @findex -trace-status
30467
30468 @subsubheading Synopsis
30469
30470 @smallexample
30471 -trace-status
30472 @end smallexample
30473
30474 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
30475 the following fields:
30476
30477 @table @samp
30478
30479 @item supported
30480 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
30481 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
30482 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
30483 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
30484 started. This field is always present.
30485
30486 @item running
30487 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
30488 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
30489 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30490
30491 @item stop-reason
30492 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
30493 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
30494 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
30495 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
30496 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
30497 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
30498 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
30499 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
30500 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30501
30502 @item stopping-tracepoint
30503 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
30504 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
30505 @samp{passcount}.
30506
30507 @item frames
30508 @itemx frames-created
30509 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
30510 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
30511 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
30512 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
30513
30514 @item buffer-size
30515 @itemx buffer-free
30516 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
30517 remaining space. These fields are optional.
30518
30519 @item circular
30520 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
30521 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
30522 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
30523 and may fill up.
30524
30525 @item disconnected
30526 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
30527 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
30528 that the trace run will stop.
30529
30530 @item trace-file
30531 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
30532 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
30533
30534 @end table
30535
30536 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30537
30538 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
30539
30540 @subheading -trace-stop
30541 @findex -trace-stop
30542
30543 @subsubheading Synopsis
30544
30545 @smallexample
30546 -trace-stop
30547 @end smallexample
30548
30549 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
30550 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
30551 @samp{running} fields are not output.
30552
30553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30554
30555 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
30556
30557
30558 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30559 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
30560 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
30561
30562
30563 @ignore
30564 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
30565 @findex -symbol-info-address
30566
30567 @subsubheading Synopsis
30568
30569 @smallexample
30570 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
30571 @end smallexample
30572
30573 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
30574
30575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30576
30577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
30578
30579 @subsubheading Example
30580 N.A.
30581
30582
30583 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
30584 @findex -symbol-info-file
30585
30586 @subsubheading Synopsis
30587
30588 @smallexample
30589 -symbol-info-file
30590 @end smallexample
30591
30592 Show the file for the symbol.
30593
30594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30595
30596 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
30597 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
30598
30599 @subsubheading Example
30600 N.A.
30601
30602
30603 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
30604 @findex -symbol-info-function
30605
30606 @subsubheading Synopsis
30607
30608 @smallexample
30609 -symbol-info-function
30610 @end smallexample
30611
30612 Show which function the symbol lives in.
30613
30614 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30615
30616 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
30617
30618 @subsubheading Example
30619 N.A.
30620
30621
30622 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
30623 @findex -symbol-info-line
30624
30625 @subsubheading Synopsis
30626
30627 @smallexample
30628 -symbol-info-line
30629 @end smallexample
30630
30631 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
30632
30633 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30634
30635 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
30636 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
30637
30638 @subsubheading Example
30639 N.A.
30640
30641
30642 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
30643 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
30644
30645 @subsubheading Synopsis
30646
30647 @smallexample
30648 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
30649 @end smallexample
30650
30651 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
30652
30653 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30654
30655 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
30656
30657 @subsubheading Example
30658 N.A.
30659
30660
30661 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
30662 @findex -symbol-list-functions
30663
30664 @subsubheading Synopsis
30665
30666 @smallexample
30667 -symbol-list-functions
30668 @end smallexample
30669
30670 List the functions in the executable.
30671
30672 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30673
30674 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
30675 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30676
30677 @subsubheading Example
30678 N.A.
30679 @end ignore
30680
30681
30682 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
30683 @findex -symbol-list-lines
30684
30685 @subsubheading Synopsis
30686
30687 @smallexample
30688 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
30689 @end smallexample
30690
30691 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
30692 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
30693 ascending PC order.
30694
30695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30696
30697 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30698
30699 @subsubheading Example
30700 @smallexample
30701 (gdb)
30702 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
30703 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
30704 (gdb)
30705 @end smallexample
30706
30707
30708 @ignore
30709 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
30710 @findex -symbol-list-types
30711
30712 @subsubheading Synopsis
30713
30714 @smallexample
30715 -symbol-list-types
30716 @end smallexample
30717
30718 List all the type names.
30719
30720 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30721
30722 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
30723 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30724
30725 @subsubheading Example
30726 N.A.
30727
30728
30729 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
30730 @findex -symbol-list-variables
30731
30732 @subsubheading Synopsis
30733
30734 @smallexample
30735 -symbol-list-variables
30736 @end smallexample
30737
30738 List all the global and static variable names.
30739
30740 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30741
30742 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30743
30744 @subsubheading Example
30745 N.A.
30746
30747
30748 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
30749 @findex -symbol-locate
30750
30751 @subsubheading Synopsis
30752
30753 @smallexample
30754 -symbol-locate
30755 @end smallexample
30756
30757 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30758
30759 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
30760
30761 @subsubheading Example
30762 N.A.
30763
30764
30765 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
30766 @findex -symbol-type
30767
30768 @subsubheading Synopsis
30769
30770 @smallexample
30771 -symbol-type @var{variable}
30772 @end smallexample
30773
30774 Show type of @var{variable}.
30775
30776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30777
30778 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
30779 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
30780
30781 @subsubheading Example
30782 N.A.
30783 @end ignore
30784
30785
30786 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30787 @node GDB/MI File Commands
30788 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30789
30790 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30791 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30792
30793 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30794 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30795
30796 @subsubheading Synopsis
30797
30798 @smallexample
30799 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30800 @end smallexample
30801
30802 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30803 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30804 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30805 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30806 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30807 notification.
30808
30809 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30810
30811 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30812
30813 @subsubheading Example
30814
30815 @smallexample
30816 (gdb)
30817 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30818 ^done
30819 (gdb)
30820 @end smallexample
30821
30822
30823 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30824 @findex -file-exec-file
30825
30826 @subsubheading Synopsis
30827
30828 @smallexample
30829 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30830 @end smallexample
30831
30832 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30833 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30834 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30835 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30836 notification.
30837
30838 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30839
30840 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30841
30842 @subsubheading Example
30843
30844 @smallexample
30845 (gdb)
30846 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30847 ^done
30848 (gdb)
30849 @end smallexample
30850
30851
30852 @ignore
30853 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30854 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
30855
30856 @subsubheading Synopsis
30857
30858 @smallexample
30859 -file-list-exec-sections
30860 @end smallexample
30861
30862 List the sections of the current executable file.
30863
30864 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30865
30866 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
30867 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
30868 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
30869
30870 @subsubheading Example
30871 N.A.
30872 @end ignore
30873
30874
30875 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
30876 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
30877
30878 @subsubheading Synopsis
30879
30880 @smallexample
30881 -file-list-exec-source-file
30882 @end smallexample
30883
30884 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
30885 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
30886 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
30887 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
30888
30889 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30890
30891 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
30892
30893 @subsubheading Example
30894
30895 @smallexample
30896 (gdb)
30897 123-file-list-exec-source-file
30898 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
30899 (gdb)
30900 @end smallexample
30901
30902
30903 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
30904 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
30905
30906 @subsubheading Synopsis
30907
30908 @smallexample
30909 -file-list-exec-source-files
30910 @end smallexample
30911
30912 List the source files for the current executable.
30913
30914 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
30915 name) of a source file.
30916
30917 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30918
30919 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
30920 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
30921
30922 @subsubheading Example
30923 @smallexample
30924 (gdb)
30925 -file-list-exec-source-files
30926 ^done,files=[
30927 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
30928 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
30929 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
30930 (gdb)
30931 @end smallexample
30932
30933 @ignore
30934 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
30935 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
30936
30937 @subsubheading Synopsis
30938
30939 @smallexample
30940 -file-list-shared-libraries
30941 @end smallexample
30942
30943 List the shared libraries in the program.
30944
30945 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30946
30947 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
30948
30949 @subsubheading Example
30950 N.A.
30951
30952
30953 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
30954 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
30955
30956 @subsubheading Synopsis
30957
30958 @smallexample
30959 -file-list-symbol-files
30960 @end smallexample
30961
30962 List symbol files.
30963
30964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30965
30966 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
30967
30968 @subsubheading Example
30969 N.A.
30970 @end ignore
30971
30972
30973 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
30974 @findex -file-symbol-file
30975
30976 @subsubheading Synopsis
30977
30978 @smallexample
30979 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
30980 @end smallexample
30981
30982 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
30983 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
30984 produced, except for a completion notification.
30985
30986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30987
30988 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
30989
30990 @subsubheading Example
30991
30992 @smallexample
30993 (gdb)
30994 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30995 ^done
30996 (gdb)
30997 @end smallexample
30998
30999 @ignore
31000 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31001 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31002 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31003
31004 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31005
31006 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31007
31008 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31009
31010 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31011
31012 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31013
31014 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31015
31016 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31017
31018 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31019
31020 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31021 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31022 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31023
31024 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31025
31026 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31027
31028 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31029
31030 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31031 @end ignore
31032
31033
31034 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31035 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31036 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31037
31038
31039 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31040 @findex -target-attach
31041
31042 @subsubheading Synopsis
31043
31044 @smallexample
31045 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31046 @end smallexample
31047
31048 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31049 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31050 group, the id previously returned by
31051 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31052
31053 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31054
31055 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31056
31057 @subsubheading Example
31058 @smallexample
31059 (gdb)
31060 -target-attach 34
31061 =thread-created,id="1"
31062 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31063 ^done
31064 (gdb)
31065 @end smallexample
31066
31067 @ignore
31068 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31069 @findex -target-compare-sections
31070
31071 @subsubheading Synopsis
31072
31073 @smallexample
31074 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
31075 @end smallexample
31076
31077 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
31078 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
31079
31080 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31081
31082 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
31083
31084 @subsubheading Example
31085 N.A.
31086 @end ignore
31087
31088
31089 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
31090 @findex -target-detach
31091
31092 @subsubheading Synopsis
31093
31094 @smallexample
31095 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
31096 @end smallexample
31097
31098 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
31099 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
31100 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
31101
31102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31103
31104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
31105
31106 @subsubheading Example
31107
31108 @smallexample
31109 (gdb)
31110 -target-detach
31111 ^done
31112 (gdb)
31113 @end smallexample
31114
31115
31116 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
31117 @findex -target-disconnect
31118
31119 @subsubheading Synopsis
31120
31121 @smallexample
31122 -target-disconnect
31123 @end smallexample
31124
31125 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
31126 generally not resumed.
31127
31128 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31129
31130 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
31131
31132 @subsubheading Example
31133
31134 @smallexample
31135 (gdb)
31136 -target-disconnect
31137 ^done
31138 (gdb)
31139 @end smallexample
31140
31141
31142 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
31143 @findex -target-download
31144
31145 @subsubheading Synopsis
31146
31147 @smallexample
31148 -target-download
31149 @end smallexample
31150
31151 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
31152 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
31153
31154 @table @samp
31155 @item section
31156 The name of the section.
31157 @item section-sent
31158 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
31159 @item section-size
31160 The size of the section.
31161 @item total-sent
31162 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
31163 @item total-size
31164 The size of the overall executable to download.
31165 @end table
31166
31167 @noindent
31168 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
31169 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
31170
31171 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
31172 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
31173
31174 @table @samp
31175 @item section
31176 The name of the section.
31177 @item section-size
31178 The size of the section.
31179 @item total-size
31180 The size of the overall executable to download.
31181 @end table
31182
31183 @noindent
31184 At the end, a summary is printed.
31185
31186 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31187
31188 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
31189
31190 @subsubheading Example
31191
31192 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
31193 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
31194
31195 @smallexample
31196 (gdb)
31197 -target-download
31198 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
31199 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
31200 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
31201 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
31202 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
31203 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
31204 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
31205 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
31206 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
31207 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
31208 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
31209 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
31210 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
31211 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
31212 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
31213 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
31214 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
31215 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
31216 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
31217 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
31218 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
31219 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
31220 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
31221 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
31222 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
31223 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
31224 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
31225 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31226 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31227 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
31228 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
31229 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
31230 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
31231 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
31232 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
31233 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
31234 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
31235 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
31236 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
31237 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
31238 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
31239 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
31240 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
31241 write-rate="429"
31242 (gdb)
31243 @end smallexample
31244
31245
31246 @ignore
31247 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
31248 @findex -target-exec-status
31249
31250 @subsubheading Synopsis
31251
31252 @smallexample
31253 -target-exec-status
31254 @end smallexample
31255
31256 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
31257 not, for instance).
31258
31259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31260
31261 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31262
31263 @subsubheading Example
31264 N.A.
31265
31266
31267 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
31268 @findex -target-list-available-targets
31269
31270 @subsubheading Synopsis
31271
31272 @smallexample
31273 -target-list-available-targets
31274 @end smallexample
31275
31276 List the possible targets to connect to.
31277
31278 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31279
31280 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
31281
31282 @subsubheading Example
31283 N.A.
31284
31285
31286 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
31287 @findex -target-list-current-targets
31288
31289 @subsubheading Synopsis
31290
31291 @smallexample
31292 -target-list-current-targets
31293 @end smallexample
31294
31295 Describe the current target.
31296
31297 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31298
31299 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
31300 other things).
31301
31302 @subsubheading Example
31303 N.A.
31304
31305
31306 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
31307 @findex -target-list-parameters
31308
31309 @subsubheading Synopsis
31310
31311 @smallexample
31312 -target-list-parameters
31313 @end smallexample
31314
31315 @c ????
31316 @end ignore
31317
31318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31319
31320 No equivalent.
31321
31322 @subsubheading Example
31323 N.A.
31324
31325
31326 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
31327 @findex -target-select
31328
31329 @subsubheading Synopsis
31330
31331 @smallexample
31332 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
31333 @end smallexample
31334
31335 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
31336
31337 @table @samp
31338 @item @var{type}
31339 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
31340 @item @var{parameters}
31341 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
31342 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
31343 @end table
31344
31345 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
31346 which the target program is, in the following form:
31347
31348 @smallexample
31349 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
31350 args=[@var{arg list}]
31351 @end smallexample
31352
31353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31354
31355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
31356
31357 @subsubheading Example
31358
31359 @smallexample
31360 (gdb)
31361 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
31362 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
31363 (gdb)
31364 @end smallexample
31365
31366 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31367 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
31368 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
31369
31370
31371 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
31372 @findex -target-file-put
31373
31374 @subsubheading Synopsis
31375
31376 @smallexample
31377 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
31378 @end smallexample
31379
31380 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
31381 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
31382
31383 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31384
31385 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
31386
31387 @subsubheading Example
31388
31389 @smallexample
31390 (gdb)
31391 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
31392 ^done
31393 (gdb)
31394 @end smallexample
31395
31396
31397 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
31398 @findex -target-file-get
31399
31400 @subsubheading Synopsis
31401
31402 @smallexample
31403 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
31404 @end smallexample
31405
31406 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
31407 on the host system.
31408
31409 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31410
31411 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
31412
31413 @subsubheading Example
31414
31415 @smallexample
31416 (gdb)
31417 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
31418 ^done
31419 (gdb)
31420 @end smallexample
31421
31422
31423 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
31424 @findex -target-file-delete
31425
31426 @subsubheading Synopsis
31427
31428 @smallexample
31429 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
31430 @end smallexample
31431
31432 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
31433
31434 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31435
31436 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
31437
31438 @subsubheading Example
31439
31440 @smallexample
31441 (gdb)
31442 -target-file-delete remotefile
31443 ^done
31444 (gdb)
31445 @end smallexample
31446
31447
31448 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31449 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
31450 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31451
31452 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
31453 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
31454
31455 @subsubheading Synopsis
31456
31457 @smallexample
31458 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
31459 @end smallexample
31460
31461 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
31462 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
31463 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
31464
31465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31466
31467 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
31468
31469 @subsubheading Result
31470
31471 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
31472 defined for each exception:
31473
31474 @table @samp
31475 @item name
31476 The name of the exception.
31477
31478 @item address
31479 The address of the exception.
31480
31481 @end table
31482
31483 @subsubheading Example
31484
31485 @smallexample
31486 -info-ada-exceptions aint
31487 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
31488 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31489 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
31490 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
31491 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
31492 @end smallexample
31493
31494 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
31495
31496 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
31497 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
31498 Catchpoint Commands}.
31499
31500
31501 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31502 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
31503 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
31504
31505 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
31506 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
31507 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
31508 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
31509
31510 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
31511 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
31512 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
31513
31514 @subsubheading Synopsis
31515
31516 @smallexample
31517 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
31518 @end smallexample
31519
31520 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
31521
31522 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
31523 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
31524 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
31525 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
31526 dash.
31527
31528 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31529
31530 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31531
31532 @subsubheading Result
31533
31534 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
31535
31536 @table @samp
31537 @item exists
31538 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
31539 @code{"false"} otherwise.
31540
31541 @end table
31542
31543 @subsubheading Example
31544
31545 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
31546
31547 @smallexample
31548 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
31549 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
31550 @end smallexample
31551
31552 @noindent
31553 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
31554 to the debugger:
31555
31556 @smallexample
31557 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
31558 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
31559 @end smallexample
31560
31561 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
31562 @findex -list-features
31563 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
31564
31565 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
31566 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
31567 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
31568 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
31569 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
31570 startup.
31571
31572 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
31573 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
31574 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
31575 is given below.
31576
31577 Example output:
31578
31579 @smallexample
31580 (gdb) -list-features
31581 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
31582 @end smallexample
31583
31584 The current list of features is:
31585
31586 @ftable @samp
31587 @item frozen-varobjs
31588 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
31589 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
31590 of @code{-varobj-create}.
31591 @item pending-breakpoints
31592 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
31593 command.
31594 @item python
31595 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
31596 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
31597 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
31598 @item thread-info
31599 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
31600 @item data-read-memory-bytes
31601 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
31602 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
31603 @item breakpoint-notifications
31604 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
31605 CLI will be announced via async records.
31606 @item ada-task-info
31607 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
31608 @item language-option
31609 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
31610 option (@pxref{Context management}).
31611 @item info-gdb-mi-command
31612 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
31613 @item undefined-command-error-code
31614 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
31615 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
31616 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
31617 @item exec-run-start-option
31618 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
31619 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
31620 @end ftable
31621
31622 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
31623 @findex -list-target-features
31624
31625 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
31626 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
31627 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
31628 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
31629 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
31630 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
31631 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
31632 Example output:
31633
31634 @smallexample
31635 (gdb) -list-target-features
31636 ^done,result=["async"]
31637 @end smallexample
31638
31639 The current list of features is:
31640
31641 @table @samp
31642 @item async
31643 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
31644 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
31645 while the target is running.
31646
31647 @item reverse
31648 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
31649 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31650
31651 @end table
31652
31653 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31654 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
31655 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31656
31657 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
31658
31659 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
31660 @findex -gdb-exit
31661
31662 @subsubheading Synopsis
31663
31664 @smallexample
31665 -gdb-exit
31666 @end smallexample
31667
31668 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
31669
31670 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31671
31672 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
31673
31674 @subsubheading Example
31675
31676 @smallexample
31677 (gdb)
31678 -gdb-exit
31679 ^exit
31680 @end smallexample
31681
31682
31683 @ignore
31684 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
31685 @findex -exec-abort
31686
31687 @subsubheading Synopsis
31688
31689 @smallexample
31690 -exec-abort
31691 @end smallexample
31692
31693 Kill the inferior running program.
31694
31695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31696
31697 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
31698
31699 @subsubheading Example
31700 N.A.
31701 @end ignore
31702
31703
31704 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
31705 @findex -gdb-set
31706
31707 @subsubheading Synopsis
31708
31709 @smallexample
31710 -gdb-set
31711 @end smallexample
31712
31713 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
31714 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
31715
31716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31717
31718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
31719
31720 @subsubheading Example
31721
31722 @smallexample
31723 (gdb)
31724 -gdb-set $foo=3
31725 ^done
31726 (gdb)
31727 @end smallexample
31728
31729
31730 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
31731 @findex -gdb-show
31732
31733 @subsubheading Synopsis
31734
31735 @smallexample
31736 -gdb-show
31737 @end smallexample
31738
31739 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
31740
31741 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31742
31743 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
31744
31745 @subsubheading Example
31746
31747 @smallexample
31748 (gdb)
31749 -gdb-show annotate
31750 ^done,value="0"
31751 (gdb)
31752 @end smallexample
31753
31754 @c @subheading -gdb-source
31755
31756
31757 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
31758 @findex -gdb-version
31759
31760 @subsubheading Synopsis
31761
31762 @smallexample
31763 -gdb-version
31764 @end smallexample
31765
31766 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
31767
31768 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31769
31770 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
31771 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
31772
31773 @subsubheading Example
31774
31775 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
31776 @c box in TeX.
31777 @smallexample
31778 (gdb)
31779 -gdb-version
31780 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
31781 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31782 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
31783 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
31784 ~ certain conditions.
31785 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31786 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
31787 ~ details.
31788 ~This GDB was configured as
31789 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
31790 ^done
31791 (gdb)
31792 @end smallexample
31793
31794 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
31795 @findex -list-thread-groups
31796
31797 @subheading Synopsis
31798
31799 @smallexample
31800 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
31801 @end smallexample
31802
31803 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
31804 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
31805 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
31806 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
31807 top-level thread groups.
31808
31809 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
31810 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
31811 available on the target.
31812
31813 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
31814 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
31815 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
31816 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
31817 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
31818 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
31819 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
31820 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
31821
31822 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
31823 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
31824 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
31825 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
31826 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
31827 @samp{threads} field.
31828
31829 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
31830 the following caveats:
31831
31832 @itemize @bullet
31833 @item
31834 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
31835 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
31836 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
31837
31838 @item
31839 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
31840 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
31841 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
31842 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
31843 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
31844 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
31845
31846 @end itemize
31847
31848 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
31849 have the following fields:
31850
31851 @table @code
31852 @item id
31853 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
31854 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
31855 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
31856
31857 @item type
31858 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
31859 valid type.
31860
31861 @item pid
31862 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
31863 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
31864
31865 @item exit-code
31866 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
31867 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
31868 only if the process is not running.
31869
31870 @item num_children
31871 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
31872 absent for an available thread group.
31873
31874 @item threads
31875 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
31876 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
31877 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
31878
31879 @item cores
31880 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
31881 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
31882 such information is not available.
31883
31884 @item executable
31885 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
31886 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
31887 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
31888
31889 @end table
31890
31891 @subheading Example
31892
31893 @smallexample
31894 @value{GDBP}
31895 -list-thread-groups
31896 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
31897 -list-thread-groups 17
31898 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
31899 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
31900 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
31901 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
31902 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
31903 -list-thread-groups --available
31904 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
31905 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
31906 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31907 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31908 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
31909 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
31910 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31911 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31912 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
31913 @end smallexample
31914
31915 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
31916 @findex -info-os
31917
31918 @subsubheading Synopsis
31919
31920 @smallexample
31921 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
31922 @end smallexample
31923
31924 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
31925 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
31926 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
31927 of data of that type.
31928
31929 The types of information available depend on the target operating
31930 system.
31931
31932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31933
31934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
31935
31936 @subsubheading Example
31937
31938 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
31939 like this:
31940
31941 @smallexample
31942 @value{GDBP}
31943 -info-os
31944 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
31945 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
31946 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
31947 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
31948 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
31949 col2="CPUs"@},
31950 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
31951 col2="File descriptors"@},
31952 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
31953 col2="Kernel modules"@},
31954 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
31955 col2="Message queues"@},
31956 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
31957 col2="Processes"@},
31958 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
31959 col2="Process groups"@},
31960 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
31961 col2="Semaphores"@},
31962 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
31963 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
31964 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
31965 col2="Sockets"@},
31966 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
31967 col2="Threads"@}]
31968 @value{GDBP}
31969 -info-os processes
31970 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
31971 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
31972 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
31973 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
31974 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
31975 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
31976 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
31977 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
31978 ...
31979 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
31980 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
31981 (gdb)
31982 @end smallexample
31983
31984 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
31985 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
31986 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
31987 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
31988 @code{info os} omits it.)
31989
31990 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
31991 @findex -add-inferior
31992
31993 @subheading Synopsis
31994
31995 @smallexample
31996 -add-inferior
31997 @end smallexample
31998
31999 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32000 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32001 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32002 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32003 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
32004 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32005
32006 @subheading Example
32007
32008 @smallexample
32009 @value{GDBP}
32010 -add-inferior
32011 ^done,inferior="i3"
32012 @end smallexample
32013
32014 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32015 @findex -interpreter-exec
32016
32017 @subheading Synopsis
32018
32019 @smallexample
32020 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32021 @end smallexample
32022 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32023
32024 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32025
32026 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32027
32028 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32029
32030 @subheading Example
32031
32032 @smallexample
32033 (gdb)
32034 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32035 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32036 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32037 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32038 ^done
32039 (gdb)
32040 @end smallexample
32041
32042 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32043 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32044
32045 @subheading Synopsis
32046
32047 @smallexample
32048 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32049 @end smallexample
32050
32051 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32052
32053 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32054
32055 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32056
32057 @subheading Example
32058
32059 @smallexample
32060 (gdb)
32061 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32062 ^done
32063 (gdb)
32064 @end smallexample
32065
32066 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32067 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32068
32069 @subheading Synopsis
32070
32071 @smallexample
32072 -inferior-tty-show
32073 @end smallexample
32074
32075 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32076
32077 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32078
32079 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32080
32081 @subheading Example
32082
32083 @smallexample
32084 (gdb)
32085 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32086 ^done
32087 (gdb)
32088 -inferior-tty-show
32089 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32090 (gdb)
32091 @end smallexample
32092
32093 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32094 @findex -enable-timings
32095
32096 @subheading Synopsis
32097
32098 @smallexample
32099 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32100 @end smallexample
32101
32102 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32103 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32104 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32105 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32106
32107 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32108
32109 No equivalent.
32110
32111 @subheading Example
32112
32113 @smallexample
32114 (gdb)
32115 -enable-timings
32116 ^done
32117 (gdb)
32118 -break-insert main
32119 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32120 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32121 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
32122 times="0"@},
32123 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32124 (gdb)
32125 -enable-timings no
32126 ^done
32127 (gdb)
32128 -exec-run
32129 ^running
32130 (gdb)
32131 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32132 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32133 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32134 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32135 (gdb)
32136 @end smallexample
32137
32138 @node Annotations
32139 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32140
32141 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32142 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32143 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32144 relatively high level.
32145
32146 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32147 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
32148
32149 @ignore
32150 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32151 @end ignore
32152
32153 @menu
32154 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32155 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32156 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32157 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32158 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32159 * Annotations for Running::
32160 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32161 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32162 @end menu
32163
32164 @node Annotations Overview
32165 @section What is an Annotation?
32166 @cindex annotations
32167
32168 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32169 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32170 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32171 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32172 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32173 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32174 cannot contain newline characters.
32175
32176 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32177 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32178 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32179 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32180 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32181 means those three characters as output.
32182
32183 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32184 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32185 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32186 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32187 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32188 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32189 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32190 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32191 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32192
32193 @table @code
32194 @kindex set annotate
32195 @item set annotate @var{level}
32196 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32197 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32198
32199 @item show annotate
32200 @kindex show annotate
32201 Show the current annotation level.
32202 @end table
32203
32204 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32205
32206 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
32207
32208 @smallexample
32209 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
32210 GNU gdb 6.0
32211 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32212 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
32213 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
32214 under certain conditions.
32215 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32216 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
32217 for details.
32218 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
32219
32220 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
32221 (@value{GDBP})
32222 ^Z^Zprompt
32223 @kbd{quit}
32224
32225 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
32226 $
32227 @end smallexample
32228
32229 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
32230 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
32231 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
32232 output from @value{GDBN}.
32233
32234 @node Server Prefix
32235 @section The Server Prefix
32236 @cindex server prefix
32237
32238 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
32239 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
32240 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
32241 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
32242 a transparent manner.
32243
32244 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
32245 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
32246 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
32247 @code{print} command.
32248
32249 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
32250 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
32251
32252 @node Prompting
32253 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
32254
32255 @cindex annotations for prompts
32256 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
32257 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
32258 over, etc.
32259
32260 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
32261 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
32262 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
32263 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
32264 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
32265 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
32266 features the following annotations:
32267
32268 @smallexample
32269 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
32270 ^Z^Zprompt
32271 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
32272 @end smallexample
32273
32274 The input types are
32275
32276 @table @code
32277 @findex pre-prompt annotation
32278 @findex prompt annotation
32279 @findex post-prompt annotation
32280 @item prompt
32281 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
32282
32283 @findex pre-commands annotation
32284 @findex commands annotation
32285 @findex post-commands annotation
32286 @item commands
32287 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
32288 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
32289
32290 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
32291 @findex overload-choice annotation
32292 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
32293 @item overload-choice
32294 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
32295
32296 @findex pre-query annotation
32297 @findex query annotation
32298 @findex post-query annotation
32299 @item query
32300 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
32301
32302 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
32303 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
32304 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
32305 @item prompt-for-continue
32306 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
32307 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
32308 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
32309 presence of annotations.
32310 @end table
32311
32312 @node Errors
32313 @section Errors
32314 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
32315
32316 @findex quit annotation
32317 @smallexample
32318 ^Z^Zquit
32319 @end smallexample
32320
32321 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
32322
32323 @findex error annotation
32324 @smallexample
32325 ^Z^Zerror
32326 @end smallexample
32327
32328 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
32329
32330 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
32331 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
32332 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
32333 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
32334 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
32335 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
32336 to the top level.
32337
32338 @findex error-begin annotation
32339 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
32340
32341 @smallexample
32342 ^Z^Zerror-begin
32343 @end smallexample
32344
32345 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
32346 message.
32347
32348 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
32349 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
32350 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
32351
32352 @node Invalidation
32353 @section Invalidation Notices
32354
32355 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
32356 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
32357 changed.
32358
32359 @table @code
32360 @findex frames-invalid annotation
32361 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
32362
32363 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
32364 have changed.
32365
32366 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
32367 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
32368
32369 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
32370 deleted a breakpoint.
32371 @end table
32372
32373 @node Annotations for Running
32374 @section Running the Program
32375 @cindex annotations for running programs
32376
32377 @findex starting annotation
32378 @findex stopping annotation
32379 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
32380 @code{step} or @code{continue},
32381
32382 @smallexample
32383 ^Z^Zstarting
32384 @end smallexample
32385
32386 is output. When the program stops,
32387
32388 @smallexample
32389 ^Z^Zstopped
32390 @end smallexample
32391
32392 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
32393 annotations describe how the program stopped.
32394
32395 @table @code
32396 @findex exited annotation
32397 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
32398 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
32399 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
32400
32401 @findex signalled annotation
32402 @findex signal-name annotation
32403 @findex signal-name-end annotation
32404 @findex signal-string annotation
32405 @findex signal-string-end annotation
32406 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
32407 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
32408 annotation continues:
32409
32410 @smallexample
32411 @var{intro-text}
32412 ^Z^Zsignal-name
32413 @var{name}
32414 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
32415 @var{middle-text}
32416 ^Z^Zsignal-string
32417 @var{string}
32418 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
32419 @var{end-text}
32420 @end smallexample
32421
32422 @noindent
32423 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
32424 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
32425 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
32426 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
32427 user's benefit and have no particular format.
32428
32429 @findex signal annotation
32430 @item ^Z^Zsignal
32431 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
32432 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
32433 terminated with it.
32434
32435 @findex breakpoint annotation
32436 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
32437 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
32438
32439 @findex watchpoint annotation
32440 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
32441 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
32442 @end table
32443
32444 @node Source Annotations
32445 @section Displaying Source
32446 @cindex annotations for source display
32447
32448 @findex source annotation
32449 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
32450
32451 @smallexample
32452 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
32453 @end smallexample
32454
32455 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
32456 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
32457 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
32458 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
32459 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
32460 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
32461 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
32462 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
32463 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
32464 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
32465 depend on the language).
32466
32467 @node JIT Interface
32468 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
32469 @cindex just-in-time compilation
32470 @cindex JIT compilation interface
32471
32472 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
32473 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
32474 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
32475 performance while maintaining platform independence.
32476
32477 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
32478 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
32479 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
32480 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
32481 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
32482 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
32483
32484 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
32485 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
32486 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
32487 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
32488 LLVM JIT.
32489
32490 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
32491 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
32492 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
32493 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
32494 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
32495 out about additional code.
32496
32497 @menu
32498 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
32499 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
32500 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
32501 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
32502 @end menu
32503
32504 @node Declarations
32505 @section JIT Declarations
32506
32507 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
32508 implement the interface:
32509
32510 @smallexample
32511 typedef enum
32512 @{
32513 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
32514 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
32515 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
32516 @} jit_actions_t;
32517
32518 struct jit_code_entry
32519 @{
32520 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
32521 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
32522 const char *symfile_addr;
32523 uint64_t symfile_size;
32524 @};
32525
32526 struct jit_descriptor
32527 @{
32528 uint32_t version;
32529 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
32530 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
32531 uint32_t action_flag;
32532 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
32533 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
32534 @};
32535
32536 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
32537 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
32538
32539 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
32540 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
32541 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
32542 @end smallexample
32543
32544 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
32545 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
32546 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
32547
32548 @node Registering Code
32549 @section Registering Code
32550
32551 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
32552
32553 @itemize @bullet
32554 @item
32555 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
32556 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
32557
32558 @item
32559 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
32560 file.
32561
32562 @item
32563 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
32564
32565 @item
32566 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
32567
32568 @item
32569 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
32570 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32571 @end itemize
32572
32573 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
32574 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
32575 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
32576 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
32577
32578 @node Unregistering Code
32579 @section Unregistering Code
32580
32581 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
32582
32583 @itemize @bullet
32584 @item
32585 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
32586
32587 @item
32588 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
32589
32590 @item
32591 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
32592 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32593 @end itemize
32594
32595 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
32596 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
32597
32598 @node Custom Debug Info
32599 @section Custom Debug Info
32600 @cindex custom JIT debug info
32601 @cindex JIT debug info reader
32602
32603 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
32604 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
32605 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
32606 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
32607 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
32608 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
32609 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
32610 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
32611 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
32612
32613 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
32614 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
32615 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
32616 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
32617 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
32618 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
32619 compiler.
32620
32621 @menu
32622 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
32623 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
32624 @end menu
32625
32626 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32627 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32628 @kindex jit-reader-load
32629 @kindex jit-reader-unload
32630
32631 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
32632 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
32633
32634 @table @code
32635 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
32636 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
32637 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
32638 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
32639 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
32640 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
32641 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
32642
32643 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
32644 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
32645 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
32646 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
32647 @code{jit-reader-load}.
32648
32649 @item jit-reader-unload
32650 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
32651
32652 @end table
32653
32654 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32655 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32656 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
32657
32658 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
32659 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
32660
32661 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
32662 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
32663 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
32664 the system include directory.
32665
32666 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
32667 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
32668 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
32669
32670 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
32671 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
32672
32673 @findex gdb_init_reader
32674 @smallexample
32675 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
32676 @end smallexample
32677
32678 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
32679
32680 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
32681 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
32682 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
32683 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
32684 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
32685 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
32686
32687 @smallexample
32688 struct gdb_reader_funcs
32689 @{
32690 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
32691 int reader_version;
32692
32693 /* For use by the reader. */
32694 void *priv_data;
32695
32696 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
32697 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
32698 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
32699 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
32700 @};
32701 @end smallexample
32702
32703 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
32704 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
32705
32706 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
32707 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
32708 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
32709 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
32710 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
32711 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
32712 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
32713 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
32714 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
32715 target's address space.
32716
32717 @node In-Process Agent
32718 @chapter In-Process Agent
32719 @cindex debugging agent
32720 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
32721 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
32722 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
32723 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
32724 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
32725 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
32726 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
32727 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
32728 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
32729 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
32730 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
32731 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
32732 behavior without interrupting it.
32733
32734 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
32735 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
32736 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
32737 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
32738 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
32739 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
32740 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
32741 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
32742 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
32743
32744 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
32745 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
32746 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
32747 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
32748
32749 @anchor{Control Agent}
32750 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
32751 debugging with the following commands:
32752
32753 @table @code
32754 @kindex set agent on
32755 @item set agent on
32756 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
32757 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
32758 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
32759 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
32760 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
32761 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
32762
32763 @kindex set agent off
32764 @item set agent off
32765 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
32766 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
32767
32768 @kindex show agent
32769 @item show agent
32770 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
32771 the in-process agent.
32772 @end table
32773
32774 @menu
32775 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
32776 @end menu
32777
32778 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
32779 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
32780 @cindex in-process agent protocol
32781
32782 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
32783 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
32784 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
32785 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
32786 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
32787 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
32788 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
32789 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
32790 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
32791
32792 @menu
32793 * IPA Protocol Objects::
32794 * IPA Protocol Commands::
32795 @end menu
32796
32797 @node IPA Protocol Objects
32798 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
32799 @cindex ipa protocol objects
32800
32801 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
32802 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
32803
32804 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
32805 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
32806 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
32807 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
32808
32809 @enumerate
32810 @item
32811 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
32812 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
32813 @item
32814 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
32815 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
32816 the other one.
32817 @end enumerate
32818
32819 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
32820
32821 @enumerate
32822 @item
32823 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
32824 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
32825 @anchor{agent expression object}
32826 @item
32827 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
32828 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
32829 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
32830 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
32831 @item
32832 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32833 @anchor{tracepoint object}
32834
32835 @end enumerate
32836
32837 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
32838 object:
32839
32840 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
32841 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
32842 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
32843 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
32844 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
32845 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
32846 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32847 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
32848 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
32849 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
32850 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
32851 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
32852 memory address for collecting.
32853 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
32854 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32855 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
32856 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32857 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
32858 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32859 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
32860 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
32861 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
32862 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
32863 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
32864 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
32865 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
32866 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
32867 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
32868 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
32869 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
32870 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
32871 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
32872 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
32873 @ref{agent expression object}
32874 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
32875 @ref{agent expression object}
32876 @item actions @tab variable
32877 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
32878 @end multitable
32879
32880 @node IPA Protocol Commands
32881 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
32882 @cindex ipa protocol commands
32883
32884 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
32885 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
32886
32887 @table @samp
32888
32889 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
32890 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
32891 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
32892 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
32893 in IPA finally.
32894
32895 Replies:
32896 @table @samp
32897 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
32898 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
32899 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
32900 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
32901 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
32902 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
32903 @item E @var{NN}
32904 for an error
32905
32906 @end table
32907
32908 @item close
32909 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
32910 is about to kill inferiors.
32911
32912 @item qTfSTM
32913 @xref{qTfSTM}.
32914 @item qTsSTM
32915 @xref{qTsSTM}.
32916 @item qTSTMat
32917 @xref{qTSTMat}.
32918 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
32919 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
32920
32921 Replies:
32922 @table @samp
32923 @item E @var{NN}
32924 for an error
32925 @end table
32926 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
32927 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
32928 @end table
32929
32930 @node GDB Bugs
32931 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
32932 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
32933 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
32934
32935 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
32936
32937 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
32938 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
32939 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
32940 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
32941
32942 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
32943 information that enables us to fix the bug.
32944
32945 @menu
32946 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
32947 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
32948 @end menu
32949
32950 @node Bug Criteria
32951 @section Have You Found a Bug?
32952 @cindex bug criteria
32953
32954 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
32955
32956 @itemize @bullet
32957 @cindex fatal signal
32958 @cindex debugger crash
32959 @cindex crash of debugger
32960 @item
32961 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
32962 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
32963
32964 @cindex error on valid input
32965 @item
32966 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
32967 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
32968 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
32969
32970 @cindex invalid input
32971 @item
32972 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
32973 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
32974 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
32975 for traditional practice''.
32976
32977 @item
32978 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
32979 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
32980 @end itemize
32981
32982 @node Bug Reporting
32983 @section How to Report Bugs
32984 @cindex bug reports
32985 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
32986
32987 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
32988 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
32989 contact that organization first.
32990
32991 You can find contact information for many support companies and
32992 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
32993 distribution.
32994 @c should add a web page ref...
32995
32996 @ifset BUGURL
32997 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
32998 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32999 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33000 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33001 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33002 be used.
33003
33004 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33005 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33006 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33007 @samp{bug-gdb}.
33008
33009 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33010 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33011 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33012 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33013 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33014 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33015 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33016 bug reports to the mailing list.
33017 @end ifset
33018 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33019 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33020 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33021 @end ifclear
33022 @end ifset
33023
33024 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33025 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33026 fact or leave it out, state it!
33027
33028 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33029 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33030 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33031 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33032 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33033 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33034 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33035 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33036 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33037
33038 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33039 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33040 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33041 self-contained.
33042
33043 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33044 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33045 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33046 bugs properly.
33047
33048 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33049
33050 @itemize @bullet
33051 @item
33052 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33053 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33054 version}.
33055
33056 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33057 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33058
33059 @item
33060 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33061 version number.
33062
33063 @item
33064 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
33065 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
33066 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
33067 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
33068
33069 @item
33070 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33071 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33072
33073 @item
33074 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33075 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33076 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33077 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33078 those compilers.
33079
33080 @item
33081 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33082 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33083 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33084 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33085
33086 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33087 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33088
33089 @item
33090 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33091 reproduce the bug.
33092
33093 @item
33094 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33095 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33096
33097 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33098 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33099 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33100 a chance to make a mistake.
33101
33102 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33103 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33104 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33105 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33106 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33107 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33108 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33109 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33110
33111 @pindex script
33112 @cindex recording a session script
33113 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33114 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33115 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33116 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33117
33118 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33119 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33120
33121 @item
33122 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33123 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33124 it by context, not by line number.
33125
33126 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33127 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33128
33129 @end itemize
33130
33131 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33132
33133 @itemize @bullet
33134 @item
33135 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33136
33137 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33138 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33139 changes will not affect it.
33140
33141 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33142 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33143 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33144 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33145
33146 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33147 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33148 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33149 less time, and so on.
33150
33151 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33152 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33153
33154 @item
33155 A patch for the bug.
33156
33157 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33158 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33159 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33160 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33161
33162 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33163 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33164 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33165 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33166
33167 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33168 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33169 help us to understand.
33170
33171 @item
33172 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33173
33174 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33175 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33176 @end itemize
33177
33178 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33179 @c and consists of the two following files:
33180 @c rluser.texi
33181 @c hsuser.texi
33182 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33183 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33184 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33185 @include rluser.texi
33186 @include hsuser.texi
33187 @end ifclear
33188
33189 @node In Memoriam
33190 @appendix In Memoriam
33191
33192 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33193 contributors:
33194
33195 @table @code
33196 @item Fred Fish
33197 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33198 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33199 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33200
33201 @item Michael Snyder
33202 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33203 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33204 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33205 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33206 @end table
33207
33208 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33209 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33210
33211 @node Formatting Documentation
33212 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33213
33214 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33215 @cindex reference card
33216 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
33217 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
33218 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
33219 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
33220 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
33221 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
33222
33223 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
33224 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
33225
33226 @smallexample
33227 make refcard.dvi
33228 @end smallexample
33229
33230 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
33231 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
33232 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
33233 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
33234 your @sc{dvi} output program.
33235
33236 @cindex documentation
33237
33238 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
33239 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
33240 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
33241 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
33242 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
33243 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
33244
33245 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
33246 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
33247 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
33248 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
33249 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
33250 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
33251 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
33252 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
33253
33254 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
33255 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
33256 @code{makeinfo}.
33257
33258 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
33259 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
33260 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
33261
33262 @smallexample
33263 cd gdb
33264 make gdb.info
33265 @end smallexample
33266
33267 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
33268 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
33269 Texinfo definitions file.
33270
33271 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
33272 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
33273 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
33274 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
33275 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
33276 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
33277 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
33278
33279 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
33280 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
33281 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
33282 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
33283 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
33284 directory.
33285
33286 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
33287 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
33288 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
33289 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
33290
33291 @smallexample
33292 make gdb.dvi
33293 @end smallexample
33294
33295 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
33296
33297 @node Installing GDB
33298 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
33299 @cindex installation
33300
33301 @menu
33302 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
33303 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
33304 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
33305 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
33306 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
33307 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
33308 @end menu
33309
33310 @node Requirements
33311 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
33312 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
33313
33314 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
33315 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
33316
33317 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
33318 @table @asis
33319 @item ISO C90 compiler
33320 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
33321 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
33322
33323 @end table
33324
33325 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
33326 @table @asis
33327 @item Expat
33328 @anchor{Expat}
33329 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
33330 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
33331 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
33332 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
33333 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
33334 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
33335
33336 Expat is used for:
33337
33338 @itemize @bullet
33339 @item
33340 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
33341 @item
33342 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
33343 @item
33344 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
33345 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
33346 @item
33347 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
33348 @item
33349 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
33350 @item
33351 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
33352 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
33353 @end itemize
33354
33355 @item zlib
33356 @cindex compressed debug sections
33357 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
33358 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
33359 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
33360 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
33361 information in such binaries.
33362
33363 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
33364 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
33365 @url{http://zlib.net}.
33366
33367 @item iconv
33368 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
33369 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
33370 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
33371 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
33372
33373 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
33374 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
33375 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
33376 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
33377
33378 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
33379 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
33380 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
33381
33382 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
33383 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
33384 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
33385 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
33386 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
33387 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
33388 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
33389 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
33390 @end table
33391
33392 @node Running Configure
33393 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
33394 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
33395 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
33396 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
33397 build the @code{gdb} program.
33398 @iftex
33399 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
33400 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
33401 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
33402 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
33403 @end iftex
33404
33405 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
33406 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
33407 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
33408
33409 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
33410 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
33411
33412 @table @code
33413 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
33414 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
33415
33416 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
33417 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
33418
33419 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
33420 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
33421
33422 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
33423 @sc{gnu} include files
33424
33425 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
33426 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
33427
33428 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
33429 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
33430
33431 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
33432 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
33433
33434 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
33435 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
33436
33437 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
33438 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
33439 @end table
33440
33441 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
33442 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
33443 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
33444
33445 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
33446 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
33447 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
33448 argument.
33449
33450 For example:
33451
33452 @smallexample
33453 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33454 ./configure @var{host}
33455 make
33456 @end smallexample
33457
33458 @noindent
33459 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
33460 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
33461 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
33462 correct value by examining your system.)
33463
33464 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
33465 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
33466 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
33467 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
33468
33469 @need 750
33470 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
33471 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
33472 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
33473
33474 @smallexample
33475 sh configure @var{host}
33476 @end smallexample
33477
33478 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
33479 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
33480 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
33481 @file{configure}
33482 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
33483 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
33484
33485 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
33486 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
33487 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
33488 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
33489 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
33490 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
33491 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
33492 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
33493 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33494
33495 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
33496 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
33497 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
33498 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
33499 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
33500
33501 @node Separate Objdir
33502 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
33503
33504 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
33505 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
33506 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
33507 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
33508 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
33509 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
33510 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
33511 program specified there.
33512
33513 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
33514 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
33515 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
33516 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
33517 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
33518 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
33519
33520 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
33521 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
33522
33523 @smallexample
33524 @group
33525 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33526 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
33527 cd ../gdb-sun4
33528 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
33529 make
33530 @end group
33531 @end smallexample
33532
33533 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
33534 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
33535 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
33536 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
33537 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
33538 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
33539
33540 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
33541 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
33542 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
33543 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
33544 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33545
33546 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
33547 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
33548 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
33549 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
33550 You specify a cross-debugging target by
33551 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
33552
33553 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
33554 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
33555 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
33556
33557 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
33558 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
33559 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
33560 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
33561 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
33562
33563 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
33564 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
33565 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
33566 with each other.
33567
33568 @node Config Names
33569 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
33570
33571 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
33572 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
33573 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
33574 of information in the following pattern:
33575
33576 @smallexample
33577 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
33578 @end smallexample
33579
33580 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
33581 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
33582 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
33583
33584 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
33585 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
33586 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
33587 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
33588 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
33589 abbreviations---for example:
33590
33591 @smallexample
33592 % sh config.sub i386-linux
33593 i386-pc-linux-gnu
33594 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
33595 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
33596 % sh config.sub hp9k700
33597 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
33598 % sh config.sub sun4
33599 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
33600 % sh config.sub sun3
33601 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
33602 % sh config.sub i986v
33603 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
33604 @end smallexample
33605
33606 @noindent
33607 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
33608 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
33609
33610 @node Configure Options
33611 @section @file{configure} Options
33612
33613 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
33614 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
33615 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
33616 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
33617
33618 @smallexample
33619 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
33620 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33621 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33622 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
33623 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
33624 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
33625 @var{host}
33626 @end smallexample
33627
33628 @noindent
33629 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
33630 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
33631 @samp{--}.
33632
33633 @table @code
33634 @item --help
33635 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
33636
33637 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
33638 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
33639 @file{@var{dir}}.
33640
33641 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
33642 Configure the source to install programs under directory
33643 @file{@var{dir}}.
33644
33645 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
33646 @need 2000
33647 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
33648 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
33649 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
33650 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
33651 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
33652 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
33653 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
33654 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
33655 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
33656 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
33657 @var{dirname}.
33658
33659 @item --norecursion
33660 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
33661 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
33662
33663 @item --target=@var{target}
33664 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
33665 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
33666 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
33667
33668 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
33669
33670 @item @var{host} @dots{}
33671 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
33672
33673 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
33674 @end table
33675
33676 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
33677 needed for special purposes only.
33678
33679 @node System-wide configuration
33680 @section System-wide configuration and settings
33681 @cindex system-wide init file
33682
33683 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
33684 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
33685 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
33686
33687 Here is the corresponding configure option:
33688
33689 @table @code
33690 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
33691 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
33692 @var{file}.
33693 @end table
33694
33695 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
33696 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
33697
33698 @itemize @bullet
33699 @item
33700 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
33701 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
33702 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
33703 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
33704 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
33705 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
33706
33707 @item
33708 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
33709 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
33710 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33711 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33712 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
33713 @end itemize
33714
33715 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
33716 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
33717 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
33718 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
33719 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
33720 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
33721 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
33722 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
33723 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
33724 reread.
33725
33726 @menu
33727 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33728 @end menu
33729
33730 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
33731 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33732 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
33733
33734 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
33735 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
33736 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
33737 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
33738 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
33739 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
33740
33741 The following scripts are currently available:
33742 @itemize @bullet
33743
33744 @item @file{elinos.py}
33745 @pindex elinos.py
33746 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
33747 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
33748 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
33749 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
33750 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
33751 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
33752
33753 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
33754 @pindex wrs-linux.py
33755 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
33756 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
33757 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
33758 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
33759
33760 @end itemize
33761
33762 @node Maintenance Commands
33763 @appendix Maintenance Commands
33764 @cindex maintenance commands
33765 @cindex internal commands
33766
33767 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
33768 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
33769 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
33770 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
33771 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
33772
33773 @table @code
33774 @kindex maint agent
33775 @kindex maint agent-eval
33776 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33777 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33778 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
33779 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
33780 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
33781 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
33782 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
33783 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
33784 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
33785 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
33786 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
33787 addition and return the sum.
33788 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
33789 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
33790
33791 @kindex maint agent-printf
33792 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
33793 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
33794 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
33795 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
33796 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
33797
33798 @kindex maint info breakpoints
33799 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
33800 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
33801 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
33802 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
33803 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
33804 is shown:
33805
33806 @table @code
33807 @item breakpoint
33808 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
33809
33810 @item watchpoint
33811 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
33812
33813 @item longjmp
33814 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
33815 @code{longjmp} calls.
33816
33817 @item longjmp resume
33818 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
33819
33820 @item until
33821 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
33822
33823 @item finish
33824 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
33825
33826 @item shlib events
33827 Shared library events.
33828
33829 @end table
33830
33831 @kindex maint info btrace
33832 @item maint info btrace
33833 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
33834
33835 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
33836 @item maint btrace packet-history
33837 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
33838 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
33839 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
33840 recording format.
33841
33842 @table @code
33843 @item bts
33844 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
33845 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
33846
33847 @table @asis
33848 @item Block number
33849 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
33850 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
33851 @item Highest @samp{PC}
33852 @end table
33853
33854 @item pt
33855 For the Intel(R) Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
33856 Intel(R) Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
33857 information is printed:
33858
33859 @table @asis
33860 @item Packet number
33861 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
33862 @item Trace offset
33863 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
33864 @item Packet opcode and payload
33865 @end table
33866 @end table
33867
33868 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
33869 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
33870 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
33871 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
33872 needed.
33873
33874 @kindex maint btrace clear
33875 @item maint btrace clear
33876 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
33877 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
33878
33879 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
33880 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
33881 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
33882 buffer.
33883
33884 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
33885 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
33886 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
33887 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
33888 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
33889 packet history.
33890
33891 @kindex set displaced-stepping
33892 @kindex show displaced-stepping
33893 @cindex displaced stepping support
33894 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
33895 @item set displaced-stepping
33896 @itemx show displaced-stepping
33897 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
33898 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
33899 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
33900 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
33901 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
33902
33903 @table @code
33904 @item set displaced-stepping on
33905 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
33906 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
33907
33908 @item set displaced-stepping off
33909 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
33910 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
33911
33912 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
33913 @item set displaced-stepping auto
33914 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
33915 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
33916 architecture supports displaced stepping.
33917 @end table
33918
33919 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
33920 @item maint check-psymtabs
33921 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
33922 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
33923
33924 @kindex maint check-symtabs
33925 @item maint check-symtabs
33926 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
33927
33928 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
33929 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
33930 Expand symbol tables.
33931 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
33932 names matching @var{regexp}.
33933
33934 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
33935 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33936 @cindex demangler crashes
33937 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
33938 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33939 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
33940 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
33941 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
33942 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
33943 option to terminate the current session.
33944
33945 @kindex maint cplus first_component
33946 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
33947 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
33948
33949 @kindex maint cplus namespace
33950 @item maint cplus namespace
33951 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
33952
33953 @kindex maint deprecate
33954 @kindex maint undeprecate
33955 @cindex deprecated commands
33956 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
33957 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
33958 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
33959 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
33960 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
33961 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
33962 the replacement as part of the warning.
33963
33964 @kindex maint dump-me
33965 @item maint dump-me
33966 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
33967 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
33968 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
33969 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
33970
33971 @kindex maint internal-error
33972 @kindex maint internal-warning
33973 @kindex maint demangler-warning
33974 @cindex demangler crashes
33975 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33976 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33977 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33978
33979 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
33980 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
33981 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
33982 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
33983 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
33984 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
33985 @value{GDBN} session.
33986
33987 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
33988 used as the text of the error or warning message.
33989
33990 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
33991
33992 @smallexample
33993 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
33994 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
33995 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
33996 debugging may prove unreliable.
33997 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33998 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33999 (@value{GDBP})
34000 @end smallexample
34001
34002 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34003 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34004 @cindex demangler crashes
34005
34006 @kindex maint set internal-error
34007 @kindex maint show internal-error
34008 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34009 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34010 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
34011 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
34012 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34013 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34014 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34015 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34016 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34017 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
34018 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34019 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34020 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34021 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34022 described in the table below.
34023
34024 @table @samp
34025 @item quit
34026 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34027 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34028
34029 @item corefile
34030 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34031 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
34032 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
34033 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
34034 disabled.
34035 @end table
34036
34037 @kindex maint packet
34038 @item maint packet @var{text}
34039 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34040 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34041 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34042 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34043 checksum.
34044
34045 @kindex maint print architecture
34046 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34047 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34048 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34049
34050 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34051 @item maint print c-tdesc
34052 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34053 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34054 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34055
34056 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34057 @item maint print dummy-frames
34058 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34059
34060 @smallexample
34061 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34062 @dots{}
34063 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34064 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34065 58 return (a + b);
34066 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34067 @dots{}
34068 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34069 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
34070 (@value{GDBP})
34071 @end smallexample
34072
34073 Takes an optional file parameter.
34074
34075 @kindex maint print registers
34076 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34077 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34078 @kindex maint print register-groups
34079 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34080 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34081 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34082 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34083 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34084 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34085 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34086
34087 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34088 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34089 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34090 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34091 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34092 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34093 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34094 and offsets in the `G' packets.
34095
34096 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34097 write the information.
34098
34099 @kindex maint print reggroups
34100 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34101 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34102 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34103 information.
34104
34105 The register groups info looks like this:
34106
34107 @smallexample
34108 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34109 Group Type
34110 general user
34111 float user
34112 all user
34113 vector user
34114 system user
34115 save internal
34116 restore internal
34117 @end smallexample
34118
34119 @kindex flushregs
34120 @item flushregs
34121 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34122
34123 @kindex maint print objfiles
34124 @cindex info for known object files
34125 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
34126 Print a dump of all known object files.
34127 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
34128 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
34129 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
34130
34131 @kindex maint print user-registers
34132 @cindex user registers
34133 @item maint print user-registers
34134 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
34135 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
34136 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
34137 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
34138 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
34139 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
34140 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
34141
34142 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34143 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34144 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34145 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34146 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34147 matching @var{regexp}.
34148 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34149 and the full path if known.
34150 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34151
34152 @kindex maint print statistics
34153 @cindex bcache statistics
34154 @item maint print statistics
34155 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34156 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34157 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34158 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34159 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34160 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34161 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34162 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34163 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34164 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34165 lengths.
34166
34167 @kindex maint print target-stack
34168 @cindex target stack description
34169 @item maint print target-stack
34170 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34171 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34172 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34173 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34174 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34175 address.
34176
34177 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34178 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34179
34180 @kindex maint print type
34181 @cindex type chain of a data type
34182 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34183 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34184 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34185 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34186 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34187 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34188
34189 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
34190 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
34191 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
34192 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
34193 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34194 information.
34195
34196 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34197 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34198 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34199 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34200 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34201 always see the disassembly form.
34202
34203 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34204
34205 @smallexample
34206 (gdb) info addr argc
34207 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34208 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
34209 @end smallexample
34210
34211 For more information on these expressions, see
34212 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34213
34214 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
34215 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
34216 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
34217 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
34218 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
34219
34220 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
34221 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34222 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
34223 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34224 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34225 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34226 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34227 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34228 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34229
34230 @kindex maint set profile
34231 @kindex maint show profile
34232 @cindex profiling GDB
34233 @item maint set profile
34234 @itemx maint show profile
34235 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34236
34237 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34238 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34239 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34240 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34241 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34242 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34243 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34244
34245 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34246 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34247
34248 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34249 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34250 @cindex hardware debug registers
34251 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34252 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34253 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34254 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
34255 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34256 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34257 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34258
34259 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34260 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34261 @item maint set show-all-tib
34262 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34263 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34264 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34265 command.
34266
34267 @kindex maint set target-async
34268 @kindex maint show target-async
34269 @item maint set target-async
34270 @itemx maint show target-async
34271 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
34272 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
34273 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
34274 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
34275
34276 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
34277 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
34278 @item maint set target-non-stop
34279 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
34280
34281 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
34282 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
34283 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
34284 if supported by the target.
34285
34286 @table @code
34287 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
34288 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
34289 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
34290
34291 @item maint set target-non-stop on
34292 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
34293 does not indicate support.
34294
34295 @item maint set target-non-stop off
34296 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
34297 target supports it.
34298 @end table
34299
34300 @kindex maint set per-command
34301 @kindex maint show per-command
34302 @item maint set per-command
34303 @itemx maint show per-command
34304 @cindex resources used by commands
34305
34306 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
34307 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
34308
34309 @table @code
34310 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
34311 @itemx maint show per-command space
34312 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
34313 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34314 took, following the command's own output.
34315 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34316 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34317
34318 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
34319 @itemx maint show per-command time
34320 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
34321 for each command.
34322 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34323 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34324 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34325 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34326 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
34327 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34328 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34329 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34330 spent by the program been debugged.
34331 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34332 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34333
34334 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
34335 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
34336 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
34337 for each command.
34338 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
34339
34340 @enumerate a
34341 @item
34342 number of symbol tables
34343 @item
34344 number of primary symbol tables
34345 @item
34346 number of blocks in the blockvector
34347 @end enumerate
34348 @end table
34349
34350 @kindex maint space
34351 @cindex memory used by commands
34352 @item maint space @var{value}
34353 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
34354 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
34355
34356 @kindex maint time
34357 @cindex time of command execution
34358 @item maint time @var{value}
34359 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
34360 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
34361
34362 @kindex maint translate-address
34363 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34364 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34365 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34366 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34367 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34368 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34369 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34370
34371 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34372 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34373 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34374
34375 @end table
34376
34377 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34378 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34379
34380 @table @code
34381 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34382 @kindex set watchdog
34383 @cindex watchdog timer
34384 @cindex timeout for commands
34385 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34386 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34387 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34388
34389 @item show watchdog
34390 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34391 @end table
34392
34393 @node Remote Protocol
34394 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34395
34396 @menu
34397 * Overview::
34398 * Packets::
34399 * Stop Reply Packets::
34400 * General Query Packets::
34401 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34402 * Tracepoint Packets::
34403 * Host I/O Packets::
34404 * Interrupts::
34405 * Notification Packets::
34406 * Remote Non-Stop::
34407 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34408 * Examples::
34409 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34410 * Library List Format::
34411 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34412 * Memory Map Format::
34413 * Thread List Format::
34414 * Traceframe Info Format::
34415 * Branch Trace Format::
34416 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
34417 @end menu
34418
34419 @node Overview
34420 @section Overview
34421
34422 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34423 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34424 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34425 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34426
34427 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34428 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34429
34430 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34431 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34432 @cindex remote serial protocol
34433 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34434 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34435 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34436 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34437 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34438
34439 @smallexample
34440 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34441 @end smallexample
34442 @noindent
34443
34444 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
34445 @noindent
34446 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
34447 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
34448 eight bit unsigned checksum).
34449
34450 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
34451 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
34452
34453 @smallexample
34454 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34455 @end smallexample
34456
34457 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
34458 @noindent
34459 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
34460 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
34461 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
34462
34463 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
34464 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34465 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
34466 retransmission):
34467
34468 @smallexample
34469 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34470 <- @code{+}
34471 @end smallexample
34472 @noindent
34473
34474 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
34475 once a connection is established.
34476 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
34477
34478 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
34479 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
34480 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
34481 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
34482 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
34483 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
34484 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
34485
34486 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
34487 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
34488 exceptions).
34489
34490 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
34491 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
34492 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
34493 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
34494
34495 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
34496 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
34497 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
34498
34499 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
34500 @anchor{Binary Data}
34501 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
34502 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
34503 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
34504 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
34505 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
34506 binary data.
34507
34508 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
34509 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
34510 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
34511 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
34512 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
34513 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
34514 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
34515 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
34516 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
34517 (described next).
34518
34519 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
34520 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
34521 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
34522 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
34523 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
34524 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
34525 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
34526 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
34527 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
34528 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
34529 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
34530 3}} more times.
34531
34532 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
34533 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
34534 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
34535 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
34536 @samp{0*"00}.
34537
34538 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
34539 error number. That number is not well defined.
34540
34541 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
34542 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
34543 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
34544 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
34545 on that response.
34546
34547 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
34548 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
34549 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
34550 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
34551 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
34552 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
34553
34554 @node Packets
34555 @section Packets
34556
34557 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
34558 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
34559 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
34560 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
34561
34562 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
34563 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
34564 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
34565 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
34566 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
34567 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
34568 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
34569 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
34570 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
34571 @var{baz}.
34572
34573 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
34574 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
34575 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
34576 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
34577 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
34578 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
34579 pick any thread.
34580
34581 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
34582 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
34583 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
34584 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
34585 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
34586 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
34587 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
34588 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
34589 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
34590 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
34591 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
34592 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
34593 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
34594
34595 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
34596 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
34597 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
34598 more information.
34599
34600 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
34601 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
34602
34603 Here are the packet descriptions.
34604
34605 @table @samp
34606
34607 @item !
34608 @cindex @samp{!} packet
34609 @anchor{extended mode}
34610 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
34611 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
34612 debugged.
34613
34614 Reply:
34615 @table @samp
34616 @item OK
34617 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
34618 @end table
34619
34620 @item ?
34621 @cindex @samp{?} packet
34622 @anchor{? packet}
34623 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
34624 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
34625 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
34626
34627 Reply:
34628 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34629
34630 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
34631 @cindex @samp{A} packet
34632 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
34633 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
34634 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
34635
34636 Reply:
34637 @table @samp
34638 @item OK
34639 The arguments were set.
34640 @item E @var{NN}
34641 An error occurred.
34642 @end table
34643
34644 @item b @var{baud}
34645 @cindex @samp{b} packet
34646 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
34647 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
34648
34649 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
34650 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
34651 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
34652
34653 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
34654 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
34655 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
34656 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
34657 of view, nothing actually happened.}
34658
34659 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
34660 @cindex @samp{B} packet
34661 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
34662 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
34663
34664 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
34665 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
34666
34667 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
34668 @anchor{bc}
34669 @item bc
34670 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
34671 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34672
34673 Reply:
34674 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34675
34676 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
34677 @anchor{bs}
34678 @item bs
34679 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
34680 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34681
34682 Reply:
34683 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34684
34685 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34686 @cindex @samp{c} packet
34687 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
34688 is omitted, resume at current address.
34689
34690 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34691 packet}.
34692
34693 Reply:
34694 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34695
34696 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34697 @cindex @samp{C} packet
34698 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
34699 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
34700
34701 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34702 packet}.
34703
34704 Reply:
34705 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34706
34707 @item d
34708 @cindex @samp{d} packet
34709 Toggle debug flag.
34710
34711 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
34712 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
34713
34714 @item D
34715 @itemx D;@var{pid}
34716 @cindex @samp{D} packet
34717 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
34718 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
34719 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
34720
34721 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
34722 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
34723 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
34724 big-endian hex string.
34725
34726 Reply:
34727 @table @samp
34728 @item OK
34729 for success
34730 @item E @var{NN}
34731 for an error
34732 @end table
34733
34734 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
34735 @cindex @samp{F} packet
34736 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
34737 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
34738 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
34739
34740 @item g
34741 @anchor{read registers packet}
34742 @cindex @samp{g} packet
34743 Read general registers.
34744
34745 Reply:
34746 @table @samp
34747 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34748 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
34749 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
34750 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
34751 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
34752 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
34753 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
34754
34755 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
34756 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
34757 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
34758 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
34759 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
34760 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
34761 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
34762 have been collected, and both have zero value:
34763
34764 @smallexample
34765 -> @code{g}
34766 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
34767 @end smallexample
34768
34769 @item E @var{NN}
34770 for an error.
34771 @end table
34772
34773 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
34774 @cindex @samp{G} packet
34775 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
34776 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
34777
34778 Reply:
34779 @table @samp
34780 @item OK
34781 for success
34782 @item E @var{NN}
34783 for an error
34784 @end table
34785
34786 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
34787 @cindex @samp{H} packet
34788 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
34789 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
34790 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
34791 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
34792 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
34793 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
34794 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34795
34796 Reply:
34797 @table @samp
34798 @item OK
34799 for success
34800 @item E @var{NN}
34801 for an error
34802 @end table
34803
34804 @c FIXME: JTC:
34805 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
34806 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
34807 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
34808 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
34809 @c described. For example:
34810 @c
34811 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34812 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
34813 @c otherwise returns current registers.
34814 @c
34815 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34816 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
34817 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
34818
34819 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
34820 @anchor{cycle step packet}
34821 @cindex @samp{i} packet
34822 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
34823 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
34824 step starting at that address.
34825
34826 @item I
34827 @cindex @samp{I} packet
34828 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
34829 step packet}.
34830
34831 @item k
34832 @cindex @samp{k} packet
34833 Kill request.
34834
34835 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
34836
34837 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
34838 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
34839
34840 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
34841
34842 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
34843 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
34844 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
34845
34846 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
34847 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
34848 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
34849
34850 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
34851 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
34852 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
34853 (@pxref{? packet}).
34854
34855 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
34856 @cindex @samp{m} packet
34857 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
34858 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
34859 any particular boundary.
34860
34861 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
34862 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
34863 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
34864 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
34865 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
34866 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
34867 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
34868 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
34869
34870 Reply:
34871 @table @samp
34872 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34873 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
34874 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
34875 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
34876 @item E @var{NN}
34877 @var{NN} is errno
34878 @end table
34879
34880 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34881 @cindex @samp{M} packet
34882 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
34883 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
34884 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
34885
34886 Reply:
34887 @table @samp
34888 @item OK
34889 for success
34890 @item E @var{NN}
34891 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
34892 written).
34893 @end table
34894
34895 @item p @var{n}
34896 @cindex @samp{p} packet
34897 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
34898 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
34899 register value is encoded.
34900
34901 Reply:
34902 @table @samp
34903 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34904 the register's value
34905 @item E @var{NN}
34906 for an error
34907 @item @w{}
34908 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
34909 @end table
34910
34911 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
34912 @anchor{write register packet}
34913 @cindex @samp{P} packet
34914 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
34915 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
34916 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
34917
34918 Reply:
34919 @table @samp
34920 @item OK
34921 for success
34922 @item E @var{NN}
34923 for an error
34924 @end table
34925
34926 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34927 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34928 @cindex @samp{q} packet
34929 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
34930 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
34931 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
34932
34933 @item r
34934 @cindex @samp{r} packet
34935 Reset the entire system.
34936
34937 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
34938
34939 @item R @var{XX}
34940 @cindex @samp{R} packet
34941 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
34942 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34943
34944 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
34945
34946 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34947 @cindex @samp{s} packet
34948 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
34949 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
34950
34951 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34952 packet}.
34953
34954 Reply:
34955 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34956
34957 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34958 @anchor{step with signal packet}
34959 @cindex @samp{S} packet
34960 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
34961 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
34962
34963 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34964 packet}.
34965
34966 Reply:
34967 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34968
34969 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
34970 @cindex @samp{t} packet
34971 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
34972 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
34973 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
34974
34975 @item T @var{thread-id}
34976 @cindex @samp{T} packet
34977 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34978
34979 Reply:
34980 @table @samp
34981 @item OK
34982 thread is still alive
34983 @item E @var{NN}
34984 thread is dead
34985 @end table
34986
34987 @item v
34988 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
34989 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
34990
34991 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
34992 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
34993 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
34994 The process ID is a
34995 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
34996 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
34997 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
34998
34999 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35000 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35001 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35002 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35003 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35004 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35005 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35006 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35007
35008 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35009
35010 Reply:
35011 @table @samp
35012 @item E @var{nn}
35013 for an error
35014 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35015 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35016 @item OK
35017 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35018 @end table
35019
35020 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35021 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35022 @anchor{vCont packet}
35023 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35024 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35025 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35026 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35027 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35028 Specifying multiple
35029 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35030 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35031
35032 Currently supported actions are:
35033
35034 @table @samp
35035 @item c
35036 Continue.
35037 @item C @var{sig}
35038 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35039 @item s
35040 Step.
35041 @item S @var{sig}
35042 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35043 @item t
35044 Stop.
35045 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
35046 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
35047 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
35048 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
35049 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
35050 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
35051
35052 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
35053 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
35054 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
35055 jumps to @var{start}).
35056
35057 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
35058 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
35059 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
35060
35061 @end table
35062
35063 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35064 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35065 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35066
35067 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35068 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35069 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35070 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35071 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35072 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35073 as an implementation detail.
35074
35075 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35076 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35077 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35078 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35079 @var{thread-id}.
35080
35081 Reply:
35082 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35083
35084 @item vCont?
35085 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35086 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35087
35088 Reply:
35089 @table @samp
35090 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35091 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35092 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35093 @item @w{}
35094 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35095 @end table
35096
35097 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
35098 @item vCtrlC
35099 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
35100 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
35101 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
35102 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
35103 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
35104 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
35105 variant.
35106
35107 Reply:
35108 @table @samp
35109 @item E @var{nn}
35110 for an error
35111 @item OK
35112 for success
35113 @end table
35114
35115 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35116 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35117 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35118 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35119
35120 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35121 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35122 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35123 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35124 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35125 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35126 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35127 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35128 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35129 packet is received.
35130
35131 Reply:
35132 @table @samp
35133 @item OK
35134 for success
35135 @item E @var{NN}
35136 for an error
35137 @end table
35138
35139 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35140 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35141 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35142 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35143 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35144 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35145 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35146 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35147 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35148 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35149 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35150 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35151
35152
35153 Reply:
35154 @table @samp
35155 @item OK
35156 for success
35157 @item E.memtype
35158 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35159 @item E @var{NN}
35160 for an error
35161 @end table
35162
35163 @item vFlashDone
35164 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35165 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35166 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35167 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35168 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35169 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35170 request is completed.
35171
35172 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35173 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35174 @anchor{vKill packet}
35175 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
35176 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35177 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35178 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35179
35180 Reply:
35181 @table @samp
35182 @item E @var{nn}
35183 for an error
35184 @item OK
35185 for success
35186 @end table
35187
35188 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35189 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35190 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35191 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35192 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35193 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35194 state.
35195
35196 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35197
35198 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35199
35200 Reply:
35201 @table @samp
35202 @item E @var{nn}
35203 for an error
35204 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35205 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35206 @end table
35207
35208 @item vStopped
35209 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35210 @xref{Notification Packets}.
35211
35212 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35213 @anchor{X packet}
35214 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35215 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35216 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
35217 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
35218 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35219
35220 Reply:
35221 @table @samp
35222 @item OK
35223 for success
35224 @item E @var{NN}
35225 for an error
35226 @end table
35227
35228 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35229 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35230 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35231 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35232 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35233 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35234 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35235
35236 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35237 separately.
35238
35239 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35240 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35241 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35242 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35243 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35244 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35245
35246 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35247 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35248 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35249 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35250 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35251 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35252
35253 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35254 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35255 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35256 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35257 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35258 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35259 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35260 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35261 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35262 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35263
35264 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
35265 for how to best report a memory breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
35266
35267 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35268 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35269
35270 @table @samp
35271
35272 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35273 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35274 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35275
35276 @end table
35277
35278 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35279 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35280 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35281 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35282 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35283 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35284 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35285
35286 @table @samp
35287
35288 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35289 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35290 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35291
35292 @end table
35293
35294 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35295
35296 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35297 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35298 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35299 target, is not defined.}
35300
35301 Reply:
35302 @table @samp
35303 @item OK
35304 success
35305 @item @w{}
35306 not supported
35307 @item E @var{NN}
35308 for an error
35309 @end table
35310
35311 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35312 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35313 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35314 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35315 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35316 address @var{addr}.
35317
35318 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35319 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. The @var{kind}
35320 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35321
35322 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35323 movement.}
35324
35325 Reply:
35326 @table @samp
35327 @item OK
35328 success
35329 @item @w{}
35330 not supported
35331 @item E @var{NN}
35332 for an error
35333 @end table
35334
35335 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35336 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35337 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35338 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35339 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35340 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35341
35342 Reply:
35343 @table @samp
35344 @item OK
35345 success
35346 @item @w{}
35347 not supported
35348 @item E @var{NN}
35349 for an error
35350 @end table
35351
35352 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35353 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35354 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35355 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35356 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35357 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35358
35359 Reply:
35360 @table @samp
35361 @item OK
35362 success
35363 @item @w{}
35364 not supported
35365 @item E @var{NN}
35366 for an error
35367 @end table
35368
35369 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35370 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35371 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35372 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35373 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35374 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
35375
35376 Reply:
35377 @table @samp
35378 @item OK
35379 success
35380 @item @w{}
35381 not supported
35382 @item E @var{NN}
35383 for an error
35384 @end table
35385
35386 @end table
35387
35388 @node Stop Reply Packets
35389 @section Stop Reply Packets
35390 @cindex stop reply packets
35391
35392 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35393 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35394 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35395 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35396 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35397 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35398 @value{GDBN} source code.
35399
35400 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35401 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35402 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35403 components.
35404
35405 @table @samp
35406
35407 @item S @var{AA}
35408 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35409 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35410 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35411
35412 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35413 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35414 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35415 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35416 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35417 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35418 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35419 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35420
35421 @itemize @bullet
35422 @item
35423 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35424 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
35425 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35426 two-digit hex number.
35427
35428 @item
35429 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35430 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35431
35432 @item
35433 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35434 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35435
35436 @item
35437 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35438 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35439 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35440 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35441
35442 @item
35443 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35444 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35445 future.
35446 @end itemize
35447
35448 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35449
35450 @table @samp
35451 @item watch
35452 @itemx rwatch
35453 @itemx awatch
35454 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35455 hex.
35456
35457 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35458 @item library
35459 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35460 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35461 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
35462
35463 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35464 @item replaylog
35465 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35466 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35467 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35468 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35469 for more information.
35470
35471 @item swbreak
35472 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
35473 The packet indicates a memory breakpoint instruction was executed,
35474 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
35475 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
35476 part must be left empty.
35477
35478 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
35479 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
35480 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
35481 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
35482 address.
35483
35484 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35485 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35486 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35487 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35488 indicating support.
35489
35490 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
35491
35492 @item hwbreak
35493 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
35494 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
35495
35496 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
35497 apply.
35498
35499 @cindex fork events, remote reply
35500 @item fork
35501 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
35502 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
35503 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35504 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
35505 fork events.
35506
35507 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35508 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35509 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35510 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35511 indicating support.
35512
35513 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
35514 @item vfork
35515 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
35516 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
35517 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35518 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
35519 vfork events.
35520
35521 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35522 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35523 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35524 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35525 indicating support.
35526
35527 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
35528 @item vforkdone
35529 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
35530 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
35531 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
35532 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
35533 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
35534
35535 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35536 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35537 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35538 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35539 indicating support.
35540
35541 @cindex exec events, remote reply
35542 @item exec
35543 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
35544 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
35545 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
35546
35547 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
35548 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
35549 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
35550 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
35551 indicating support.
35552
35553 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
35554 @anchor{thread create event}
35555 @item create
35556 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
35557 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
35558 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
35559 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
35560 also the @samp{w} (@ref{thread exit event}) remote reply below.
35561
35562 @end table
35563
35564 @item W @var{AA}
35565 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35566 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35567 applicable to certain targets.
35568
35569 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35570 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35571 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35572 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35573
35574 @item X @var{AA}
35575 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35576 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35577
35578 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35579 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
35580 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
35581 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35582
35583 @anchor{thread exit event}
35584 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
35585 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
35586
35587 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
35588 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
35589 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
35590
35591 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
35592 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
35593 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
35594 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
35595 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
35596
35597 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
35598 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
35599 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
35600 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
35601 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
35602 system calls.
35603
35604 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
35605 this very system call.
35606
35607 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
35608 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
35609 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
35610 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35611 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
35612 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
35613
35614 @end table
35615
35616 @node General Query Packets
35617 @section General Query Packets
35618 @cindex remote query requests
35619
35620 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
35621 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
35622 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
35623 sending information to and from the stub.
35624
35625 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
35626 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
35627 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
35628 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
35629 conventions:
35630
35631 @itemize @bullet
35632 @item
35633 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
35634 @item
35635 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
35636 letter.
35637 @item
35638 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
35639 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
35640 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
35641 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
35642 @end itemize
35643
35644 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
35645 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
35646 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
35647 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
35648 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
35649 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
35650 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
35651 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
35652 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
35653 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
35654 packet.}.
35655
35656 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
35657 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
35658 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
35659 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
35660 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
35661
35662 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
35663
35664 @table @samp
35665
35666 @item QAgent:1
35667 @itemx QAgent:0
35668 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
35669 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
35670
35671 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
35672 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
35673 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
35674 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
35675 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
35676 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
35677 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
35678 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
35679 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
35680 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
35681 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
35682
35683 @item qC
35684 @cindex current thread, remote request
35685 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
35686 Return the current thread ID.
35687
35688 Reply:
35689 @table @samp
35690 @item QC @var{thread-id}
35691 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
35692 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35693 @item @r{(anything else)}
35694 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
35695 @end table
35696
35697 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
35698 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
35699 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
35700 @anchor{qCRC packet}
35701 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
35702 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
35703 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
35704 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
35705
35706 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
35707 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
35708 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
35709 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
35710 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
35711 detect trailing zeros.
35712
35713 Reply:
35714 @table @samp
35715 @item E @var{NN}
35716 An error (such as memory fault)
35717 @item C @var{crc32}
35718 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
35719 @end table
35720
35721 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
35722 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
35723 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
35724 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
35725 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
35726 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
35727 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
35728 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
35729 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
35730 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
35731 randomization.
35732
35733 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35734
35735 Reply:
35736 @table @samp
35737 @item OK
35738 The request succeeded.
35739
35740 @item E @var{nn}
35741 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35742
35743 @item @w{}
35744 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
35745 by the stub.
35746 @end table
35747
35748 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35749 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35750 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
35751 address space randomization.
35752
35753 @item qfThreadInfo
35754 @itemx qsThreadInfo
35755 @cindex list active threads, remote request
35756 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
35757 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
35758 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
35759 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
35760 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
35761 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
35762 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
35763 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
35764
35765 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
35766
35767 Reply:
35768 @table @samp
35769 @item m @var{thread-id}
35770 A single thread ID
35771 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
35772 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
35773 @item l
35774 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
35775 @end table
35776
35777 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
35778 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
35779 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
35780 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
35781 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
35782 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35783 fields.
35784
35785 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
35786 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
35787 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
35788 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
35789 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
35790
35791 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
35792 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
35793 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
35794 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
35795 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
35796
35797 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
35798 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35799
35800 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
35801 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
35802 information associated with the variable.)
35803
35804 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
35805 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
35806 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
35807 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
35808 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
35809 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
35810
35811 Reply:
35812 @table @samp
35813 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35814 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
35815 local storage requested.
35816
35817 @item E @var{nn}
35818 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35819
35820 @item @w{}
35821 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35822 @end table
35823
35824 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
35825 @cindex get thread information block address
35826 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
35827 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
35828
35829 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
35830
35831 Reply:
35832 @table @samp
35833 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35834 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
35835 thread information block.
35836
35837 @item E @var{nn}
35838 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
35839 address could not be retrieved.
35840
35841 @item @w{}
35842 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35843 @end table
35844
35845 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
35846 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
35847 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
35848 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
35849 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
35850 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
35851 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
35852
35853 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
35854
35855 Reply:
35856 @table @samp
35857 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
35858 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
35859 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
35860 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
35861 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
35862 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
35863 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
35864 @end table
35865
35866 @item qOffsets
35867 @cindex section offsets, remote request
35868 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
35869 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
35870 image.
35871
35872 Reply:
35873 @table @samp
35874 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
35875 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
35876 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
35877 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
35878 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
35879 segments by the supplied offsets.
35880
35881 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
35882 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
35883 to the @code{Bss} section.}
35884
35885 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
35886 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
35887 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
35888 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
35889 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
35890 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
35891 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
35892 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
35893 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
35894 @end table
35895
35896 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
35897 @cindex thread information, remote request
35898 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
35899 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
35900 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
35901 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
35902
35903 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
35904 (see below).
35905
35906 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
35907
35908 @item QNonStop:1
35909 @itemx QNonStop:0
35910 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
35911 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
35912 @anchor{QNonStop}
35913 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
35914 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
35915
35916 Reply:
35917 @table @samp
35918 @item OK
35919 The request succeeded.
35920
35921 @item E @var{nn}
35922 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35923
35924 @item @w{}
35925 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
35926 the stub.
35927 @end table
35928
35929 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35930 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35931 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
35932 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
35933
35934 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35935 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
35936 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35937 @anchor{QPassSignals}
35938 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
35939 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35940 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35941 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
35942 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
35943 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
35944 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
35945 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
35946 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
35947
35948 Reply:
35949 @table @samp
35950 @item OK
35951 The request succeeded.
35952
35953 @item E @var{nn}
35954 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35955
35956 @item @w{}
35957 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
35958 the stub.
35959 @end table
35960
35961 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
35962 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
35963 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35964 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35965
35966 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35967 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
35968 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
35969 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
35970 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
35971 Others should be silently discarded.
35972
35973 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
35974 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
35975 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
35976 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
35977 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
35978 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
35979 signals.
35980
35981 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
35982 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
35983
35984 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35985 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35986 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
35987 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
35988 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
35989
35990 Reply:
35991 @table @samp
35992 @item OK
35993 The request succeeded.
35994
35995 @item E @var{nn}
35996 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35997
35998 @item @w{}
35999 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36000 by the stub.
36001 @end table
36002
36003 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36004 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36005 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36006 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36007
36008 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
36009 @item QThreadEvents:1
36010 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
36011 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
36012 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
36013
36014 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
36015 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
36016 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
36017 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
36018 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
36019 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
36020 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
36021 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
36022 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
36023 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36024
36025 Reply:
36026 @table @samp
36027 @item OK
36028 The request succeeded.
36029
36030 @item E @var{nn}
36031 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36032
36033 @item @w{}
36034 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
36035 the stub.
36036 @end table
36037
36038 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
36039 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
36040
36041 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36042 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36043 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36044 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36045 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36046 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36047 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36048 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36049 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36050
36051 Reply:
36052 @table @samp
36053 @item OK
36054 A command response with no output.
36055 @item @var{OUTPUT}
36056 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36057 @item E @var{NN}
36058 Indicate a badly formed request.
36059 @item @w{}
36060 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36061 @end table
36062
36063 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36064 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36065 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36066 packets.)
36067
36068 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36069 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36070 @ifnotinfo
36071 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36072 @end ifnotinfo
36073 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
36074 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36075 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36076 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
36077 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
36078
36079 Reply:
36080 @table @samp
36081 @item 0
36082 The pattern was not found.
36083 @item 1,address
36084 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36085 @item E @var{NN}
36086 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36087 @item @w{}
36088 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36089 @end table
36090
36091 @item QStartNoAckMode
36092 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36093 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36094 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36095 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36096
36097 Reply:
36098 @table @samp
36099 @item OK
36100 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36101 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36102 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36103 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36104 @item @w{}
36105 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36106 @end table
36107
36108 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36109 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36110 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36111 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36112 @anchor{qSupported}
36113 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36114 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36115 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36116 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36117 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36118 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36119 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36120 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36121 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36122 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36123 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36124 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36125 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36126 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36127
36128 Reply:
36129 @table @samp
36130 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36131 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36132 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36133 possible forms).
36134 @item @w{}
36135 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36136 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36137 @end table
36138
36139 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36140 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36141 are:
36142
36143 @table @samp
36144 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36145 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36146 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36147 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36148 @item @var{name}+
36149 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36150 need an associated value.
36151 @item @var{name}-
36152 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36153 @item @var{name}?
36154 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36155 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36156 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36157 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36158 @end table
36159
36160 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36161 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36162 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36163 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36164 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36165
36166 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36167 are defined:
36168
36169 @table @samp
36170 @item multiprocess
36171 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36172 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36173 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36174 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36175 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36176
36177 @item xmlRegisters
36178 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36179 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36180 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36181 description.
36182
36183 @item qRelocInsn
36184 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36185 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36186 instruction reply packet}).
36187
36188 @item swbreak
36189 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
36190 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
36191
36192 @item hwbreak
36193 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
36194 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
36195
36196 @item fork-events
36197 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
36198 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36199 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36200 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36201
36202 @item vfork-events
36203 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
36204 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36205 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36206 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36207
36208 @item exec-events
36209 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
36210 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36211 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36212 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36213
36214 @item vContSupported
36215 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
36216 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
36217 @end table
36218
36219 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36220 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36221 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36222 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36223 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36224 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36225 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36226 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36227 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36228 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36229 all the features it supports.
36230
36231 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36232 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36233
36234 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36235 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36236 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36237 form response.
36238
36239 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36240 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36241 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36242 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36243
36244 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36245 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36246 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36247 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36248 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36249
36250 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36251
36252 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36253 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36254 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36255 @item Feature Name
36256 @tab Value Required
36257 @tab Default
36258 @tab Probe Allowed
36259
36260 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36261 @tab Yes
36262 @tab @samp{-}
36263 @tab No
36264
36265 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36266 @tab No
36267 @tab @samp{-}
36268 @tab Yes
36269
36270 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
36271 @tab No
36272 @tab @samp{-}
36273 @tab Yes
36274
36275 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
36276 @tab No
36277 @tab @samp{-}
36278 @tab Yes
36279
36280 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
36281 @tab No
36282 @tab @samp{-}
36283 @tab Yes
36284
36285 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36286 @tab No
36287 @tab @samp{-}
36288 @tab Yes
36289
36290 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36291 @tab No
36292 @tab @samp{-}
36293 @tab Yes
36294
36295 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
36296 @tab No
36297 @tab @samp{-}
36298 @tab Yes
36299
36300 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
36301 @tab No
36302 @tab @samp{-}
36303 @tab No
36304
36305 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36306 @tab No
36307 @tab @samp{-}
36308 @tab Yes
36309
36310 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36311 @tab No
36312 @tab @samp{-}
36313 @tab Yes
36314
36315 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36316 @tab No
36317 @tab @samp{-}
36318 @tab Yes
36319
36320 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36321 @tab No
36322 @tab @samp{-}
36323 @tab Yes
36324
36325 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36326 @tab No
36327 @tab @samp{-}
36328 @tab Yes
36329
36330 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36331 @tab No
36332 @tab @samp{-}
36333 @tab Yes
36334
36335 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36336 @tab No
36337 @tab @samp{-}
36338 @tab Yes
36339
36340 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36341 @tab No
36342 @tab @samp{-}
36343 @tab Yes
36344
36345 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36346 @tab No
36347 @tab @samp{-}
36348 @tab Yes
36349
36350 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36351 @tab No
36352 @tab @samp{-}
36353 @tab Yes
36354
36355 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
36356 @tab Yes
36357 @tab @samp{-}
36358 @tab Yes
36359
36360 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
36361 @tab Yes
36362 @tab @samp{-}
36363 @tab Yes
36364
36365 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
36366 @tab Yes
36367 @tab @samp{-}
36368 @tab Yes
36369
36370 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
36371 @tab Yes
36372 @tab @samp{-}
36373 @tab Yes
36374
36375 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
36376 @tab Yes
36377 @tab @samp{-}
36378 @tab Yes
36379
36380 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36381 @tab No
36382 @tab @samp{-}
36383 @tab Yes
36384
36385 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36386 @tab No
36387 @tab @samp{-}
36388 @tab Yes
36389
36390 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36391 @tab No
36392 @tab @samp{-}
36393 @tab Yes
36394
36395 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36396 @tab No
36397 @tab @samp{-}
36398 @tab No
36399
36400 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36401 @tab No
36402 @tab @samp{-}
36403 @tab No
36404
36405 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36406 @tab No
36407 @tab @samp{-}
36408 @tab No
36409
36410 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36411 @tab No
36412 @tab @samp{-}
36413 @tab No
36414
36415 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36416 @tab No
36417 @tab @samp{-}
36418 @tab No
36419
36420 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36421 @tab No
36422 @tab @samp{-}
36423 @tab No
36424
36425 @item @samp{QAgent}
36426 @tab No
36427 @tab @samp{-}
36428 @tab No
36429
36430 @item @samp{QAllow}
36431 @tab No
36432 @tab @samp{-}
36433 @tab No
36434
36435 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36436 @tab No
36437 @tab @samp{-}
36438 @tab No
36439
36440 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36441 @tab No
36442 @tab @samp{-}
36443 @tab No
36444
36445 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
36446 @tab No
36447 @tab @samp{-}
36448 @tab No
36449
36450 @item @samp{tracenz}
36451 @tab No
36452 @tab @samp{-}
36453 @tab No
36454
36455 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36456 @tab No
36457 @tab @samp{-}
36458 @tab No
36459
36460 @item @samp{swbreak}
36461 @tab No
36462 @tab @samp{-}
36463 @tab No
36464
36465 @item @samp{hwbreak}
36466 @tab No
36467 @tab @samp{-}
36468 @tab No
36469
36470 @item @samp{fork-events}
36471 @tab No
36472 @tab @samp{-}
36473 @tab No
36474
36475 @item @samp{vfork-events}
36476 @tab No
36477 @tab @samp{-}
36478 @tab No
36479
36480 @item @samp{exec-events}
36481 @tab No
36482 @tab @samp{-}
36483 @tab No
36484
36485 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
36486 @tab No
36487 @tab @samp{-}
36488 @tab No
36489
36490 @end multitable
36491
36492 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36493
36494 @table @samp
36495 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36496 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36497 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36498 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36499 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36500 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36501 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36502 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36503 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36504 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36505
36506 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36507 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36508 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36509
36510 @item qXfer:btrace:read
36511 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
36512 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
36513
36514 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
36515 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
36516 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
36517
36518 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
36519 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
36520 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
36521
36522 @item qXfer:features:read
36523 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36524 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36525
36526 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36527 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36528 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36529
36530 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36531 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36532 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36533
36534 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
36535 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
36536 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36537 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36538
36539 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36540 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36541 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36542
36543 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36544 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36545 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36546
36547 @item qXfer:spu:read
36548 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36549 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36550
36551 @item qXfer:spu:write
36552 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36553 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36554
36555 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36556 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36557 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36558
36559 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36560 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36561 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36562
36563 @item qXfer:threads:read
36564 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36565 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36566
36567 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36568 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36569 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36570
36571 @item qXfer:uib:read
36572 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36573 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36574
36575 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36576 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36577 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36578
36579 @item QNonStop
36580 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36581 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36582
36583 @item QPassSignals
36584 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36585 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36586
36587 @item QStartNoAckMode
36588 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36589 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36590
36591 @item multiprocess
36592 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36593 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36594 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36595 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36596 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36597 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36598 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36599 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36600 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36601 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36602 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36603
36604 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36605 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36606 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36607
36608 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36609 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36610 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36611 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36612
36613 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36614 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36615 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36616
36617 @item ReverseContinue
36618 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36619 (@pxref{bc}).
36620
36621 @item ReverseStep
36622 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36623 (@pxref{bs}).
36624
36625 @item TracepointSource
36626 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36627 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36628
36629 @item QAgent
36630 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36631
36632 @item QAllow
36633 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36634
36635 @item QDisableRandomization
36636 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36637
36638 @item StaticTracepoint
36639 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36640 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36641
36642 @item InstallInTrace
36643 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36644 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36645
36646 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36647 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36648 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36649 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36650
36651 @item QTBuffer:size
36652 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
36653 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
36654
36655 @item tracenz
36656 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36657 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36658 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36659
36660 @item BreakpointCommands
36661 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36662 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36663 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36664
36665 @item Qbtrace:off
36666 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
36667
36668 @item Qbtrace:bts
36669 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
36670
36671 @item Qbtrace:pt
36672 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
36673
36674 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
36675 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
36676
36677 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
36678 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
36679
36680 @item swbreak
36681 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
36682 breakpoints.
36683
36684 @item hwbreak
36685 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
36686 breakpoints.
36687
36688 @item fork-events
36689 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
36690
36691 @item vfork-events
36692 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
36693 and vforkdone events.
36694
36695 @item exec-events
36696 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
36697
36698 @item vContSupported
36699 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
36700 @samp{vCont?} packet.
36701
36702 @item QThreadEvents
36703 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
36704
36705 @end table
36706
36707 @item qSymbol::
36708 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36709 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36710 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36711 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36712
36713 Reply:
36714 @table @samp
36715 @item OK
36716 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36717 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36718 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36719 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36720 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36721 below.
36722 @end table
36723
36724 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36725 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36726
36727 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36728 target has previously requested.
36729
36730 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36731 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36732 will be empty.
36733
36734 Reply:
36735 @table @samp
36736 @item OK
36737 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36738 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36739 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36740 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36741 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36742 @end table
36743
36744 @item qTBuffer
36745 @itemx QTBuffer
36746 @itemx QTDisconnected
36747 @itemx QTDP
36748 @itemx QTDPsrc
36749 @itemx QTDV
36750 @itemx qTfP
36751 @itemx qTfV
36752 @itemx QTFrame
36753 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36754
36755 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36756
36757 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36758 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36759 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36760 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
36761 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
36762 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
36763 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36764 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36765 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36766 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36767 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36768
36769 Reply:
36770 @table @samp
36771 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36772 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36773 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36774 the thread's attributes.
36775 @end table
36776
36777 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36778 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36779 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36780 packets.)
36781
36782 @item QTNotes
36783 @itemx qTP
36784 @itemx QTSave
36785 @itemx qTsP
36786 @itemx qTsV
36787 @itemx QTStart
36788 @itemx QTStop
36789 @itemx QTEnable
36790 @itemx QTDisable
36791 @itemx QTinit
36792 @itemx QTro
36793 @itemx qTStatus
36794 @itemx qTV
36795 @itemx qTfSTM
36796 @itemx qTsSTM
36797 @itemx qTSTMat
36798 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36799
36800 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36801 @cindex read special object, remote request
36802 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
36803 @anchor{qXfer read}
36804 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
36805 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
36806 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
36807 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
36808 additional details about what data to access.
36809
36810 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36811 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36812 formats, listed below.
36813
36814 @table @samp
36815 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36816 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
36817 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
36818 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
36819
36820 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36821 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36822
36823 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36824 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
36825
36826 Return a description of the current branch trace.
36827 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
36828 packet may have one of the following values:
36829
36830 @table @code
36831 @item all
36832 Returns all available branch trace.
36833
36834 @item new
36835 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
36836 the last read request.
36837
36838 @item delta
36839 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
36840 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
36841 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
36842 used to stitch traces together.
36843
36844 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
36845 @end table
36846
36847 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
36848 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36849
36850 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36851 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
36852
36853 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
36854 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
36855
36856 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
36857 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36858
36859 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36860 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
36861 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
36862 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
36863 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
36864 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
36865 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
36866
36867 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36868 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36869
36870 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36871 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
36872 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
36873 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
36874 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
36875
36876 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36877 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36878
36879 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36880 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
36881 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
36882 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36883 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36884
36885 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
36886 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
36887 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
36888
36889 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36890 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36891
36892 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36893 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
36894 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
36895 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
36896 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
36897 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
36898 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36899 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
36900
36901 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
36902 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
36903
36904 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36905 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36906
36907 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
36908 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
36909 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
36910 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
36911
36912 @table @code
36913 @item start=@var{address}
36914 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
36915 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
36916 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
36917 chosen as the starting point.
36918
36919 @item prev=@var{address}
36920 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
36921 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
36922 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
36923 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
36924 exists prior to the starting point.
36925
36926 @end table
36927
36928 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
36929 ignored.
36930
36931 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36932 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
36933 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
36934 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36935 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36936
36937 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36938 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36939
36940 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36941 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
36942
36943 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
36944 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
36945 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
36946 Action Lists}.
36947
36948 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36949 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36950 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36951
36952 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36953 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
36954 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
36955 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
36956 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36957
36958 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36959 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36960 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36961
36962 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36963 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
36964 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
36965 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
36966 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
36967 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
36968 in that context to be accessed.
36969
36970 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36971 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36972 (@pxref{qSupported}).
36973
36974 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36975 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
36976 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
36977 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36978 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36979
36980 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36981 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36982
36983 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36984 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
36985
36986 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
36987 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
36988 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36989
36990 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36991 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36992
36993 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36994 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
36995
36996 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
36997 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
36998
36999 This packet is not probed by default.
37000
37001 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37002 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37003 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37004 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37005 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37006
37007 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37008 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37009
37010 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37011 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37012 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37013 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37014
37015 @end table
37016
37017 Reply:
37018 @table @samp
37019 @item m @var{data}
37020 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37021 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37022 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37023 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37024 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37025 request.
37026
37027 @item l @var{data}
37028 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37029 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
37030 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
37031
37032 @item l
37033 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37034 There is no more data to be read.
37035
37036 @item E00
37037 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37038
37039 @item E @var{nn}
37040 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37041 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37042
37043 @item @w{}
37044 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37045 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37046 @end table
37047
37048 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37049 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37050 @anchor{qXfer write}
37051 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37052 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37053 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
37054 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37055 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37056 to access.
37057
37058 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37059 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37060 formats, listed below.
37061
37062 @table @samp
37063 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37064 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37065 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37066 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37067 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37068
37069 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37070 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37071 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37072
37073 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37074 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37075 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37076 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37077 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37078 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37079 in that context to be accessed.
37080
37081 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37082 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37083 @end table
37084
37085 Reply:
37086 @table @samp
37087 @item @var{nn}
37088 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37089 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37090
37091 @item E00
37092 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37093
37094 @item E @var{nn}
37095 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37096 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37097
37098 @item @w{}
37099 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37100 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37101 @end table
37102
37103 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37104 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37105 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37106 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37107 must respond with an empty packet.
37108
37109 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37110 @cindex query attached, remote request
37111 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37112 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37113 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37114 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37115 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37116 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37117 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37118
37119 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37120 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37121 the @code{quit} command.
37122
37123 Reply:
37124 @table @samp
37125 @item 1
37126 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37127 @item 0
37128 The remote server created a new process.
37129 @item E @var{NN}
37130 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37131 @end table
37132
37133 @item Qbtrace:bts
37134 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
37135
37136 Reply:
37137 @table @samp
37138 @item OK
37139 Branch tracing has been enabled.
37140 @item E.errtext
37141 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37142 @end table
37143
37144 @item Qbtrace:pt
37145 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel(R) Processor Trace.
37146
37147 Reply:
37148 @table @samp
37149 @item OK
37150 Branch tracing has been enabled.
37151 @item E.errtext
37152 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37153 @end table
37154
37155 @item Qbtrace:off
37156 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
37157
37158 Reply:
37159 @table @samp
37160 @item OK
37161 Branch tracing has been disabled.
37162 @item E.errtext
37163 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37164 @end table
37165
37166 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
37167 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
37168 btrace recording method in bts format.
37169
37170 Reply:
37171 @table @samp
37172 @item OK
37173 The ring buffer size has been set.
37174 @item E.errtext
37175 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37176 @end table
37177
37178 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
37179 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
37180 btrace recording method in pt format.
37181
37182 Reply:
37183 @table @samp
37184 @item OK
37185 The ring buffer size has been set.
37186 @item E.errtext
37187 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37188 @end table
37189
37190 @end table
37191
37192 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37193 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37194
37195 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37196 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37197 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37198
37199 @menu
37200 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37201 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37202 @end menu
37203
37204 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37205 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37206
37207 @menu
37208 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37209 @end menu
37210
37211 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37212 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37213 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37214
37215 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37216
37217 @table @r
37218
37219 @item 2
37220 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37221
37222 @item 3
37223 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37224
37225 @item 4
37226 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37227
37228 @end table
37229
37230 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37231 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37232
37233 @menu
37234 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37235 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37236 @end menu
37237
37238 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37239 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37240 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37241
37242 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37243 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37244 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37245 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37246 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37247 most-significant -- least-significant.
37248
37249 @table @r
37250
37251 @item MIPS32
37252 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37253 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37254 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37255
37256 @item MIPS64
37257 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37258 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37259 as @code{MIPS32}.
37260
37261 @end table
37262
37263 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37264 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37265 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37266
37267 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37268
37269 @table @r
37270
37271 @item 2
37272 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37273
37274 @item 3
37275 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37276
37277 @item 4
37278 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37279
37280 @item 5
37281 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37282
37283 @end table
37284
37285 @node Tracepoint Packets
37286 @section Tracepoint Packets
37287 @cindex tracepoint packets
37288 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37289
37290 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37291 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37292
37293 @table @samp
37294
37295 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37296 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37297 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37298 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37299 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
37300 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37301 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37302 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37303 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37304 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37305 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37306 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37307 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37308 actions.
37309
37310 Replies:
37311 @table @samp
37312 @item OK
37313 The packet was understood and carried out.
37314 @item qRelocInsn
37315 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37316 @item @w{}
37317 The packet was not recognized.
37318 @end table
37319
37320 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37321 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
37322 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37323 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37324 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37325 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37326 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37327
37328 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37329 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37330 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37331 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37332 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37333 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37334 tracepoint actions.
37335
37336 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37337 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37338 following forms:
37339
37340 @table @samp
37341
37342 @item R @var{mask}
37343 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
37344 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37345 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37346 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37347 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37348
37349 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37350 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37351 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37352 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37353 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37354 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37355 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37356
37357 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37358 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37359 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
37360 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37361 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37362 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37363 packet).
37364
37365 @end table
37366
37367 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37368 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37369 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37370 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37371 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37372 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37373 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37374 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37375
37376 Replies:
37377 @table @samp
37378 @item OK
37379 The packet was understood and carried out.
37380 @item qRelocInsn
37381 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37382 @item @w{}
37383 The packet was not recognized.
37384 @end table
37385
37386 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37387 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37388 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37389 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37390 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
37391 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37392 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37393 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37394
37395 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37396 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37397 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37398 fit in a single packet.
37399 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37400 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37401
37402 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37403 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37404 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37405 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37406
37407 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37408 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37409 query packets.
37410
37411 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37412 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37413 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37414 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37415 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37416 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37417 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37418 be found.
37419
37420 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
37421 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37422 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37423 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37424 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37425 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37426 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37427 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37428 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
37429 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
37430 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
37431 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
37432 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
37433 variable.
37434
37435 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37436 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37437 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37438 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37439 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37440
37441 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37442 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37443 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37444 one of the following forms:
37445
37446 @table @samp
37447 @item F @var{f}
37448 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37449 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37450 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37451
37452 @item T @var{t}
37453 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37454 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37455
37456 @end table
37457
37458 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37459 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37460 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37461 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37462
37463 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37464 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37465 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37466 is a hexadecimal number.
37467
37468 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37469 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37470 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37471 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37472 numbers.
37473
37474 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37475 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37476 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37477
37478 @item qTMinFTPILen
37479 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37480 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37481 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37482 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37483 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37484 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37485 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37486 arrange for that.
37487
37488 Replies:
37489
37490 @table @samp
37491 @item 0
37492 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37493 @item @var{length}
37494 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
37495 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
37496 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
37497 regardless of size.
37498 @item E
37499 An error has occurred.
37500 @item @w{}
37501 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37502 @end table
37503
37504 @item QTStart
37505 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37506 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37507 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37508 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37509 instruction reply packet}).
37510
37511 @item QTStop
37512 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37513 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37514
37515 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37516 @anchor{QTEnable}
37517 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37518 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37519 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37520 of data from it will resume.
37521
37522 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37523 @anchor{QTDisable}
37524 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37525 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37526 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37527 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37528
37529 @item QTinit
37530 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37531 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37532
37533 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37534 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37535 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37536 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37537 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37538
37539 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37540 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37541 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37542 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37543
37544 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37545 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37546 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37547 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37548 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37549 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37550
37551 @item qTStatus
37552 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37553 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37554
37555 The reply has the form:
37556
37557 @table @samp
37558
37559 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37560 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37561 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37562 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37563
37564 @end table
37565
37566 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37567 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37568
37569 @table @samp
37570
37571 @item tnotrun:0
37572 No trace has been run yet.
37573
37574 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37575 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37576 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37577 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37578 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37579
37580 @item tfull:0
37581 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37582
37583 @item tdisconnected:0
37584 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37585
37586 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37587 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37588
37589 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37590 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37591 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37592 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
37593 is hex encoded.
37594
37595 @item tunknown:0
37596 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37597
37598 @end table
37599
37600 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37601 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37602 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37603 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37604 trace.
37605
37606 @table @samp
37607
37608 @item tframes:@var{n}
37609 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37610
37611 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37612 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37613 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37614
37615 @item tsize:@var{n}
37616 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37617
37618 @item tfree:@var{n}
37619 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37620
37621 @item circular:@var{n}
37622 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37623 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37624 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37625 and may fill up.
37626
37627 @item disconn:@var{n}
37628 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37629 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37630 that the trace run will stop.
37631
37632 @end table
37633
37634 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37635 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37636 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37637 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37638 address @var{addr}.
37639
37640 Replies:
37641 @table @samp
37642 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37643 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37644 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37645 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37646 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37647
37648 @end table
37649
37650 @item qTV:@var{var}
37651 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37652 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37653 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37654
37655 Replies:
37656 @table @samp
37657 @item V@var{value}
37658 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37659 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37660 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37661 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37662 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37663 program is running.
37664
37665 @item U
37666 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37667 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37668 was not collected.
37669 @end table
37670
37671 @item qTfP
37672 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37673 @itemx qTsP
37674 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37675 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37676 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37677 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37678 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37679 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37680
37681 @item qTfV
37682 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37683 @itemx qTsV
37684 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37685 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37686 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37687 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37688 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37689 trace state variables.
37690
37691 @item qTfSTM
37692 @itemx qTsSTM
37693 @anchor{qTfSTM}
37694 @anchor{qTsSTM}
37695 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37696 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37697 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37698 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37699 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37700 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37701
37702 Reply:
37703 @table @samp
37704 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37705 A single marker
37706 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37707 a comma-separated list of markers
37708 @item l
37709 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37710 @item E @var{nn}
37711 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37712 @item @w{}
37713 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37714 stub.
37715 @end table
37716
37717 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
37718 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37719
37720 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37721 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37722 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37723 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37724 @dfn{last}).
37725
37726 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37727 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37728 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37729 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37730 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37731 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37732 tracepoint markers.
37733
37734 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37735 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37736 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37737 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
37738 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37739 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37740
37741 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37742 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37743 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37744 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37745 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37746 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37747 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37748 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37749 available.
37750
37751 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37752 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37753 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37754
37755 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
37756 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
37757 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
37758 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
37759 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
37760 use whatever size it prefers.
37761
37762 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37763 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37764 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37765 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37766 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37767
37768 @end table
37769
37770 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37771 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37772 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37773 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37774 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37775 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37776 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37777 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37778 it had executed in the original location.
37779
37780 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37781 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37782 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37783 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37784 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37785 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37786 format of the request is:
37787
37788 @table @samp
37789 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37790
37791 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37792 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37793 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37794 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37795 memory starting at @var{to}.
37796 @end table
37797
37798 Replies:
37799 @table @samp
37800 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37801 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
37802 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37803 @item E @var{NN}
37804 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37805 relocating the instruction.
37806 @end table
37807
37808 @node Host I/O Packets
37809 @section Host I/O Packets
37810 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37811 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37812
37813 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37814 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37815 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37816 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37817 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37818 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37819 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37820 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37821 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37822 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37823
37824 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37825 its arguments. They have this format:
37826
37827 @table @samp
37828
37829 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37830 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37831 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37832 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37833 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37834 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37835 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37836 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37837 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37838
37839 @end table
37840
37841 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37842
37843 @table @samp
37844
37845 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37846 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37847 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37848 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
37849 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37850 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37851 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37852 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37853 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37854 @var{attachment}.
37855
37856 @item @w{}
37857 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37858
37859 @end table
37860
37861 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37862
37863 @table @samp
37864 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37865 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37866 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
37867 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37868 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37869 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37870 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37871
37872 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37873 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37874 -1 if an error occurs.
37875
37876 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37877 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37878 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37879 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37880 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37881 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37882 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37883 @var{count} was zero.
37884
37885 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37886 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37887 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37888 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37889 some characters were escaped.
37890
37891 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37892 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37893 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37894 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37895 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37896 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37897 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37898 error occurred.
37899
37900 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
37901 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
37902 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
37903 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
37904 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
37905 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
37906
37907 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
37908 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
37909 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
37910
37911 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37912 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37913 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37914
37915 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37916 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37917 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37918 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37919 some characters were escaped.
37920
37921 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
37922 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
37923 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
37924 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
37925 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
37926 inferior(s).
37927
37928 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
37929 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
37930 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
37931 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
37932 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
37933 operation.
37934
37935 @end table
37936
37937 @node Interrupts
37938 @section Interrupts
37939 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37940 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
37941
37942 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
37943 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
37944 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
37945 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37946
37947 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37948 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37949 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37950 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37951 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37952
37953 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37954 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37955 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37956 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37957 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37958 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37959 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37960 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37961
37962 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37963 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37964 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
37965
37966 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
37967 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
37968 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
37969 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
37970 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
37971 @code{0x03}.
37972
37973 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
37974 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
37975 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
37976 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
37977 currently-executing threads and processes.
37978 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
37979 running program, it should send one of the stop
37980 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
37981 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
37982 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
37983 Interrupts received while the
37984 program is stopped are discarded.
37985
37986 @node Notification Packets
37987 @section Notification Packets
37988 @cindex notification packets
37989 @cindex packets, notification
37990
37991 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
37992 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
37993 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
37994 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
37995 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
37996 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
37997 is not a problem.
37998
37999 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38000 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38001 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38002 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38003 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38004 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38005 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38006
38007 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38008 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38009
38010 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38011 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38012 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38013 not they understand it.
38014
38015 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38016 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38017 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38018 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38019 recipients.
38020
38021 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38022 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38023 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38024 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38025 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38026
38027 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
38028 @table @samp
38029 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
38030 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
38031 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
38032 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
38033 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
38034 @item @var{ack}
38035 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
38036 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
38037 @end table
38038
38039 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
38040 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
38041
38042 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
38043 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
38044 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
38045 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
38046 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38047 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38048 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
38049 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38050 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
38051 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
38052
38053 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
38054 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
38055 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38056 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38057 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38058 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38059
38060 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
38061 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
38062 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
38063 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
38064 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
38065
38066 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
38067 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38068 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
38069 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
38070 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
38071 normally.
38072
38073 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
38074 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
38075 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
38076 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
38077 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
38078 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
38079 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
38080 the process shall be repeated.
38081
38082 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
38083 following example:
38084 @smallexample
38085 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
38086 @code{...}
38087 -> @code{vStopped}
38088 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
38089 -> @code{vStopped}
38090 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
38091 -> @code{vStopped}
38092 <- @code{OK}
38093 @end smallexample
38094
38095 The following notifications are defined:
38096 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
38097
38098 @item Notification
38099 @tab Ack
38100 @tab Event
38101 @tab Description
38102
38103 @item Stop
38104 @tab vStopped
38105 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38106 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38107 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38108 @value{GDBN}.
38109 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38110
38111 @end multitable
38112
38113 @node Remote Non-Stop
38114 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38115
38116 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38117 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38118 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38119 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38120
38121 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38122 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38123 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38124 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38125 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38126 probe the target state after a mode change.
38127
38128 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38129 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38130 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38131 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38132 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38133 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38134 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38135 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38136 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38137 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38138 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38139
38140 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38141 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38142 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38143 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38144 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38145 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38146 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38147 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38148 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38149 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38150 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38151 @samp{OK}.
38152
38153 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
38154 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
38155 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
38156 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
38157 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
38158 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
38159 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
38160 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
38161 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
38162 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
38163 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
38164 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
38165 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
38166
38167 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38168 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38169
38170 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38171 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38172 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38173 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38174 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38175 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38176 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38177
38178 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38179 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38180 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38181 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38182 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38183
38184 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38185 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38186 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38187 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38188
38189 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38190 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38191 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38192 @pxref{qSupported}.
38193 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38194 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38195 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38196 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38197 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38198 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38199 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38200
38201 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38202 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38203 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38204 connection.
38205 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38206 new connection is established,
38207 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38208 for the current connection, once disabled.
38209
38210 @node Examples
38211 @section Examples
38212
38213 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38214 does not get any direct output:
38215
38216 @smallexample
38217 -> @code{R00}
38218 <- @code{+}
38219 @emph{target restarts}
38220 -> @code{?}
38221 <- @code{+}
38222 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38223 -> @code{+}
38224 @end smallexample
38225
38226 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38227
38228 @smallexample
38229 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38230 <- @code{+}
38231 -> @code{s}
38232 <- @code{+}
38233 @emph{time passes}
38234 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38235 -> @code{+}
38236 -> @code{g}
38237 <- @code{+}
38238 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38239 -> @code{+}
38240 @end smallexample
38241
38242 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38243 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38244 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38245
38246 @menu
38247 * File-I/O Overview::
38248 * Protocol Basics::
38249 * The F Request Packet::
38250 * The F Reply Packet::
38251 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38252 * Console I/O::
38253 * List of Supported Calls::
38254 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38255 * Constants::
38256 * File-I/O Examples::
38257 @end menu
38258
38259 @node File-I/O Overview
38260 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38261 @cindex file-i/o overview
38262
38263 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38264 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38265 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38266 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38267 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38268 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38269
38270 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38271 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38272 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38273 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38274 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38275
38276 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38277 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38278 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38279 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38280 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38281 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38282 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38283
38284 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38285 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38286 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38287 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38288 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38289
38290 @smallexample
38291 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38292 <- target requests 'system call X'
38293 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38294 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38295 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38296 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38297 @end smallexample
38298
38299 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38300 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38301 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38302 system are not supported by this protocol.
38303
38304 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38305
38306 @node Protocol Basics
38307 @subsection Protocol Basics
38308 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38309
38310 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38311 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38312 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38313 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38314 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38315 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38316 to call the appropriate host system call:
38317
38318 @itemize @bullet
38319 @item
38320 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38321
38322 @item
38323 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38324 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38325 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38326 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38327
38328 @end itemize
38329
38330 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38331
38332 @itemize @bullet
38333 @item
38334 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38335 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38336 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38337 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38338 packet.
38339
38340 @item
38341 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38342 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38343
38344 @item
38345 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38346
38347 @item
38348 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38349
38350 @item
38351 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38352 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38353 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38354 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38355 packet.
38356
38357 @end itemize
38358
38359 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38360 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38361
38362 @itemize @bullet
38363 @item
38364 Return value.
38365
38366 @item
38367 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38368
38369 @item
38370 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38371
38372 @end itemize
38373
38374 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38375 the latest continue or step action.
38376
38377 @node The F Request Packet
38378 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38379 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38380 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38381
38382 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38383
38384 @table @samp
38385 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38386
38387 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38388 This is just the name of the function.
38389
38390 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38391 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38392 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38393 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38394 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38395 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38396 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38397
38398 @end table
38399
38400
38401
38402 @node The F Reply Packet
38403 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38404 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38405 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38406
38407 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38408
38409 @table @samp
38410
38411 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38412
38413 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38414
38415 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38416 representation.
38417 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38418
38419 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38420 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38421 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38422
38423 @smallexample
38424 F0,0,C
38425 @end smallexample
38426
38427 @noindent
38428 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38429
38430 @smallexample
38431 F-1,4,C
38432 @end smallexample
38433
38434 @noindent
38435 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38436
38437 @end table
38438
38439
38440 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38441 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38442 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38443
38444 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38445 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38446 the target should behave as if it had
38447 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38448 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38449 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38450 packet.
38451
38452 It's important for the target to know in which
38453 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38454
38455 @itemize @bullet
38456 @item
38457 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38458
38459 @item
38460 The system call on the host has been finished.
38461
38462 @end itemize
38463
38464 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38465 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38466 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38467 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38468 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38469 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38470
38471 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38472 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38473 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38474 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38475 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38476 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38477 or the full action has been completed.
38478
38479 @node Console I/O
38480 @subsection Console I/O
38481 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38482
38483 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38484 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38485 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38486 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38487 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38488 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38489 conditions is met:
38490
38491 @itemize @bullet
38492 @item
38493 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38494 @code{read}
38495 system call is treated as finished.
38496
38497 @item
38498 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38499 newline.
38500
38501 @item
38502 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38503 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38504
38505 @end itemize
38506
38507 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38508 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38509 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38510 is stopped at the user's request.
38511
38512
38513 @node List of Supported Calls
38514 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38515 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38516
38517 @menu
38518 * open::
38519 * close::
38520 * read::
38521 * write::
38522 * lseek::
38523 * rename::
38524 * unlink::
38525 * stat/fstat::
38526 * gettimeofday::
38527 * isatty::
38528 * system::
38529 @end menu
38530
38531 @node open
38532 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38533 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38534
38535 @table @asis
38536 @item Synopsis:
38537 @smallexample
38538 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38539 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38540 @end smallexample
38541
38542 @item Request:
38543 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38544
38545 @noindent
38546 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38547
38548 @table @code
38549 @item O_CREAT
38550 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38551 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38552 are concerned.
38553
38554 @item O_EXCL
38555 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38556 an error and open() fails.
38557
38558 @item O_TRUNC
38559 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38560 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38561 truncated to zero length.
38562
38563 @item O_APPEND
38564 The file is opened in append mode.
38565
38566 @item O_RDONLY
38567 The file is opened for reading only.
38568
38569 @item O_WRONLY
38570 The file is opened for writing only.
38571
38572 @item O_RDWR
38573 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38574 @end table
38575
38576 @noindent
38577 Other bits are silently ignored.
38578
38579
38580 @noindent
38581 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38582
38583 @table @code
38584 @item S_IRUSR
38585 User has read permission.
38586
38587 @item S_IWUSR
38588 User has write permission.
38589
38590 @item S_IRGRP
38591 Group has read permission.
38592
38593 @item S_IWGRP
38594 Group has write permission.
38595
38596 @item S_IROTH
38597 Others have read permission.
38598
38599 @item S_IWOTH
38600 Others have write permission.
38601 @end table
38602
38603 @noindent
38604 Other bits are silently ignored.
38605
38606
38607 @item Return value:
38608 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38609 occurred.
38610
38611 @item Errors:
38612
38613 @table @code
38614 @item EEXIST
38615 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38616
38617 @item EISDIR
38618 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38619
38620 @item EACCES
38621 The requested access is not allowed.
38622
38623 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38624 @var{pathname} was too long.
38625
38626 @item ENOENT
38627 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38628
38629 @item ENODEV
38630 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38631
38632 @item EROFS
38633 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38634 write access was requested.
38635
38636 @item EFAULT
38637 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38638
38639 @item ENOSPC
38640 No space on device to create the file.
38641
38642 @item EMFILE
38643 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38644
38645 @item ENFILE
38646 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38647 has been reached.
38648
38649 @item EINTR
38650 The call was interrupted by the user.
38651 @end table
38652
38653 @end table
38654
38655 @node close
38656 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38657 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38658
38659 @table @asis
38660 @item Synopsis:
38661 @smallexample
38662 int close(int fd);
38663 @end smallexample
38664
38665 @item Request:
38666 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38667
38668 @item Return value:
38669 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38670
38671 @item Errors:
38672
38673 @table @code
38674 @item EBADF
38675 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38676
38677 @item EINTR
38678 The call was interrupted by the user.
38679 @end table
38680
38681 @end table
38682
38683 @node read
38684 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38685 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38686
38687 @table @asis
38688 @item Synopsis:
38689 @smallexample
38690 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38691 @end smallexample
38692
38693 @item Request:
38694 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38695
38696 @item Return value:
38697 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38698 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38699 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38700
38701 @item Errors:
38702
38703 @table @code
38704 @item EBADF
38705 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38706 reading.
38707
38708 @item EFAULT
38709 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38710
38711 @item EINTR
38712 The call was interrupted by the user.
38713 @end table
38714
38715 @end table
38716
38717 @node write
38718 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38719 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38720
38721 @table @asis
38722 @item Synopsis:
38723 @smallexample
38724 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38725 @end smallexample
38726
38727 @item Request:
38728 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38729
38730 @item Return value:
38731 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38732 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38733 is returned.
38734
38735 @item Errors:
38736
38737 @table @code
38738 @item EBADF
38739 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38740 writing.
38741
38742 @item EFAULT
38743 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38744
38745 @item EFBIG
38746 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38747 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38748
38749 @item ENOSPC
38750 No space on device to write the data.
38751
38752 @item EINTR
38753 The call was interrupted by the user.
38754 @end table
38755
38756 @end table
38757
38758 @node lseek
38759 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38760 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38761
38762 @table @asis
38763 @item Synopsis:
38764 @smallexample
38765 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38766 @end smallexample
38767
38768 @item Request:
38769 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38770
38771 @var{flag} is one of:
38772
38773 @table @code
38774 @item SEEK_SET
38775 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38776
38777 @item SEEK_CUR
38778 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38779 bytes.
38780
38781 @item SEEK_END
38782 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38783 bytes.
38784 @end table
38785
38786 @item Return value:
38787 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38788 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38789 value of -1 is returned.
38790
38791 @item Errors:
38792
38793 @table @code
38794 @item EBADF
38795 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38796
38797 @item ESPIPE
38798 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38799
38800 @item EINVAL
38801 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38802
38803 @item EINTR
38804 The call was interrupted by the user.
38805 @end table
38806
38807 @end table
38808
38809 @node rename
38810 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38811 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38812
38813 @table @asis
38814 @item Synopsis:
38815 @smallexample
38816 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38817 @end smallexample
38818
38819 @item Request:
38820 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38821
38822 @item Return value:
38823 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38824
38825 @item Errors:
38826
38827 @table @code
38828 @item EISDIR
38829 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38830 directory.
38831
38832 @item EEXIST
38833 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38834
38835 @item EBUSY
38836 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38837 process.
38838
38839 @item EINVAL
38840 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38841 of itself.
38842
38843 @item ENOTDIR
38844 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38845 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38846 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38847
38848 @item EFAULT
38849 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38850
38851 @item EACCES
38852 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38853
38854 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38855
38856 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38857
38858 @item ENOENT
38859 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38860
38861 @item EROFS
38862 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38863
38864 @item ENOSPC
38865 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38866 directory entry.
38867
38868 @item EINTR
38869 The call was interrupted by the user.
38870 @end table
38871
38872 @end table
38873
38874 @node unlink
38875 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38876 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38877
38878 @table @asis
38879 @item Synopsis:
38880 @smallexample
38881 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38882 @end smallexample
38883
38884 @item Request:
38885 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38886
38887 @item Return value:
38888 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38889
38890 @item Errors:
38891
38892 @table @code
38893 @item EACCES
38894 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38895
38896 @item EPERM
38897 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38898
38899 @item EBUSY
38900 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38901 being used by another process.
38902
38903 @item EFAULT
38904 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38905
38906 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38907 @var{pathname} was too long.
38908
38909 @item ENOENT
38910 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38911
38912 @item ENOTDIR
38913 A component of the path is not a directory.
38914
38915 @item EROFS
38916 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38917
38918 @item EINTR
38919 The call was interrupted by the user.
38920 @end table
38921
38922 @end table
38923
38924 @node stat/fstat
38925 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38926 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38927 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38928
38929 @table @asis
38930 @item Synopsis:
38931 @smallexample
38932 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38933 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38934 @end smallexample
38935
38936 @item Request:
38937 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38938 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38939
38940 @item Return value:
38941 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38942
38943 @item Errors:
38944
38945 @table @code
38946 @item EBADF
38947 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38948
38949 @item ENOENT
38950 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38951 path is an empty string.
38952
38953 @item ENOTDIR
38954 A component of the path is not a directory.
38955
38956 @item EFAULT
38957 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38958
38959 @item EACCES
38960 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38961
38962 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38963 @var{pathname} was too long.
38964
38965 @item EINTR
38966 The call was interrupted by the user.
38967 @end table
38968
38969 @end table
38970
38971 @node gettimeofday
38972 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38973 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38974
38975 @table @asis
38976 @item Synopsis:
38977 @smallexample
38978 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38979 @end smallexample
38980
38981 @item Request:
38982 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38983
38984 @item Return value:
38985 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38986
38987 @item Errors:
38988
38989 @table @code
38990 @item EINVAL
38991 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38992
38993 @item EFAULT
38994 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38995 @end table
38996
38997 @end table
38998
38999 @node isatty
39000 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
39001 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
39002
39003 @table @asis
39004 @item Synopsis:
39005 @smallexample
39006 int isatty(int fd);
39007 @end smallexample
39008
39009 @item Request:
39010 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
39011
39012 @item Return value:
39013 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
39014
39015 @item Errors:
39016
39017 @table @code
39018 @item EINTR
39019 The call was interrupted by the user.
39020 @end table
39021
39022 @end table
39023
39024 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
39025 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
39026 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
39027 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
39028 needed.
39029
39030
39031 @node system
39032 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39033 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39034
39035 @table @asis
39036 @item Synopsis:
39037 @smallexample
39038 int system(const char *command);
39039 @end smallexample
39040
39041 @item Request:
39042 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39043
39044 @item Return value:
39045 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39046 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39047 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39048 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39049 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39050 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39051 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39052
39053 @item Errors:
39054
39055 @table @code
39056 @item EINTR
39057 The call was interrupted by the user.
39058 @end table
39059
39060 @end table
39061
39062 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39063 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39064 the host is simplified before it's returned
39065 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39066 is discarded, and the return value consists
39067 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39068
39069 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39070 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39071 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39072
39073 @table @code
39074 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39075 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39076 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39077 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39078
39079 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39080 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39081 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39082 protocol.
39083 @end table
39084
39085 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39086 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39087 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39088
39089 @menu
39090 * Integral Datatypes::
39091 * Pointer Values::
39092 * Memory Transfer::
39093 * struct stat::
39094 * struct timeval::
39095 @end menu
39096
39097 @node Integral Datatypes
39098 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39099 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39100
39101 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39102 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39103 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39104
39105 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39106 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39107
39108 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39109
39110 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39111 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39112
39113 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39114
39115 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39116 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39117 byte order.
39118
39119 @node Pointer Values
39120 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39121 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39122
39123 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39124 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39125 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39126 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39127
39128 @smallexample
39129 @code{1aaf/12}
39130 @end smallexample
39131
39132 @noindent
39133 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39134 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39135 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39136 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39137
39138 @smallexample
39139 @code{123456/d}
39140 @end smallexample
39141
39142 @node Memory Transfer
39143 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39144 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39145
39146 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39147 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39148 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39149 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39150 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39151 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39152 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39153
39154
39155 @node struct stat
39156 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39157 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39158
39159 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39160 is defined as follows:
39161
39162 @smallexample
39163 struct stat @{
39164 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39165 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39166 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39167 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39168 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39169 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39170 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39171 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39172 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39173 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39174 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39175 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39176 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39177 @};
39178 @end smallexample
39179
39180 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39181 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39182 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39183
39184 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39185 range of values.
39186
39187 @table @code
39188
39189 @item st_dev
39190 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39191
39192 @item st_ino
39193 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39194
39195 @item st_mode
39196 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39197 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39198
39199 @item st_uid
39200 @itemx st_gid
39201 @itemx st_rdev
39202 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39203
39204 @item st_atime
39205 @itemx st_mtime
39206 @itemx st_ctime
39207 These values have a host and file system dependent
39208 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39209 support exact timing values.
39210 @end table
39211
39212 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39213 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39214 continuing.
39215
39216 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39217 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39218 get truncated on the target.
39219
39220 @node struct timeval
39221 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39222 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39223
39224 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39225 is defined as follows:
39226
39227 @smallexample
39228 struct timeval @{
39229 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39230 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39231 @};
39232 @end smallexample
39233
39234 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39235 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39236 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39237
39238 @node Constants
39239 @subsection Constants
39240 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39241
39242 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39243 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39244 values before and after the call as needed.
39245
39246 @menu
39247 * Open Flags::
39248 * mode_t Values::
39249 * Errno Values::
39250 * Lseek Flags::
39251 * Limits::
39252 @end menu
39253
39254 @node Open Flags
39255 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39256 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39257
39258 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39259
39260 @smallexample
39261 O_RDONLY 0x0
39262 O_WRONLY 0x1
39263 O_RDWR 0x2
39264 O_APPEND 0x8
39265 O_CREAT 0x200
39266 O_TRUNC 0x400
39267 O_EXCL 0x800
39268 @end smallexample
39269
39270 @node mode_t Values
39271 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39272 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39273
39274 All values are given in octal representation.
39275
39276 @smallexample
39277 S_IFREG 0100000
39278 S_IFDIR 040000
39279 S_IRUSR 0400
39280 S_IWUSR 0200
39281 S_IXUSR 0100
39282 S_IRGRP 040
39283 S_IWGRP 020
39284 S_IXGRP 010
39285 S_IROTH 04
39286 S_IWOTH 02
39287 S_IXOTH 01
39288 @end smallexample
39289
39290 @node Errno Values
39291 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39292 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39293
39294 All values are given in decimal representation.
39295
39296 @smallexample
39297 EPERM 1
39298 ENOENT 2
39299 EINTR 4
39300 EBADF 9
39301 EACCES 13
39302 EFAULT 14
39303 EBUSY 16
39304 EEXIST 17
39305 ENODEV 19
39306 ENOTDIR 20
39307 EISDIR 21
39308 EINVAL 22
39309 ENFILE 23
39310 EMFILE 24
39311 EFBIG 27
39312 ENOSPC 28
39313 ESPIPE 29
39314 EROFS 30
39315 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39316 EUNKNOWN 9999
39317 @end smallexample
39318
39319 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39320 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39321
39322 @node Lseek Flags
39323 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39324 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39325
39326 @smallexample
39327 SEEK_SET 0
39328 SEEK_CUR 1
39329 SEEK_END 2
39330 @end smallexample
39331
39332 @node Limits
39333 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39334 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39335
39336 All values are given in decimal representation.
39337
39338 @smallexample
39339 INT_MIN -2147483648
39340 INT_MAX 2147483647
39341 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39342 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39343 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39344 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39345 @end smallexample
39346
39347 @node File-I/O Examples
39348 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39349 @cindex file-i/o examples
39350
39351 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39352 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39353
39354 @smallexample
39355 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39356 @emph{request memory read from target}
39357 -> @code{m1234,6}
39358 <- XXXXXX
39359 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39360 -> @code{F6}
39361 @end smallexample
39362
39363 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39364 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39365
39366 @smallexample
39367 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39368 @emph{request memory write to target}
39369 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39370 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39371 -> @code{F6}
39372 @end smallexample
39373
39374 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39375 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39376
39377 @smallexample
39378 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39379 -> @code{F-1,9}
39380 @end smallexample
39381
39382 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39383 host is called:
39384
39385 @smallexample
39386 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39387 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
39388 <- @code{T02}
39389 @end smallexample
39390
39391 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39392 host is called:
39393
39394 @smallexample
39395 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39396 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39397 <- @code{T02}
39398 @end smallexample
39399
39400 @node Library List Format
39401 @section Library List Format
39402 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39403
39404 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39405 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39406 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39407 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39408 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39409 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39410 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39411 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39412 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39413 are loaded.
39414
39415 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39416 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39417 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39418 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39419
39420 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39421 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39422 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39423 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39424 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39425 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39426
39427 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39428 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39429
39430 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39431 offset, looks like this:
39432
39433 @smallexample
39434 <library-list>
39435 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39436 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39437 </library>
39438 </library-list>
39439 @end smallexample
39440
39441 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39442 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39443
39444 @smallexample
39445 <library-list>
39446 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39447 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39448 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39449 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39450 </library>
39451 </library-list>
39452 @end smallexample
39453
39454 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39455
39456 @smallexample
39457 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39458 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39459 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39460 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39461 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39462 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39463 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39464 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39465 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39466 @end smallexample
39467
39468 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39469 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39470 section for each library.
39471
39472 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39473 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39474 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39475
39476 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39477 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39478 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39479 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39480
39481 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39482 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39483 target, the following parameters are reported:
39484
39485 @itemize @minus
39486 @item
39487 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39488 @code{struct link_map}.
39489 @item
39490 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39491 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39492 @item
39493 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39494 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39495 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39496 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39497 @item
39498 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39499 @end itemize
39500
39501 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39502 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39503 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39504
39505 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39506 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39507
39508 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39509 looks like this:
39510
39511 @smallexample
39512 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39513 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39514 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
39515 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39516 l_ld="0x152350"/>
39517 </library-list-svr>
39518 @end smallexample
39519
39520 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39521
39522 @smallexample
39523 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39524 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39525 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39526 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39527 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39528 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39529 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39530 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39531 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39532 @end smallexample
39533
39534 @node Memory Map Format
39535 @section Memory Map Format
39536 @cindex memory map format
39537
39538 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39539 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39540 memory map.
39541
39542 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39543 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39544 lists memory regions.
39545
39546 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39547 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39548
39549 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39550
39551 @smallexample
39552 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39553 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39554 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39555 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39556 <memory-map>
39557 region...
39558 </memory-map>
39559 @end smallexample
39560
39561 Each region can be either:
39562
39563 @itemize
39564
39565 @item
39566 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39567 bytes from there:
39568
39569 @smallexample
39570 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39571 @end smallexample
39572
39573
39574 @item
39575 A region of read-only memory:
39576
39577 @smallexample
39578 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39579 @end smallexample
39580
39581
39582 @item
39583 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39584 bytes in length:
39585
39586 @smallexample
39587 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39588 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39589 </memory>
39590 @end smallexample
39591
39592 @end itemize
39593
39594 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39595 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39596 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39597
39598 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39599
39600 @smallexample
39601 <!-- ................................................... -->
39602 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39603 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39604 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39605 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39606 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39607 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39608 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39609 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39610 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39611 and its type, or device. -->
39612 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39613 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39614 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39615 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39616 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39617 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39618 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39619 @end smallexample
39620
39621 @node Thread List Format
39622 @section Thread List Format
39623 @cindex thread list format
39624
39625 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39626 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39627 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39628 the following structure:
39629
39630 @smallexample
39631 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39632 <threads>
39633 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
39634 ... description ...
39635 </thread>
39636 </threads>
39637 @end smallexample
39638
39639 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39640 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39641 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39642 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
39643 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
39644 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
39645 auxiliary information.
39646
39647 @node Traceframe Info Format
39648 @section Traceframe Info Format
39649 @cindex traceframe info format
39650
39651 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39652 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39653 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39654 collected in a traceframe.
39655
39656 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39657 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39658
39659 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39660 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39661
39662 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39663
39664 @smallexample
39665 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39666 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39667 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39668 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39669 <traceframe-info>
39670 block...
39671 </traceframe-info>
39672 @end smallexample
39673
39674 Each traceframe block can be either:
39675
39676 @itemize
39677
39678 @item
39679 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39680 @var{length} bytes from there:
39681
39682 @smallexample
39683 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39684 @end smallexample
39685
39686 @item
39687 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
39688 collected:
39689
39690 @smallexample
39691 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
39692 @end smallexample
39693
39694 @end itemize
39695
39696 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39697
39698 @smallexample
39699 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
39700 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39701
39702 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39703 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39704 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39705 <!ELEMENT tvar>
39706 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
39707 @end smallexample
39708
39709 @node Branch Trace Format
39710 @section Branch Trace Format
39711 @cindex branch trace format
39712
39713 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
39714 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
39715 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
39716 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
39717
39718 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
39719 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
39720
39721 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39722 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39723
39724 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39725
39726 @smallexample
39727 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39728 <!DOCTYPE btrace
39729 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
39730 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
39731 <btrace>
39732 block...
39733 </btrace>
39734 @end smallexample
39735
39736 @itemize
39737
39738 @item
39739 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
39740 and ending at @var{end}:
39741
39742 @smallexample
39743 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
39744 @end smallexample
39745
39746 @end itemize
39747
39748 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
39749
39750 @smallexample
39751 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
39752 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39753
39754 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
39755 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
39756 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
39757
39758 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
39759
39760 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
39761
39762 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
39763 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
39764 family CDATA #REQUIRED
39765 model CDATA #REQUIRED
39766 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
39767
39768 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
39769 @end smallexample
39770
39771 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
39772 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
39773 @cindex branch trace configuration format
39774
39775 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
39776 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
39777 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
39778
39779 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
39780 settings for that format. The following information is described:
39781
39782 @table @code
39783 @item bts
39784 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
39785 @table @code
39786 @item size
39787 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
39788 @end table
39789 @item pt
39790 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel(R) Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel(R)
39791 PT}) format.
39792 @table @code
39793 @item size
39794 The size of the @acronym{Intel(R) PT} ring buffer in bytes.
39795 @end table
39796 @end table
39797
39798 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39799 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39800
39801 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
39802
39803 @smallexample
39804 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
39805 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39806
39807 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
39808 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
39809
39810 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
39811 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
39812 @end smallexample
39813
39814 @include agentexpr.texi
39815
39816 @node Target Descriptions
39817 @appendix Target Descriptions
39818 @cindex target descriptions
39819
39820 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39821 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39822 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39823 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39824 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39825 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39826 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39827
39828 @itemize @bullet
39829 @item
39830 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39831 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39832 @item
39833 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39834 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39835 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39836 @item
39837 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39838 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39839 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39840 @end itemize
39841
39842 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39843 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39844 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39845 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39846 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39847
39848 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39849 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39850
39851 @menu
39852 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39853 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39854 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39855 descriptions.
39856 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39857 @end menu
39858
39859 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39860 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39861
39862 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39863 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39864 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39865 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39866 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39867 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39868 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39869 Format}.
39870
39871 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39872 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39873 specify a file are:
39874
39875 @table @code
39876 @cindex set tdesc filename
39877 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39878 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39879
39880 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39881 @item unset tdesc filename
39882 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39883 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39884
39885 @cindex show tdesc filename
39886 @item show tdesc filename
39887 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39888 @end table
39889
39890
39891 @node Target Description Format
39892 @section Target Description Format
39893 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39894
39895 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39896 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39897 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39898 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39899 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39900 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39901 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39902
39903 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39904 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39905 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39906 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39907 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39908
39909 Here is a simple target description:
39910
39911 @smallexample
39912 <target version="1.0">
39913 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39914 </target>
39915 @end smallexample
39916
39917 @noindent
39918 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39919 the x86-64 architecture.
39920
39921 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39922 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39923 are explained further below.
39924
39925 @smallexample
39926 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39927 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39928 <target version="1.0">
39929 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39930 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39931 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39932 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39933 </target>
39934 @end smallexample
39935
39936 @noindent
39937 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39938 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39939 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39940 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39941 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39942 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39943 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39944 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39945 the version mismatch.
39946
39947 @subsection Inclusion
39948 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39949 @cindex XInclude
39950 @ifnotinfo
39951 @cindex <xi:include>
39952 @end ifnotinfo
39953
39954 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39955 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39956 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39957 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39958 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39959
39960 @smallexample
39961 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39962 @end smallexample
39963
39964 @noindent
39965 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39966 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39967 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39968 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39969 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39970 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39971 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39972 original description.
39973
39974 @subsection Architecture
39975 @cindex <architecture>
39976
39977 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39978
39979 @smallexample
39980 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39981 @end smallexample
39982
39983 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39984 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39985
39986 @subsection OS ABI
39987 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39988
39989 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39990 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39991
39992 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39993
39994 @smallexample
39995 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39996 @end smallexample
39997
39998 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39999 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40000
40001 @subsection Compatible Architecture
40002 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
40003
40004 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40005 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40006
40007 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40008
40009 @smallexample
40010 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40011 @end smallexample
40012
40013 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40014 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40015
40016 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40017 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40018 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40019 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40020 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40021 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40022 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
40023
40024 @smallexample
40025 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
40026 <compatible>spu</compatible>
40027 @end smallexample
40028
40029 @subsection Features
40030 @cindex <feature>
40031
40032 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
40033 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
40034 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
40035 has this form:
40036
40037 @smallexample
40038 <feature name="@var{name}">
40039 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
40040 @var{reg}@dots{}
40041 </feature>
40042 @end smallexample
40043
40044 @noindent
40045 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
40046 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
40047 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
40048 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
40049
40050 @subsection Types
40051
40052 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
40053 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
40054 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
40055 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
40056 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
40057
40058 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
40059 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
40060 Types must be defined before they are used.
40061
40062 @cindex <vector>
40063 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
40064 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
40065 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
40066 @var{count}:
40067
40068 @smallexample
40069 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
40070 @end smallexample
40071
40072 @cindex <union>
40073 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
40074 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
40075 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
40076 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
40077
40078 @smallexample
40079 <union id="@var{id}">
40080 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40081 @dots{}
40082 </union>
40083 @end smallexample
40084
40085 @cindex <struct>
40086 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
40087 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
40088 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
40089 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
40090 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
40091 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
40092 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
40093 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
40094
40095 @smallexample
40096 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40097 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40098 @dots{}
40099 </struct>
40100 @end smallexample
40101
40102 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
40103 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
40104
40105 @smallexample
40106 <struct id="@var{id}">
40107 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40108 @dots{}
40109 </struct>
40110 @end smallexample
40111
40112 @cindex <flags>
40113 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
40114 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
40115 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
40116 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
40117 are supported.
40118
40119 @smallexample
40120 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40121 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40122 @dots{}
40123 </flags>
40124 @end smallexample
40125
40126 @subsection Registers
40127 @cindex <reg>
40128
40129 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
40130
40131 @smallexample
40132 <reg name="@var{name}"
40133 bitsize="@var{size}"
40134 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
40135 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
40136 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
40137 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
40138 @end smallexample
40139
40140 @noindent
40141 The components are as follows:
40142
40143 @table @var
40144
40145 @item name
40146 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
40147
40148 @item bitsize
40149 The register's size, in bits.
40150
40151 @item regnum
40152 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
40153 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
40154 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
40155 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
40156 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
40157 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
40158 in order of increasing register number.
40159
40160 @item save-restore
40161 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
40162 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40163 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40164 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40165 ABI.
40166
40167 @item type
40168 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
40169 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40170 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40171 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40172 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40173 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40174
40175 @item group
40176 The register group to which this register belongs. It must
40177 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40178 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40179 in @code{info registers}.
40180
40181 @end table
40182
40183 @node Predefined Target Types
40184 @section Predefined Target Types
40185 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40186
40187 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40188 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40189 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40190 types. The currently supported types are:
40191
40192 @table @code
40193
40194 @item int8
40195 @itemx int16
40196 @itemx int32
40197 @itemx int64
40198 @itemx int128
40199 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40200
40201 @item uint8
40202 @itemx uint16
40203 @itemx uint32
40204 @itemx uint64
40205 @itemx uint128
40206 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40207
40208 @item code_ptr
40209 @itemx data_ptr
40210 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40211 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40212 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40213 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40214 may be marked as data pointers.
40215
40216 @item ieee_single
40217 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40218
40219 @item ieee_double
40220 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40221
40222 @item arm_fpa_ext
40223 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40224
40225 @item i387_ext
40226 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40227
40228 @item i386_eflags
40229 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40230
40231 @item i386_mxcsr
40232 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40233
40234 @end table
40235
40236 @node Standard Target Features
40237 @section Standard Target Features
40238 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40239
40240 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40241 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40242 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40243 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40244 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40245 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40246 can recognize them.
40247
40248 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40249 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40250 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40251 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40252 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40253 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40254 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40255 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40256
40257 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40258 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40259 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40260
40261 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40262 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40263 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40264 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40265
40266 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40267 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40268 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40269
40270 @menu
40271 * AArch64 Features::
40272 * ARM Features::
40273 * i386 Features::
40274 * MicroBlaze Features::
40275 * MIPS Features::
40276 * M68K Features::
40277 * Nios II Features::
40278 * PowerPC Features::
40279 * S/390 and System z Features::
40280 * TIC6x Features::
40281 @end menu
40282
40283
40284 @node AArch64 Features
40285 @subsection AArch64 Features
40286 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
40287
40288 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
40289 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
40290 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40291
40292 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
40293 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
40294 and @samp{fpcr}.
40295
40296 @node ARM Features
40297 @subsection ARM Features
40298 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40299
40300 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40301 ARM targets.
40302 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40303 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40304
40305 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40306 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40307 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40308 and @samp{xpsr}.
40309
40310 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40311 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40312
40313 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40314 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40315 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40316 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40317
40318 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40319 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40320 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40321 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40322 halves of the double-precision registers.
40323
40324 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40325 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40326 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40327 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40328 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40329 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40330
40331 @node i386 Features
40332 @subsection i386 Features
40333 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40334
40335 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40336 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40337
40338 @itemize @minus
40339 @item
40340 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40341 @item
40342 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40343 @item
40344 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40345 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40346 @item
40347 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40348 @item
40349 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40350 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40351 @end itemize
40352
40353 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40354
40355 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40356 describe registers:
40357
40358 @itemize @minus
40359 @item
40360 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40361 @item
40362 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40363 @item
40364 @samp{mxcsr}
40365 @end itemize
40366
40367 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40368 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40369 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40370
40371 @itemize @minus
40372 @item
40373 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40374 @item
40375 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40376 @end itemize
40377
40378 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel(R)
40379 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
40380
40381 @itemize @minus
40382 @item
40383 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
40384 @item
40385 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
40386 @end itemize
40387
40388 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40389 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40390
40391 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
40392 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
40393 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
40394
40395 @itemize @minus
40396 @item
40397 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40398 @end itemize
40399
40400 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
40401
40402 @itemize @minus
40403 @item
40404 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40405 @end itemize
40406
40407 It should
40408 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
40409
40410 @itemize @minus
40411 @item
40412 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
40413 @item
40414 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
40415 @end itemize
40416
40417 It should
40418 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
40419
40420 @itemize @minus
40421 @item
40422 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
40423 @end itemize
40424
40425 @node MicroBlaze Features
40426 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
40427 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
40428
40429 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
40430 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40431 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
40432 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
40433 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
40434
40435 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
40436 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
40437
40438 @node MIPS Features
40439 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40440 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40441
40442 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40443 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40444 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40445 on the target.
40446
40447 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40448 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40449 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40450
40451 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40452 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40453 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40454 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40455
40456 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40457 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40458 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40459 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40460
40461 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40462 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40463 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40464
40465 @node M68K Features
40466 @subsection M68K Features
40467 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40468
40469 @table @code
40470 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40471 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40472 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40473 One of those features must be always present.
40474 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40475 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40476 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40477 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40478
40479 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40480 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40481 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40482 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40483 @end table
40484
40485 @node Nios II Features
40486 @subsection Nios II Features
40487 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
40488
40489 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
40490 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
40491 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
40492 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
40493 @samp{mpuacc}).
40494
40495 @node PowerPC Features
40496 @subsection PowerPC Features
40497 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40498
40499 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40500 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40501 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40502 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40503
40504 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40505 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40506
40507 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40508 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40509 and @samp{vrsave}.
40510
40511 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40512 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40513 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40514 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40515 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40516 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40517
40518 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40519 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40520 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40521 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40522 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40523 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40524 user.
40525
40526 @node S/390 and System z Features
40527 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
40528 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
40529 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
40530
40531 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
40532 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
40533 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
40534 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
40535 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
40536 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
40537 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
40538 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
40539 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
40540
40541 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
40542 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
40543 @samp{fpc}.
40544
40545 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
40546 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
40547
40548 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
40549 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
40550 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
40551 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
40552 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
40553 32-bit wide.
40554
40555 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
40556 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
40557 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
40558
40559 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
40560 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
40561 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
40562 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
40563 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
40564 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
40565 @samp{v31}.
40566
40567 @node TIC6x Features
40568 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40569 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40570 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40571 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40572 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40573 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40574
40575 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40576 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40577 through @samp{B31}.
40578
40579 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40580 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40581
40582 @node Operating System Information
40583 @appendix Operating System Information
40584 @cindex operating system information
40585
40586 @menu
40587 * Process list::
40588 @end menu
40589
40590 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40591 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40592 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40593 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40594 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40595 on a different aspect of target.
40596
40597 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40598 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40599 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40600 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40601
40602 @node Process list
40603 @appendixsection Process list
40604 @cindex operating system information, process list
40605
40606 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40607 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40608 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40609 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40610
40611 An example document is:
40612
40613 @smallexample
40614 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40615 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40616 <osdata type="processes">
40617 <item>
40618 <column name="pid">1</column>
40619 <column name="user">root</column>
40620 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40621 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40622 </item>
40623 </osdata>
40624 @end smallexample
40625
40626 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40627 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40628 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40629 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40630 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40631 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40632 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40633
40634 @node Trace File Format
40635 @appendix Trace File Format
40636 @cindex trace file format
40637
40638 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40639 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40640
40641 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40642 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40643 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40644 in the future.
40645
40646 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40647 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40648 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40649 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40650 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40651 of this section.
40652
40653 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40654
40655 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40656 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40657 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40658 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40659 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40660 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40661 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40662 endianness.
40663
40664 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40665
40666 @table @code
40667 @item R @var{bytes}
40668 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40669 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40670 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40671 hexadecimal encoding.
40672
40673 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40674 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40675 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40676 @var{length} bytes.
40677
40678 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40679 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40680 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40681
40682 @end table
40683
40684 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40685 of blocks.
40686
40687 @node Index Section Format
40688 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40689 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40690 @cindex index section format
40691
40692 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40693 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40694 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40695 description.
40696
40697 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40698 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40699 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40700 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40701 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40702 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40703
40704 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40705
40706 @enumerate
40707 @item
40708 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40709 unless otherwise noted:
40710
40711 @enumerate
40712 @item
40713 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40714 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40715 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40716 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40717 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
40718 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
40719 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
40720
40721 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40722 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40723 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
40724 currently not flagged as deprecated.
40725
40726 @item
40727 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40728
40729 @item
40730 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40731 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40732 to the next offset.
40733
40734 @item
40735 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40736
40737 @item
40738 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40739
40740 @item
40741 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40742 @end enumerate
40743
40744 @item
40745 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40746 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40747 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40748 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40749 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40750 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40751 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40752 CU indices.
40753
40754 @item
40755 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40756 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40757 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40758 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40759
40760 @item
40761 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40762 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40763
40764 @enumerate
40765 @item
40766 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40767
40768 @item
40769 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40770 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40771
40772 @item
40773 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40774 @end enumerate
40775
40776 @item
40777 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40778 the hash table is always a power of 2.
40779
40780 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
40781 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
40782 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
40783 constant pool.
40784
40785 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
40786 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
40787 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
40788
40789 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
40790 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
40791 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
40792 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
40793 index version:
40794
40795 @table @asis
40796 @item Version 4
40797 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
40798
40799 @item Versions 5 to 7
40800 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
40801 @end table
40802
40803 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
40804
40805 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
40806 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
40807 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
40808 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
40809 collision.
40810
40811 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
40812 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
40813 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40814 the code.
40815
40816 @item
40817 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40818 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40819 strings.
40820
40821 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40822 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40823 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40824 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40825 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40826 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40827
40828 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40829 @end enumerate
40830
40831 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40832 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40833 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40834
40835 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40836 (bit 0 = LSB):
40837
40838 @table @asis
40839
40840 @item Bits 0-23
40841 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40842 @item Bits 24-27
40843 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40844 @item Bits 28-30
40845 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40846
40847 @table @asis
40848 @item 0
40849 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40850 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40851 with previous versions of the index.
40852 @item 1
40853 The symbol is a type.
40854 @item 2
40855 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40856 @item 3
40857 The symbol is a function.
40858 @item 4
40859 Any other kind of symbol.
40860 @item 5,6,7
40861 These values are reserved.
40862 @end table
40863
40864 @item Bit 31
40865 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40866
40867 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40868 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40869 @value{GDBN} sources.
40870
40871 @end table
40872
40873 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40874 global/static attributes in the index.
40875
40876 @smallexample
40877 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40878 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40879 switch (die->tag)
40880 @{
40881 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40882 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40883 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40884 kind = TYPE;
40885 is_static = 1;
40886 break;
40887 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40888 kind = VARIABLE;
40889 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40890 break;
40891 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40892 kind = FUNCTION;
40893 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40894 break;
40895 case DW_TAG_constant:
40896 kind = VARIABLE;
40897 is_static = ! is_external;
40898 break;
40899 case DW_TAG_variable:
40900 kind = VARIABLE;
40901 is_static = ! is_external;
40902 break;
40903 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40904 kind = TYPE;
40905 is_static = 0;
40906 break;
40907 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40908 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40909 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40910 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40911 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40912 kind = TYPE;
40913 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40914 break;
40915 default:
40916 assert (0);
40917 @}
40918 @end smallexample
40919
40920 @node Man Pages
40921 @appendix Manual pages
40922 @cindex Man pages
40923
40924 @menu
40925 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
40926 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
40927 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
40928 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
40929 @end menu
40930
40931 @node gdb man
40932 @heading gdb man
40933
40934 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
40935
40936 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
40937 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
40938 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
40939 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
40940 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
40941 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
40942 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
40943 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
40944 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
40945 @c man end
40946
40947 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
40948 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
40949 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
40950 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
40951
40952 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
40953 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
40954
40955 @itemize @bullet
40956 @item
40957 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
40958
40959 @item
40960 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
40961
40962 @item
40963 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
40964
40965 @item
40966 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
40967 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
40968 @end itemize
40969
40970 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
40971 Modula-2.
40972
40973 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
40974 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
40975 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
40976 by using the command @code{help}.
40977
40978 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
40979 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
40980 executable program as the argument:
40981
40982 @smallexample
40983 gdb program
40984 @end smallexample
40985
40986 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
40987
40988 @smallexample
40989 gdb program core
40990 @end smallexample
40991
40992 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
40993 to debug a running process:
40994
40995 @smallexample
40996 gdb program 1234
40997 gdb -p 1234
40998 @end smallexample
40999
41000 @noindent
41001 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
41002 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
41003 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
41004
41005 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
41006
41007 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
41008 @table @env
41009 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
41010 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
41011
41012 @item run [@var{arglist}]
41013 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
41014
41015 @item bt
41016 Backtrace: display the program stack.
41017
41018 @item print @var{expr}
41019 Display the value of an expression.
41020
41021 @item c
41022 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
41023
41024 @item next
41025 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
41026 function calls in the line.
41027
41028 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41029 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
41030
41031 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41032 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
41033
41034 @item step
41035 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
41036 function calls in the line.
41037
41038 @item help [@var{name}]
41039 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
41040 about using @value{GDBN}.
41041
41042 @item quit
41043 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
41044 @end table
41045
41046 @ifset man
41047 For full details on @value{GDBN},
41048 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41049 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
41050 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
41051 @end ifset
41052 @c man end
41053
41054 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
41055 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
41056 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
41057 encountered with no
41058 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
41059 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
41060 Many options have
41061 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
41062 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
41063 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
41064 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
41065 more usual convention.)
41066
41067 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
41068 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
41069 option is used.
41070
41071 @table @env
41072 @item -help
41073 @itemx -h
41074 List all options, with brief explanations.
41075
41076 @item -symbols=@var{file}
41077 @itemx -s @var{file}
41078 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
41079
41080 @item -write
41081 Enable writing into executable and core files.
41082
41083 @item -exec=@var{file}
41084 @itemx -e @var{file}
41085 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
41086 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
41087 dump.
41088
41089 @item -se=@var{file}
41090 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
41091 file.
41092
41093 @item -core=@var{file}
41094 @itemx -c @var{file}
41095 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
41096
41097 @item -command=@var{file}
41098 @itemx -x @var{file}
41099 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
41100
41101 @item -ex @var{command}
41102 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
41103
41104 @item -directory=@var{directory}
41105 @itemx -d @var{directory}
41106 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
41107
41108 @item -nh
41109 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
41110
41111 @item -nx
41112 @itemx -n
41113 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
41114
41115 @item -quiet
41116 @itemx -q
41117 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
41118 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
41119
41120 @item -batch
41121 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
41122 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
41123 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
41124 commands in the command files.
41125
41126 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
41127 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
41128 more useful, the message
41129
41130 @smallexample
41131 Program exited normally.
41132 @end smallexample
41133
41134 @noindent
41135 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
41136 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
41137
41138 @item -cd=@var{directory}
41139 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
41140 instead of the current directory.
41141
41142 @item -fullname
41143 @itemx -f
41144 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
41145 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
41146 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
41147 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
41148 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
41149 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
41150 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
41151 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
41152
41153 @item -b @var{bps}
41154 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
41155 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
41156
41157 @item -tty=@var{device}
41158 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
41159 @end table
41160 @c man end
41161
41162 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
41163 @ifset man
41164 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41165 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41166 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41167
41168 @smallexample
41169 info gdb
41170 @end smallexample
41171
41172 @noindent
41173 should give you access to the complete manual.
41174
41175 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41176 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41177 @end ifset
41178 @c man end
41179
41180 @node gdbserver man
41181 @heading gdbserver man
41182
41183 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
41184 @format
41185 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
41186 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
41187
41188 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41189
41190 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41191 @c man end
41192 @end format
41193
41194 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
41195 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
41196 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
41197
41198 @ifclear man
41199 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
41200 @end ifclear
41201 @ifset man
41202 Usage (server (target) side):
41203 @end ifset
41204
41205 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
41206 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
41207 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
41208 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
41209
41210 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
41211 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
41212 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
41213
41214 @smallexample
41215 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
41216 @end smallexample
41217
41218 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
41219
41220 @smallexample
41221 @ifset man
41222 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
41223 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
41224 @end ifset
41225 @ifclear man
41226 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
41227 @end ifclear
41228 @end smallexample
41229
41230 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
41231 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
41232 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
41233
41234 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
41235
41236 @smallexample
41237 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
41238 @end smallexample
41239
41240 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
41241 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
41242 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
41243 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
41244 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
41245 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
41246 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
41247 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
41248 print an error message and exit.
41249
41250 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
41251 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
41252
41253 @smallexample
41254 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41255 @end smallexample
41256
41257 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
41258 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
41259
41260 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
41261 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
41262 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
41263 the program you want to debug.
41264
41265 @smallexample
41266 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41267 @end smallexample
41268
41269 @ifclear man
41270 @subheading Usage (host side)
41271 @end ifclear
41272 @ifset man
41273 Usage (host side):
41274 @end ifset
41275
41276 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
41277 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
41278 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
41279 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
41280 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
41281 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
41282 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
41283 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
41284 descriptor. For example:
41285
41286 @smallexample
41287 @ifset man
41288 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
41289 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
41290 @end ifset
41291 @ifclear man
41292 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
41293 @end ifclear
41294 @end smallexample
41295
41296 @noindent
41297 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
41298
41299 @smallexample
41300 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
41301 @end smallexample
41302
41303 @noindent
41304 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
41305 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
41306 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
41307 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
41308 `Connection refused'.
41309
41310 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
41311 described in
41312 @ifset man
41313 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
41314 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
41315 @end ifset
41316 @ifclear man
41317 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
41318 @end ifclear
41319 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
41320
41321 @smallexample
41322 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
41323 @end smallexample
41324
41325 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
41326 case.
41327 @c man end
41328
41329 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
41330 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
41331
41332 @itemize @bullet
41333
41334 @item
41335 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
41336
41337 @smallexample
41338 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
41339 @end smallexample
41340
41341 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
41342 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
41343 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
41344 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
41345 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
41346 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
41347 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
41348
41349 @item
41350 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
41351 program:
41352
41353 @smallexample
41354 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41355 @end smallexample
41356
41357 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
41358 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
41359 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
41360 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
41361
41362 @item
41363 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
41364
41365 @smallexample
41366 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41367 @end smallexample
41368
41369 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
41370 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
41371 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
41372 debug several processes in the same session.
41373 @end itemize
41374
41375 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
41376
41377 @table @env
41378
41379 @item --help
41380 List all options, with brief explanations.
41381
41382 @item --version
41383 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
41384
41385 @item --attach
41386 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
41387
41388 @smallexample
41389 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
41390 @end smallexample
41391
41392 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
41393 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
41394
41395 @item --multi
41396 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
41397 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
41398 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
41399 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
41400
41401 @smallexample
41402 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
41403 @end smallexample
41404
41405 @item --debug
41406 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
41407 process.
41408 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
41409 the developers.
41410
41411 @item --remote-debug
41412 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
41413 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
41414 the developers.
41415
41416 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
41417 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
41418 of debugging output.
41419 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
41420
41421 @item --wrapper
41422 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
41423 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
41424 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
41425 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
41426
41427 @item --once
41428 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
41429 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
41430 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
41431 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
41432
41433 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
41434
41435 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
41436 @c QDisableRandomization.
41437
41438 @end table
41439 @c man end
41440
41441 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
41442 @ifset man
41443 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41444 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41445 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41446
41447 @smallexample
41448 info gdb
41449 @end smallexample
41450
41451 should give you access to the complete manual.
41452
41453 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41454 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41455 @end ifset
41456 @c man end
41457
41458 @node gcore man
41459 @heading gcore
41460
41461 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
41462
41463 @format
41464 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
41465 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
41466 @c man end
41467 @end format
41468
41469 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
41470 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
41471 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
41472 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
41473 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
41474 running without any change.
41475 @c man end
41476
41477 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
41478 @table @env
41479 @item -o @var{filename}
41480 The optional argument
41481 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
41482 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
41483 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
41484 @end table
41485 @c man end
41486
41487 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
41488 @ifset man
41489 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41490 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41491 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41492
41493 @smallexample
41494 info gdb
41495 @end smallexample
41496
41497 @noindent
41498 should give you access to the complete manual.
41499
41500 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41501 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41502 @end ifset
41503 @c man end
41504
41505 @node gdbinit man
41506 @heading gdbinit
41507
41508 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
41509
41510 @format
41511 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
41512 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41513 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
41514 @end ifset
41515
41516 ~/.gdbinit
41517
41518 ./.gdbinit
41519 @c man end
41520 @end format
41521
41522 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
41523 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
41524 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
41525 described in
41526 @ifset man
41527 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
41528 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
41529 @end ifset
41530 @ifclear man
41531 @ref{Sequences}.
41532 @end ifclear
41533
41534 Please read more in
41535 @ifset man
41536 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
41537 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
41538 @end ifset
41539 @ifclear man
41540 @ref{Startup}.
41541 @end ifclear
41542
41543 @table @env
41544 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41545 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
41546 @end ifset
41547 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
41548 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
41549 @end ifclear
41550 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
41551 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
41552 See more in
41553 @ifset man
41554 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
41555 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
41556 @end ifset
41557 @ifclear man
41558 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
41559 @end ifclear
41560
41561 @item ~/.gdbinit
41562 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
41563 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
41564
41565 @item ./.gdbinit
41566 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
41567 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
41568 See more in
41569 @ifset man
41570 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
41571 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
41572 @end ifset
41573 @ifclear man
41574 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
41575 @end ifclear
41576 @end table
41577 @c man end
41578
41579 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
41580 @ifset man
41581 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
41582
41583 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
41584 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
41585 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
41586
41587 @smallexample
41588 info gdb
41589 @end smallexample
41590
41591 should give you access to the complete manual.
41592
41593 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41594 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
41595 @end ifset
41596 @c man end
41597
41598 @include gpl.texi
41599
41600 @node GNU Free Documentation License
41601 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
41602 @include fdl.texi
41603
41604 @node Concept Index
41605 @unnumbered Concept Index
41606
41607 @printindex cp
41608
41609 @node Command and Variable Index
41610 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
41611
41612 @printindex fn
41613
41614 @tex
41615 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
41616 % meantime:
41617 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
41618 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
41619 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
41620 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
41621 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
41622 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
41623 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
41624 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
41625 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
41626 \page\colophon
41627 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
41628 @end tex
41629
41630 @bye
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