* gdb.texinfo (File Options): Document -x on .py files.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 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
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 @cindex Modula-2
218 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
219 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
220
221 @cindex Pascal
222 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
223 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
224 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
225 syntax.
226
227 @cindex Fortran
228 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
229 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
230 underscore.
231
232 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
233 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
234
235 @menu
236 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
237 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
238 @end menu
239
240 @node Free Software
241 @unnumberedsec Free Software
242
243 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
244 General Public License
245 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
246 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
247 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
248 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
249 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
250 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
251
252 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
253 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
254 from anyone else.
255
256 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
257
258 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
259 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
260 include with the free software. Many of our most important
261 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
262 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
263 when an important free software package does not come with a free
264 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
265 gaps today.
266
267 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
268 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
269 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
270 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
271 them from the free software world.
272
273 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
274 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
275 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
276 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
277 contract to make it non-free.
278
279 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
280 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
281 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
282 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
283 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
284 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
285 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
286
287 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
288 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
289 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
290 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
291
292 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
293 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
294 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
295 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
296 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
297 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
298 community.
299
300 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
301 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
302 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
303 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
304 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
305 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
306 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
307 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
308 of the manual.
309
310 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
311 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
312 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
313 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
314 manual to replace it.
315
316 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
317 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
318 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
319 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
320 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
321 the free software community.
322
323 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
324 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
325 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
326 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
327 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
328 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
329 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
330 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
331 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
332
333 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
334 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
335 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
336 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
337 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
338 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
339 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
340 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
341
342 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
343 published by other publishers, at
344 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
345
346 @node Contributors
347 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
348
349 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
350 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
351 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
352 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
353 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
354 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
355 blow-by-blow account.
356
357 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
358
359 @quotation
360 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
361 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
362 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
363 @end quotation
364
365 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
366 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
367 releases:
368 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
369 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
370 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
371 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
372 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
373 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
374 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
375 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
376 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
377
378 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
379 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
380
381 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
382 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
383 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
384 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
385 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
386
387 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
388 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
389 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
390
391 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
392 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
393
394 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
395
396 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
397 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
398 support.
399 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
400 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
401 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
402 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
403 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
404 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
405 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
406 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
407 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
408 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
409 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
410 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
411 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
412 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
413 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
414 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
415
416 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
417
418 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
419 libraries.
420
421 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
422 about several machine instruction sets.
423
424 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
425 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
426 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
427 and RDI targets, respectively.
428
429 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
430 command-line editing and command history.
431
432 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
433 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
434
435 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
436 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
437 symbols.
438
439 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
440 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
441
442 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
443
444 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
445 processors.
446
447 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
448
449 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
450
451 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
452
453 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
454 watchpoints.
455
456 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
457
458 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
459
460 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
461 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
462
463 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
464 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
465 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
466 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
467 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
468 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
469 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
470
471 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
472 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
473
474 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
475 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
476 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
477 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
478 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
479 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
480 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
481 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
482 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
483 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
484 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
485 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
486 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
487 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
488 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
489
490 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
491 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
492
493 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
494 Hat.
495
496 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
497 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
498 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
499 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
500 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
501 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
502
503 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
504 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
505 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
506 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
507 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
508 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
509 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
510 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
511 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
512 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
513 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
514 Weigand.
515
516 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
517 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
518 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
519 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
520
521 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
522 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
523
524 @node Sample Session
525 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
526
527 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
528 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
529 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
530
531 @iftex
532 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
533 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
534 @end iftex
535
536 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
537 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
538
539 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
540 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
541 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
542 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
543 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
544 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
545 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
546 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
547 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
548
549 @smallexample
550 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
551 $ @b{./m4}
552 @b{define(foo,0000)}
553
554 @b{foo}
555 0000
556 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
557
558 @b{bar}
559 0000
560 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
561
562 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
563 @b{baz}
564 @b{Ctrl-d}
565 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
566 @end smallexample
567
568 @noindent
569 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
570
571 @smallexample
572 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
573 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
574 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
575 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
576 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
577 the conditions.
578 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
579 for details.
580
581 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
582 (@value{GDBP})
583 @end smallexample
584
585 @noindent
586 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
587 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
588 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
589 that examples fit in this manual.
590
591 @smallexample
592 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
597 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
598 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
599 @code{break} command.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
603 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
604 @end smallexample
605
606 @noindent
607 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
608 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
609 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
613 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
614 @b{define(foo,0000)}
615
616 @b{foo}
617 0000
618 @end smallexample
619
620 @noindent
621 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
622 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
623 context where it stops.
624
625 @smallexample
626 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
627
628 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
629 at builtin.c:879
630 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
631 @end smallexample
632
633 @noindent
634 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
635 the next line of the current function.
636
637 @smallexample
638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
639 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
640 : nil,
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
645 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
646 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
647 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
651 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
652 at input.c:530
653 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
654 @end smallexample
655
656 @noindent
657 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
658 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
659 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
660 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
661 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
662 stack frame for each active subroutine.
663
664 @smallexample
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
666 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
667 at input.c:530
668 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
669 at builtin.c:882
670 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
671 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
672 at macro.c:71
673 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
674 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
675 @end smallexample
676
677 @noindent
678 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
679 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
680 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
681
682 @smallexample
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
684 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
686 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
687 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
689 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
690 : xstrdup(rq);
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
693 @end smallexample
694
695 @noindent
696 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
697 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
698 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
699 (@code{print}) to see their values.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
703 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
705 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
706 @end smallexample
707
708 @noindent
709 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
710 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
711 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
715 533 xfree(rquote);
716 534
717 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
718 : xstrdup (lq);
719 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
720 : xstrdup (rq);
721 537
722 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
723 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
724 540 @}
725 541
726 542 void
727 @end smallexample
728
729 @noindent
730 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
731 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
735 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
737 540 @}
738 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
739 $3 = 9
740 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
741 $4 = 7
742 @end smallexample
743
744 @noindent
745 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
746 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
747 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
748 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
749 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
750 assignments.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
754 $5 = 7
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
756 $6 = 9
757 @end smallexample
758
759 @noindent
760 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
761 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
762 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
763 example that caused trouble initially:
764
765 @smallexample
766 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
767 Continuing.
768
769 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
770
771 baz
772 0000
773 @end smallexample
774
775 @noindent
776 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
777 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
778 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
779
780 @smallexample
781 @b{Ctrl-d}
782 Program exited normally.
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
787 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
788 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
789
790 @smallexample
791 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @node Invocation
795 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
796
797 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
798 The essentials are:
799 @itemize @bullet
800 @item
801 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
802 @item
803 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
804 @end itemize
805
806 @menu
807 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
808 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
809 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
810 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
811 @end menu
812
813 @node Invoking GDB
814 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
815
816 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
817 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
818
819 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
820 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
821
822 The command-line options described here are designed
823 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
824 options may effectively be unavailable.
825
826 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
827 specifying an executable program:
828
829 @smallexample
830 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
831 @end smallexample
832
833 @noindent
834 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
835 specified:
836
837 @smallexample
838 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
839 @end smallexample
840
841 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
842 to debug a running process:
843
844 @smallexample
845 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
846 @end smallexample
847
848 @noindent
849 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
850 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
851
852 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
853 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
854 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
855 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
856 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
857
858 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
859 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
860 option processing.
861 @smallexample
862 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
863 @end smallexample
864 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
865 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
866
867 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
868 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
869
870 @smallexample
871 @value{GDBP} -silent
872 @end smallexample
873
874 @noindent
875 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
876 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
877
878 @noindent
879 Type
880
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} -help
883 @end smallexample
884
885 @noindent
886 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
887 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
888
889 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
890 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
891 @samp{-x} option is used.
892
893
894 @menu
895 * File Options:: Choosing files
896 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
897 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
898 @end menu
899
900 @node File Options
901 @subsection Choosing Files
902
903 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
904 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
905 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
906 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
907 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
908 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
909 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
910 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
911 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
912 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
913 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
914 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
915 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
916
917 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
918 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
919 argument and ignore it.
920
921 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
922 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
923 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
924 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
925 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
926
927 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
928 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
929 @c it.
930
931 @table @code
932 @item -symbols @var{file}
933 @itemx -s @var{file}
934 @cindex @code{--symbols}
935 @cindex @code{-s}
936 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
937
938 @item -exec @var{file}
939 @itemx -e @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--exec}
941 @cindex @code{-e}
942 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
943 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
944
945 @item -se @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--se}
947 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
948 file.
949
950 @item -core @var{file}
951 @itemx -c @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--core}
953 @cindex @code{-c}
954 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
955
956 @item -pid @var{number}
957 @itemx -p @var{number}
958 @cindex @code{--pid}
959 @cindex @code{-p}
960 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
961
962 @item -command @var{file}
963 @itemx -x @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--command}
965 @cindex @code{-x}
966 Execute commands from file @var{file}. If @var{file} ends in
967 @samp{.py}, then the file is evaluated as Python code. If Python
968 support is not enabled in this @value{GDBN}, then the file is assumed to
969 contain @value{GDBN} commands, regardless of its extension.
970 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
971
972 @item -eval-command @var{command}
973 @itemx -ex @var{command}
974 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
975 @cindex @code{-ex}
976 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
977
978 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
979 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
980
981 @smallexample
982 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
983 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
984 @end smallexample
985
986 @item -directory @var{directory}
987 @itemx -d @var{directory}
988 @cindex @code{--directory}
989 @cindex @code{-d}
990 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
991
992 @item -r
993 @itemx -readnow
994 @cindex @code{--readnow}
995 @cindex @code{-r}
996 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
997 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
998 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
999
1000 @end table
1001
1002 @node Mode Options
1003 @subsection Choosing Modes
1004
1005 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1006 batch mode or quiet mode.
1007
1008 @table @code
1009 @item -nx
1010 @itemx -n
1011 @cindex @code{--nx}
1012 @cindex @code{-n}
1013 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1014 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1015 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1016 Files}.
1017
1018 @item -quiet
1019 @itemx -silent
1020 @itemx -q
1021 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1022 @cindex @code{--silent}
1023 @cindex @code{-q}
1024 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1025 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1026
1027 @item -batch
1028 @cindex @code{--batch}
1029 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1030 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1031 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1032 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1033 in the command files.
1034
1035 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1036 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1037 make this more useful, the message
1038
1039 @smallexample
1040 Program exited normally.
1041 @end smallexample
1042
1043 @noindent
1044 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1045 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1046 mode.
1047
1048 @item -batch-silent
1049 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1050 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1051 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1052 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1053 for an interactive session.
1054
1055 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1056 messages, for example.
1057
1058 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1059 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1060
1061 @item -return-child-result
1062 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1063 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1064 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1065
1066 @itemize @bullet
1067 @item
1068 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1069 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1070 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1071 @item
1072 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1073 @item
1074 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1075 the exit code will be -1.
1076 @end itemize
1077
1078 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1079 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1080 interface.
1081
1082 @item -nowindows
1083 @itemx -nw
1084 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1085 @cindex @code{-nw}
1086 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1087 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1088 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1089
1090 @item -windows
1091 @itemx -w
1092 @cindex @code{--windows}
1093 @cindex @code{-w}
1094 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1095 used if possible.
1096
1097 @item -cd @var{directory}
1098 @cindex @code{--cd}
1099 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1100 instead of the current directory.
1101
1102 @item -fullname
1103 @itemx -f
1104 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1105 @cindex @code{-f}
1106 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1107 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1108 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1109 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1110 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1111 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1112 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1113 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1114 frame.
1115
1116 @item -epoch
1117 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1118 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1119 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1120 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1121 separate window.
1122
1123 @item -annotate @var{level}
1124 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1125 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1126 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1127 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1128 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1129 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1130 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1131 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1132 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1133
1134 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1135 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1136
1137 @item --args
1138 @cindex @code{--args}
1139 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1140 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1141 This option stops option processing.
1142
1143 @item -baud @var{bps}
1144 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1145 @cindex @code{--baud}
1146 @cindex @code{-b}
1147 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1148 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1149
1150 @item -l @var{timeout}
1151 @cindex @code{-l}
1152 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1153 for remote debugging.
1154
1155 @item -tty @var{device}
1156 @itemx -t @var{device}
1157 @cindex @code{--tty}
1158 @cindex @code{-t}
1159 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1160 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1161
1162 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1163 @item -tui
1164 @cindex @code{--tui}
1165 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1166 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1167 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1168 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1169 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1170 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1171 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1172
1173 @c @item -xdb
1174 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1175 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1176 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1177 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1178 @c systems.
1179
1180 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1181 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1182 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1183 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1184 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1185 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1186
1187 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1188 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1189 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1190 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1191 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1192 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1193
1194 @item -write
1195 @cindex @code{--write}
1196 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1197 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1198 (@pxref{Patching}).
1199
1200 @item -statistics
1201 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1202 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1203 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1204
1205 @item -version
1206 @cindex @code{--version}
1207 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1208 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1209
1210 @end table
1211
1212 @node Startup
1213 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1214 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1215
1216 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1217
1218 @enumerate
1219 @item
1220 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1221 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1222
1223 @item
1224 @cindex init file
1225 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1226 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1227 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1228 that file.
1229
1230 @item
1231 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1232 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1233 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1234 that file.
1235
1236 @item
1237 Processes command line options and operands.
1238
1239 @item
1240 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1241 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1242 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1243 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1244 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1245 @value{GDBN}.
1246
1247 @item
1248 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1249 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1250
1251 @item
1252 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1253 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1254 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1255 @end enumerate
1256
1257 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1258 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1259 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1260 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1261 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1262 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1263
1264 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1265 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1266
1267 @cindex init file name
1268 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1269 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1270 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1271 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1272 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1273 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1274 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1275 the file to the standard name.
1276
1277
1278 @node Quitting GDB
1279 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1280 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1281 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1282
1283 @table @code
1284 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1285 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1286 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1287 @itemx q
1288 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1289 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1290 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1291 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1292 error code.
1293 @end table
1294
1295 @cindex interrupt
1296 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1297 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1298 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1299 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1300 until a time when it is safe.
1301
1302 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1303 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1304 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1305
1306 @node Shell Commands
1307 @section Shell Commands
1308
1309 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1310 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1311 just use the @code{shell} command.
1312
1313 @table @code
1314 @kindex shell
1315 @cindex shell escape
1316 @item shell @var{command string}
1317 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1318 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1319 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1320 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1321 @end table
1322
1323 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1324 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1325 @value{GDBN}:
1326
1327 @table @code
1328 @kindex make
1329 @cindex calling make
1330 @item make @var{make-args}
1331 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1332 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1333 @end table
1334
1335 @node Logging Output
1336 @section Logging Output
1337 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1338 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1339
1340 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1341 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1342
1343 @table @code
1344 @kindex set logging
1345 @item set logging on
1346 Enable logging.
1347 @item set logging off
1348 Disable logging.
1349 @cindex logging file name
1350 @item set logging file @var{file}
1351 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1352 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1353 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1354 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1355 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1356 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1357 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1358 @kindex show logging
1359 @item show logging
1360 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1361 @end table
1362
1363 @node Commands
1364 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1365
1366 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1367 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1368 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1369 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1370 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1371
1372 @menu
1373 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1374 * Completion:: Command completion
1375 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1376 @end menu
1377
1378 @node Command Syntax
1379 @section Command Syntax
1380
1381 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1382 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1383 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1384 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1385 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1386 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1387
1388 @cindex abbreviation
1389 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1390 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1391 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1392 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1393 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1394 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1395 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1396
1397 @cindex repeating commands
1398 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1399 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1400 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1401 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1402 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1403 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1404 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1405
1406 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1407 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1408 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1409
1410 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1411 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1412 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1413 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1414 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1415
1416 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1417 @cindex comment
1418 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1419 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1420 Files,,Command Files}).
1421
1422 @cindex repeating command sequences
1423 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1424 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1425 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1426 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1427 for editing.
1428
1429 @node Completion
1430 @section Command Completion
1431
1432 @cindex completion
1433 @cindex word completion
1434 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1435 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1436 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1437 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1438
1439 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1440 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1441 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1442 enter it). For example, if you type
1443
1444 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1445 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1446 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1447 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1448 @smallexample
1449 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1450 @end smallexample
1451
1452 @noindent
1453 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1454 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1455
1456 @smallexample
1457 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1458 @end smallexample
1459
1460 @noindent
1461 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1462 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1463 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1464 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1465 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1466 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1467
1468 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1469 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1470 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1471 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1472 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1473 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1474 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1475 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1476 example:
1477
1478 @smallexample
1479 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1480 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1481 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1482 make_abs_section make_function_type
1483 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1484 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1485 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1486 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1487 @end smallexample
1488
1489 @noindent
1490 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1491 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1492 command.
1493
1494 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1495 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1496 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1497 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1498 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1499
1500 @cindex quotes in commands
1501 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1502 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1503 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1504 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1505 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1506 @value{GDBN} commands.
1507
1508 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1509 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1510 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1511 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1512 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1513 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1514 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1515 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1516 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1517 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1518 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1522 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1527 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1528 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1529 place:
1530
1531 @smallexample
1532 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1533 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1534 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1535 @end smallexample
1536
1537 @noindent
1538 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1539 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1540 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1541
1542 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1543 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1544 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1545 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1546
1547 @cindex completion of structure field names
1548 @cindex structure field name completion
1549 @cindex completion of union field names
1550 @cindex union field name completion
1551 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1552 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1553 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1554 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1555 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1556 left-hand-side:
1557
1558 @smallexample
1559 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1560 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1561 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1562 @end smallexample
1563
1564 @noindent
1565 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1566 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1567 follows:
1568
1569 @smallexample
1570 struct ui_file
1571 @{
1572 int *magic;
1573 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1574 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1575 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1576 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1577 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1578 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1579 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1580 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1581 void *to_data;
1582 @}
1583 @end smallexample
1584
1585
1586 @node Help
1587 @section Getting Help
1588 @cindex online documentation
1589 @kindex help
1590
1591 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1592 using the command @code{help}.
1593
1594 @table @code
1595 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1596 @item help
1597 @itemx h
1598 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1599 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1600
1601 @smallexample
1602 (@value{GDBP}) help
1603 List of classes of commands:
1604
1605 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1606 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1607 data -- Examining data
1608 files -- Specifying and examining files
1609 internals -- Maintenance commands
1610 obscure -- Obscure features
1611 running -- Running the program
1612 stack -- Examining the stack
1613 status -- Status inquiries
1614 support -- Support facilities
1615 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1616 stopping the program
1617 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1618
1619 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1620 commands in that class.
1621 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1622 documentation.
1623 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1624 (@value{GDBP})
1625 @end smallexample
1626 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1627
1628 @item help @var{class}
1629 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1630 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1631 help display for the class @code{status}:
1632
1633 @smallexample
1634 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1635 Status inquiries.
1636
1637 List of commands:
1638
1639 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1640 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1641 info -- Generic command for showing things
1642 about the program being debugged
1643 show -- Generic command for showing things
1644 about the debugger
1645
1646 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1647 documentation.
1648 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1649 (@value{GDBP})
1650 @end smallexample
1651
1652 @item help @var{command}
1653 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1654 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1655
1656 @kindex apropos
1657 @item apropos @var{args}
1658 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1659 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1660 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1661
1662 @smallexample
1663 apropos reload
1664 @end smallexample
1665
1666 @noindent
1667 results in:
1668
1669 @smallexample
1670 @c @group
1671 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1672 multiple times in one run
1673 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1674 multiple times in one run
1675 @c @end group
1676 @end smallexample
1677
1678 @kindex complete
1679 @item complete @var{args}
1680 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1681 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1682 command you want completed. For example:
1683
1684 @smallexample
1685 complete i
1686 @end smallexample
1687
1688 @noindent results in:
1689
1690 @smallexample
1691 @group
1692 if
1693 ignore
1694 info
1695 inspect
1696 @end group
1697 @end smallexample
1698
1699 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1700 @end table
1701
1702 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1703 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1704 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1705 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1706 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1707 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1708
1709 @c @group
1710 @table @code
1711 @kindex info
1712 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1713 @item info
1714 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1715 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1716 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1717 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1718 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1719 @w{@code{help info}}.
1720
1721 @kindex set
1722 @item set
1723 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1724 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1725 @code{set prompt $}.
1726
1727 @kindex show
1728 @item show
1729 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1730 @value{GDBN} itself.
1731 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1732 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1733 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1734 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1735
1736 @kindex info set
1737 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1738 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1739 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1740 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1741 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1742 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1743 @end table
1744 @c @end group
1745
1746 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1747 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1748
1749 @table @code
1750 @kindex show version
1751 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1752 @item show version
1753 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1754 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1755 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1756 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1757 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1758 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1759 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1760 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1761 @value{GDBN}.
1762
1763 @kindex show copying
1764 @kindex info copying
1765 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1766 @item show copying
1767 @itemx info copying
1768 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1769
1770 @kindex show warranty
1771 @kindex info warranty
1772 @item show warranty
1773 @itemx info warranty
1774 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1775 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1776
1777 @end table
1778
1779 @node Running
1780 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1781
1782 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1783 debugging information when you compile it.
1784
1785 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1786 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1787 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1788 kill a child process.
1789
1790 @menu
1791 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1792 * Starting:: Starting your program
1793 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1794 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1795
1796 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1797 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1798 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1799 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1800
1801 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1802 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1803 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1804 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1805 @end menu
1806
1807 @node Compilation
1808 @section Compiling for Debugging
1809
1810 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1811 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1812 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1813 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1814 and addresses in the executable code.
1815
1816 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1817 the compiler.
1818
1819 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1820 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1821 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1822 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1823 executables containing debugging information.
1824
1825 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1826 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1827 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1828 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1829 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1830
1831 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1832 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1833 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1834
1835 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1836 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1837 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1838 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1839 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1840 provides macro information if you specify the options
1841 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1842 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1843 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1844 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1845 @option{-g} alone.
1846
1847 @need 2000
1848 @node Starting
1849 @section Starting your Program
1850 @cindex starting
1851 @cindex running
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex run
1855 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1856 @item run
1857 @itemx r
1858 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1859 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1860 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1861 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1862 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1863
1864 @end table
1865
1866 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1867 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1868 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1869 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1870 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1871 message like this one:
1872
1873 @smallexample
1874 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1875 Try "help target" or "continue".
1876 @end smallexample
1877
1878 @noindent
1879 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1880 first (@pxref{load}).
1881
1882 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1883 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1884 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1885 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1886 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1887 divided into four categories:
1888
1889 @table @asis
1890 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1891 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1892 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1893 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1894 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1895 the arguments.
1896 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1897 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1898 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1899
1900 @item The @emph{environment.}
1901 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1902 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1903 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1904 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1905
1906 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1907 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1908 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1909 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1910
1911 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1912 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1913 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1914 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1915 set a different device for your program.
1916 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1917
1918 @cindex pipes
1919 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1920 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1921 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1922 wrong program.
1923 @end table
1924
1925 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1926 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1927 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1928 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1929 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1930
1931 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1932 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1933 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1934 your current breakpoints.
1935
1936 @table @code
1937 @kindex start
1938 @item start
1939 @cindex run to main procedure
1940 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1941 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1942 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1943 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1944 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1945 procedure, depending on the language used.
1946
1947 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1948 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1949 the @samp{run} command.
1950
1951 @cindex elaboration phase
1952 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1953 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1954 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1955 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1956 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1957 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1958 will remain to halt execution.
1959
1960 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1961 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1962 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1963 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1964 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1965
1966 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1967 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1968 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1969 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1970 elaboration code before running your program.
1971
1972 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1973 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1974 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1975 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1976 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1977 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1978 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1979 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1980 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1981 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1982 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1983
1984 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1985 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1986 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1987 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1988
1989 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1990 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1991 environment:
1992
1993 @smallexample
1994 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1995 (@value{GDBP}) run
1996 @end smallexample
1997
1998 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1999 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2000
2001 @kindex set disable-randomization
2002 @item set disable-randomization
2003 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2004 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2005 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2006 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2007 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2008
2009 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2010 behavior using
2011
2012 @smallexample
2013 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2014 @end smallexample
2015
2016 @item set disable-randomization off
2017 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2018 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2019 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2020 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2021 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2022 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2023
2024 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2025 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2026 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2027 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2028 a code at its expected addresses.
2029
2030 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2031 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2032 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2033 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2034 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2035 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2036 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2037 a randomly chosen address.
2038
2039 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2040 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2041 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2042 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2043 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2044
2045 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2046 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2047
2048 @item show disable-randomization
2049 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2050 the virtual address space of the started program.
2051
2052 @end table
2053
2054 @node Arguments
2055 @section Your Program's Arguments
2056
2057 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2058 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2059 @code{run} command.
2060 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2061 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2062 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2063 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2064 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2065
2066 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2067 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2068 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2069 the program, not by the shell.
2070
2071 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2072 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2073
2074 @table @code
2075 @kindex set args
2076 @item set args
2077 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2078 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2079 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2080 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2081 it again without arguments.
2082
2083 @kindex show args
2084 @item show args
2085 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2086 @end table
2087
2088 @node Environment
2089 @section Your Program's Environment
2090
2091 @cindex environment (of your program)
2092 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2093 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2094 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2095 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2096 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2097 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2098 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2099
2100 @table @code
2101 @kindex path
2102 @item path @var{directory}
2103 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2104 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2105 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2106 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2107 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2108 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2109 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2110
2111 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2112 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2113 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2114 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2115 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2116 @var{directory} to the search path.
2117 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2118 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2119
2120 @kindex show paths
2121 @item show paths
2122 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2123 environment variable).
2124
2125 @kindex show environment
2126 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2127 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2128 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2129 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2130 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2131
2132 @kindex set environment
2133 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2134 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2135 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2136 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2137 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2138 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2139 null value.
2140 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2141 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2142
2143 For example, this command:
2144
2145 @smallexample
2146 set env USER = foo
2147 @end smallexample
2148
2149 @noindent
2150 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2151 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2152 are not actually required.)
2153
2154 @kindex unset environment
2155 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2156 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2157 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2158 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2159 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2160 @end table
2161
2162 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2163 the shell indicated
2164 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2165 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2166 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2167 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2168 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2169 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2170 @file{.profile}.
2171
2172 @node Working Directory
2173 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2174
2175 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2176 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2177 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2178 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2179 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2180 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2181
2182 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2183 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2184 Specify Files}.
2185
2186 @table @code
2187 @kindex cd
2188 @cindex change working directory
2189 @item cd @var{directory}
2190 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2191
2192 @kindex pwd
2193 @item pwd
2194 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2195 @end table
2196
2197 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2198 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2199 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2200 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2201 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2202 current working directory of the debuggee.
2203
2204 @node Input/Output
2205 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2206
2207 @cindex redirection
2208 @cindex i/o
2209 @cindex terminal
2210 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2211 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2212 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2213 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2214 running your program.
2215
2216 @table @code
2217 @kindex info terminal
2218 @item info terminal
2219 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2220 program is using.
2221 @end table
2222
2223 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2224 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2225
2226 @smallexample
2227 run > outfile
2228 @end smallexample
2229
2230 @noindent
2231 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2232
2233 @kindex tty
2234 @cindex controlling terminal
2235 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2236 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2237 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2238 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2239 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2240
2241 @smallexample
2242 tty /dev/ttyb
2243 @end smallexample
2244
2245 @noindent
2246 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2247 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2248 that as their controlling terminal.
2249
2250 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2251 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2252 terminal.
2253
2254 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2255 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2256 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2257 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2258
2259 @cindex inferior tty
2260 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2261 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2262 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2263 program.
2264
2265 @table @code
2266 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2267 @kindex set inferior-tty
2268 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2269
2270 @item show inferior-tty
2271 @kindex show inferior-tty
2272 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2273 @end table
2274
2275 @node Attach
2276 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2277 @kindex attach
2278 @cindex attach
2279
2280 @table @code
2281 @item attach @var{process-id}
2282 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2283 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2284 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2285 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2286 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2287
2288 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2289 executing the command.
2290 @end table
2291
2292 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2293 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2294 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2295 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2296
2297 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2298 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2299 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2300 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2301 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2302 Specify Files}.
2303
2304 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2305 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2306 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2307 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2308 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2309 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2310 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2311
2312 @table @code
2313 @kindex detach
2314 @item detach
2315 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2316 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2317 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2318 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2319 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2320 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2321 executing the command.
2322 @end table
2323
2324 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2325 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2326 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2327 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2328 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2329 Messages}).
2330
2331 @node Kill Process
2332 @section Killing the Child Process
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex kill
2336 @item kill
2337 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2338 @end table
2339
2340 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2341 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2342 is running.
2343
2344 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2345 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2346 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2347 outside the debugger.
2348
2349 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2350 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2351 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2352 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2353 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2354 breakpoint settings).
2355
2356 @node Inferiors and Programs
2357 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2358
2359 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2360 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2361 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2362 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2363 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2364 from multiple executables.
2365
2366 @cindex inferior
2367 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2368 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2369 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2370 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2371 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2372 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2373 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2374 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2375 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2376 threads running in it.
2377
2378 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2379 inferiors}}:
2380
2381 @table @code
2382 @kindex info inferiors
2383 @item info inferiors
2384 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2385
2386 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2387
2388 @enumerate
2389 @item
2390 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2391
2392 @item
2393 the target system's inferior identifier
2394
2395 @item
2396 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2397
2398 @end enumerate
2399
2400 @noindent
2401 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2402 indicates the current inferior.
2403
2404 For example,
2405 @end table
2406 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2407
2408 @smallexample
2409 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2410 Num Description Executable
2411 2 process 2307 hello
2412 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2413 @end smallexample
2414
2415 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2416
2417 @table @code
2418 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2419 @item inferior @var{infno}
2420 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2421 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2422 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2423 @end table
2424
2425
2426 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2427 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2428 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2429 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2430 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2431 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @kindex add-inferior
2435 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2436 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2437 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2438 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2439 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2440 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2441
2442 @kindex clone-inferior
2443 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2444 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2445 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2446 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2447 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2448
2449 @smallexample
2450 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2451 Num Description Executable
2452 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2453 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2454 Added inferior 2.
2455 1 inferiors added.
2456 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 2 <null> helloworld
2459 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2460 @end smallexample
2461
2462 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2463
2464 @kindex remove-inferior
2465 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2466 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2467 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2468 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2469
2470 @end table
2471
2472 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2473 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2474 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2475 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2476
2477 @table @code
2478 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2479 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2480 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2481 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2482
2483 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2484 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2485 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2486 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2487 @end table
2488
2489 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2490 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2491 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2492 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2493
2494
2495 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2496 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex set print inferior-events
2500 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2501 @item set print inferior-events
2502 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2503 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2504 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2505 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2506 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2507 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2508
2509 @kindex show print inferior-events
2510 @item show print inferior-events
2511 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2512 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2513 @end table
2514
2515 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2516 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2517 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2518
2519
2520 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2521 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2522 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2523 info program-spaces}} command.
2524
2525 @table @code
2526 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2527 @item maint info program-spaces
2528 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2529 @value{GDBN}.
2530
2531 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2532
2533 @enumerate
2534 @item
2535 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2536
2537 @item
2538 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2539 the @code{file} command.
2540
2541 @end enumerate
2542
2543 @noindent
2544 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2545 indicates the current program space.
2546
2547 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2548 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2549 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2550
2551 @smallexample
2552 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2553 Id Executable
2554 2 goodbye
2555 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2556 * 1 hello
2557 @end smallexample
2558
2559 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2560 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2561 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2562 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2563 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2564
2565 @smallexample
2566 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2567 Id Executable
2568 * 1 vfork-test
2569 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2570 @end smallexample
2571
2572 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2573 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 @node Threads
2577 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2578
2579 @cindex threads of execution
2580 @cindex multiple threads
2581 @cindex switching threads
2582 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2583 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2584 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2585 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2586 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2587 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2588 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2589
2590 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2591 programs:
2592
2593 @itemize @bullet
2594 @item automatic notification of new threads
2595 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2596 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2597 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2598 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2599 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2600 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2601 messages on thread start and exit.
2602 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2603 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2604 isn't compatible with the program.
2605 @end itemize
2606
2607 @quotation
2608 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2609 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2610 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2611 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2612 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2613 like this:
2614
2615 @smallexample
2616 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2617 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2618 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2619 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2620 @end smallexample
2621 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2622 @c doesn't support threads"?
2623 @end quotation
2624
2625 @cindex focus of debugging
2626 @cindex current thread
2627 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2628 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2629 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2630 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2631 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2632
2633 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2634 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2635 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2636 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2637 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2638 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2639 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2640 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2641 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2642 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2643
2644 @smallexample
2645 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2646 @end smallexample
2647
2648 @noindent
2649 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2650 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2651 further qualifier.
2652
2653 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2654 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2655 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2656 @c program?
2657 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2658 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2659 @c threads ab initio?
2660
2661 @cindex thread number
2662 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2663 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2664 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2665
2666 @table @code
2667 @kindex info threads
2668 @item info threads
2669 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2670 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2671
2672 @enumerate
2673 @item
2674 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2675
2676 @item
2677 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2678
2679 @item
2680 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2681 @end enumerate
2682
2683 @noindent
2684 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2685 indicates the current thread.
2686
2687 For example,
2688 @end table
2689 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2690
2691 @smallexample
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2693 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2694 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2695 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2696 at threadtest.c:68
2697 @end smallexample
2698
2699 On HP-UX systems:
2700
2701 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2702 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2703 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2704 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2705 thread in your program.
2706
2707 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2708 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2709 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2710 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2711 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2712 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2713 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2714 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2715 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2716 HP-UX, you see
2717
2718 @smallexample
2719 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2720 @end smallexample
2721
2722 @noindent
2723 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2724
2725 @table @code
2726 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2727 @item info threads
2728 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2729 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2730
2731 @enumerate
2732 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2733
2734 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2735
2736 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2737 @end enumerate
2738
2739 @noindent
2740 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2741 indicates the current thread.
2742
2743 For example,
2744 @end table
2745 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2746
2747 @smallexample
2748 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2749 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2750 at quicksort.c:137
2751 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2752 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2753 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2754 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2755 @end smallexample
2756
2757 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2758 Solaris-specific command:
2759
2760 @table @code
2761 @item maint info sol-threads
2762 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2763 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2764 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2765 @end table
2766
2767 @table @code
2768 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2769 @item thread @var{threadno}
2770 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2771 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2772 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2773 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2774 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2775
2776 @smallexample
2777 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2778 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2779 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2780 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2781 @end smallexample
2782
2783 @noindent
2784 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2785 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2786 threads.
2787
2788 @kindex thread apply
2789 @cindex apply command to several threads
2790 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2791 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2792 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2793 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2794 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2795 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2796 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2797 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2798
2799 @kindex set print thread-events
2800 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2801 @item set print thread-events
2802 @itemx set print thread-events on
2803 @itemx set print thread-events off
2804 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2805 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2806 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2807 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2808 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2809
2810 @kindex show print thread-events
2811 @item show print thread-events
2812 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2813 have started and exited.
2814 @end table
2815
2816 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2817 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2818 programs with multiple threads.
2819
2820 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2821 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2822
2823 @table @code
2824 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2825 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2826 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2827 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2828 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2829 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2830 an empty list.
2831
2832 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2833 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2834 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2835 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2836 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2837 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2838
2839 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2840 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2841 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2842 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2843 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2844 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2845 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2846
2847 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2848 only on some platforms.
2849
2850 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2851 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2852 Display current libthread_db search path.
2853 @end table
2854
2855 @node Forks
2856 @section Debugging Forks
2857
2858 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2859 @cindex multiple processes
2860 @cindex processes, multiple
2861 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2862 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2863 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2864 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2865 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2866 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2867 will cause it to terminate.
2868
2869 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2870 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2871 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2872 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2873 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2874 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2875 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2876 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2877 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2878 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2879
2880 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2881 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2882 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2883 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2884
2885 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2886 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2887
2888 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2889 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2890
2891 @table @code
2892 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2893 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2894 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2895 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2896 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2897
2898 @table @code
2899 @item parent
2900 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2901 unimpeded. This is the default.
2902
2903 @item child
2904 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2905 unimpeded.
2906
2907 @end table
2908
2909 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2910 @item show follow-fork-mode
2911 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2912 @end table
2913
2914 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2915 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2916 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2917
2918 @table @code
2919 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2920 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2921 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2922 retain debugger control over them both.
2923
2924 @table @code
2925 @item on
2926 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2927 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2928 independently. This is the default.
2929
2930 @item off
2931 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2932 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2933 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2934 is held suspended.
2935
2936 @end table
2937
2938 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2939 @item show detach-on-fork
2940 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2941 @end table
2942
2943 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2944 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2945 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2946 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2947 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2948 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2949
2950 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2951 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2952 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2953 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2954 and Programs}.
2955
2956 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2957 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2958 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2959 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2960 the child process's @code{main}.
2961
2962 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2963 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2964
2965 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2966 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2967 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2968 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2969 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2970 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2971 command.
2972
2973 @table @code
2974 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2975 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2976
2977 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2978 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2979
2980 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2981
2982 @table @code
2983 @item new
2984 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2985 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2986 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2987 original inferior.
2988
2989 For example:
2990
2991 @smallexample
2992 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2993 (gdb) info inferior
2994 Id Description Executable
2995 * 1 <null> prog1
2996 (@value{GDBP}) run
2997 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2998 Program exited normally.
2999 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3000 Id Description Executable
3001 * 2 <null> prog2
3002 1 <null> prog1
3003 @end smallexample
3004
3005 @item same
3006 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3007 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3008 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3009 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3010 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3011
3012 For example:
3013
3014 @smallexample
3015 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3016 Id Description Executable
3017 * 1 <null> prog1
3018 (@value{GDBP}) run
3019 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3020 Program exited normally.
3021 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3022 Id Description Executable
3023 * 1 <null> prog2
3024 @end smallexample
3025
3026 @end table
3027 @end table
3028
3029 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3030 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3031 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3032
3033 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3034 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3035
3036 @cindex checkpoint
3037 @cindex restart
3038 @cindex bookmark
3039 @cindex snapshot of a process
3040 @cindex rewind program state
3041
3042 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3043 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3044 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3045 later.
3046
3047 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3048 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3049 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3050 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3051 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3052
3053 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3054 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3055 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3056 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3057 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3058 start again from there.
3059
3060 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3061 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3062
3063 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3064
3065 @table @code
3066 @kindex checkpoint
3067 @item checkpoint
3068 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3069 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3070 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3071
3072 @kindex info checkpoints
3073 @item info checkpoints
3074 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3075 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3076 listed:
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item Checkpoint ID
3080 @item Process ID
3081 @item Code Address
3082 @item Source line, or label
3083 @end table
3084
3085 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3086 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3087 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3088 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3089 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3090 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3091 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3092
3093 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3094 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3095 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3096 the debugger.
3097
3098 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3099 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3100 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3101
3102 @end table
3103
3104 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3105 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3106 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3107 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3108 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3109 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3110 previously read data can be read again.
3111
3112 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3113 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3114 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3115 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3116 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3117 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3118
3119 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3120 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3121 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3122 different execution path this time.
3123
3124 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3125 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3126 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3127 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3128 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3129 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3130 potentially pose a problem.
3131
3132 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3133
3134 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3135 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3136 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3137 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3138 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3139 next.
3140
3141 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3142 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3143 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3144 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3145 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3146
3147 @node Stopping
3148 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3149
3150 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3151 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3152 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3153
3154 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3155 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3156 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3157 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3158 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3159 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3160 explicitly request this information at any time.
3161
3162 @table @code
3163 @kindex info program
3164 @item info program
3165 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3166 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3167 @end table
3168
3169 @menu
3170 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3171 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3172 * Signals:: Signals
3173 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3174 @end menu
3175
3176 @node Breakpoints
3177 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3178
3179 @cindex breakpoints
3180 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3181 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3182 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3183 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3184 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3185 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3186 program.
3187
3188 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3189 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3190 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3191 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3192 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3193 call).
3194
3195 @cindex watchpoints
3196 @cindex data breakpoints
3197 @cindex memory tracing
3198 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3199 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3200 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3201 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3202 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3203 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3204 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3205 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3206 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3207 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3208 same commands.
3209
3210 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3211 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3212 Automatic Display}.
3213
3214 @cindex catchpoints
3215 @cindex breakpoint on events
3216 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3217 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3218 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3219 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3220 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3221 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3222 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3223
3224 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3225 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3226 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3227 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3228 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3229 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3230 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3231 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3232 enable it again.
3233
3234 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3235 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3236 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3237 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3238 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3239 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3240 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3241
3242 @menu
3243 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3244 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3245 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3246 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3247 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3248 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3249 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3250 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3251 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3252 @end menu
3253
3254 @node Set Breaks
3255 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3256
3257 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3258 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3259 @c
3260 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3261
3262 @kindex break
3263 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3264 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3265 @cindex latest breakpoint
3266 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3267 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3268 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3269 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3270 convenience variables.
3271
3272 @table @code
3273 @item break @var{location}
3274 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3275 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3276 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3277 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3278 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3279
3280 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3281 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3282 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3283 that situation.
3284
3285 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3286 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3287 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3288
3289 @item break
3290 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3291 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3292 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3293 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3294 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3295 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3296 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3297 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3298 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3299 inside loops.
3300
3301 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3302 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3303 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3304 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3305 existed when your program stopped.
3306
3307 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3308 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3309 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3310 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3311 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3312 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3313 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3314
3315 @kindex tbreak
3316 @item tbreak @var{args}
3317 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3318 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3319 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3320 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3321
3322 @kindex hbreak
3323 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3324 @item hbreak @var{args}
3325 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3326 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3327 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3328 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3329 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3330 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3331 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3332 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3333 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3334 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3335 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3336 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3337 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3338 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3339 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3340 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3341 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3342 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3343
3344 @kindex thbreak
3345 @item thbreak @var{args}
3346 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3347 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3348 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3349 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3350 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3351 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3352 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3353 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3354
3355 @kindex rbreak
3356 @cindex regular expression
3357 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3358 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3359 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3360 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3361 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3362 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3363 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3364 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3365 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3366
3367 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3368 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3369 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3370 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3371 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3372 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3373
3374 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3375 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3376 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3377 classes.
3378
3379 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3380 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3381 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3382
3383 @smallexample
3384 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3385 @end smallexample
3386
3387 @kindex info breakpoints
3388 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3389 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3390 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3391 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3392 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3393 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3394 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3395 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3396
3397 @table @emph
3398 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3399 @item Type
3400 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3401 @item Disposition
3402 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3403 @item Enabled or Disabled
3404 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3405 that are not enabled.
3406 @item Address
3407 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3408 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3409 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3410 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3411 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3412 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3413 @item What
3414 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3415 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3416 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3417 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3418 @end table
3419
3420 @noindent
3421 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3422 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3423 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3424 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3425 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3426 valid location.
3427
3428 @noindent
3429 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3430 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3431 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3432 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3433 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3434
3435 @noindent
3436 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3437 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3438 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3439 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3440 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3441 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3442 @end table
3443
3444 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3445 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3446 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3447 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3448
3449 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3450 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3451 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3452 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3453
3454 @itemize @bullet
3455 @item
3456 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3457 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3458
3459 @item
3460 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3461 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3462
3463 @item
3464 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3465 several places where that function is inlined.
3466 @end itemize
3467
3468 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3469 the relevant locations@footnote{
3470 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3471 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3472 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3473 info with line numbers for them.}.
3474
3475 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3476 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3477 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3478 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3479 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3480 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3481 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3482
3483 For example:
3484
3485 @smallexample
3486 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3487 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3488 stop only if i==1
3489 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3490 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3491 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3492 @end smallexample
3493
3494 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3495 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3496 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3497 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3498 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3499 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3500 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3501 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3502 that belong to that breakpoint.
3503
3504 @cindex pending breakpoints
3505 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3506 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3507 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3508 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3509 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3510 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3511 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3512 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3513 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3514 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3515 is not yet resolved.
3516
3517 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3518 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3519 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3520 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3521 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3522 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3523
3524 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3525 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3526 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3527 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3528
3529 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3530 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3531 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3532
3533 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3534 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3535 address specification to an address:
3536
3537 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3538 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3539 @table @code
3540 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3541 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3542 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3543
3544 @item set breakpoint pending on
3545 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3546 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3547
3548 @item set breakpoint pending off
3549 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3550 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3551 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3552
3553 @item show breakpoint pending
3554 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3555 @end table
3556
3557 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3558 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3559 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3560
3561 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3562 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3563 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3564 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3565 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3566 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3567 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3568 breakpoints.
3569
3570 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3571
3572 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3573 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3574 @table @code
3575 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3576 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3577 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3578 breakpoint must be used.
3579
3580 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3581 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3582 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3583 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3584 @end table
3585
3586 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3587 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3588 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3589 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3590 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3591 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3592 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3593 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3594 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3595
3596 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3597 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3598 @table @code
3599 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3600 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3601 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3602 removed from the target when it stops.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3605 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3606 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3607 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3608 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3609
3610 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3611 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3612 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3613 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3614 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3615 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3616 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3617 @end table
3618
3619 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3620 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3621 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3622 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3623 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3624 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3625 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3626 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3627
3628
3629 @node Set Watchpoints
3630 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3631
3632 @cindex setting watchpoints
3633 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3634 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3635 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3636 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3637 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3638
3639 @itemize @bullet
3640 @item
3641 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3642
3643 @item
3644 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3645 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3646 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3647
3648 @item
3649 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3650 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3651 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3652 @end itemize
3653
3654 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3655 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3656 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3657 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3658 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3659 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3660 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3661 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3662 the expression changes.
3663
3664 @cindex software watchpoints
3665 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3666 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3667 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3668 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3669 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3670 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3671 culprit.)
3672
3673 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3674 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3675 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3676
3677 @table @code
3678 @kindex watch
3679 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3680 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3681 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3682 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3683 to watch the value of a single variable:
3684
3685 @smallexample
3686 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3687 @end smallexample
3688
3689 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3690 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3691 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3692 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3693 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3694 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3695
3696 @kindex rwatch
3697 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3698 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3699 by the program.
3700
3701 @kindex awatch
3702 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3703 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3704 or written into by the program.
3705
3706 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3707 @item info watchpoints
3708 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3709 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3710 @end table
3711
3712 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3713 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3714 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3715 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3716 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3717 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3718
3719 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3720 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3721 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3722 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3723 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3724 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3725 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3726 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3727
3728 @table @code
3729 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3730 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3731 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3732
3733 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3734 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3735 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3736 @end table
3737
3738 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3739 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3740 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3741
3742 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3743
3744 @smallexample
3745 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3746 @end smallexample
3747
3748 @noindent
3749 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3750
3751 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3752 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3753 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3754 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3755 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3756 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3757 will print a message like this:
3758
3759 @smallexample
3760 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3761 @end smallexample
3762
3763 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3764 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3765 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3766 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3767 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3768 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3769 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3770 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3771
3772 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3773 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3774 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3775 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3776 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3777 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3778
3779 @smallexample
3780 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3781 @end smallexample
3782
3783 @noindent
3784 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3785
3786 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3787 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3788 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3789 expression with separately allocated resources.
3790
3791 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3792 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3793 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3794
3795 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3796 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3797 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3798 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3799 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3800 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3801 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3802 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3803 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3804
3805 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3806 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3807 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3808 watched expression from every thread.
3809
3810 @quotation
3811 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3812 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3813 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3814 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3815 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3816 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3817 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3818 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3819 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3820 @end quotation
3821
3822 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3823
3824 @node Set Catchpoints
3825 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3826 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3827 @cindex exception handlers
3828 @cindex event handling
3829
3830 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3831 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3832 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3833
3834 @table @code
3835 @kindex catch
3836 @item catch @var{event}
3837 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3838 @table @code
3839 @item throw
3840 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3841 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3842
3843 @item catch
3844 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3845
3846 @item exception
3847 @cindex Ada exception catching
3848 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3849 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3850 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3851 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3852 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3853
3854 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3855 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3856 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3857 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3858 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3859 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3860 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3861 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3862
3863 @item exception unhandled
3864 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3865
3866 @item assert
3867 A failed Ada assertion.
3868
3869 @item exec
3870 @cindex break on fork/exec
3871 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3872 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3873
3874 @item syscall
3875 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @r{...}
3876 @cindex break on a system call.
3877 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3878 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3879 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3880 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3881 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3882 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3883 will be caught.
3884
3885 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3886 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3887 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3888 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3889
3890 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3891 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3892 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3893 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3894
3895 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3896 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3897 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3898 available choices.
3899
3900 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3901 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3902 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3903 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3904 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3905 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3906 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3907 behind the OS upgrades).
3908
3909 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3910 arguments to it:
3911
3912 @smallexample
3913 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3914 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3915 (@value{GDBP}) r
3916 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3917
3918 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3919 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3920 (@value{GDBP}) c
3921 Continuing.
3922
3923 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3924 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3925 (@value{GDBP})
3926 @end smallexample
3927
3928 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3929
3930 @smallexample
3931 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3932 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3933 (@value{GDBP}) r
3934 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3935
3936 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3937 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3938 (@value{GDBP}) c
3939 Continuing.
3940
3941 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3942 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3943 (@value{GDBP})
3944 @end smallexample
3945
3946 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3947 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3948 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3949
3950 @smallexample
3951 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3952 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3953 (@value{GDBP}) r
3954 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3955
3956 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3957 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3958 (@value{GDBP}) c
3959 Continuing.
3960
3961 Program exited normally.
3962 (@value{GDBP})
3963 @end smallexample
3964
3965 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3966 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3967 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3968 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3969
3970 @smallexample
3971 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3972 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3973 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3974 (@value{GDBP})
3975 @end smallexample
3976
3977 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3978 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3979 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3980 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3981 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3982 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3983
3984 @smallexample
3985 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3986 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
3987 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
3988 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
3989 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3990 (@value{GDBP})
3991 @end smallexample
3992
3993 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
3994
3995 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
3996 number. In this case, you would see something like:
3997
3998 @smallexample
3999 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4000 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4001 @end smallexample
4002
4003 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4004
4005 @item fork
4006 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4007 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4008
4009 @item vfork
4010 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4011 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4012
4013 @end table
4014
4015 @item tcatch @var{event}
4016 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4017 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4018
4019 @end table
4020
4021 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4022
4023 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4024 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4025
4026 @itemize @bullet
4027 @item
4028 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4029 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4030 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4031 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4032 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4033 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4034 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4035 disabled within interactive calls.
4036
4037 @item
4038 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4039
4040 @item
4041 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4042 @end itemize
4043
4044 @cindex raise exceptions
4045 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4046 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4047 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4048 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4049 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4050 out where the exception was raised.
4051
4052 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4053 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4054 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4055 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4056
4057 @smallexample
4058 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4059 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4060 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 @noindent
4064 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4065 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4066 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4067
4068 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4069 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4070 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4071 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4072 raised.
4073
4074
4075 @node Delete Breaks
4076 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4077
4078 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4079 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4080 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4081 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4082 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4083 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4084
4085 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4086 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4087 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4088 their breakpoint numbers.
4089
4090 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4091 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4092 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4093
4094 @table @code
4095 @kindex clear
4096 @item clear
4097 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4098 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4099 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4100 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4101
4102 @item clear @var{location}
4103 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4104 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4105 most useful ones are listed below:
4106
4107 @table @code
4108 @item clear @var{function}
4109 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4110 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4111
4112 @item clear @var{linenum}
4113 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4114 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4115 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4116 @end table
4117
4118 @cindex delete breakpoints
4119 @kindex delete
4120 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4121 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4122 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4123 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4124 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4125 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4126 @end table
4127
4128 @node Disabling
4129 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4130
4131 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4132 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4133 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4134 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4135 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4136
4137 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4138 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
4139 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
4140 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
4141 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
4142
4143 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4144 affects all of its locations.
4145
4146 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4147 states of enablement:
4148
4149 @itemize @bullet
4150 @item
4151 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4152 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4153 @item
4154 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4155 @item
4156 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4157 disabled.
4158 @item
4159 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4160 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4161 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4162 @end itemize
4163
4164 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4165 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4166
4167 @table @code
4168 @kindex disable
4169 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4170 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4171 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4172 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4173 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4174 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4175 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4176
4177 @kindex enable
4178 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4179 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4180 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4181
4182 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4183 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4184 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4185
4186 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4187 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4188 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4189 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4190 @end table
4191
4192 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4193 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4194 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4195 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4196 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4197 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4198 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4199 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4200 Stepping}.)
4201
4202 @node Conditions
4203 @subsection Break Conditions
4204 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4205 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4206
4207 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4208 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4209 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4210 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4211 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4212 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4213 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4214 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4215
4216 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4217 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4218 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4219 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4220 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4221
4222 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4223 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4224 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4225 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4226 one.
4227
4228 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4229 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4230 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4231 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4232 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4233 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4234 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4235 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4236 conditions for the
4237 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4238 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4239
4240 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4241 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4242 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4243 with the @code{condition} command.
4244
4245 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4246 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4247 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4248 catchpoint.
4249
4250 @table @code
4251 @kindex condition
4252 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4253 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4254 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4255 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4256 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4257 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4258 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4259 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4260 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4261 prints an error message:
4262
4263 @smallexample
4264 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 @noindent
4268 @value{GDBN} does
4269 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4270 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4271 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4272
4273 @item condition @var{bnum}
4274 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4275 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4276 @end table
4277
4278 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4279 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4280 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4281 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4282 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4283 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4284 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4285 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4286 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4287 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4288 your program reaches it.
4289
4290 @table @code
4291 @kindex ignore
4292 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4293 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4294 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4295 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4296 takes no action.
4297
4298 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4299 a count of zero.
4300
4301 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4302 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4303 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4304 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4305
4306 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4307 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4308 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4309
4310 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4311 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4312 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4313 Variables}.
4314 @end table
4315
4316 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4317
4318
4319 @node Break Commands
4320 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4321
4322 @cindex breakpoint commands
4323 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4324 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4325 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4326 enable other breakpoints.
4327
4328 @table @code
4329 @kindex commands
4330 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4331 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
4332 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4333 @itemx end
4334 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
4335 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4336 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4337
4338 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4339 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4340
4341 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
4342 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
4343 recently encountered).
4344 @end table
4345
4346 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4347 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4348
4349 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4350 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4351 that resumes execution.
4352
4353 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4354 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4355 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4356 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4357 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4358
4359 @kindex silent
4360 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4361 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4362 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4363 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4364 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4365 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4366
4367 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4368 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4369 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4370
4371 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4372 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4373
4374 @smallexample
4375 break foo if x>0
4376 commands
4377 silent
4378 printf "x is %d\n",x
4379 cont
4380 end
4381 @end smallexample
4382
4383 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4384 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4385 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4386 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4387 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4388 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4389 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4390
4391 @smallexample
4392 break 403
4393 commands
4394 silent
4395 set x = y + 4
4396 cont
4397 end
4398 @end smallexample
4399
4400 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4401 @node Error in Breakpoints
4402 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4403
4404 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4405 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4406
4407 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4408 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4409 @smallexample
4410 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4411 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4412 @end smallexample
4413
4414 @noindent
4415 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4416 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4417 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4418
4419 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4420 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4421
4422 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4423 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4424 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4425
4426 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4427 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4428 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4429 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4430
4431 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4432 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4433 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4434 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4435 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4436 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4437 first in the bundle.
4438
4439 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4440 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4441 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4442 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4443 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4444 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4445 is hit.
4446
4447 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4448 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4449
4450 @smallexample
4451 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4452 @end smallexample
4453
4454 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4455 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4456 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4457 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4458 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4459 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4460 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4461 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4462
4463 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4464 adjusted breakpoints:
4465
4466 @smallexample
4467 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4468 to 0x00010410.
4469 @end smallexample
4470
4471 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4472 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4473 frequently than expected.
4474
4475 @node Continuing and Stepping
4476 @section Continuing and Stepping
4477
4478 @cindex stepping
4479 @cindex continuing
4480 @cindex resuming execution
4481 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4482 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4483 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4484 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4485 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4486 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4487 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4488 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4489
4490 @table @code
4491 @kindex continue
4492 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4493 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4494 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4495 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4496 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4497 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4498 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4499 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4500 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4501 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4502
4503 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4504 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4505 @code{continue} is ignored.
4506
4507 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4508 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4509 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4510 @code{continue}.
4511 @end table
4512
4513 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4514 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4515 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4516 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4517
4518 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4519 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4520 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4521 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4522 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4523 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4524
4525 @table @code
4526 @kindex step
4527 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4528 @item step
4529 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4530 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4531 abbreviated @code{s}.
4532
4533 @quotation
4534 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4535 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4536 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4537 @c distinction here.
4538 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4539 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4540 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4541 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4542 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4543 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4544 below.
4545 @end quotation
4546
4547 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4548 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4549 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4550 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4551 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4552 called within the line.
4553
4554 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4555 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4556 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4557 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4558 was any debugging information about the routine.
4559
4560 @item step @var{count}
4561 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4562 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4563 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4564
4565 @kindex next
4566 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4567 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4568 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4569 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4570 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4571 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4572 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4573 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4574
4575 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4576
4577
4578 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4579 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4580 @c
4581 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4582 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4583 @c function are executed without stopping.
4584
4585 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4586 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4587 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4588
4589 @kindex set step-mode
4590 @item set step-mode
4591 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4592 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4593 @itemx set step-mode on
4594 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4595 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4596 information rather than stepping over it.
4597
4598 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4599 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4600 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4601
4602 @item set step-mode off
4603 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4604 debug information. This is the default.
4605
4606 @item show step-mode
4607 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4608 source line debug information.
4609
4610 @kindex finish
4611 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4612 @item finish
4613 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4614 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4615 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4616
4617 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4618 ,Returning from a Function}).
4619
4620 @kindex until
4621 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4622 @cindex run until specified location
4623 @item until
4624 @itemx u
4625 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4626 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4627 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4628 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4629 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4630 than the address of the jump.
4631
4632 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4633 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4634 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4635 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4636 through the next iteration.
4637
4638 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4639 stack frame.
4640
4641 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4642 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4643 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4644 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4645 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4646
4647 @smallexample
4648 (@value{GDBP}) f
4649 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4650 206 expand_input();
4651 (@value{GDBP}) until
4652 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4653 @end smallexample
4654
4655 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4656 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4657 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4658 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4659 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4660 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4661 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4662
4663 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4664 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4665 argument.
4666
4667 @item until @var{location}
4668 @itemx u @var{location}
4669 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4670 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4671 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4672 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4673 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4674 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4675 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4676 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4677 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4678 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4679 invocations have returned.
4680
4681 @smallexample
4682 94 int factorial (int value)
4683 95 @{
4684 96 if (value > 1) @{
4685 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4686 98 @}
4687 99 return (value);
4688 100 @}
4689 @end smallexample
4690
4691
4692 @kindex advance @var{location}
4693 @itemx advance @var{location}
4694 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4695 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4696 @ref{Specify Location}.
4697 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4698 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4699 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4700 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4701
4702
4703 @kindex stepi
4704 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4705 @item stepi
4706 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4707 @itemx si
4708 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4709
4710 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4711 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4712 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4713 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4714
4715 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4716
4717 @need 750
4718 @kindex nexti
4719 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4720 @item nexti
4721 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4722 @itemx ni
4723 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4724 proceed until the function returns.
4725
4726 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4727 @end table
4728
4729 @node Signals
4730 @section Signals
4731 @cindex signals
4732
4733 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4734 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4735 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4736 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4737 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4738 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4739 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4740 requested an alarm).
4741
4742 @cindex fatal signals
4743 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4744 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4745 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4746 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4747 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4748 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4749
4750 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4751 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4752 signal.
4753
4754 @cindex handling signals
4755 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4756 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4757 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4758 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4759 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4760
4761 @table @code
4762 @kindex info signals
4763 @kindex info handle
4764 @item info signals
4765 @itemx info handle
4766 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4767 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4768 the defined types of signals.
4769
4770 @item info signals @var{sig}
4771 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4772
4773 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4774
4775 @kindex handle
4776 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4777 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4778 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4779 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4780 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4781 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4782 say what change to make.
4783 @end table
4784
4785 @c @group
4786 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4787 Their full names are:
4788
4789 @table @code
4790 @item nostop
4791 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4792 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4793
4794 @item stop
4795 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4796 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4797
4798 @item print
4799 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4800
4801 @item noprint
4802 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4803 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4804
4805 @item pass
4806 @itemx noignore
4807 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4808 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4809 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4810
4811 @item nopass
4812 @itemx ignore
4813 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4814 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4815 @end table
4816 @c @end group
4817
4818 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4819 program until you
4820 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4821 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4822 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4823 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4824 program sees that signal when you continue.
4825
4826 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4827 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4828 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4829 erroneous signals.
4830
4831 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4832 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4833 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4834 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4835 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4836 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4837 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4838 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4839 Program a Signal}.
4840
4841 @cindex extra signal information
4842 @anchor{extra signal information}
4843
4844 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4845 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4846 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4847 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4848 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4849 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4850 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4851 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4852 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4853 system header.
4854
4855 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4856 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4857
4858 @smallexample
4859 @group
4860 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4861 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4862 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4863 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4864 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4865 type = struct @{
4866 int si_signo;
4867 int si_errno;
4868 int si_code;
4869 union @{
4870 int _pad[28];
4871 struct @{...@} _kill;
4872 struct @{...@} _timer;
4873 struct @{...@} _rt;
4874 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4875 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4876 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4877 @} _sifields;
4878 @}
4879 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4880 type = struct @{
4881 void *si_addr;
4882 @}
4883 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4884 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4885 @end group
4886 @end smallexample
4887
4888 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4889
4890 @node Thread Stops
4891 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4892
4893 @cindex stopped threads
4894 @cindex threads, stopped
4895
4896 @cindex continuing threads
4897 @cindex threads, continuing
4898
4899 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4900 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4901 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4902 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4903 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4904 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4905 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4906 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4907 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4908
4909 @menu
4910 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4911 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4912 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4913 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4914 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4915 @end menu
4916
4917 @node All-Stop Mode
4918 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4919
4920 @cindex all-stop mode
4921
4922 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4923 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4924 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4925 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4926 underfoot.
4927
4928 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4929 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4930 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4931
4932 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4933 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4934 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4935 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4936 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4937 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4938 stops.
4939
4940 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4941 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4942 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4943 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4944
4945 @cindex automatic thread selection
4946 @cindex switching threads automatically
4947 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4948 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4949 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4950 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4951 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4952 thread.
4953
4954 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4955 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4956
4957 @table @code
4958 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4959 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4960 @cindex lock scheduler
4961 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4962 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4963 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4964 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4965 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4966 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4967 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4968 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4969 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4970 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4971 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4972 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4973
4974 @item show scheduler-locking
4975 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4976 @end table
4977
4978 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4979 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4980 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4981 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4982 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4983 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4984 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4985 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4986 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4987 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4988 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4989 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4990 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4991 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4992
4993 @table @code
4994 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4995 @item set schedule-multiple
4996 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
4997 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
4998 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
4999 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5000 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5001 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5002
5003 @item show schedule-multiple
5004 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5005 multiple processes.
5006 @end table
5007
5008 @node Non-Stop Mode
5009 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5010
5011 @cindex non-stop mode
5012
5013 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5014 @c with more details.
5015
5016 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5017 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5018 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5019 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5020 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5021 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5022
5023 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5024 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5025 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5026 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5027 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5028 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5029 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5030 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5031 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5032 independently and simultaneously.
5033
5034 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5035 or attach to your program:
5036
5037 @smallexample
5038 # Enable the async interface.
5039 set target-async 1
5040
5041 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5042 set pagination off
5043
5044 # Finally, turn it on!
5045 set non-stop on
5046 @end smallexample
5047
5048 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5049
5050 @table @code
5051 @kindex set non-stop
5052 @item set non-stop on
5053 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5054 @item set non-stop off
5055 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5056 @kindex show non-stop
5057 @item show non-stop
5058 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5059 @end table
5060
5061 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5062 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5063 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5064 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5065 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5066 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5067 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5068 default.
5069
5070 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5071 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5072 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5073
5074 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5075 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5076 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5077 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5078 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5079
5080 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5081 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5082 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5083 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5084 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5085
5086 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5087
5088 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5089 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5090 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5091 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5092 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5093 previously current thread.
5094
5095 @node Background Execution
5096 @subsection Background Execution
5097
5098 @cindex foreground execution
5099 @cindex background execution
5100 @cindex asynchronous execution
5101 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5102
5103 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5104 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5105 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5106 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5107 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5108 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5109
5110 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5111 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5112 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5113
5114 @table @code
5115 @kindex set target-async
5116 @item set target-async on
5117 Enable asynchronous mode.
5118 @item set target-async off
5119 Disable asynchronous mode.
5120 @kindex show target-async
5121 @item show target-async
5122 Show the current target-async setting.
5123 @end table
5124
5125 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5126 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5127
5128 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5129 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5130 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5131 are:
5132
5133 @table @code
5134 @kindex run&
5135 @item run
5136 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5137
5138 @item attach
5139 @kindex attach&
5140 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5141
5142 @item step
5143 @kindex step&
5144 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5145
5146 @item stepi
5147 @kindex stepi&
5148 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5149
5150 @item next
5151 @kindex next&
5152 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5153
5154 @item nexti
5155 @kindex nexti&
5156 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5157
5158 @item continue
5159 @kindex continue&
5160 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5161
5162 @item finish
5163 @kindex finish&
5164 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5165
5166 @item until
5167 @kindex until&
5168 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5169
5170 @end table
5171
5172 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5173 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5174 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5175 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5176 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5177 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5178
5179 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5180 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5181
5182 @table @code
5183 @kindex interrupt
5184 @item interrupt
5185 @itemx interrupt -a
5186
5187 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5188 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5189 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5190 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5191 @end table
5192
5193 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5194 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5195
5196 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5197 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5198 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5199
5200 @table @code
5201 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5202 @cindex thread breakpoints
5203 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5204 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5205 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5206 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5207 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5208 specify some source line.
5209
5210 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5211 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5212 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5213 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5214 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5215
5216 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5217 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5218 program.
5219
5220 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5221 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5222 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5223
5224 @smallexample
5225 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5226 @end smallexample
5227
5228 @end table
5229
5230 @node Interrupted System Calls
5231 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5232
5233 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5234 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5235 @cindex premature return from system calls
5236 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5237 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5238 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5239 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5240 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5241 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5242 stop execution.
5243
5244 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5245 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5246 style anyways.
5247
5248 For example, do not write code like this:
5249
5250 @smallexample
5251 sleep (10);
5252 @end smallexample
5253
5254 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5255 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5256
5257 Instead, write this:
5258
5259 @smallexample
5260 int unslept = 10;
5261 while (unslept > 0)
5262 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5263 @end smallexample
5264
5265 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5266 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5267 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5268 @value{GDBN}.
5269
5270 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5271 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5272 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5273 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5274
5275
5276 @node Reverse Execution
5277 @chapter Running programs backward
5278 @cindex reverse execution
5279 @cindex running programs backward
5280
5281 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5282 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5283 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5284 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5285
5286 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5287 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5288 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5289 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5290 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5291 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5292
5293 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5294 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5295 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5296 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5297 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5298 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5299 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5300 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5301 prior values@footnote{
5302 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5303 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5304 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5305
5306 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5307 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5308 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5309 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5310 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5311 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5312 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5313 }.
5314
5315 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5316 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5317
5318 @table @code
5319 @kindex reverse-continue
5320 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5321 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5322 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5323 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5324 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5325 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5326 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5327
5328 @kindex reverse-step
5329 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5330 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5331 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5332 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5333
5334 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5335 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5336 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5337 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5338 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5339 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5340
5341 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5342 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5343
5344 @kindex reverse-stepi
5345 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5346 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5347 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5348 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5349 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5350 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5351 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5352
5353 @kindex reverse-next
5354 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5355 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5356 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5357 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5358 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5359 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5360 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5361 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5362 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5363 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5364
5365 @kindex reverse-nexti
5366 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5367 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5368 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5369 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5370 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5371 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5372 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5373 frame) is reached.
5374
5375 @kindex reverse-finish
5376 @item reverse-finish
5377 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5378 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5379 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5380 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5381
5382 @kindex set exec-direction
5383 @item set exec-direction
5384 Set the direction of target execution.
5385 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5386 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5387 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5388 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5389 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5390 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5391 @item set exec-direction forward
5392 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5393 This is the default.
5394 @end table
5395
5396
5397 @node Process Record and Replay
5398 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5399 @cindex process record and replay
5400 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5401
5402 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5403 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5404 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5405
5406 @cindex replay mode
5407 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5408 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5409 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5410 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5411 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5412 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5413 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5414 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5415 execution log.
5416
5417 @cindex record mode
5418 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5419 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5420 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5421 for future replay.
5422
5423 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5424 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5425 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5426 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5427 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5428 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5429
5430 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5431 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5432 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5433 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5434
5435 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5436 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5437
5438 @table @code
5439 @kindex target record
5440 @kindex record
5441 @kindex rec
5442 @item target record
5443 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5444 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5445 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5446 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5447 the @kbd{target record} command.
5448
5449 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5450
5451 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5452 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5453 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5454 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5455 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5456
5457 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5458 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5459 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5460 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5461 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5462 support these two modes.
5463
5464 @kindex record stop
5465 @kindex rec s
5466 @item record stop
5467 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5468 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5469 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5470
5471 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5472 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5473 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5474 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5475 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5476
5477 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5478 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5479 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5480 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5481 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5482
5483 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5484 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5485
5486 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5487 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5488 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5489
5490 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5491 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5492 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5493 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5494 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5495 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5496 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5497 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5498
5499 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5500 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5501 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5502
5503 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5504 @item show record insn-number-max
5505 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5506
5507 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5508 @item set record stop-at-limit
5509 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5510 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5511 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5512 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5513 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5514 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5515
5516 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5517 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5518
5519 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5520 @item show record stop-at-limit
5521 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5522
5523 @kindex info record
5524 @item info record
5525 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5526 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5527
5528 @itemize @bullet
5529 @item
5530 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5531 @item
5532 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5533 @item
5534 Highest recorded instruction number.
5535 @item
5536 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5537 @item
5538 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5539 @item
5540 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5541 @end itemize
5542
5543 @kindex record delete
5544 @kindex rec del
5545 @item record delete
5546 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5547 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5548 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5549 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5550 @end table
5551
5552
5553 @node Stack
5554 @chapter Examining the Stack
5555
5556 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5557 stopped and how it got there.
5558
5559 @cindex call stack
5560 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5561 is generated.
5562 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5563 the arguments of the call,
5564 and the local variables of the function being called.
5565 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5566 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5567 stack}.
5568
5569 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5570 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5571
5572 @cindex selected frame
5573 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5574 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5575 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5576 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5577 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5578 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5579
5580 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5581 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5582 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5583
5584 @menu
5585 * Frames:: Stack frames
5586 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5587 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5588 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5589
5590 @end menu
5591
5592 @node Frames
5593 @section Stack Frames
5594
5595 @cindex frame, definition
5596 @cindex stack frame
5597 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5598 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5599 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5600 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5601 which the function is executing.
5602
5603 @cindex initial frame
5604 @cindex outermost frame
5605 @cindex innermost frame
5606 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5607 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5608 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5609 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5610 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5611 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5612 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5613 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5614
5615 @cindex frame pointer
5616 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5617 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5618 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5619 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5620 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5621 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5622
5623 @cindex frame number
5624 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5625 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5626 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5627 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5628 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5629
5630 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5631 @c underflow problems.
5632 @cindex frameless execution
5633 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5634 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5635 @smallexample
5636 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5637 @end smallexample
5638 generates functions without a frame.)
5639 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5640 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5641 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5642 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5643 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5644 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5645 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5646
5647 @table @code
5648 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5649 @cindex current stack frame
5650 @item frame @var{args}
5651 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5652 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5653 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5654 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5655
5656 @kindex select-frame
5657 @cindex selecting frame silently
5658 @item select-frame
5659 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5660 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5661 @code{frame}.
5662 @end table
5663
5664 @node Backtrace
5665 @section Backtraces
5666
5667 @cindex traceback
5668 @cindex call stack traces
5669 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5670 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5671 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5672 stack.
5673
5674 @table @code
5675 @kindex backtrace
5676 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5677 @item backtrace
5678 @itemx bt
5679 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5680 frames in the stack.
5681
5682 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5683 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5684
5685 @item backtrace @var{n}
5686 @itemx bt @var{n}
5687 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5688
5689 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5690 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5691 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5692
5693 @item backtrace full
5694 @itemx bt full
5695 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5696 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5697 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5698 number of frames to print, as described above.
5699 @end table
5700
5701 @kindex where
5702 @kindex info stack
5703 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5704 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5705
5706 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5707 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5708 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5709 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5710 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5711 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5712 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5713 multi-threaded program.
5714
5715 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5716 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5717 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5718 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5719 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5720 line number.
5721
5722 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5723 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5724
5725 @smallexample
5726 @group
5727 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5728 at builtin.c:993
5729 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5730 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5731 at macro.c:71
5732 (More stack frames follow...)
5733 @end group
5734 @end smallexample
5735
5736 @noindent
5737 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5738 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5739 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5740
5741 @noindent
5742 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5743 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5744 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5745 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5746 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5747
5748 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5749 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5750 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5751 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5752 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5753 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5754 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5755 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5756 such a backtrace might look like:
5757
5758 @smallexample
5759 @group
5760 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5761 at builtin.c:993
5762 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5763 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5764 at macro.c:71
5765 (More stack frames follow...)
5766 @end group
5767 @end smallexample
5768
5769 @noindent
5770 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5771 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5772
5773 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5774 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5775 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5776
5777 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5778 @cindex program entry point
5779 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5780 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5781 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5782 @code{main}@footnote{
5783 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5784 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5785 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5786 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5787 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5788 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5789
5790 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5791 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5792
5793 @table @code
5794 @item set backtrace past-main
5795 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5796 @kindex set backtrace
5797 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5798
5799 @item set backtrace past-main off
5800 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5801 default.
5802
5803 @item show backtrace past-main
5804 @kindex show backtrace
5805 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5806
5807 @item set backtrace past-entry
5808 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5809 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5810 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5811 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5812
5813 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5814 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5815 application. This is the default.
5816
5817 @item show backtrace past-entry
5818 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5819
5820 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5821 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5822 @cindex backtrace limit
5823 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5824 unlimited.
5825
5826 @item show backtrace limit
5827 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5828 @end table
5829
5830 @node Selection
5831 @section Selecting a Frame
5832
5833 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5834 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5835 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5836 of the stack frame just selected.
5837
5838 @table @code
5839 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5840 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5841 @item frame @var{n}
5842 @itemx f @var{n}
5843 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5844 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5845 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5846 @code{main}.
5847
5848 @item frame @var{addr}
5849 @itemx f @var{addr}
5850 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5851 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5852 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5853 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5854 switches between them.
5855
5856 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5857 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5858
5859 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5860 pointer and a program counter.
5861
5862 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5863 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5864
5865 @kindex up
5866 @item up @var{n}
5867 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5868 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5869 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5870
5871 @kindex down
5872 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5873 @item down @var{n}
5874 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5875 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5876 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5877 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5878 @end table
5879
5880 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5881 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5882 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5883 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5884
5885 @need 1000
5886 For example:
5887
5888 @smallexample
5889 @group
5890 (@value{GDBP}) up
5891 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5892 at env.c:10
5893 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5894 @end group
5895 @end smallexample
5896
5897 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5898 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5899 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5900 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5901 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5902 for details.
5903
5904 @table @code
5905 @kindex down-silently
5906 @kindex up-silently
5907 @item up-silently @var{n}
5908 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5909 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5910 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5911 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5912 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5913 distracting.
5914 @end table
5915
5916 @node Frame Info
5917 @section Information About a Frame
5918
5919 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5920 stack frame.
5921
5922 @table @code
5923 @item frame
5924 @itemx f
5925 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5926 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5927 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5928 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5929 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5930
5931 @kindex info frame
5932 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5933 @item info frame
5934 @itemx info f
5935 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5936 including:
5937
5938 @itemize @bullet
5939 @item
5940 the address of the frame
5941 @item
5942 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5943 @item
5944 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5945 @item
5946 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5947 @item
5948 the address of the frame's arguments
5949 @item
5950 the address of the frame's local variables
5951 @item
5952 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5953 @item
5954 which registers were saved in the frame
5955 @end itemize
5956
5957 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5958 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5959 the usual conventions.
5960
5961 @item info frame @var{addr}
5962 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5963 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5964 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5965 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5966 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5967 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5968
5969 @kindex info args
5970 @item info args
5971 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5972
5973 @item info locals
5974 @kindex info locals
5975 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5976 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5977 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5978
5979 @kindex info catch
5980 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5981 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5982 @item info catch
5983 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5984 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5985 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5986 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5987 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5988
5989 @end table
5990
5991
5992 @node Source
5993 @chapter Examining Source Files
5994
5995 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5996 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5997 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5998 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5999 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6000 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6001 source files by explicit command.
6002
6003 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6004 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6005 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6006
6007 @menu
6008 * List:: Printing source lines
6009 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6010 * Edit:: Editing source files
6011 * Search:: Searching source files
6012 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6013 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6014 @end menu
6015
6016 @node List
6017 @section Printing Source Lines
6018
6019 @kindex list
6020 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6021 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6022 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6023 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6024 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6025
6026 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6027
6028 @table @code
6029 @item list @var{linenum}
6030 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6031 current source file.
6032
6033 @item list @var{function}
6034 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6035 @var{function}.
6036
6037 @item list
6038 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6039 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6040 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6041 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6042 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6043
6044 @item list -
6045 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6046 @end table
6047
6048 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6049 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6050 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6051
6052 @table @code
6053 @kindex set listsize
6054 @item set listsize @var{count}
6055 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6056 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6057
6058 @kindex show listsize
6059 @item show listsize
6060 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6061 @end table
6062
6063 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6064 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6065 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6066 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6067 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6068
6069 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6070 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6071 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6072 to specify some source line.
6073
6074 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6075
6076 @table @code
6077 @item list @var{linespec}
6078 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6079
6080 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6081 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6082 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6083 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6084 the same source file as the first linespec.
6085
6086 @item list ,@var{last}
6087 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6088
6089 @item list @var{first},
6090 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6091
6092 @item list +
6093 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6094
6095 @item list -
6096 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6097
6098 @item list
6099 As described in the preceding table.
6100 @end table
6101
6102 @node Specify Location
6103 @section Specifying a Location
6104 @cindex specifying location
6105 @cindex linespec
6106
6107 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6108 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6109 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6110 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6111
6112 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6113 @value{GDBN} understands:
6114
6115 @table @code
6116 @item @var{linenum}
6117 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6118
6119 @item -@var{offset}
6120 @itemx +@var{offset}
6121 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6122 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6123 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6124 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6125 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6126 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6127 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6128 linespec.
6129
6130 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6131 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6132
6133 @item @var{function}
6134 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6135 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6136
6137 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6138 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6139 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6140 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6141 functions in different source files.
6142
6143 @item *@var{address}
6144 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6145 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6146 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6147 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6148 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6149 source files.
6150
6151 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6152 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6153 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6154 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6155 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6156 of @var{address}:
6157
6158 @table @code
6159 @item @var{expression}
6160 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6161
6162 @item @var{funcaddr}
6163 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6164 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6165 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6166 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6167 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6168 (although the Pascal form also works).
6169
6170 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6171 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6172
6173 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6174 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6175 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6176 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6177 functions with identical names in different source files.
6178 @end table
6179
6180 @end table
6181
6182
6183 @node Edit
6184 @section Editing Source Files
6185 @cindex editing source files
6186
6187 @kindex edit
6188 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6189 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6190 The editing program of your choice
6191 is invoked with the current line set to
6192 the active line in the program.
6193 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6194 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6195
6196 @table @code
6197 @item edit @var{location}
6198 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6199 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6200 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6201 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6202 command most commonly used:
6203
6204 @table @code
6205 @item edit @var{number}
6206 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6207
6208 @item edit @var{function}
6209 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6210 @end table
6211
6212 @end table
6213
6214 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6215 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6216 @footnote{
6217 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6218 following command-line syntax:
6219 @smallexample
6220 ex +@var{number} file
6221 @end smallexample
6222 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6223 the file where to start editing.}.
6224 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6225 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6226 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6227 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6228 @smallexample
6229 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6230 export EDITOR
6231 gdb @dots{}
6232 @end smallexample
6233 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6234 @smallexample
6235 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6236 gdb @dots{}
6237 @end smallexample
6238
6239 @node Search
6240 @section Searching Source Files
6241 @cindex searching source files
6242
6243 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6244 regular expression.
6245
6246 @table @code
6247 @kindex search
6248 @kindex forward-search
6249 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6250 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6251 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6252 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6253 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6254 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6255 @code{fo}.
6256
6257 @kindex reverse-search
6258 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6259 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6260 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6261 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6262 this command as @code{rev}.
6263 @end table
6264
6265 @node Source Path
6266 @section Specifying Source Directories
6267
6268 @cindex source path
6269 @cindex directories for source files
6270 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6271 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6272 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6273 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6274 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6275 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6276 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6277
6278 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6279 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6280 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6281 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6282 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6283 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6284 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6285 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6286 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6287 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6288 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6289
6290 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6291 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6292 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6293 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6294 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6295 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6296
6297 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6298 source files.
6299
6300 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6301 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6302 each line is in the file.
6303
6304 @kindex directory
6305 @kindex dir
6306 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6307 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6308 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6309
6310 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6311 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6312
6313 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6314 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6315 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6316 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6317 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6318 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6319 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6320 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6321 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6322 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6323 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6324 name to look up the sources.
6325
6326 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6327 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6328 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6329 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6330 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6331 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6332 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6333 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6334
6335 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6336 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6337 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6338 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6339 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6340 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6341 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6342
6343 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6344 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6345 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6346 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6347 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6348 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6349 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6350 command.
6351
6352 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6353 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6354 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6355 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6356 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6357 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6358 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6359
6360 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6361 @cindex default source path substitution
6362 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6363 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6364 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6365 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6366 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6367 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6368 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6369 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6370 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6371 together.
6372
6373 @table @code
6374 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6375 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6376 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6377 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6378 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6379 part of absolute file names) or
6380 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6381 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6382
6383 @kindex cdir
6384 @kindex cwd
6385 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6386 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6387 @cindex compilation directory
6388 @cindex current directory
6389 @cindex working directory
6390 @cindex directory, current
6391 @cindex directory, compilation
6392 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6393 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6394 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6395 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6396 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6397 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6398
6399 @item directory
6400 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6401
6402 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6403 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6404
6405 @item show directories
6406 @kindex show directories
6407 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6408
6409 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6410 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6411 @kindex set substitute-path
6412 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6413 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6414 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6415
6416 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6417 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6418
6419 @smallexample
6420 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6421 @end smallexample
6422
6423 @noindent
6424 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6425 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6426 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6427
6428 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6429 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6430 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6431 the substitution.
6432
6433 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6434
6435 @smallexample
6436 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6437 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6438 @end smallexample
6439
6440 @noindent
6441 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6442 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6443 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6444 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6445
6446
6447 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6448 @kindex unset substitute-path
6449 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6450 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6451 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6452
6453 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6454
6455 @item show substitute-path [path]
6456 @kindex show substitute-path
6457 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6458 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6459
6460 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6461 rules.
6462
6463 @end table
6464
6465 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6466 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6467 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6468
6469 @enumerate
6470 @item
6471 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6472
6473 @item
6474 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6475 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6476 directories in one command.
6477 @end enumerate
6478
6479 @node Machine Code
6480 @section Source and Machine Code
6481 @cindex source line and its code address
6482
6483 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6484 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6485 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6486 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6487 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6488 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6489 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6490 well as hex.
6491
6492 @table @code
6493 @kindex info line
6494 @item info line @var{linespec}
6495 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6496 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6497 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6498 @end table
6499
6500 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6501 the object code for the first line of function
6502 @code{m4_changequote}:
6503
6504 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6505 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6506 @smallexample
6507 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6508 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6509 @end smallexample
6510
6511 @noindent
6512 @cindex code address and its source line
6513 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6514 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6515 @smallexample
6516 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6517 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6518 @end smallexample
6519
6520 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6521 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6522 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6523 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6524 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6525 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6526 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6527 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6528 Variables}).
6529
6530 @table @code
6531 @kindex disassemble
6532 @cindex assembly instructions
6533 @cindex instructions, assembly
6534 @cindex machine instructions
6535 @cindex listing machine instructions
6536 @item disassemble
6537 @itemx disassemble /m
6538 @itemx disassemble /r
6539 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6540 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6541 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6542 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6543 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6544 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6545 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6546 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6547 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6548 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6549 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6550 there could be several functions in the given range).
6551
6552 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6553 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6554
6555 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6556 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6557 @end table
6558
6559 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6560 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6561
6562 @smallexample
6563 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6564 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6565 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6566 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6567 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6568 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6569 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6570 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6571 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6572 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6573 End of assembler dump.
6574 @end smallexample
6575
6576 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6577 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6578
6579 @smallexample
6580 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6581 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6582 5 @{
6583 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6584 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6585 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6586 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6587 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6588
6589 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6590 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6591 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6592
6593 7 return 0;
6594 8 @}
6595 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6596 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6597 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6598
6599 End of assembler dump.
6600 @end smallexample
6601
6602 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6603 mnemonics or other syntax.
6604
6605 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6606 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6607 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6608 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6609 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6610
6611 @table @code
6612 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6613 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6614 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6615 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6616 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6617 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6618
6619 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6620 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6621 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6622 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6623
6624 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6625 @item show disassembly-flavor
6626 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6627 @end table
6628
6629 @table @code
6630 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6631 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6632 @item set disassemble-next-line
6633 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6634 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6635 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6636 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6637 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6638 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6639 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6640 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6641 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6642 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6643 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6644 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6645 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6646 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6647 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6648 instruction.
6649 @end table
6650
6651
6652 @node Data
6653 @chapter Examining Data
6654
6655 @cindex printing data
6656 @cindex examining data
6657 @kindex print
6658 @kindex inspect
6659 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6660 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6661 @c different window or something like that.
6662 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6663 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6664 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6665 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6666 Different Languages}).
6667
6668 @table @code
6669 @item print @var{expr}
6670 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6671 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6672 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6673 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6674 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6675 Formats}.
6676
6677 @item print
6678 @itemx print /@var{f}
6679 @cindex reprint the last value
6680 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6681 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6682 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6683 @end table
6684
6685 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6686 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6687 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6688
6689 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6690 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6691 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6692 Table}.
6693
6694 @menu
6695 * Expressions:: Expressions
6696 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6697 * Variables:: Program variables
6698 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6699 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6700 * Memory:: Examining memory
6701 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6702 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6703 * Value History:: Value history
6704 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6705 * Registers:: Registers
6706 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6707 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6708 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6709 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6710 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6711 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6712 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6713 character set than GDB does
6714 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6715 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6716 @end menu
6717
6718 @node Expressions
6719 @section Expressions
6720
6721 @cindex expressions
6722 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6723 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6724 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6725 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6726 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6727 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6728 @ref{Compilation}.
6729
6730 @cindex arrays in expressions
6731 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6732 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6733 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6734 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6735 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6736 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6737
6738 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6739 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6740 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6741 languages.
6742
6743 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6744 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6745
6746 @cindex casts, in expressions
6747 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6748 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6749 at that address in memory.
6750 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6751
6752 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6753 to programming languages:
6754
6755 @table @code
6756 @item @@
6757 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6758 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6759
6760 @item ::
6761 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6762 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6763
6764 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6765 @cindex type casting memory
6766 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6767 @cindex casts, to view memory
6768 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6769 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6770 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6771 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6772 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6773 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6774 @end table
6775
6776 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6777 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6778 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6779
6780 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6781 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6782 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6783 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6784 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6785 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6786 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6787
6788 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6789 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6790 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6791 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6792 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6793 as well.
6794
6795 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6796 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6797 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6798 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6799 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6800 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6801 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6802 choices.
6803
6804 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6805 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6806 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6807
6808 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6809 @smallexample
6810 @group
6811 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6812 [0] cancel
6813 [1] all
6814 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6815 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6816 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6817 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6818 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6819 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6820 > 2 4 6
6821 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6822 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6823 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6824 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6825 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6826 breakpoints.
6827 (@value{GDBP})
6828 @end group
6829 @end smallexample
6830
6831 @table @code
6832 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6833 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6834 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6835
6836 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6837 is ambiguous.
6838
6839 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6840 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6841 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6842 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6843 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6844 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6845 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6846 in the use of the menu.
6847
6848 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6849 when an ambiguity is detected.
6850
6851 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6852 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6853
6854 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6855 @item show multiple-symbols
6856 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6857 @end table
6858
6859 @node Variables
6860 @section Program Variables
6861
6862 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6863 in your program.
6864
6865 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6866 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6867
6868 @itemize @bullet
6869 @item
6870 global (or file-static)
6871 @end itemize
6872
6873 @noindent or
6874
6875 @itemize @bullet
6876 @item
6877 visible according to the scope rules of the
6878 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6879 @end itemize
6880
6881 @noindent This means that in the function
6882
6883 @smallexample
6884 foo (a)
6885 int a;
6886 @{
6887 bar (a);
6888 @{
6889 int b = test ();
6890 bar (b);
6891 @}
6892 @}
6893 @end smallexample
6894
6895 @noindent
6896 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6897 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6898 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6899 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6900
6901 @cindex variable name conflict
6902 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6903 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6904 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6905 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6906 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6907 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6908 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6909
6910 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6911 @ifnotinfo
6912 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6913 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6914 @end ifnotinfo
6915 @smallexample
6916 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6917 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6918 @end smallexample
6919
6920 @noindent
6921 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6922 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6923 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6924 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6925
6926 @smallexample
6927 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6928 @end smallexample
6929
6930 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6931 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6932 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6933 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6934 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6935 @c conflict?? --mew
6936
6937 @cindex wrong values
6938 @cindex variable values, wrong
6939 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6940 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6941 @quotation
6942 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6943 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6944 scope, and just before exit.
6945 @end quotation
6946 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6947 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6948 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6949 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6950 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6951 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6952 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6953 variable definitions may be gone.
6954
6955 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6956 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6957 when compiling.
6958
6959 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6960 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6961 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6962 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6963 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6964 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6965 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6966
6967 @smallexample
6968 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6969 @end smallexample
6970
6971 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6972 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6973 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6974 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6975 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6976 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6977 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6978 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6979 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6980 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6981 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6982
6983 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6984 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6985 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6986 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6987
6988 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6989 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6990 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6991 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6992 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6993 For program code
6994
6995 @smallexample
6996 char var0[] = "A";
6997 signed char var1[] = "A";
6998 @end smallexample
6999
7000 You get during debugging
7001 @smallexample
7002 (gdb) print var0
7003 $1 = "A"
7004 (gdb) print var1
7005 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7006 @end smallexample
7007
7008 @node Arrays
7009 @section Artificial Arrays
7010
7011 @cindex artificial array
7012 @cindex arrays
7013 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7014 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7015 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7016 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7017 program.
7018
7019 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7020 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7021 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7022 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7023 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7024 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7025 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7026 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7027 example. If a program says
7028
7029 @smallexample
7030 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7031 @end smallexample
7032
7033 @noindent
7034 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7035
7036 @smallexample
7037 p *array@@len
7038 @end smallexample
7039
7040 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7041 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7042 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7043 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7044 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7045
7046 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7047 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7048 The value need not be in memory:
7049 @smallexample
7050 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7051 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7052 @end smallexample
7053
7054 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7055 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7056 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7057 @smallexample
7058 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7059 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7060 @end smallexample
7061
7062 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7063 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7064 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7065 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7066 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7067 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7068 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7069 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7070 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7071 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7072
7073 @smallexample
7074 set $i = 0
7075 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7076 @key{RET}
7077 @key{RET}
7078 @dots{}
7079 @end smallexample
7080
7081 @node Output Formats
7082 @section Output Formats
7083
7084 @cindex formatted output
7085 @cindex output formats
7086 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7087 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7088 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7089 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7090 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7091
7092 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7093 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7094 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7095 letters supported are:
7096
7097 @table @code
7098 @item x
7099 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7100 hexadecimal.
7101
7102 @item d
7103 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7104
7105 @item u
7106 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7107
7108 @item o
7109 Print as integer in octal.
7110
7111 @item t
7112 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7113 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7114 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7115 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7116
7117 @item a
7118 @cindex unknown address, locating
7119 @cindex locate address
7120 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7121 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7122 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7123
7124 @smallexample
7125 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7126 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7127 @end smallexample
7128
7129 @noindent
7130 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7131 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7132
7133 @item c
7134 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7135 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7136 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7137 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7138
7139 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7140 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7141 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7142 data.
7143
7144 @item f
7145 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7146 using typical floating point syntax.
7147
7148 @item s
7149 @cindex printing strings
7150 @cindex printing byte arrays
7151 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7152 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7153 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7154 natural types.
7155
7156 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7157 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7158 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7159 array.
7160
7161 @item r
7162 @cindex raw printing
7163 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7164 use a type-specific pretty-printer. The @samp{r} format bypasses any
7165 pretty-printer which might exist for the value's type.
7166 @end table
7167
7168 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7169
7170 @smallexample
7171 p/x $pc
7172 @end smallexample
7173
7174 @noindent
7175 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7176 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7177
7178 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7179 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7180 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7181
7182 @node Memory
7183 @section Examining Memory
7184
7185 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7186 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7187
7188 @cindex examining memory
7189 @table @code
7190 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7191 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7192 @itemx x @var{addr}
7193 @itemx x
7194 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7195 @end table
7196
7197 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7198 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7199 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7200 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7201 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7202
7203 @table @r
7204 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7205 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7206 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7207 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7208 @c 4.1.2.
7209
7210 @item @var{f}, the display format
7211 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7212 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7213 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7214 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7215 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7216
7217 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7218 The unit size is any of
7219
7220 @table @code
7221 @item b
7222 Bytes.
7223 @item h
7224 Halfwords (two bytes).
7225 @item w
7226 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7227 @item g
7228 Giant words (eight bytes).
7229 @end table
7230
7231 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7232 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
7233 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
7234
7235 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7236 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7237 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7238 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7239 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7240 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7241 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7242 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7243 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7244 a value from memory).
7245 @end table
7246
7247 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7248 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7249 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7250 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7251 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7252
7253 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7254 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7255 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7256 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7257 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7258
7259 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7260 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7261 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7262 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7263 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7264 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7265 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7266 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7267 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7268
7269 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7270 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7271 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7272 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7273 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7274 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7275 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7276
7277 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7278 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7279
7280 @smallexample
7281 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7282 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7283 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7284 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7285 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7286 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7287 @end smallexample
7288
7289 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7290 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7291 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7292 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7293 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7294 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7295 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7296 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7297 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7298
7299 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7300 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7301 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7302
7303 @cindex remote memory comparison
7304 @cindex verify remote memory image
7305 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7306 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7307 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7308 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7309 situations.
7310
7311 @table @code
7312 @kindex compare-sections
7313 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7314 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7315 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7316 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7317 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7318 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7319 remote request.
7320 @end table
7321
7322 @node Auto Display
7323 @section Automatic Display
7324 @cindex automatic display
7325 @cindex display of expressions
7326
7327 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7328 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7329 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7330 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7331 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7332 The automatic display looks like this:
7333
7334 @smallexample
7335 2: foo = 38
7336 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7337 @end smallexample
7338
7339 @noindent
7340 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7341 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7342 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7343 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7344 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7345 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7346
7347 @table @code
7348 @kindex display
7349 @item display @var{expr}
7350 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7351 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7352
7353 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7354
7355 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7356 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7357 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7358 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7359 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7360
7361 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7362 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7363 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7364 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7365 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7366 @end table
7367
7368 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7369 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7370 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7371
7372 @table @code
7373 @kindex delete display
7374 @kindex undisplay
7375 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7376 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7377 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7378
7379 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7380 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7381
7382 @kindex disable display
7383 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7384 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7385 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7386 enabled again later.
7387
7388 @kindex enable display
7389 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7390 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7391 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7392
7393 @item display
7394 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7395 done when your program stops.
7396
7397 @kindex info display
7398 @item info display
7399 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7400 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7401 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7402 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7403 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7404 @end table
7405
7406 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7407 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7408 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7409 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7410 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7411 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7412 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7413 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7414 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7415 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7416 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7417
7418 @node Print Settings
7419 @section Print Settings
7420
7421 @cindex format options
7422 @cindex print settings
7423 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7424 and symbols are printed.
7425
7426 @noindent
7427 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7428
7429 @table @code
7430 @kindex set print
7431 @item set print address
7432 @itemx set print address on
7433 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7434 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7435 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7436 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7437 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7438 @code{set print address on}:
7439
7440 @smallexample
7441 @group
7442 (@value{GDBP}) f
7443 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7444 at input.c:530
7445 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7446 @end group
7447 @end smallexample
7448
7449 @item set print address off
7450 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7451 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7452
7453 @smallexample
7454 @group
7455 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7456 (@value{GDBP}) f
7457 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7458 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7459 @end group
7460 @end smallexample
7461
7462 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7463 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7464 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7465 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7466
7467 @kindex show print
7468 @item show print address
7469 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7470 @end table
7471
7472 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7473 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7474 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7475 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7476 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7477 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7478 it prints a symbolic address:
7479
7480 @table @code
7481 @item set print symbol-filename on
7482 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7483 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7484 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7485 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7486
7487 @item set print symbol-filename off
7488 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7489 default.
7490
7491 @item show print symbol-filename
7492 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7493 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7494 @end table
7495
7496 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7497 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7498 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7499
7500 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7501 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7502
7503 @table @code
7504 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7505 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7506 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7507 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7508 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7509 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7510
7511 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7512 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7513 symbolic address.
7514 @end table
7515
7516 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7517 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7518 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7519 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7520 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7521 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7522 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7523 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7524
7525 @smallexample
7526 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7527 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7528 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7529 @end smallexample
7530
7531 @quotation
7532 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7533 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7534 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7535 @end quotation
7536
7537 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7538
7539 @table @code
7540 @item set print array
7541 @itemx set print array on
7542 @cindex pretty print arrays
7543 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7544 but uses more space. The default is off.
7545
7546 @item set print array off
7547 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7548
7549 @item show print array
7550 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7551 arrays.
7552
7553 @cindex print array indexes
7554 @item set print array-indexes
7555 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7556 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7557 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7558 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7559
7560 @item set print array-indexes off
7561 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7562
7563 @item show print array-indexes
7564 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7565 arrays.
7566
7567 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7568 @cindex number of array elements to print
7569 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7570 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7571 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7572 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7573 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7574 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7575 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7576
7577 @item show print elements
7578 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7579 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7580
7581 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7582 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7583 @cindex printing frame argument values
7584 @cindex print all frame argument values
7585 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7586 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7587 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7588 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7589 values are:
7590
7591 @table @code
7592 @item all
7593 The values of all arguments are printed.
7594
7595 @item scalars
7596 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7597 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7598 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7599 only scalar arguments are shown:
7600
7601 @smallexample
7602 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7603 at frame-args.c:23
7604 @end smallexample
7605
7606 @item none
7607 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7608 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7609
7610 @smallexample
7611 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7612 at frame-args.c:23
7613 @end smallexample
7614 @end table
7615
7616 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7617 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7618 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7619 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7620 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7621 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7622 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7623 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7624 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7625 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7626
7627 @item show print frame-arguments
7628 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7629
7630 @item set print repeats
7631 @cindex repeated array elements
7632 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7633 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7634 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7635 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7636 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7637 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7638 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7639
7640 @item show print repeats
7641 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7642 elements.
7643
7644 @item set print null-stop
7645 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7646 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7647 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7648 contain only short strings.
7649 The default is off.
7650
7651 @item show print null-stop
7652 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7653 @sc{null} character.
7654
7655 @item set print pretty on
7656 @cindex print structures in indented form
7657 @cindex indentation in structure display
7658 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7659 per line, like this:
7660
7661 @smallexample
7662 @group
7663 $1 = @{
7664 next = 0x0,
7665 flags = @{
7666 sweet = 1,
7667 sour = 1
7668 @},
7669 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7670 @}
7671 @end group
7672 @end smallexample
7673
7674 @item set print pretty off
7675 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7676
7677 @smallexample
7678 @group
7679 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7680 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7681 @end group
7682 @end smallexample
7683
7684 @noindent
7685 This is the default format.
7686
7687 @item show print pretty
7688 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7689
7690 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7691 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7692 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7693 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7694 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7695 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7696 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7697 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7698
7699 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7700 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7701 international character sets, and is the default.
7702
7703 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7704 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7705
7706 @item set print union on
7707 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7708 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7709 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7710
7711 @item set print union off
7712 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7713 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7714 instead.
7715
7716 @item show print union
7717 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7718 structures and other unions.
7719
7720 For example, given the declarations
7721
7722 @smallexample
7723 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7724 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7725 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7726 Bug_forms;
7727
7728 struct thing @{
7729 Species it;
7730 union @{
7731 Tree_forms tree;
7732 Bug_forms bug;
7733 @} form;
7734 @};
7735
7736 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7737 @end smallexample
7738
7739 @noindent
7740 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7741
7742 @smallexample
7743 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7744 @end smallexample
7745
7746 @noindent
7747 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7748
7749 @smallexample
7750 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7751 @end smallexample
7752
7753 @noindent
7754 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7755 and in Pascal.
7756 @end table
7757
7758 @need 1000
7759 @noindent
7760 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7761
7762 @table @code
7763 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7764 @item set print demangle
7765 @itemx set print demangle on
7766 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7767 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7768 linkage. The default is on.
7769
7770 @item show print demangle
7771 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7772
7773 @item set print asm-demangle
7774 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7775 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7776 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7777 The default is off.
7778
7779 @item show print asm-demangle
7780 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7781 or demangled form.
7782
7783 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7784 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7785 @kindex set demangle-style
7786 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7787 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7788 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7789
7790 @table @code
7791 @item auto
7792 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7793
7794 @item gnu
7795 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7796 This is the default.
7797
7798 @item hp
7799 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7800
7801 @item lucid
7802 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7803
7804 @item arm
7805 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7806 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7807 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7808 require further enhancement to permit that.
7809
7810 @end table
7811 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7812
7813 @item show demangle-style
7814 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7815
7816 @item set print object
7817 @itemx set print object on
7818 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7819 @cindex display derived types
7820 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7821 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7822 the virtual function table.
7823
7824 @item set print object off
7825 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7826 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7827
7828 @item show print object
7829 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7830
7831 @item set print static-members
7832 @itemx set print static-members on
7833 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7834 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7835
7836 @item set print static-members off
7837 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7838
7839 @item show print static-members
7840 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7841
7842 @item set print pascal_static-members
7843 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7844 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7845 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7846 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7847
7848 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7849 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7850
7851 @item show print pascal_static-members
7852 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7853
7854 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7855 @item set print vtbl
7856 @itemx set print vtbl on
7857 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7858 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7859 @cindex VTBL display
7860 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7861 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7862 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7863
7864 @item set print vtbl off
7865 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7866
7867 @item show print vtbl
7868 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7869 @end table
7870
7871 @node Value History
7872 @section Value History
7873
7874 @cindex value history
7875 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7876 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7877 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7878 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7879 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7880 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7881 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7882 symbol table.
7883
7884 @cindex @code{$}
7885 @cindex @code{$$}
7886 @cindex history number
7887 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7888 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7889 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7890 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7891 history number.
7892
7893 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7894 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7895 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7896 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7897 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7898 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7899 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7900
7901 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7902 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7903
7904 @smallexample
7905 p *$
7906 @end smallexample
7907
7908 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7909 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7910
7911 @smallexample
7912 p *$.next
7913 @end smallexample
7914
7915 @noindent
7916 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7917 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7918
7919 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7920 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7921
7922 @smallexample
7923 print x
7924 set x=5
7925 @end smallexample
7926
7927 @noindent
7928 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7929 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7930
7931 @table @code
7932 @kindex show values
7933 @item show values
7934 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7935 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7936 values} does not change the history.
7937
7938 @item show values @var{n}
7939 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7940
7941 @item show values +
7942 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7943 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7944 @end table
7945
7946 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7947 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7948
7949 @node Convenience Vars
7950 @section Convenience Variables
7951
7952 @cindex convenience variables
7953 @cindex user-defined variables
7954 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7955 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7956 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7957 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7958 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7959
7960 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7961 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7962 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7963 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7964 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7965
7966 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7967 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7968 For example:
7969
7970 @smallexample
7971 set $foo = *object_ptr
7972 @end smallexample
7973
7974 @noindent
7975 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7976 @code{object_ptr}.
7977
7978 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7979 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7980 value with another assignment at any time.
7981
7982 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7983 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7984 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7985 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7986
7987 @table @code
7988 @kindex show convenience
7989 @cindex show all user variables
7990 @item show convenience
7991 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7992 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7993
7994 @kindex init-if-undefined
7995 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7996 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7997 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7998 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7999 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8000 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8001 override default values used in a command script.
8002
8003 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8004 any side-effects do not occur.
8005 @end table
8006
8007 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8008 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8009 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8010
8011 @smallexample
8012 set $i = 0
8013 print bar[$i++]->contents
8014 @end smallexample
8015
8016 @noindent
8017 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8018
8019 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8020 values likely to be useful.
8021
8022 @table @code
8023 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8024 @item $_
8025 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8026 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8027 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8028 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8029 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8030 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8031 to the type of @code{$__}.
8032
8033 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8034 @item $__
8035 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8036 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8037 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8038
8039 @item $_exitcode
8040 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8041 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8042 the program being debugged terminates.
8043
8044 @item $_siginfo
8045 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8046 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8047 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8048 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8049 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8050 @end table
8051
8052 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8053 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8054 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8055
8056 @cindex convenience functions
8057 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8058 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8059 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8060 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8061 @value{GDBN}.
8062
8063 @table @code
8064 @item help function
8065 @kindex help function
8066 @cindex show all convenience functions
8067 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8068 @end table
8069
8070 @node Registers
8071 @section Registers
8072
8073 @cindex registers
8074 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8075 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8076 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8077 your machine.
8078
8079 @table @code
8080 @kindex info registers
8081 @item info registers
8082 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8083 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8084
8085 @kindex info all-registers
8086 @cindex floating point registers
8087 @item info all-registers
8088 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8089 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8090
8091 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8092 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8093 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8094 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8095 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8096 @end table
8097
8098 @cindex stack pointer register
8099 @cindex program counter register
8100 @cindex process status register
8101 @cindex frame pointer register
8102 @cindex standard registers
8103 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8104 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8105 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8106 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8107 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8108 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8109 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8110 you could print the program counter in hex with
8111
8112 @smallexample
8113 p/x $pc
8114 @end smallexample
8115
8116 @noindent
8117 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8118
8119 @smallexample
8120 x/i $pc
8121 @end smallexample
8122
8123 @noindent
8124 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8125 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8126 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8127 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8128 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8129 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8130 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8131
8132 @smallexample
8133 set $sp += 4
8134 @end smallexample
8135
8136 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8137 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8138 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8139 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8140 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8141 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8142 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8143
8144 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8145 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8146 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8147 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8148 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8149 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8150 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8151
8152 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8153 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8154 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8155 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8156 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8157 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8158 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8159 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8160 prints the data in both formats.
8161
8162 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8163 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8164 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8165 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8166 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8167 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8168 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8169
8170 @smallexample
8171 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8172 $1 = @{
8173 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8174 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8175 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8176 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8177 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8178 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8179 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8180 @}
8181 @end smallexample
8182
8183 @noindent
8184 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8185 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8186 value to a @code{struct} member:
8187
8188 @smallexample
8189 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8190 @end smallexample
8191
8192 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8193 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8194 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8195 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8196 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8197 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8198
8199 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8200 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8201 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8202 frame makes no difference.
8203
8204 @node Floating Point Hardware
8205 @section Floating Point Hardware
8206 @cindex floating point
8207
8208 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8209 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8210
8211 @table @code
8212 @kindex info float
8213 @item info float
8214 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8215 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8216 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8217 the ARM and x86 machines.
8218 @end table
8219
8220 @node Vector Unit
8221 @section Vector Unit
8222 @cindex vector unit
8223
8224 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8225 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8226
8227 @table @code
8228 @kindex info vector
8229 @item info vector
8230 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8231 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8232 @end table
8233
8234 @node OS Information
8235 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8236 @cindex OS information
8237
8238 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8239 you debug your program.
8240
8241 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8242 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8243 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8244 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8245 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8246 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8247 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8248 structure.
8249
8250 @table @code
8251 @item info udot
8252 @kindex info udot
8253 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8254 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8255 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8256 the @code{examine} command.
8257 @end table
8258
8259 @cindex auxiliary vector
8260 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8261 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8262 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8263 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8264 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8265 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8266 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8267 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8268 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8269 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8270 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8271 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8272
8273 @table @code
8274 @kindex info auxv
8275 @item info auxv
8276 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8277 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8278 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8279 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8280 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8281 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8282 an unrecognized tag.
8283 @end table
8284
8285 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8286 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8287 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8288 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8289
8290 @table @code
8291 @kindex info os processes
8292 @item info os processes
8293 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8294 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8295 the command corresponding to the process.
8296 @end table
8297
8298 @node Memory Region Attributes
8299 @section Memory Region Attributes
8300 @cindex memory region attributes
8301
8302 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8303 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8304 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8305 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8306 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8307 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8308 user can override the fetched regions.
8309
8310 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8311 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8312 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8313 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8314 all memory.
8315
8316 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8317 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8318
8319 @table @code
8320 @kindex mem
8321 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8322 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8323 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8324 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8325 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8326 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8327
8328 @item mem auto
8329 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8330 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8331
8332 @kindex delete mem
8333 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8334 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8335 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8336
8337 @kindex disable mem
8338 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8339 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8340 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8341 It may be enabled again later.
8342
8343 @kindex enable mem
8344 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8345 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8346
8347 @kindex info mem
8348 @item info mem
8349 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8350 for each region:
8351
8352 @table @emph
8353 @item Memory Region Number
8354 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8355 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8356 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8357
8358 @item Lo Address
8359 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8360
8361 @item Hi Address
8362 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8363
8364 @item Attributes
8365 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8366 @end table
8367 @end table
8368
8369
8370 @subsection Attributes
8371
8372 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8373 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8374 write accesses to a memory region.
8375
8376 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8377 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8378 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8379
8380 @table @code
8381 @item ro
8382 Memory is read only.
8383 @item wo
8384 Memory is write only.
8385 @item rw
8386 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8387 @end table
8388
8389 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8390 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8391 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8392 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8393 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8394
8395 @table @code
8396 @item 8
8397 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8398 @item 16
8399 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8400 @item 32
8401 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8402 @item 64
8403 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8404 @end table
8405
8406 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8407 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8408 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8409 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8410 @c
8411 @c @table @code
8412 @c @item hwbreak
8413 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8414 @c @item swbreak (default)
8415 @c @end table
8416
8417 @subsubsection Data Cache
8418 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8419 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8420 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8421 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8422 registers.
8423
8424 @table @code
8425 @item cache
8426 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8427 @item nocache
8428 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8429 @end table
8430
8431 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8432 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8433 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8434 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8435 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8436
8437 @table @code
8438 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8439 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8440 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8441 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8442 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8443 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8444 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8445 The default value is @code{on}.
8446 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8447 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8448 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8449 @end table
8450
8451
8452 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8453 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8454 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8455 @c
8456 @c @table @code
8457 @c @item verify
8458 @c @item noverify (default)
8459 @c @end table
8460
8461 @node Dump/Restore Files
8462 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8463 @cindex dump/restore files
8464 @cindex append data to a file
8465 @cindex dump data to a file
8466 @cindex restore data from a file
8467
8468 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8469 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8470 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8471 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8472 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8473 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8474 files.
8475
8476 @table @code
8477
8478 @kindex dump
8479 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8480 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8481 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8482 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8483
8484 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8485 @table @code
8486 @item binary
8487 Raw binary form.
8488 @item ihex
8489 Intel hex format.
8490 @item srec
8491 Motorola S-record format.
8492 @item tekhex
8493 Tektronix Hex format.
8494 @end table
8495
8496 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8497 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8498 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8499 form.
8500
8501 @kindex append
8502 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8503 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8504 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8505 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8506 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8507
8508 @kindex restore
8509 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8510 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8511 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8512 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8513 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8514
8515 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8516 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8517 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8518 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8519 from that location.
8520
8521 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8522 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8523 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8524 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8525
8526 @end table
8527
8528 @node Core File Generation
8529 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8530 @cindex dump core from inferior
8531
8532 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8533 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8534 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8535 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8536 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8537 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8538 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8539
8540 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8541 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8542 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8543
8544 @table @code
8545 @kindex gcore
8546 @kindex generate-core-file
8547 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8548 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8549 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8550 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8551 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8552 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8553
8554 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8555 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8556 @end table
8557
8558 @node Character Sets
8559 @section Character Sets
8560 @cindex character sets
8561 @cindex charset
8562 @cindex translating between character sets
8563 @cindex host character set
8564 @cindex target character set
8565
8566 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8567 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8568 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8569 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8570 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8571 @dfn{target character set}.
8572
8573 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8574 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8575 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8576 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8577 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8578 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8579 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8580 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8581 character and string literals in expressions.
8582
8583 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8584 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8585 target-charset} command, described below.
8586
8587 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8588 support:
8589
8590 @table @code
8591 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8592 @kindex set target-charset
8593 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8594 list of supported target character sets, type
8595 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8596
8597 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8598 @kindex set host-charset
8599 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8600
8601 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8602 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8603 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8604 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8605 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8606
8607 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8608 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8609 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8610
8611 @item set charset @var{charset}
8612 @kindex set charset
8613 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8614 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8615 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8616 for both host and target.
8617
8618 @item show charset
8619 @kindex show charset
8620 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8621
8622 @item show host-charset
8623 @kindex show host-charset
8624 Show the name of the current host character set.
8625
8626 @item show target-charset
8627 @kindex show target-charset
8628 Show the name of the current target character set.
8629
8630 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8631 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8632 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8633 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8634 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8635 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8636
8637 @item show target-wide-charset
8638 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8639 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8640 @end table
8641
8642 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8643 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8644 @file{charset-test.c}:
8645
8646 @smallexample
8647 #include <stdio.h>
8648
8649 char ascii_hello[]
8650 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8651 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8652 char ibm1047_hello[]
8653 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8654 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8655
8656 main ()
8657 @{
8658 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8659 @}
8660 @end smallexample
8661
8662 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8663 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8664 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8665
8666 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8667
8668 @smallexample
8669 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8670 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8671 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8672 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8673 @dots{}
8674 (@value{GDBP})
8675 @end smallexample
8676
8677 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8678 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8679 strings:
8680
8681 @smallexample
8682 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8683 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8684 (@value{GDBP})
8685 @end smallexample
8686
8687 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8688 initial character set:
8689 @smallexample
8690 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8691 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8692 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8693 (@value{GDBP})
8694 @end smallexample
8695
8696 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8697 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8698 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8699 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8700 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8701
8702 @smallexample
8703 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8704 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8705 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8706 $2 = 72 'H'
8707 (@value{GDBP})
8708 @end smallexample
8709
8710 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8711 literals you use in expressions:
8712
8713 @smallexample
8714 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8715 $3 = 43 '+'
8716 (@value{GDBP})
8717 @end smallexample
8718
8719 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8720 character.
8721
8722 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8723 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8724 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8725
8726 @smallexample
8727 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8728 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8729 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8730 $5 = 200 '\310'
8731 (@value{GDBP})
8732 @end smallexample
8733
8734 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8735 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8736
8737 @smallexample
8738 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8739 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8740 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8741 @end smallexample
8742
8743 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8744 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8745 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8746 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8747 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8748
8749 @smallexample
8750 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8751 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8752 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8753 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8754 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8755 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8756 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8757 $7 = 72 '\110'
8758 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8759 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8760 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8761 $9 = 200 'H'
8762 (@value{GDBP})
8763 @end smallexample
8764
8765 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8766 string literals you use in expressions:
8767
8768 @smallexample
8769 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8770 $10 = 78 '+'
8771 (@value{GDBP})
8772 @end smallexample
8773
8774 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8775 character.
8776
8777 @node Caching Remote Data
8778 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8779 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8780
8781 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8782 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8783 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8784 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8785 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8786 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8787 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8788 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8789 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8790 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8791 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8792 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8793 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8794 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8795 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8796
8797 @table @code
8798 @kindex set remotecache
8799 @item set remotecache on
8800 @itemx set remotecache off
8801 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8802 with old scripts.
8803
8804 @kindex show remotecache
8805 @item show remotecache
8806 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8807
8808 @kindex set stack-cache
8809 @item set stack-cache on
8810 @itemx set stack-cache off
8811 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8812 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8813
8814 @kindex show stack-cache
8815 @item show stack-cache
8816 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8817
8818 @kindex info dcache
8819 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8820 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8821 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8822 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8823 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8824 operation.
8825
8826 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8827 printed in hex.
8828 @end table
8829
8830 @node Searching Memory
8831 @section Search Memory
8832 @cindex searching memory
8833
8834 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8835 @code{find} command.
8836
8837 @table @code
8838 @kindex find
8839 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8840 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8841 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8842 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8843 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8844 @end table
8845
8846 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8847 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8848
8849 @table @r
8850 @item @var{s}, search query size
8851 The size of each search query value.
8852
8853 @table @code
8854 @item b
8855 bytes
8856 @item h
8857 halfwords (two bytes)
8858 @item w
8859 words (four bytes)
8860 @item g
8861 giant words (eight bytes)
8862 @end table
8863
8864 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8865 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8866 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8867
8868 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8869 value's type in the current language.
8870 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8871 pattern as a mixture of types.
8872 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8873 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8874 which is typically four bytes.
8875
8876 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8877 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8878 @end table
8879
8880 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8881 (@code{"}).
8882 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8883 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8884
8885 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8886 number of matches found.
8887
8888 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8889 @samp{$_}.
8890 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8891
8892 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8893
8894 @smallexample
8895 void
8896 hello ()
8897 @{
8898 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8899 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8900 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8901 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8902 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8903 @}
8904 @end smallexample
8905
8906 @noindent
8907 you get during debugging:
8908
8909 @smallexample
8910 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8911 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8912 1 pattern found
8913 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8914 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8915 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8916 2 patterns found
8917 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8918 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8919 1 pattern found
8920 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8921 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8922 1 pattern found
8923 (gdb) print $numfound
8924 $1 = 1
8925 (gdb) print $_
8926 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8927 @end smallexample
8928
8929 @node Optimized Code
8930 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8931 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8932 @cindex debugging optimized code
8933
8934 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8935 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8936 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8937 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8938 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8939 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8940 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8941
8942 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8943 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8944 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8945 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8946
8947 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8948 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8949 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8950 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8951 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8952 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8953
8954 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8955 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8956 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8957 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8958 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8959
8960 @menu
8961 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8962 @end menu
8963
8964 @node Inline Functions
8965 @section Inline Functions
8966 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8967
8968 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8969 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8970 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8971 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8972 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8973 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8974 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8975 @code{info frame} command.
8976
8977 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8978 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8979 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8980 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8981 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8982 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8983 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
8984 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
8985 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
8986 local variables in the caller.
8987
8988 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
8989 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
8990 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
8991 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
8992 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
8993 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
8994 instructions are executed.
8995
8996 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
8997 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
8998 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
8999 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9000
9001 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9002 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9003
9004 @itemize @bullet
9005 @item
9006 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9007 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9008 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9009 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9010 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9011 function instead.
9012
9013 @item
9014 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9015 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9016 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9017 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9018 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9019 or inside the inlined function instead.
9020
9021 @item
9022 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9023 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9024 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9025 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9026
9027 @end itemize
9028
9029
9030 @node Macros
9031 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9032
9033 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9034 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9035 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9036 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9037 where it was defined.
9038
9039 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9040 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9041 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9042 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9043
9044 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9045 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9046 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9047 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9048 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9049 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9050 see @ref{List}.
9051
9052 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9053 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9054 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9055
9056 @table @code
9057
9058 @kindex macro expand
9059 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9060 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9061 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9062 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9063 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9064 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9065 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9066 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9067 it can be any string of tokens.
9068
9069 @kindex macro exp1
9070 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9071 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9072 @cindex expand macro once
9073 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9074 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9075 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9076 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9077 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9078 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9079 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9080 can be any string of tokens.
9081
9082 @kindex info macro
9083 @cindex macro definition, showing
9084 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9085 @item info macro @var{macro}
9086 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9087 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9088
9089 @kindex macro define
9090 @cindex user-defined macros
9091 @cindex defining macros interactively
9092 @cindex macros, user-defined
9093 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9094 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9095 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9096 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9097 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9098 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9099 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9100 @var{arglist}.
9101
9102 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9103 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9104 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9105 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9106 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9107
9108 @kindex macro undef
9109 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9110 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9111 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9112 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9113 in the program being debugged.
9114
9115 @kindex macro list
9116 @item macro list
9117 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9118 @end table
9119
9120 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9121 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9122 show our source files:
9123
9124 @smallexample
9125 $ cat sample.c
9126 #include <stdio.h>
9127 #include "sample.h"
9128
9129 #define M 42
9130 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9131
9132 main ()
9133 @{
9134 #define N 28
9135 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9136 #undef N
9137 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9138 #define N 1729
9139 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9140 @}
9141 $ cat sample.h
9142 #define Q <
9143 $
9144 @end smallexample
9145
9146 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9147 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9148 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9149 information.
9150
9151 @smallexample
9152 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9153 $
9154 @end smallexample
9155
9156 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9157
9158 @smallexample
9159 $ gdb -nw sample
9160 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9161 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9162 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9163 (@value{GDBP})
9164 @end smallexample
9165
9166 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9167 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9168 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9169
9170 @smallexample
9171 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9172 3
9173 4 #define M 42
9174 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9175 6
9176 7 main ()
9177 8 @{
9178 9 #define N 28
9179 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9180 11 #undef N
9181 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9182 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9183 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9184 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9185 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9186 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9187 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9188 #define Q <
9189 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9190 expands to: (42 + 1)
9191 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9192 expands to: once (M + 1)
9193 (@value{GDBP})
9194 @end smallexample
9195
9196 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9197 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9198 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9199 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9200
9201 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9202 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9203
9204 @smallexample
9205 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9206 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9207 (@value{GDBP}) run
9208 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9209
9210 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9211 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9212 (@value{GDBP})
9213 @end smallexample
9214
9215 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9216
9217 @smallexample
9218 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9219 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9220 #define N 28
9221 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9222 expands to: 28 < 42
9223 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9224 $1 = 1
9225 (@value{GDBP})
9226 @end smallexample
9227
9228 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9229 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9230 thereof) in force at each point:
9231
9232 @smallexample
9233 (@value{GDBP}) next
9234 Hello, world!
9235 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9236 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9237 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9238 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9239 (@value{GDBP}) next
9240 We're so creative.
9241 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9242 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9243 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9244 #define N 1729
9245 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9246 expands to: 1729 < 42
9247 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9248 $2 = 0
9249 (@value{GDBP})
9250 @end smallexample
9251
9252 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9253 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9254 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9255 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9256
9257 @smallexample
9258 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9259 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9260 -D__STDC__=1
9261 (@value{GDBP})
9262 @end smallexample
9263
9264
9265 @node Tracepoints
9266 @chapter Tracepoints
9267 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9268 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9269
9270 @cindex tracepoints
9271 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9272 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9273 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9274 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9275 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9276 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9277 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9278
9279 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9280 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9281 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9282 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9283 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9284 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9285 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9286 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9287 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9288 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9289 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9290
9291 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9292 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9293 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9294 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9295 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9296 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9297 Packets}.
9298
9299 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9300 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9301 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9302
9303 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9304
9305 @menu
9306 * Set Tracepoints::
9307 * Analyze Collected Data::
9308 * Tracepoint Variables::
9309 * Trace Files::
9310 @end menu
9311
9312 @node Set Tracepoints
9313 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9314
9315 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9316 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9317 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9318 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9319 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9320 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9321 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9322
9323 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9324 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9325 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9326 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9327 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9328 tracepoint was hit.
9329
9330 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
9331 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
9332 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
9333 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
9334
9335 @cindex fast tracepoints
9336 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9337 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9338 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9339
9340 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9341 conditions and actions.
9342
9343 @menu
9344 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9345 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9346 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9347 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9348 * Trace State Variables::
9349 * Tracepoint Actions::
9350 * Listing Tracepoints::
9351 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9352 @end menu
9353
9354 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9355 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9356
9357 @table @code
9358 @cindex set tracepoint
9359 @kindex trace
9360 @item trace @var{location}
9361 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9362 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9363 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9364 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9365 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9366 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9367 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9368 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9369 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9370
9371 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9372
9373 @smallexample
9374 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9375
9376 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9377
9378 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9379
9380 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9381
9382 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9383 @end smallexample
9384
9385 @noindent
9386 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9387
9388 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9389 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9390 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9391 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9392 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9393 information on tracepoint conditions.
9394
9395 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9396 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9397 @kindex ftrace
9398 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9399 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9400 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9401 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9402 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9403 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9404 message.
9405
9406 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9407 @code{trace}.
9408
9409 @vindex $tpnum
9410 @cindex last tracepoint number
9411 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9412 @cindex tracepoint number
9413 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9414 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9415
9416 @kindex delete tracepoint
9417 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9418 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9419 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9420 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9421 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9422
9423 Examples:
9424
9425 @smallexample
9426 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9427
9428 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9429 @end smallexample
9430
9431 @noindent
9432 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9433 @end table
9434
9435 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9436 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9437
9438 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9439
9440 @table @code
9441 @kindex disable tracepoint
9442 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9443 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9444 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9445 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9446 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9447
9448 @kindex enable tracepoint
9449 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9450 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9451 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9452 run.
9453 @end table
9454
9455 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9456 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9457
9458 @table @code
9459 @kindex passcount
9460 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9461 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9462 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9463 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9464 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9465 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9466 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9467 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9468 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9469 user.
9470
9471 Examples:
9472
9473 @smallexample
9474 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9475 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9476
9477 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9478 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9479 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9480 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9481 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9482 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9483 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9484 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9485 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9486 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9487 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9488 @end smallexample
9489 @end table
9490
9491 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9492 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9493 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9494 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9495
9496 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9497 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9498 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9499 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9500 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9501 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9502 is true.
9503
9504 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9505 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9506 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9507 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9508 just as with breakpoints.
9509
9510 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9511 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9512 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9513 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9514 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9515 accesses, and so forth.
9516
9517 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9518 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9519 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9520 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9521 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9522 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9523 search through.
9524
9525 @smallexample
9526 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9527 @end smallexample
9528
9529 @node Trace State Variables
9530 @subsection Trace State Variables
9531 @cindex trace state variables
9532
9533 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9534 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9535 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9536 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9537 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9538 integers.
9539
9540 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9541 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9542 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9543 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9544
9545 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9546 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9547 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9548 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9549 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9550 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9551 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9552 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9553 variable with the same name.
9554
9555 @table @code
9556
9557 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9558 @kindex tvariable
9559 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9560 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9561 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9562 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9563 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9564 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9565 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9566 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9567 value. The default initial value is 0.
9568
9569 @item info tvariables
9570 @kindex info tvariables
9571 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9572 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9573 currently running.
9574
9575 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9576 @kindex delete tvariable
9577 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9578 are specified.
9579
9580 @end table
9581
9582 @node Tracepoint Actions
9583 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9584
9585 @table @code
9586 @kindex actions
9587 @cindex tracepoint actions
9588 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9589 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9590 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9591 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9592 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9593 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9594 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9595 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9596 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
9597 @code{while-stepping}.
9598
9599 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9600 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9601 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9602
9603 @smallexample
9604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9605
9606 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9607
9608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9609 @end smallexample
9610
9611 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9612 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9613 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9614 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9615 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
9616 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
9617 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
9618 @code{end} command.
9619
9620 @smallexample
9621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9623 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9624 > collect bar,baz
9625 > collect $regs
9626 > while-stepping 12
9627 > collect $fp, $sp
9628 > end
9629 end
9630 @end smallexample
9631
9632 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9633 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9634 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9635 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9636 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9637 special arguments are supported:
9638
9639 @table @code
9640 @item $regs
9641 collect all registers
9642
9643 @item $args
9644 collect all function arguments
9645
9646 @item $locals
9647 collect all local variables.
9648 @end table
9649
9650 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9651 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9652 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9653
9654 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9655 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9656
9657 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9658 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9659 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9660 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9661 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9662 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9663 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9664 action were used.
9665
9666 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9667 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9668 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
9669 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9670 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
9671 its own @code{end} command):
9672
9673 @smallexample
9674 > while-stepping 12
9675 > collect $regs, myglobal
9676 > end
9677 >
9678 @end smallexample
9679
9680 @noindent
9681 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9682 @code{stepping}.
9683
9684 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9685 @kindex set default-collect
9686 @cindex default collection action
9687 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9688 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9689 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9690 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9691 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9692 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9693
9694 @item show default-collect
9695 @kindex show default-collect
9696 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9697 tracepoint hit.
9698
9699 @end table
9700
9701 @node Listing Tracepoints
9702 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9703
9704 @table @code
9705 @kindex info tracepoints
9706 @kindex info tp
9707 @cindex information about tracepoints
9708 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9709 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9710 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9711 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9712 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9713 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9714
9715 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9716 tracing:
9717
9718 @itemize @bullet
9719 @item
9720 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9721 @item
9722 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9723 @item
9724 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9725 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9726 @end itemize
9727
9728 @smallexample
9729 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9730 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9731 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9732 pass count 1200
9733 step count 20
9734 A while-stepping 20
9735 A collect globfoo, $regs
9736 A end
9737 A collect globfoo2
9738 A end
9739 (@value{GDBP})
9740 @end smallexample
9741
9742 @noindent
9743 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9744 @end table
9745
9746 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9747 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9748
9749 @table @code
9750 @kindex tstart
9751 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9752 @cindex collected data discarded
9753 @item tstart
9754 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9755 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9756 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9757 experiment.
9758
9759 @kindex tstop
9760 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9761 @item tstop
9762 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9763 stops collecting data.
9764
9765 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9766 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9767 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9768
9769 @kindex tstatus
9770 @cindex status of trace data collection
9771 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9772 @item tstatus
9773 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9774 collection.
9775 @end table
9776
9777 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9778
9779 @smallexample
9780 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9781 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9782 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9783 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9784 > while-stepping 11
9785 > collect $regs
9786 > end
9787 > end
9788 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9789 [time passes @dots{}]
9790 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9791 @end smallexample
9792
9793 @cindex disconnected tracing
9794 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
9795 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
9796 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
9797 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
9798 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
9799 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
9800 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
9801 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
9802
9803 @table @code
9804 @item set disconnected-tracing on
9805 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
9806 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
9807 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
9808 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
9809 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
9810 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
9811 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
9812
9813 @item show disconnected-tracing
9814 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
9815 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
9816
9817 @end table
9818
9819 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
9820 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
9821 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
9822 it will continue after reconnection.
9823
9824 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
9825 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
9826 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
9827 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
9828 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
9829 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
9830 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
9831 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
9832 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
9833 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
9834
9835 @node Analyze Collected Data
9836 @section Using the Collected Data
9837
9838 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9839 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9840 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9841 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9842 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9843 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9844 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9845 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9846 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9847 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9848 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9849 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9850 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9851 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9852 the buffer will fail.
9853
9854 @menu
9855 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9856 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9857 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9858 @end menu
9859
9860 @node tfind
9861 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9862
9863 @kindex tfind
9864 @cindex select trace snapshot
9865 @cindex find trace snapshot
9866 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9867 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9868 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9869 snapshot is selected.
9870
9871 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9872
9873 @table @code
9874 @item tfind start
9875 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9876 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9877
9878 @item tfind none
9879 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9880
9881 @item tfind end
9882 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9883
9884 @item tfind
9885 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9886
9887 @item tfind -
9888 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9889 retracing earlier steps.
9890
9891 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9892 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9893 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9894 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9895 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9896
9897 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9898 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9899 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9900 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9901 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9902
9903 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9904 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9905 addresses.
9906
9907 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9908 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9909 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9910
9911 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9912 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9913 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9914 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9915 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9916 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9917 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9918 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9919 @end table
9920
9921 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9922 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9923 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9924 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9925 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9926 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9927 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9928 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9929 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9930 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9931 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9932 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9933 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9934 tracepoint as the current one.
9935
9936 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9937 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9938 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9939 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9940 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9941
9942 @smallexample
9943 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9944 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9945 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9946 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9947 > tfind
9948 > end
9949
9950 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9951 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9952 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9953 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9954 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9955 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9956 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9957 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9958 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9959 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9960 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9961 @end smallexample
9962
9963 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9964 the buffer:
9965
9966 @smallexample
9967 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9968 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9969 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9970 > tfind line
9971 > end
9972
9973 Frame 0, X = 1
9974 Frame 7, X = 2
9975 Frame 13, X = 255
9976 @end smallexample
9977
9978 @node tdump
9979 @subsection @code{tdump}
9980 @kindex tdump
9981 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9982 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9983
9984 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9985 the current trace snapshot.
9986
9987 @smallexample
9988 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9989 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9990 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9991 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9992 > end
9993
9994 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9995
9996 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9997 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9998 at gdb_test.c:444
9999 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10000
10001 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10002 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10003 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10004 d1 0x18 24
10005 d2 0x80 128
10006 d3 0x33 51
10007 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10008 d5 0x22 34
10009 d6 0xe0 224
10010 d7 0x380035 3670069
10011 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10012 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10013 a2 0x100 256
10014 a3 0x322000 3284992
10015 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10016 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10017 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10018 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10019 ps 0x0 0
10020 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10021 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10022 fpstatus 0x0 0
10023 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10024 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10025 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10026 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10027 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10028 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10029 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10030 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10031 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10032
10033 (@value{GDBP})
10034 @end smallexample
10035
10036 @node save-tracepoints
10037 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
10038 @kindex save-tracepoints
10039 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10040
10041 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10042 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10043 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10044 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10045 Files}).
10046
10047 @node Tracepoint Variables
10048 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10049 @cindex tracepoint variables
10050 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10051
10052 @table @code
10053 @vindex $trace_frame
10054 @item (int) $trace_frame
10055 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10056 snapshot is selected.
10057
10058 @vindex $tracepoint
10059 @item (int) $tracepoint
10060 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10061
10062 @vindex $trace_line
10063 @item (int) $trace_line
10064 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10065
10066 @vindex $trace_file
10067 @item (char []) $trace_file
10068 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10069
10070 @vindex $trace_func
10071 @item (char []) $trace_func
10072 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10073 @end table
10074
10075 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10076 use @code{output} instead.
10077
10078 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10079 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10080 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10081 which are managed by the target.
10082
10083 @smallexample
10084 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10085
10086 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10087 > output $trace_file
10088 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10089 > tfind
10090 > end
10091 @end smallexample
10092
10093 @node Trace Files
10094 @section Using Trace Files
10095 @cindex trace files
10096
10097 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10098 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10099 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10100 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10101 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10102
10103 @table @code
10104
10105 @kindex tsave
10106 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10107 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10108 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10109 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10110 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10111 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10112 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10113 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10114 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10115
10116 @kindex target tfile
10117 @kindex tfile
10118 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10119 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10120 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10121 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10122 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10123 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10124 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10125
10126 @end table
10127
10128 @node Overlays
10129 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10130 @cindex overlays
10131
10132 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10133 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10134 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10135 use overlays.
10136
10137 @menu
10138 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10139 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10140 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10141 mapped by asking the inferior.
10142 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10143 @end menu
10144
10145 @node How Overlays Work
10146 @section How Overlays Work
10147 @cindex mapped overlays
10148 @cindex unmapped overlays
10149 @cindex load address, overlay's
10150 @cindex mapped address
10151 @cindex overlay area
10152
10153 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10154 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10155 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10156 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10157 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10158
10159 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10160 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10161 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10162 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10163 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10164 largest overlay as well.
10165
10166 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10167 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10168 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10169 there.
10170
10171 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10172 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10173 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10174
10175 @smallexample
10176 @group
10177 Data Instruction Larger
10178 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10179 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10180 | | | | | |
10181 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10182 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10183 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10184 | and heap | | | | | |
10185 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10186 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10187 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10188 | | | | | |
10189 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10190 address | | | | | |
10191 | overlay | <-' | | |
10192 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10193 | | <---. | | load address
10194 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10195 | | | |
10196 +-----------+ | |
10197 +-----------+
10198 | |
10199 +-----------+
10200
10201 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10202 @end group
10203 @end smallexample
10204
10205 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10206 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10207 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10208 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10209 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10210 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10211 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10212 program and the overlay area.
10213
10214 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10215 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10216 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10217 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10218 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10219 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10220 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10221
10222 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10223 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10224 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10225
10226 @itemize @bullet
10227
10228 @item
10229 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10230 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10231 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10232 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10233
10234 @item
10235 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10236 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10237 your program's performance.
10238
10239 @item
10240 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10241 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10242 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10243 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10244 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10245 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10246 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10247
10248 @item
10249 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10250 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10251 instruction and data spaces.
10252
10253 @end itemize
10254
10255 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10256 improved in many ways:
10257
10258 @itemize @bullet
10259
10260 @item
10261 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10262 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10263 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10264 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10265 area in the usual way.
10266
10267 @item
10268 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10269 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10270
10271 @item
10272 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10273 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10274 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10275 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10276 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10277 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10278 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10279
10280 @end itemize
10281
10282
10283 @node Overlay Commands
10284 @section Overlay Commands
10285
10286 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10287 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10288 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10289 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10290 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10291 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10292
10293 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10294 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10295
10296 @table @code
10297 @item overlay off
10298 @kindex overlay
10299 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10300 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10301 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10302 overlay support is disabled.
10303
10304 @item overlay manual
10305 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10306 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10307 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10308 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10309 commands described below.
10310
10311 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10312 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10313 @cindex map an overlay
10314 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10315 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10316 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10317 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10318 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10319 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10320
10321 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10322 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10323 @cindex unmap an overlay
10324 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10325 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10326 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10327 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10328
10329 @item overlay auto
10330 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10331 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10332 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10333 Overlay Debugging}.
10334
10335 @item overlay load-target
10336 @itemx overlay load
10337 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10338 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10339 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10340 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10341 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10342 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10343
10344 @item overlay list-overlays
10345 @itemx overlay list
10346 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10347 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10348 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10349
10350 @end table
10351
10352 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10353 of the function the address falls in:
10354
10355 @smallexample
10356 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10357 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10358 @end smallexample
10359 @noindent
10360 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10361 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10362 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10363 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10364
10365 @smallexample
10366 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10367 No sections are mapped.
10368 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10369 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10370 @end smallexample
10371 @noindent
10372 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10373 name normally:
10374
10375 @smallexample
10376 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10377 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10378 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10379 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10380 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10381 @end smallexample
10382
10383 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10384 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10385 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10386 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10387 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10388
10389 @itemize @bullet
10390 @item
10391 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10392 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10393 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10394 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10395 @item
10396 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10397 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10398 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10399 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10400 breakpoints properly.
10401 @end itemize
10402
10403
10404 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10405 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10406 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10407
10408 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10409 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10410 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10411 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10412 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10413 current state of the overlays.
10414
10415 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10416 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10417
10418 @table @asis
10419
10420 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10421 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10422
10423 @smallexample
10424 struct
10425 @{
10426 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10427 unsigned long vma;
10428
10429 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10430 unsigned long size;
10431
10432 /* The overlay's load address. */
10433 unsigned long lma;
10434
10435 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10436 zero otherwise. */
10437 unsigned long mapped;
10438 @}
10439 @end smallexample
10440
10441 @item @code{_novlys}:
10442 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10443 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10444
10445 @end table
10446
10447 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10448 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10449 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10450 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10451 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10452 currently mapped.
10453
10454 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10455 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10456 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10457 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10458 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10459 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10460 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10461 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10462 are not being executed.
10463
10464 @node Overlay Sample Program
10465 @section Overlay Sample Program
10466 @cindex overlay example program
10467
10468 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10469 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10470 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10471 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10472 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10473 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10474 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10475
10476 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10477 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10478 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10479 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10480
10481 @table @file
10482 @item overlays.c
10483 The main program file.
10484 @item ovlymgr.c
10485 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10486 @item foo.c
10487 @itemx bar.c
10488 @itemx baz.c
10489 @itemx grbx.c
10490 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10491 @item d10v.ld
10492 @itemx m32r.ld
10493 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10494 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10495 @end table
10496
10497 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10498 cross-compiler like this:
10499
10500 @smallexample
10501 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10502 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10503 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10504 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10505 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10506 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10507 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10508 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10509 @end smallexample
10510
10511 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10512 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10513 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10514
10515
10516 @node Languages
10517 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10518 @cindex languages
10519
10520 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10521 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10522 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10523 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10524 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10525 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10526
10527 @cindex working language
10528 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10529 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10530 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10531 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10532 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10533 language}.
10534
10535 @menu
10536 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10537 * Show:: Displaying the language
10538 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10539 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10540 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10541 @end menu
10542
10543 @node Setting
10544 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10545
10546 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10547 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10548 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10549 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10550 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10551 are printed, etc.
10552
10553 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10554 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10555 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10556 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10557 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10558 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10559 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10560 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10561 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10562 Displaying the Language}.
10563
10564 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10565 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10566 another language. In that case, make the
10567 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10568 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10569 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10570
10571 @menu
10572 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10573 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10574 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10575 @end menu
10576
10577 @node Filenames
10578 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10579
10580 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10581 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10582
10583 @table @file
10584 @item .ada
10585 @itemx .ads
10586 @itemx .adb
10587 @itemx .a
10588 Ada source file.
10589
10590 @item .c
10591 C source file
10592
10593 @item .C
10594 @itemx .cc
10595 @itemx .cp
10596 @itemx .cpp
10597 @itemx .cxx
10598 @itemx .c++
10599 C@t{++} source file
10600
10601 @item .m
10602 Objective-C source file
10603
10604 @item .f
10605 @itemx .F
10606 Fortran source file
10607
10608 @item .mod
10609 Modula-2 source file
10610
10611 @item .s
10612 @itemx .S
10613 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10614 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10615 @end table
10616
10617 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10618 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10619
10620 @node Manually
10621 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10622
10623 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10624 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10625 your program.
10626
10627 @kindex set language
10628 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10629 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10630 a language, such as
10631 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10632 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10633
10634 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10635 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10636 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10637 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10638 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10639 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10640 command such as:
10641
10642 @smallexample
10643 print a = b + c
10644 @end smallexample
10645
10646 @noindent
10647 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10648 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10649 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10650 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10651
10652 @node Automatically
10653 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10654
10655 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10656 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10657 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10658 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10659 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10660 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10661 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10662 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10663 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10664
10665 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10666 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10667 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10668 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10669 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10670
10671 @node Show
10672 @section Displaying the Language
10673
10674 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10675 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10676
10677 @table @code
10678 @item show language
10679 @kindex show language
10680 Display the current working language. This is the
10681 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10682 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10683
10684 @item info frame
10685 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10686 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10687 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10688 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10689 information listed here.
10690
10691 @item info source
10692 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10693 Display the source language of this source file.
10694 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10695 information listed here.
10696 @end table
10697
10698 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10699 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10700 with a language explicitly:
10701
10702 @table @code
10703 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10704 @kindex set extension-language
10705 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10706 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10707
10708 @item info extensions
10709 @kindex info extensions
10710 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10711 @end table
10712
10713 @node Checks
10714 @section Type and Range Checking
10715
10716 @quotation
10717 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10718 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10719 section documents the intended facilities.
10720 @end quotation
10721 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10722
10723 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10724 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10725 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10726 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10727 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10728 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10729 errors when your program is running.
10730
10731 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10732 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10733 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10734 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10735 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10736 automatically based on your program's source language.
10737 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10738 settings of supported languages.
10739
10740 @menu
10741 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10742 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10743 @end menu
10744
10745 @cindex type checking
10746 @cindex checks, type
10747 @node Type Checking
10748 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10749
10750 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10751 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10752 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10753 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10754
10755 @smallexample
10756 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10757 @exdent but
10758 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10759 @end smallexample
10760
10761 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10762 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10763
10764 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10765 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10766 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10767 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10768 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10769 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10770 also issues a warning.
10771
10772 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10773 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10774 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10775 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10776 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10777 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10778
10779 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10780 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10781 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10782 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10783 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10784 details on specific languages.
10785
10786 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10787
10788 @kindex set check type
10789 @kindex show check type
10790 @table @code
10791 @item set check type auto
10792 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10793 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10794 each language.
10795
10796 @item set check type on
10797 @itemx set check type off
10798 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10799 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10800 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10801 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10802 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10803
10804 @item set check type warn
10805 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10806 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10807 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10808 numbers and structures.
10809
10810 @item show type
10811 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10812 is setting it automatically.
10813 @end table
10814
10815 @cindex range checking
10816 @cindex checks, range
10817 @node Range Checking
10818 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10819
10820 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10821 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10822 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10823 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10824 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10825
10826 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10827 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10828 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10829 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10830
10831 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10832 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10833 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10834 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10835 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10836 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10837
10838 @smallexample
10839 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10840 @end smallexample
10841
10842 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10843 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10844 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10845
10846 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10847
10848 @kindex set check range
10849 @kindex show check range
10850 @table @code
10851 @item set check range auto
10852 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10853 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10854 each language.
10855
10856 @item set check range on
10857 @itemx set check range off
10858 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10859 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10860 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10861 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10862
10863 @item set check range warn
10864 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10865 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10866 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10867 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10868 systems).
10869
10870 @item show range
10871 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10872 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10873 @end table
10874
10875 @node Supported Languages
10876 @section Supported Languages
10877
10878 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10879 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10880 @c This is false ...
10881 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10882 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10883 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10884 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10885 language.
10886
10887 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10888 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10889 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10890 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10891 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10892 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10893 language reference or tutorial.
10894
10895 @menu
10896 * C:: C and C@t{++}
10897 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
10898 * Fortran:: Fortran
10899 * Pascal:: Pascal
10900 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
10901 * Ada:: Ada
10902 @end menu
10903
10904 @node C
10905 @subsection C and C@t{++}
10906
10907 @cindex C and C@t{++}
10908 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
10909
10910 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
10911 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
10912 together.
10913
10914 @cindex C@t{++}
10915 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
10916 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
10917 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
10918 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
10919 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
10920 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
10921 compiler (@code{aCC}).
10922
10923 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
10924 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
10925 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
10926 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
10927 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10928 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10929
10930 @menu
10931 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10932 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10933 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10934 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10935 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10936 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10937 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10938 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10939 @end menu
10940
10941 @node C Operators
10942 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10943
10944 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10945
10946 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10947 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10948 often defined on groups of types.
10949
10950 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10951
10952 @itemize @bullet
10953
10954 @item
10955 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10956 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10957
10958 @item
10959 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10960 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10961
10962 @item
10963 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10964
10965 @item
10966 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10967
10968 @end itemize
10969
10970 @noindent
10971 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10972 in order of increasing precedence:
10973
10974 @table @code
10975 @item ,
10976 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10977 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10978 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10979
10980 @item =
10981 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10982 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10983
10984 @item @var{op}=
10985 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10986 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10987 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10988 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10989 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10990
10991 @item ?:
10992 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10993 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10994 integral type.
10995
10996 @item ||
10997 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10998
10999 @item &&
11000 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11001
11002 @item |
11003 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11004
11005 @item ^
11006 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11007
11008 @item &
11009 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11010
11011 @item ==@r{, }!=
11012 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11013 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11014
11015 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11016 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11017 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11018 and non-zero for true.
11019
11020 @item <<@r{, }>>
11021 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11022
11023 @item @@
11024 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11025
11026 @item +@r{, }-
11027 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11028 pointer types.
11029
11030 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11031 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11032 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11033 integral types.
11034
11035 @item ++@r{, }--
11036 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11037 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11038 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11039 operation takes place.
11040
11041 @item *
11042 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11043 @code{++}.
11044
11045 @item &
11046 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11047
11048 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11049 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11050 to examine the address
11051 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11052 stored.
11053
11054 @item -
11055 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11056 precedence as @code{++}.
11057
11058 @item !
11059 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11060 @code{++}.
11061
11062 @item ~
11063 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11064 @code{++}.
11065
11066
11067 @item .@r{, }->
11068 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11069 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11070 pointer based on the stored type information.
11071 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11072
11073 @item .*@r{, }->*
11074 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11075
11076 @item []
11077 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11078 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11079
11080 @item ()
11081 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11082
11083 @item ::
11084 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11085 and @code{class} types.
11086
11087 @item ::
11088 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11089 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11090 above.
11091 @end table
11092
11093 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11094 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11095 predefined meaning.
11096
11097 @node C Constants
11098 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11099
11100 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11101
11102 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11103 following ways:
11104
11105 @itemize @bullet
11106 @item
11107 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11108 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11109 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11110 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11111 @code{long} value.
11112
11113 @item
11114 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11115 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11116 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11117 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11118 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11119 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11120 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11121 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11122 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11123 constant.
11124
11125 @item
11126 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11127 integral equivalents.
11128
11129 @item
11130 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11131 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11132 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11133 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11134 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11135 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11136 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11137 @samp{\n} for newline.
11138
11139 @item
11140 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11141 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11142 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11143 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11144 characters.
11145
11146 @item
11147 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11148 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11149
11150 @item
11151 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11152 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11153 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11154 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11155 @end itemize
11156
11157 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11158 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11159
11160 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11161 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11162
11163 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11164 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11165 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11166 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11167 @quotation
11168 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11169 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11170 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11171 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11172 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11173 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11174 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11175 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11176 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11177 C@t{++} code.
11178 @end quotation
11179
11180 @enumerate
11181
11182 @cindex member functions
11183 @item
11184 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11185
11186 @smallexample
11187 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11188 @end smallexample
11189
11190 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11191 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11192 @item
11193 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11194 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11195 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11196 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11197
11198 @cindex call overloaded functions
11199 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11200 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11201 @item
11202 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11203 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11204 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11205 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11206 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11207 default arguments.
11208
11209 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11210 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11211 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11212 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11213 number of function arguments.
11214
11215 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11216 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11217 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11218
11219 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11220 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11221 @smallexample
11222 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11223 @end smallexample
11224
11225 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11226 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11227
11228 @cindex reference declarations
11229 @item
11230 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11231 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11232 dereferenced.
11233
11234 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11235 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11236 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11237 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11238 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11239
11240 @item
11241 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11242 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11243 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11244 necessary, for example in an expression like
11245 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11246 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11247 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11248 @end enumerate
11249
11250 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11251 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11252 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11253 invoking user-defined operators.
11254
11255 @node C Defaults
11256 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11257
11258 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11259
11260 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11261 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11262 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11263 selects the working language.
11264
11265 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11266 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11267 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11268 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11269 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11270 for further details.
11271
11272 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11273 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11274 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11275
11276 @node C Checks
11277 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11278
11279 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11280
11281 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11282 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11283 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11284
11285 @itemize @bullet
11286 @item
11287 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11288 enumerated tag.
11289
11290 @item
11291 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11292 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11293
11294 @ignore
11295 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11296 @c FIXME--beers?
11297 @item
11298 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11299 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11300 compilers.)
11301 @end ignore
11302 @end itemize
11303
11304 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11305 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11306 that is not itself an array.
11307
11308 @node Debugging C
11309 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11310
11311 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11312 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11313 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11314 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11315
11316 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11317 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11318 ,Expressions}.
11319
11320 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11321 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11322
11323 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11324
11325 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11326 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11327
11328 @table @code
11329 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11330 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11331 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11332 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11333 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11334 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11335
11336 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11337 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11338 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11339 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11340 classes.
11341 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11342
11343 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11344 @item catch throw
11345 @itemx catch catch
11346 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11347 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11348
11349 @cindex inheritance
11350 @item ptype @var{typename}
11351 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11352 @var{typename}.
11353 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11354
11355 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11356 @item set print demangle
11357 @itemx show print demangle
11358 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11359 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11360 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11361 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11362 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11363
11364 @item set print object
11365 @itemx show print object
11366 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11367 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11368
11369 @item set print vtbl
11370 @itemx show print vtbl
11371 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11372 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11373 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11374 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11375
11376 @kindex set overload-resolution
11377 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11378 @item set overload-resolution on
11379 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11380 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11381 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11382 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11383 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11384 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11385
11386 @item set overload-resolution off
11387 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11388 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11389 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11390 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11391 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11392 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11393 argument types.
11394
11395 @kindex show overload-resolution
11396 @item show overload-resolution
11397 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11398
11399 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11400 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11401 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11402 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11403 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11404 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11405 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11406 @end table
11407
11408 @node Decimal Floating Point
11409 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11410 @cindex decimal floating point format
11411
11412 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11413 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11414 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11415 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11416
11417 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11418 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11419 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11420 target.
11421
11422 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11423 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11424 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11425
11426 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11427 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11428 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11429
11430 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11431 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11432 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11433
11434 @node Objective-C
11435 @subsection Objective-C
11436
11437 @cindex Objective-C
11438 This section provides information about some commands and command
11439 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11440 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11441 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11442
11443 @menu
11444 * Method Names in Commands::
11445 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11446 @end menu
11447
11448 @node Method Names in Commands
11449 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11450
11451 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11452 names as line specifications:
11453
11454 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11455 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11456 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11457 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11458 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11459 @itemize
11460 @item @code{clear}
11461 @item @code{break}
11462 @item @code{info line}
11463 @item @code{jump}
11464 @item @code{list}
11465 @end itemize
11466
11467 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11468
11469 @smallexample
11470 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11471 @end smallexample
11472
11473 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11474 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11475 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11476 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11477 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11478 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11479 debugged, enter:
11480
11481 @smallexample
11482 break -[Fruit create]
11483 @end smallexample
11484
11485 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11486 enter:
11487
11488 @smallexample
11489 list +[NSText initialize]
11490 @end smallexample
11491
11492 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11493 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11494 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11495 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11496
11497 @smallexample
11498 break create
11499 @end smallexample
11500
11501 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11502 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11503 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11504 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11505 none apply.
11506
11507 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11508 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11509
11510 @smallexample
11511 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11512 @end smallexample
11513
11514 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11515 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11516 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11517 @kindex print-object
11518 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11519
11520 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11521
11522 @smallexample
11523 print -[@var{object} hash]
11524 @end smallexample
11525
11526 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11527 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11528 @noindent
11529 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11530 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11531 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11532 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11533 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11534 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11535
11536 @node Fortran
11537 @subsection Fortran
11538 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11539
11540 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11541 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11542
11543 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11544 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11545 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11546 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11547 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11548 underscore.
11549
11550 @menu
11551 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11552 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11553 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11554 @end menu
11555
11556 @node Fortran Operators
11557 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11558
11559 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11560
11561 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11562 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11563 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11564
11565 @table @code
11566 @item **
11567 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11568 of the second one.
11569
11570 @item :
11571 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11572 represent a section of array.
11573
11574 @item %
11575 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11576 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11577 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11578 union type.
11579 @end table
11580
11581 @node Fortran Defaults
11582 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11583
11584 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11585
11586 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11587 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11588 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11589 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11590
11591 @node Special Fortran Commands
11592 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11593
11594 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11595
11596 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11597 such as displaying common blocks.
11598
11599 @table @code
11600 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11601 @kindex info common
11602 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11603 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11604 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11605 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11606 printed.
11607 @end table
11608
11609 @node Pascal
11610 @subsection Pascal
11611
11612 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11613 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11614 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11615 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11616 syntax.
11617
11618 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11619 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11620 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11621
11622 @node Modula-2
11623 @subsection Modula-2
11624
11625 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11626
11627 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11628 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11629 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11630 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11631 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11632 table.
11633
11634 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11635 @menu
11636 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11637 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11638 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11639 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11640 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11641 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11642 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11643 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11644 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11645 @end menu
11646
11647 @node M2 Operators
11648 @subsubsection Operators
11649 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11650
11651 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11652 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11653 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11654 following definitions hold:
11655
11656 @itemize @bullet
11657
11658 @item
11659 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11660 their subranges.
11661
11662 @item
11663 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11664
11665 @item
11666 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11667
11668 @item
11669 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11670 @var{type}}.
11671
11672 @item
11673 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11674
11675 @item
11676 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11677
11678 @item
11679 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11680 @end itemize
11681
11682 @noindent
11683 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11684 increasing precedence:
11685
11686 @table @code
11687 @item ,
11688 Function argument or array index separator.
11689
11690 @item :=
11691 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11692 @var{value}.
11693
11694 @item <@r{, }>
11695 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11696 types.
11697
11698 @item <=@r{, }>=
11699 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11700 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11701 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11702
11703 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11704 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11705 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11706 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11707 comment character.
11708
11709 @item IN
11710 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11711 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11712
11713 @item OR
11714 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11715
11716 @item AND@r{, }&
11717 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11718
11719 @item @@
11720 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11721
11722 @item +@r{, }-
11723 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11724 and difference on set types.
11725
11726 @item *
11727 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11728 on set types.
11729
11730 @item /
11731 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11732 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11733
11734 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11735 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11736 precedence as @code{*}.
11737
11738 @item -
11739 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11740
11741 @item ^
11742 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11743
11744 @item NOT
11745 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11746 @code{^}.
11747
11748 @item .
11749 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11750 precedence as @code{^}.
11751
11752 @item []
11753 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11754
11755 @item ()
11756 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11757 as @code{^}.
11758
11759 @item ::@r{, }.
11760 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11761 @end table
11762
11763 @quotation
11764 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11765 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11766 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11767 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11768 @end quotation
11769
11770
11771 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11772 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11773 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11774
11775 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11776 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11777
11778 @table @var
11779
11780 @item a
11781 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11782
11783 @item c
11784 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11785
11786 @item i
11787 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11788
11789 @item m
11790 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11791 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11792 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11793
11794 @item n
11795 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11796
11797 @item r
11798 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11799
11800 @item t
11801 represents a type.
11802
11803 @item v
11804 represents a variable.
11805
11806 @item x
11807 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11808 explanation of the function for details.
11809 @end table
11810
11811 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11812
11813 @table @code
11814 @item ABS(@var{n})
11815 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11816
11817 @item CAP(@var{c})
11818 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11819 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11820
11821 @item CHR(@var{i})
11822 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11823
11824 @item DEC(@var{v})
11825 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11826
11827 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11828 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11829 new value.
11830
11831 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11832 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11833 set.
11834
11835 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11836 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11837
11838 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11839 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11840
11841 @item INC(@var{v})
11842 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11843
11844 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11845 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11846 new value.
11847
11848 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11849 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11850 there. Returns the new set.
11851
11852 @item MAX(@var{t})
11853 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11854
11855 @item MIN(@var{t})
11856 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11857
11858 @item ODD(@var{i})
11859 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11860
11861 @item ORD(@var{x})
11862 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11863 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11864 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11865 integral, character and enumerated types.
11866
11867 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11868 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11869
11870 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11871 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11872
11873 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11874 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11875
11876 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11877 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11878 @end table
11879
11880 @quotation
11881 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11882 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11883 an error.
11884 @end quotation
11885
11886 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11887 @node M2 Constants
11888 @subsubsection Constants
11889
11890 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11891 ways:
11892
11893 @itemize @bullet
11894
11895 @item
11896 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
11897 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
11898 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
11899 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
11900
11901 @item
11902 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
11903 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
11904 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
11905 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
11906 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
11907 digits.
11908
11909 @item
11910 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
11911 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
11912 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
11913 followed by a @samp{C}.
11914
11915 @item
11916 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
11917 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
11918 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
11919 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
11920 sequences.
11921
11922 @item
11923 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
11924
11925 @item
11926 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
11927 @code{FALSE}.
11928
11929 @item
11930 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11931
11932 @item
11933 Set constants are not yet supported.
11934 @end itemize
11935
11936 @node M2 Types
11937 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11938 @cindex Modula-2 types
11939
11940 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11941 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11942 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11943 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11944 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11945 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11946
11947 The first example contains the following section of code:
11948
11949 @smallexample
11950 VAR
11951 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11952 r: [20..40] ;
11953 @end smallexample
11954
11955 @noindent
11956 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11957 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11958
11959 @smallexample
11960 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11961 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11962 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11963 SET OF CHAR
11964 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11965 21
11966 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11967 [20..40]
11968 @end smallexample
11969
11970 @noindent
11971 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11972
11973 @smallexample
11974 VAR
11975 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11976 @end smallexample
11977
11978 @noindent
11979 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11980
11981 @smallexample
11982 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11983 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11984 @end smallexample
11985
11986 @noindent
11987 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11988 expressions using the debugger.
11989
11990 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11991 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11992
11993 @smallexample
11994 VAR
11995 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11996 @end smallexample
11997
11998 @smallexample
11999 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12000 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12001 @end smallexample
12002
12003 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12004 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12005 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12006 above.
12007
12008 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12009
12010 @smallexample
12011 TYPE
12012 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12013 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12014 VAR
12015 s: t ;
12016 BEGIN
12017 s := blue ;
12018 @end smallexample
12019
12020 @noindent
12021 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12022 and value of a variable.
12023
12024 @smallexample
12025 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12026 $1 = blue
12027 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12028 type = [blue..yellow]
12029 @end smallexample
12030
12031 @noindent
12032 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12033 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12034 their @code{C} counterparts.
12035
12036 @smallexample
12037 VAR
12038 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12039 BEGIN
12040 s[1] := 1 ;
12041 @end smallexample
12042
12043 @smallexample
12044 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12045 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12046 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12047 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12048 @end smallexample
12049
12050 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12051 pointer types as shown in this example:
12052
12053 @smallexample
12054 VAR
12055 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12056 BEGIN
12057 NEW(s) ;
12058 s^[1] := 1 ;
12059 @end smallexample
12060
12061 @noindent
12062 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12063
12064 @smallexample
12065 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12066 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12067 @end smallexample
12068
12069 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12070 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12071 types:
12072
12073 @smallexample
12074 TYPE
12075 foo = RECORD
12076 f1: CARDINAL ;
12077 f2: CHAR ;
12078 f3: myarray ;
12079 END ;
12080
12081 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12082 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12083 VAR
12084 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12085 @end smallexample
12086
12087 @noindent
12088 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12089 below.
12090
12091 @smallexample
12092 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12093 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12094 f1 : CARDINAL;
12095 f2 : CHAR;
12096 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12097 END
12098 @end smallexample
12099
12100 @node M2 Defaults
12101 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12102 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12103
12104 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12105 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12106 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12107 selected the working language.
12108
12109 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12110 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12111 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12112 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12113
12114 @node Deviations
12115 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12116 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12117
12118 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12119 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12120
12121 @itemize @bullet
12122 @item
12123 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12124 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12125 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12126 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12127 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12128 returned a pointer.)
12129
12130 @item
12131 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12132 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12133 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12134 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12135
12136 @item
12137 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12138 argument.
12139
12140 @item
12141 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12142 @end itemize
12143
12144 @node M2 Checks
12145 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12146 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12147
12148 @quotation
12149 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12150 range checking.
12151 @end quotation
12152 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12153
12154 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12155
12156 @itemize @bullet
12157 @item
12158 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12159 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12160
12161 @item
12162 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12163 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12164 @end itemize
12165
12166 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12167 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12168
12169 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12170 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12171
12172 @node M2 Scope
12173 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12174 @cindex scope
12175 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12176 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12177 @ifinfo
12178 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12179 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12180 @end ifinfo
12181 @ifnotinfo
12182 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12183 @end ifnotinfo
12184
12185 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12186 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12187 similar syntax:
12188
12189 @smallexample
12190
12191 @var{module} . @var{id}
12192 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12193 @end smallexample
12194
12195 @noindent
12196 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12197 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12198 identifier within your program, except another module.
12199
12200 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12201 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12202 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12203 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12204
12205 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12206 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12207 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12208 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12209 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12210 @var{module}.
12211
12212 @node GDB/M2
12213 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12214
12215 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12216 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12217 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12218 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12219 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12220 analogue in Modula-2.
12221
12222 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12223 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12224 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12225 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12226 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12227 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12228
12229 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12230 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12231 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12232
12233 @node Ada
12234 @subsection Ada
12235 @cindex Ada
12236
12237 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12238 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12239 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12240 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12241 to be difficult.
12242
12243
12244 @cindex expressions in Ada
12245 @menu
12246 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12247 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12248 in @value{GDBN}.
12249 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12250 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12251 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12252 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12253 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12254 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12255 @end menu
12256
12257 @node Ada Mode Intro
12258 @subsubsection Introduction
12259 @cindex Ada mode, general
12260
12261 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12262 syntax, with some extensions.
12263 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12264
12265 @itemize @bullet
12266 @item
12267 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12268 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12269 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12270 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12271
12272 @item
12273 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12274 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12275
12276 @item
12277 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12278 @end itemize
12279
12280 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12281 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12282 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12283 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12284 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12285
12286 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12287 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12288 was translated from an Ada source file.
12289
12290 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12291 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12292 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12293 middle (to allow based literals).
12294
12295 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12296 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12297 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12298 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12299 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12300 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12301
12302 @node Omissions from Ada
12303 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12304 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12305
12306 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12307
12308 @itemize @bullet
12309 @item
12310 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12311
12312 @itemize @minus
12313 @item
12314 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12315 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12316
12317 @item
12318 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12319
12320 @item
12321 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12322
12323 @item
12324 @t{'Tag}.
12325
12326 @item
12327 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12328 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12329
12330 @item
12331 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12332 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12333
12334 @item
12335 @t{'Address}.
12336 @end itemize
12337
12338 @item
12339 The names in
12340 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12341 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12342 not currently available.
12343
12344 @item
12345 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12346 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12347 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12348 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12349 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12350 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12351 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12352 indeterminate values.
12353
12354 @item
12355 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12356 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12357 are not implemented.
12358
12359 @item
12360 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12361 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12362 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12363 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12364 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12365
12366 @smallexample
12367 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12368 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12369 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12370 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12371 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12372 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12373 @end smallexample
12374
12375 Changing a
12376 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12377 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12378 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12379 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12380 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12381 declared to have a type such as:
12382
12383 @smallexample
12384 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12385 Id : Integer;
12386 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12387 end record;
12388 @end smallexample
12389
12390 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12391 assignments:
12392
12393 @smallexample
12394 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12395 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12396 @end smallexample
12397
12398 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12399 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12400 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12401 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12402 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12403 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12404 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12405 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12406
12407 @item
12408 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12409
12410 @item
12411 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12412 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12413 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12414 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12415 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12416 the proper resolution.
12417
12418 @item
12419 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12420
12421 @item
12422 Entry calls are not implemented.
12423
12424 @item
12425 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12426 formats are not supported.
12427
12428 @item
12429 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12430
12431 @item
12432 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12433 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12434 context.
12435 Should your program
12436 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12437 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12438 @end itemize
12439
12440 @node Additions to Ada
12441 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12442 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12443
12444 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12445 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12446
12447 @itemize @bullet
12448 @item
12449 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12450 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12451 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12452 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12453 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12454 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12455 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12456 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12457
12458 @item
12459 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12460 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12461 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12462
12463 @item
12464 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12465 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12466
12467 @item
12468 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12469 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12470 @end itemize
12471
12472 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12473 additions specific to Ada:
12474
12475 @itemize @bullet
12476 @item
12477 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12478 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12479
12480 @smallexample
12481 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12482 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12483 @end smallexample
12484
12485 @item
12486 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12487 the value of its right-hand operand.
12488 This allows, for example,
12489 complex conditional breaks:
12490
12491 @smallexample
12492 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12493 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12494 @end smallexample
12495
12496 @item
12497 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12498 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12499 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12500 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12501 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12502 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12503 in strings. For example,
12504 @smallexample
12505 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12506 @end smallexample
12507 @noindent
12508 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12509 after each period.
12510
12511 @item
12512 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12513 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12514 to write
12515
12516 @smallexample
12517 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12518 @end smallexample
12519
12520 @item
12521 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12522 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12523 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12524 of 3 might print as
12525
12526 @smallexample
12527 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12528 @end smallexample
12529
12530 @noindent
12531 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12532 clause.
12533
12534 @item
12535 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12536 multi-character subsequence of
12537 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12538 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12539 in place of @t{a'length}.
12540
12541 @item
12542 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12543 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12544 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12545 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12546 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12547 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12548 For example,
12549 @smallexample
12550 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12551 @end smallexample
12552
12553 @item
12554 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12555 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12556 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12557 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12558 object.
12559
12560 @end itemize
12561
12562 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12563 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12564
12565 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12566 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12567 before reaching the main procedure.
12568 As defined in the Ada Reference
12569 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12570 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12571 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12572 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12573
12574 @node Ada Tasks
12575 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12576 @cindex Ada, tasking
12577
12578 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12579 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12580
12581 @table @code
12582 @kindex info tasks
12583 @item info tasks
12584 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12585
12586
12587 @smallexample
12588 @iftex
12589 @leftskip=0.5cm
12590 @end iftex
12591 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12592 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12593 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12594 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12595 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12596 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12597
12598 @end smallexample
12599
12600 @noindent
12601 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12602 task currently being inspected.
12603
12604 @table @asis
12605 @item ID
12606 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12607
12608 @item TID
12609 The Ada task ID.
12610
12611 @item P-ID
12612 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12613
12614 @item Pri
12615 The base priority of the task.
12616
12617 @item State
12618 Current state of the task.
12619
12620 @table @code
12621 @item Unactivated
12622 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12623 executing.
12624
12625 @item Runnable
12626 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12627 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12628
12629 @item Terminated
12630 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12631 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12632 terminated themselves.
12633
12634 @item Child Activation Wait
12635 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12636
12637 @item Accept Statement
12638 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12639
12640 @item Waiting on entry call
12641 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12642
12643 @item Async Select Wait
12644 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12645 select statement.
12646
12647 @item Delay Sleep
12648 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12649 alternative open.
12650
12651 @item Child Termination Wait
12652 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12653 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12654 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12655
12656 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12657 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12658 finish terminating.
12659
12660 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12661 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12662 @end table
12663
12664 @item Name
12665 Name of the task in the program.
12666
12667 @end table
12668
12669 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12670 @item info task @var{taskno}
12671 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12672 the following example:
12673 @smallexample
12674 @iftex
12675 @leftskip=0.5cm
12676 @end iftex
12677 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12678 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12679 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12680 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12681 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12682 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12683 Name: task_1
12684 Thread: 0x807f378
12685 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12686 Base Priority: 15
12687 State: Runnable
12688 @end smallexample
12689
12690 @item task
12691 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12692 @cindex current Ada task ID
12693 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12694
12695 @smallexample
12696 @iftex
12697 @leftskip=0.5cm
12698 @end iftex
12699 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12700 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12701 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12702 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12703 (@value{GDBP}) task
12704 [Current task is 2]
12705 @end smallexample
12706
12707 @item task @var{taskno}
12708 @cindex Ada task switching
12709 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12710 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12711 from the current task to the given task.
12712
12713 @smallexample
12714 @iftex
12715 @leftskip=0.5cm
12716 @end iftex
12717 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12718 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12719 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12720 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12721 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12722 [Switching to task 1]
12723 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12724 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12725 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12726 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12727 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12728 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12729 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12730 @end smallexample
12731
12732 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12733 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12734 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12735 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12736 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12737 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12738 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12739 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12740 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12741
12742 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12743 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12744 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12745 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12746 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12747
12748 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12749 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12750 program.
12751
12752 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12753 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12754 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12755
12756 For example,
12757
12758 @smallexample
12759 @iftex
12760 @leftskip=0.5cm
12761 @end iftex
12762 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12763 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12764 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12765 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12766 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12767 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12768 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12769 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12770 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12771 Continuing.
12772 task # 1 running
12773 task # 2 running
12774
12775 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12776 15 flush;
12777 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12778 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12779 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12780 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12781 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12782 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12783 @end smallexample
12784 @end table
12785
12786 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12787 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12788 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12789
12790 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12791 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12792 the platform being used.
12793 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12794 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12795 as usual.
12796
12797 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12798 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12799 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12800 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12801 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12802 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12803
12804 @node Ada Glitches
12805 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12806 @cindex Ada, problems
12807
12808 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12809 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12810 @value{GDBN},
12811 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12812 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12813
12814 @itemize @bullet
12815 @item
12816 Currently, the debugger
12817 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12818 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12819 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12820 to get it printed properly.
12821
12822 @item
12823 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12824 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12825
12826 @item
12827 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12828 argument lists are treated as positional).
12829
12830 @item
12831 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12832
12833 @item
12834 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12835 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12836 the host machine.
12837
12838 @item
12839 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12840 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12841 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12842 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12843 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12844 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12845 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12846 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12847 you can usually resolve the confusion
12848 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12849 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12850 @end itemize
12851
12852 @node Unsupported Languages
12853 @section Unsupported Languages
12854
12855 @cindex unsupported languages
12856 @cindex minimal language
12857 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12858 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12859 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12860 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12861 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12862 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12863
12864 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12865 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12866 language.
12867
12868 @node Symbols
12869 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
12870
12871 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
12872 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
12873 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
12874 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
12875 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
12876 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
12877 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
12878
12879 @cindex symbol names
12880 @cindex names of symbols
12881 @cindex quoting names
12882 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
12883 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
12884 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
12885 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
12886 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
12887 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
12888 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
12889 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
12890
12891 @smallexample
12892 p 'foo.c'::x
12893 @end smallexample
12894
12895 @noindent
12896 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
12897
12898 @table @code
12899 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
12900 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
12901 @kindex set case-sensitive
12902 @item set case-sensitive on
12903 @itemx set case-sensitive off
12904 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
12905 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
12906 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
12907 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
12908 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
12909 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
12910 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
12911 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
12912 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
12913 case-insensitive matches.
12914
12915 @kindex show case-sensitive
12916 @item show case-sensitive
12917 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
12918 lookups.
12919
12920 @kindex info address
12921 @cindex address of a symbol
12922 @item info address @var{symbol}
12923 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
12924 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
12925 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
12926 is always stored.
12927
12928 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12929 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12930 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12931
12932 @kindex info symbol
12933 @cindex symbol from address
12934 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12935 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12936 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12937 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12938 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12939
12940 @smallexample
12941 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12942 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12943 @end smallexample
12944
12945 @noindent
12946 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12947 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12948
12949 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12950 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12951
12952 @smallexample
12953 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12954 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12955 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12956 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12957 @end smallexample
12958
12959 @kindex whatis
12960 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12961 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12962 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12963 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12964 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12965 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12966 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12967 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12968 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12969 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12970 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12971
12972 @kindex ptype
12973 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12974 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12975 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12976 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12977
12978 For example, for this variable declaration:
12979
12980 @smallexample
12981 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12982 @end smallexample
12983
12984 @noindent
12985 the two commands give this output:
12986
12987 @smallexample
12988 @group
12989 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12990 type = struct complex
12991 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12992 type = struct complex @{
12993 double real;
12994 double imag;
12995 @}
12996 @end group
12997 @end smallexample
12998
12999 @noindent
13000 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13001 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13002
13003 @cindex incomplete type
13004 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13005 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13006 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13007 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13008 given these declarations:
13009
13010 @smallexample
13011 struct foo;
13012 struct foo *fooptr;
13013 @end smallexample
13014
13015 @noindent
13016 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13017
13018 @smallexample
13019 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13020 $1 = <incomplete type>
13021 @end smallexample
13022
13023 @noindent
13024 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13025 completely specified.
13026
13027 @kindex info types
13028 @item info types @var{regexp}
13029 @itemx info types
13030 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13031 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13032 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13033 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13034 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13035 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13036 name is @code{value}.
13037
13038 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13039 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13040 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13041
13042 @kindex info scope
13043 @cindex local variables
13044 @item info scope @var{location}
13045 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13046 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13047 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13048 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13049 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13050
13051 @smallexample
13052 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13053 Scope for command_line_handler:
13054 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13055 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13056 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13057 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13058 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13059 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13060 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13061 @end smallexample
13062
13063 @noindent
13064 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13065 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13066 collect}.
13067
13068 @kindex info source
13069 @item info source
13070 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13071 the function containing the current point of execution:
13072 @itemize @bullet
13073 @item
13074 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13075 @item
13076 the directory it was compiled in,
13077 @item
13078 its length, in lines,
13079 @item
13080 which programming language it is written in,
13081 @item
13082 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13083 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13084 @item
13085 whether the debugging information includes information about
13086 preprocessor macros.
13087 @end itemize
13088
13089
13090 @kindex info sources
13091 @item info sources
13092 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13093 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13094 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13095
13096 @kindex info functions
13097 @item info functions
13098 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13099
13100 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13101 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13102 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13103 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13104 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13105 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13106 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13107 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13108
13109 @kindex info variables
13110 @item info variables
13111 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13112 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13113
13114 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13115 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13116 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13117 @var{regexp}.
13118
13119 @kindex info classes
13120 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13121 @item info classes
13122 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13123 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13124 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13125 expression.
13126
13127 @kindex info selectors
13128 @item info selectors
13129 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13130 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13131 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13132 expression.
13133
13134 @ignore
13135 This was never implemented.
13136 @kindex info methods
13137 @item info methods
13138 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13139 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13140 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13141 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13142 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13143 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13144 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13145 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13146 @end ignore
13147
13148 @cindex reloading symbols
13149 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13150 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13151 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13152 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13153 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13154
13155 @table @code
13156 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13157 @item set symbol-reloading on
13158 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13159 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13160
13161 @item set symbol-reloading off
13162 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13163 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13164 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13165 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13166 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13167 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13168 name.
13169
13170 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13171 @item show symbol-reloading
13172 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13173 @end table
13174
13175 @cindex opaque data types
13176 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13177 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13178 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13179 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13180 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13181 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13182 another source file. The default is on.
13183
13184 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13185 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13186
13187 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13188 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13189 is printed as follows:
13190 @smallexample
13191 @{<no data fields>@}
13192 @end smallexample
13193
13194 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13195 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13196 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13197
13198 @kindex maint print symbols
13199 @cindex symbol dump
13200 @kindex maint print psymbols
13201 @cindex partial symbol dump
13202 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13203 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13204 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13205 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13206 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13207 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13208 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13209 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13210 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13211 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13212 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13213 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13214 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13215 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13216 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13217 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13218 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13219
13220 @kindex maint info symtabs
13221 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13222 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13223 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13224 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13225 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13226 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13227 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13228
13229 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13230 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13231 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13232 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13233 structure in more detail. For example:
13234
13235 @smallexample
13236 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13237 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13238 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13239 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13240 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13241 readin no
13242 fullname (null)
13243 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13244 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13245 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13246 dependencies (none)
13247 @}
13248 @}
13249 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13250 (@value{GDBP})
13251 @end smallexample
13252 @noindent
13253 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13254 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13255 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13256 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13257 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13258
13259 @smallexample
13260 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13261 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13262 line 1574.
13263 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13264 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13265 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13266 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13267 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13268 dirname (null)
13269 fullname (null)
13270 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13271 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13272 debugformat DWARF 2
13273 @}
13274 @}
13275 (@value{GDBP})
13276 @end smallexample
13277 @end table
13278
13279
13280 @node Altering
13281 @chapter Altering Execution
13282
13283 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13284 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13285 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13286 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13287 program.
13288
13289 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13290 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13291 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13292
13293 @menu
13294 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13295 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13296 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13297 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13298 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13299 * Patching:: Patching your program
13300 @end menu
13301
13302 @node Assignment
13303 @section Assignment to Variables
13304
13305 @cindex assignment
13306 @cindex setting variables
13307 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13308 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13309
13310 @smallexample
13311 print x=4
13312 @end smallexample
13313
13314 @noindent
13315 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13316 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13317 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13318 information on operators in supported languages.
13319
13320 @kindex set variable
13321 @cindex variables, setting
13322 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13323 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13324 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13325 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13326 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13327
13328 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13329 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13330 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13331 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13332 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13333 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13334 command @code{set width}:
13335
13336 @smallexample
13337 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13338 type = double
13339 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13340 $4 = 13
13341 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13342 Invalid syntax in expression.
13343 @end smallexample
13344
13345 @noindent
13346 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13347 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13348
13349 @smallexample
13350 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13351 @end smallexample
13352
13353 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13354 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13355 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13356 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13357 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13358 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13359
13360 @smallexample
13361 @group
13362 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13363 type = double
13364 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13365 $1 = 1
13366 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13367 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13368 $2 = 1
13369 (@value{GDBP}) r
13370 The program being debugged has been started already.
13371 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13372 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13373 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13374 Invalid bfd target.
13375 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13376 The current BFD target is "=4".
13377 @end group
13378 @end smallexample
13379
13380 @noindent
13381 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13382 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13383 @code{g}, use
13384
13385 @smallexample
13386 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13387 @end smallexample
13388
13389 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13390 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13391 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13392 same length or shorter.
13393 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13394 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13395
13396 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13397 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13398 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13399 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13400 and representation in memory), and
13401
13402 @smallexample
13403 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13404 @end smallexample
13405
13406 @noindent
13407 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13408
13409 @node Jumping
13410 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13411
13412 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13413 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13414 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13415
13416 @table @code
13417 @kindex jump
13418 @item jump @var{linespec}
13419 @itemx jump @var{location}
13420 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13421 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13422 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13423 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13424 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13425 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13426
13427 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13428 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13429 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13430 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13431 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13432 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13433 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13434 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13435 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13436 @end table
13437
13438 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13439 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13440 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13441 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13442 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13443 example,
13444
13445 @smallexample
13446 set $pc = 0x485
13447 @end smallexample
13448
13449 @noindent
13450 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13451 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13452 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13453
13454 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13455 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13456 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13457 detail.
13458
13459 @c @group
13460 @node Signaling
13461 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13462 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13463
13464 @table @code
13465 @kindex signal
13466 @item signal @var{signal}
13467 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13468 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13469 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13470 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13471
13472 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13473 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13474 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13475 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13476 signal.
13477
13478 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13479 after executing the command.
13480 @end table
13481 @c @end group
13482
13483 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13484 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13485 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13486 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13487 passes the signal directly to your program.
13488
13489
13490 @node Returning
13491 @section Returning from a Function
13492
13493 @table @code
13494 @cindex returning from a function
13495 @kindex return
13496 @item return
13497 @itemx return @var{expression}
13498 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13499 command. If you give an
13500 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13501 value.
13502 @end table
13503
13504 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13505 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13506 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13507 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13508
13509 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13510 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13511 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13512 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13513 of functions.
13514
13515 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13516 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13517 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13518 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13519 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13520
13521 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13522 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13523 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13524 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13525 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13526 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13527 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13528 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13529 assignment into the right register(s).
13530
13531 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13532 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13533 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13534 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13535 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13536 into a @code{long long int}:
13537
13538 @smallexample
13539 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13540 29 return 31;
13541 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13542 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13543 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13544 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13545 (@value{GDBP})
13546 @end smallexample
13547
13548 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13549 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13550 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13551 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13552 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13553 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13554 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13555 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13556
13557 @smallexample
13558 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13559 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13560 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13561 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13562 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13563 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13564 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13565 (@value{GDBP})
13566 @end smallexample
13567
13568 @node Calling
13569 @section Calling Program Functions
13570
13571 @table @code
13572 @cindex calling functions
13573 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13574 @item print @var{expr}
13575 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13576 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13577 debugged.
13578
13579 @kindex call
13580 @item call @var{expr}
13581 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13582 returned values.
13583
13584 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13585 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13586 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13587 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13588 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13589 value history.
13590 @end table
13591
13592 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13593 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13594 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13595 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13596
13597 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13598 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13599 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13600 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13601 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13602 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13603 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13604 in that case is controlled by the
13605 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13606
13607 @table @code
13608 @item set unwindonsignal
13609 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13610 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13611 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13612 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13613 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13614 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13615 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13616 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13617 received.
13618
13619 @item show unwindonsignal
13620 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13621 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13622 @value{GDBN}.
13623
13624 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13625 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13626 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13627 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13628 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13629 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13630 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13631 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13632 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13633 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13634
13635 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13636 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13637 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13638 @value{GDBN}.
13639
13640 @end table
13641
13642 @cindex weak alias functions
13643 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13644 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13645 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13646 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13647 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13648 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13649 function instead.
13650
13651 @node Patching
13652 @section Patching Programs
13653
13654 @cindex patching binaries
13655 @cindex writing into executables
13656 @cindex writing into corefiles
13657
13658 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13659 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13660 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13661 patching your program's binary.
13662
13663 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13664 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13665 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13666 repairs.
13667
13668 @table @code
13669 @kindex set write
13670 @item set write on
13671 @itemx set write off
13672 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13673 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13674 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13675
13676 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13677 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13678 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13679
13680 @item show write
13681 @kindex show write
13682 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13683 as well as reading.
13684 @end table
13685
13686 @node GDB Files
13687 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13688
13689 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13690 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13691 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13692 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13693
13694 @menu
13695 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13696 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13697 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13698 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13699 @end menu
13700
13701 @node Files
13702 @section Commands to Specify Files
13703
13704 @cindex symbol table
13705 @cindex core dump file
13706
13707 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13708 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13709 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13710 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13711
13712 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13713 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13714 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13715 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13716 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13717 new files are useful.
13718
13719 @table @code
13720 @cindex executable file
13721 @kindex file
13722 @item file @var{filename}
13723 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13724 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13725 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13726 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13727 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13728 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13729 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13730 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13731
13732 @cindex unlinked object files
13733 @cindex patching object files
13734 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13735 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13736 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13737 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13738 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13739 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13740 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13741 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13742
13743 @item file
13744 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13745 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13746
13747 @kindex exec-file
13748 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13749 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13750 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13751 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13752 discard information on the executable file.
13753
13754 @kindex symbol-file
13755 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13756 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13757 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13758 table and program to run from the same file.
13759
13760 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13761 program's symbol table.
13762
13763 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13764 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13765 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13766 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13767 @value{GDBN}.
13768
13769 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13770 executing it once.
13771
13772 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13773 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13774 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13775 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13776 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13777 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13778 optimized code.
13779
13780 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13781 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13782 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13783 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13784 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13785
13786 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13787 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13788 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13789 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13790 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13791 Warnings and Messages}.)
13792
13793 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13794 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13795 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13796 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13797 in stabs format.
13798
13799 @kindex readnow
13800 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13801 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13802 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13803 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13804 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13805 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13806 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13807 entire symbol table available.
13808
13809 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13810 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13811 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13812 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13813 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13814 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13815 @c files.
13816
13817 @kindex core-file
13818 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13819 @itemx core
13820 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13821 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13822 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13823 executable file itself for other parts.
13824
13825 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13826 to be used.
13827
13828 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13829 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13830 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13831 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13832 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13833
13834 @kindex add-symbol-file
13835 @cindex dynamic linking
13836 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13837 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13838 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13839 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13840 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13841 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13842 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13843 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13844 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13845 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13846 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13847 @var{address} as an expression.
13848
13849 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13850 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13851 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13852 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13853 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13854
13855 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13856 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13857 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13858 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13859 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13860 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13861 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13862 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13863 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13864
13865 @itemize @bullet
13866 @item
13867 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
13868 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
13869 @item
13870 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
13871 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
13872 @item
13873 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
13874 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13875 @end itemize
13876
13877 @noindent
13878 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
13879 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
13880 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
13881 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
13882 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
13883 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
13884 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
13885 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
13886 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
13887 way.
13888
13889 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
13890
13891 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
13892 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
13893 @cindex load symbols from memory
13894 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
13895 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
13896 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
13897 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
13898 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
13899 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
13900 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
13901 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
13902 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
13903
13904 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
13905 @kindex assf
13906 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
13907 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
13908 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
13909 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
13910 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
13911 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
13912 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
13913 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
13914 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
13915 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
13916
13917 @kindex section
13918 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
13919 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
13920 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
13921 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
13922 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
13923 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
13924 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
13925 their addresses.
13926
13927 @kindex info files
13928 @kindex info target
13929 @item info files
13930 @itemx info target
13931 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
13932 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
13933 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
13934 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
13935 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
13936 current ones.
13937
13938 @kindex maint info sections
13939 @item maint info sections
13940 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13941 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13942 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13943 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13944 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13945 may be arbitrarily combined):
13946
13947 @table @code
13948 @item ALLOBJ
13949 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13950 @item @var{sections}
13951 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13952 @item @var{section-flags}
13953 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13954 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13955 @table @code
13956 @item ALLOC
13957 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13958 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13959 @item LOAD
13960 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13961 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13962 @item RELOC
13963 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13964 @item READONLY
13965 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13966 @item CODE
13967 Section contains executable code only.
13968 @item DATA
13969 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13970 @item ROM
13971 Section will reside in ROM.
13972 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13973 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13974 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13975 Section is not empty.
13976 @item NEVER_LOAD
13977 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13978 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13979 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13980 COFF shared library information.
13981 @item IS_COMMON
13982 Section contains common symbols.
13983 @end table
13984 @end table
13985 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13986 @cindex read-only sections
13987 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13988 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13989 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13990 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13991 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13992 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13993 enhancement to debugging performance.
13994
13995 The default is off.
13996
13997 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13998 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13999 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14000 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14001
14002 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14003 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14004 @end table
14005
14006 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14007 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14008 name and remembers it that way.
14009
14010 @cindex shared libraries
14011 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14012 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14013 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14014
14015 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14016 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14017
14018 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14019 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14020 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14021 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14022 debugging a core file).
14023
14024 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14025 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14026
14027 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14028 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14029 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14030
14031 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14032 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14033 particularly large or there are many of them.
14034
14035 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14036 commands:
14037
14038 @table @code
14039 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14040 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14041 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14042 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14043 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14044 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14045 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14046 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14047
14048 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14049 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14050 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14051 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14052 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14053 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14054 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14055 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14056 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14057
14058 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14059 @item show auto-solib-add
14060 Display the current autoloading mode.
14061 @end table
14062
14063 @cindex load shared library
14064 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14065 command:
14066
14067 @table @code
14068 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14069 @kindex info share
14070 @item info share @var{regex}
14071 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14072 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14073 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14074 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14075
14076 @kindex sharedlibrary
14077 @kindex share
14078 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14079 @itemx share @var{regex}
14080 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14081 Unix regular expression.
14082 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14083 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14084 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14085 loaded.
14086
14087 @item nosharedlibrary
14088 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14089 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14090 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14091 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14092 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14093 discarded.
14094 @end table
14095
14096 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14097 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14098 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14099
14100 @table @code
14101 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14102 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14103 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14104 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14105 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14106 shared library.
14107
14108 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14109 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14110 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14111 library events happen.
14112 @end table
14113
14114 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14115 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14116 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14117 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14118 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14119 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14120 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14121 not.
14122
14123 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14124 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14125 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14126 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14127 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14128
14129 @table @code
14130 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14131 @cindex system root, alternate
14132 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14133 @kindex set sysroot
14134 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14135 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14136 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14137 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14138 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14139 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14140 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14141 under @var{path}.
14142
14143 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14144 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14145 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14146 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14147 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14148 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14149 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14150 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14151 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14152
14153 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14154 sysroot}.
14155
14156 @cindex default system root
14157 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14158 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14159 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14160 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14161 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14162 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14163 location.
14164
14165 @kindex show sysroot
14166 @item show sysroot
14167 Display the current shared library prefix.
14168
14169 @kindex set solib-search-path
14170 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14171 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14172 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14173 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14174 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14175 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14176 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14177 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14178 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14179 of shared library symbols.
14180
14181 @kindex show solib-search-path
14182 @item show solib-search-path
14183 Display the current shared library search path.
14184 @end table
14185
14186
14187 @node Separate Debug Files
14188 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14189 @cindex separate debugging information files
14190 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14191 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14192 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14193 @cindex global debugging information directory
14194 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14195 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14196
14197 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14198 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14199 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14200 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14201 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14202 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14203 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14204
14205 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14206 file:
14207
14208 @itemize @bullet
14209 @item
14210 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14211 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14212 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14213 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14214 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14215 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14216 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14217 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14218
14219 @item
14220 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14221 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14222 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14223 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14224 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14225 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14226 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14227 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14228 below.
14229 @end itemize
14230
14231 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14232 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14233
14234 @itemize @bullet
14235 @item
14236 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14237 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14238 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14239 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14240 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14241
14242 @item
14243 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14244 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14245 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14246 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14247 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14248 hex characters, not 10.)
14249 @end itemize
14250
14251 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14252 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14253 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14254 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14255 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14256 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14257
14258 @itemize @minus
14259 @item
14260 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14261 @item
14262 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14263 @item
14264 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14265 @item
14266 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14267 @end itemize
14268
14269 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14270 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14271
14272 @table @code
14273
14274 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14275 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14276 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14277 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14278 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14279
14280 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14281 @item show debug-file-directory
14282 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14283 information files.
14284
14285 @end table
14286
14287 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14288 @cindex debug link sections
14289 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14290 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14291
14292 @itemize
14293 @item
14294 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14295 a zero byte,
14296 @item
14297 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14298 boundary within the section, and
14299 @item
14300 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14301 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14302 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14303 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14304 @end itemize
14305
14306 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14307 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14308 described above.
14309
14310 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14311 @cindex build ID sections
14312 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14313 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14314 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14315 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14316 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14317 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14318 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14319 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14320 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14321
14322 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14323 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14324 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14325 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14326 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14327 in an ordinary executable.
14328
14329 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14330 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14331 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14332 following commands:
14333
14334 @smallexample
14335 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14336 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14337 @end smallexample
14338
14339 @noindent
14340 These commands remove the debugging
14341 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14342 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14343 two files:
14344
14345 @itemize @bullet
14346 @item
14347 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14348 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14349
14350 @smallexample
14351 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14352 @end smallexample
14353
14354 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14355 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14356 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14357 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14358
14359 @item
14360 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14361 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14362 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14363 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14364 @end itemize
14365
14366 @noindent
14367
14368 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14369 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14370 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14371
14372 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14373 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14374 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14375 @c different ways!
14376 @ifhtml
14377 @display
14378 @html
14379 <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>
14380 + <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
14381 @end html
14382 @end display
14383 @end ifhtml
14384 @ifnothtml
14385 @display
14386 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14387 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14388 @end display
14389 @end ifnothtml
14390
14391 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14392 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14393 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14394 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14395 CRC.
14396
14397 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14398 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14399 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14400 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14401 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14402 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14403
14404 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14405 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14406 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14407 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14408 @code{0xffffffff}.
14409
14410 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14411 @smallexample
14412 unsigned long
14413 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14414 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14415 @{
14416 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14417 @{
14418 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14419 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14420 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14421 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14422 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14423 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14424 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14425 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14426 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14427 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14428 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14429 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14430 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14431 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14432 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14433 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14434 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14435 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14436 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14437 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14438 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14439 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14440 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14441 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14442 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14443 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14444 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14445 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14446 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14447 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14448 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14449 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14450 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14451 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14452 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14453 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14454 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14455 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14456 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14457 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14458 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14459 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14460 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14461 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14462 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14463 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14464 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14465 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14466 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14467 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14468 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14469 0x2d02ef8d
14470 @};
14471 unsigned char *end;
14472
14473 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14474 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14475 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14476 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14477 @}
14478 @end smallexample
14479
14480 @noindent
14481 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14482
14483
14484 @node Symbol Errors
14485 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14486
14487 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14488 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14489 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14490 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14491 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14492 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14493 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14494 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14495 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14496 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14497 Messages}).
14498
14499 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14500
14501 @table @code
14502 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14503
14504 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14505 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14506 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14507 in its outer scope blocks.
14508
14509 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14510 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14511 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14512 function.
14513
14514 @item block at @var{address} out of order
14515
14516 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14517 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14518 do so.
14519
14520 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14521 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14522 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14523 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14524 Messages}.)
14525
14526 @item bad block start address patched
14527
14528 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14529 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14530 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14531
14532 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14533 starting on the previous source line.
14534
14535 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14536
14537 @cindex foo
14538 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14539 larger than the size of the string table.
14540
14541 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14542 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14543 with this name.
14544
14545 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14546
14547 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14548 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14549 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14550
14551 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14552 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14553 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14554 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14555 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14556 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14557
14558 @item stub type has NULL name
14559
14560 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14561
14562 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14563 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14564 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14565 it.
14566
14567 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14568
14569 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14570
14571 @end table
14572
14573 @node Data Files
14574 @section GDB Data Files
14575
14576 @cindex prefix for data files
14577 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14578 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14579
14580 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14581 is currently using.
14582
14583 @table @code
14584 @kindex set data-directory
14585 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14586 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14587 to @var{directory}.
14588
14589 @kindex show data-directory
14590 @item show data-directory
14591 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14592 @end table
14593
14594 @cindex default data directory
14595 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14596 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14597 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14598 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14599 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14600 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14601 location.
14602
14603 @node Targets
14604 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14605
14606 @cindex debugging target
14607 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14608
14609 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14610 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14611 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14612 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14613 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14614 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14615 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14616 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14617
14618 @cindex target architecture
14619 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14620 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14621 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14622 command.
14623
14624 @table @code
14625 @kindex set architecture
14626 @kindex show architecture
14627 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14628 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14629 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14630 supported architectures.
14631
14632 @item show architecture
14633 Show the current target architecture.
14634
14635 @item set processor
14636 @itemx processor
14637 @kindex set processor
14638 @kindex show processor
14639 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14640 and @code{show architecture}.
14641 @end table
14642
14643 @menu
14644 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14645 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14646 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14647 @end menu
14648
14649 @node Active Targets
14650 @section Active Targets
14651
14652 @cindex stacking targets
14653 @cindex active targets
14654 @cindex multiple targets
14655
14656 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14657 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14658 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14659 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14660 a core file.
14661
14662 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14663 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14664 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14665 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14666 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14667 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14668 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14669 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14670 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14671
14672 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14673 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14674 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14675 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14676 process target is active.
14677
14678 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14679 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14680 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14681 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14682 Process}).
14683
14684 @node Target Commands
14685 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14686
14687 @table @code
14688 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14689 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14690 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14691 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14692 protocol of the target machine.
14693
14694 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14695 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14696 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14697
14698 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14699 after executing the command.
14700
14701 @kindex help target
14702 @item help target
14703 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14704 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14705 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14706
14707 @item help target @var{name}
14708 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14709 select it.
14710
14711 @kindex set gnutarget
14712 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14713 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14714 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14715 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14716 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14717 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14718
14719 @quotation
14720 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14721 you must know the actual BFD name.
14722 @end quotation
14723
14724 @noindent
14725 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14726
14727 @kindex show gnutarget
14728 @item show gnutarget
14729 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14730 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14731 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14732 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14733 @end table
14734
14735 @cindex common targets
14736 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14737 configuration):
14738
14739 @table @code
14740 @kindex target
14741 @item target exec @var{program}
14742 @cindex executable file target
14743 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14744 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14745
14746 @item target core @var{filename}
14747 @cindex core dump file target
14748 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14749 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14750
14751 @item target remote @var{medium}
14752 @cindex remote target
14753 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14754 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14755 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14756
14757 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14758 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14759
14760 @smallexample
14761 target remote /dev/ttya
14762 @end smallexample
14763
14764 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14765 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14766 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14767 clobbered by the download.
14768
14769 @item target sim
14770 @cindex built-in simulator target
14771 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14772 In general,
14773 @smallexample
14774 target sim
14775 load
14776 run
14777 @end smallexample
14778 @noindent
14779 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14780 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14781 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14782 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14783 Processors}.
14784
14785 @end table
14786
14787 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14788
14789 @table @code
14790
14791 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14792 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14793 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14794
14795 @end table
14796
14797 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14798 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14799
14800 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14801 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14802 various aspects of this process.
14803
14804 @table @code
14805
14806 @item set hash
14807 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14808 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14809 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14810 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14811 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14812 monitor.
14813
14814 @item show hash
14815 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14816 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14817
14818 @item set debug monitor
14819 @kindex set debug monitor
14820 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14821 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14822 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14823
14824 @item show debug monitor
14825 @kindex show debug monitor
14826 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14827 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14828 @end table
14829
14830 @table @code
14831
14832 @kindex load @var{filename}
14833 @item load @var{filename}
14834 @anchor{load}
14835 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14836 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14837 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14838 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14839 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14840 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14841
14842 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14843 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14844 target is @dots{}}''
14845
14846 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14847 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14848 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14849 specifies a fixed address.
14850 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14851
14852 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14853 load programs into flash memory.
14854
14855 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14856 @end table
14857
14858 @node Byte Order
14859 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14860
14861 @cindex choosing target byte order
14862 @cindex target byte order
14863
14864 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14865 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14866 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
14867 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
14868 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
14869 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
14870
14871 @table @code
14872 @kindex set endian
14873 @item set endian big
14874 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
14875
14876 @item set endian little
14877 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
14878
14879 @item set endian auto
14880 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
14881 executable.
14882
14883 @item show endian
14884 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
14885
14886 @end table
14887
14888 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
14889 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
14890 target system.
14891
14892
14893 @node Remote Debugging
14894 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
14895 @cindex remote debugging
14896
14897 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
14898 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
14899 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
14900 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
14901 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
14902
14903 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
14904 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
14905 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
14906 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
14907 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
14908 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
14909
14910 Other remote targets may be available in your
14911 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
14912
14913 @menu
14914 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
14915 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
14916 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
14917 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
14918 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
14919 @end menu
14920
14921 @node Connecting
14922 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
14923
14924 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
14925 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
14926 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
14927 program as the first argument.
14928
14929 @cindex @code{target remote}
14930 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
14931 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
14932 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
14933 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
14934 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
14935 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
14936
14937 @table @code
14938
14939 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
14940 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
14941 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
14942 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
14943
14944 @smallexample
14945 target remote /dev/ttyb
14946 @end smallexample
14947
14948 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
14949 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
14950 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
14951 @code{target} command.
14952
14953 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
14954 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14955 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
14956 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
14957 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
14958 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
14959 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
14960 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
14961 target.
14962
14963 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
14964 @code{manyfarms}:
14965
14966 @smallexample
14967 target remote manyfarms:2828
14968 @end smallexample
14969
14970 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
14971 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
14972 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
14973 port 1234 on your local machine:
14974
14975 @smallexample
14976 target remote :1234
14977 @end smallexample
14978 @noindent
14979
14980 Note that the colon is still required here.
14981
14982 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14983 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14984 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14985 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14986
14987 @smallexample
14988 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14989 @end smallexample
14990
14991 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14992 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14993 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14994 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14995
14996 @item target remote | @var{command}
14997 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14998 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14999 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15000 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15001 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15002 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15003 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15004 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15005
15006 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15007 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15008 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15009
15010 @end table
15011
15012 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15013 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15014 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15015 need to use @kbd{run}.
15016
15017 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15018 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15019 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15020 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15021 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15022 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15023 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15024
15025 @smallexample
15026 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15027 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15028 @end smallexample
15029
15030 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15031 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15032 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15033 goes back to waiting.
15034
15035 @table @code
15036 @kindex detach (remote)
15037 @item detach
15038 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15039 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15040 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15041 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15042 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15043
15044 @kindex disconnect
15045 @item disconnect
15046 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15047 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15048 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15049 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15050 another target.
15051
15052 @cindex send command to remote monitor
15053 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15054 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
15055 @kindex monitor
15056 @item monitor @var{cmd}
15057 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15058 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15059 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15060 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15061 and implement.
15062 @end table
15063
15064 @node File Transfer
15065 @section Sending files to a remote system
15066 @cindex remote target, file transfer
15067 @cindex file transfer
15068 @cindex sending files to remote systems
15069
15070 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15071 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15072 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15073 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15074 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15075 the only way to upload or download files.
15076
15077 Not all remote targets support these commands.
15078
15079 @table @code
15080 @kindex remote put
15081 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15082 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15083 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15084
15085 @kindex remote get
15086 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15087 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15088 on the host system.
15089
15090 @kindex remote delete
15091 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15092 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15093
15094 @end table
15095
15096 @node Server
15097 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15098
15099 @kindex gdbserver
15100 @cindex remote connection without stubs
15101 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15102 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15103 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15104
15105 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15106 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15107 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15108 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15109 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15110 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15111 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15112 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15113 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15114 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15115 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15116 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15117 choice for debugging.
15118
15119 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15120 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15121 protocol.
15122
15123 @quotation
15124 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15125 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15126 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15127 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15128 @code{gdbserver}.
15129 @end quotation
15130
15131 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15132 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15133
15134 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15135 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15136 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15137 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15138 system does all the symbol handling.
15139
15140 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15141 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15142 syntax is:
15143
15144 @smallexample
15145 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15146 @end smallexample
15147
15148 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15149 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15150 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15151 @file{/dev/com1}:
15152
15153 @smallexample
15154 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15155 @end smallexample
15156
15157 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15158 with it.
15159
15160 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15161
15162 @smallexample
15163 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15164 @end smallexample
15165
15166 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15167 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15168 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15169 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15170 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15171 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15172 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15173 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15174 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15175 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15176 @code{target remote} command.
15177
15178 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15179
15180 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15181 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15182
15183 @smallexample
15184 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15185 @end smallexample
15186
15187 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15188 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15189
15190 @pindex pidof
15191 @cindex attach to a program by name
15192 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15193 @code{pidof} utility:
15194
15195 @smallexample
15196 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15197 @end smallexample
15198
15199 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15200 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15201 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15202
15203 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15204 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15205 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15206
15207 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15208 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15209 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15210 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15211
15212 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15213 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15214 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15215 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15216 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15217 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15218 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15219 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15220 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15221
15222 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15223 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15224 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15225 the program you want to debug.
15226
15227 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15228 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15229 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15230
15231 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15232
15233 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15234 status information about the debugging process. The
15235 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15236 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15237 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15238
15239 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15240 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15241 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15242 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15243
15244 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15245 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15246 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15247 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15248
15249 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15250 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15251 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15252 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15253
15254 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15255 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15256 environment:
15257
15258 @smallexample
15259 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15260 @end smallexample
15261
15262 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15263
15264 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15265
15266 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15267 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15268 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15269 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15270
15271 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15272 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15273 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15274 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15275 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15276 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15277 programs.
15278
15279 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15280 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15281 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15282 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15283 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15284 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15285 already on the target.
15286
15287 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15288 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15289 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15290
15291 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15292 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15293 Here are the available commands.
15294
15295 @table @code
15296 @item monitor help
15297 List the available monitor commands.
15298
15299 @item monitor set debug 0
15300 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15301 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15302
15303 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15304 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15305 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15306 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15307
15308 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15309 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15310 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15311 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15312 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15313 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15314
15315 @item monitor exit
15316 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15317 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15318 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15319 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15320 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15321
15322 @end table
15323
15324 @node Remote Configuration
15325 @section Remote Configuration
15326
15327 @kindex set remote
15328 @kindex show remote
15329 This section documents the configuration options available when
15330 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15331 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15332 system-call-allowed}.
15333
15334 @table @code
15335 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15336 @cindex address size for remote targets
15337 @cindex bits in remote address
15338 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15339 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15340 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15341 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15342
15343 @item show remoteaddresssize
15344 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15345
15346 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15347 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15348 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15349 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15350 remote targets.
15351
15352 @item show remotebaud
15353 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15354
15355 @item set remotebreak
15356 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15357 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15358 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15359 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15360 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15361 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15362 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15363 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15364
15365 @item show remotebreak
15366 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15367 interrupt the remote program.
15368
15369 @item set remoteflow on
15370 @itemx set remoteflow off
15371 @kindex set remoteflow
15372 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15373 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15374
15375 @item show remoteflow
15376 @kindex show remoteflow
15377 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15378
15379 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15380 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15381 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15382 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15383 @code{ascii}.
15384
15385 @item show remotelogbase
15386 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15387 protocol.
15388
15389 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15390 @cindex record serial communications on file
15391 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15392 default is not to record at all.
15393
15394 @item show remotelogfile.
15395 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15396 serial communications.
15397
15398 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15399 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15400 @cindex remote timeout
15401 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15402 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15403
15404 @item show remotetimeout
15405 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15406 responses.
15407
15408 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15409 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15410 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15411 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15412 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15413 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15414 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15415 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15416
15417 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15418 @itemx show remote exec-file
15419 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
15420 @cindex executable file, for remote target
15421 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15422 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15423 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15424 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15425
15426 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
15427 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15428 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15429 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15430 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
15431 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15432 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15433 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15434 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15435 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15436
15437 @item show interrupt-sequence
15438 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15439 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15440 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15441 also known as Magic SysRq g.
15442
15443 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15444 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15445 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15446 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15447 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15448 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15449
15450 @item show interrupt-on-connect
15451 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15452 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15453
15454 @kindex set tcp
15455 @kindex show tcp
15456 @item set tcp auto-retry on
15457 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15458 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15459 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15460 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15461 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15462 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15463 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15464 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15465
15466 @item set tcp auto-retry off
15467 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15468
15469 @item show tcp auto-retry
15470 Show the current auto-retry setting.
15471
15472 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15473 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15474 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15475 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15476 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15477 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15478 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15479 value.
15480
15481 @item show tcp connect-timeout
15482 Show the current connection timeout setting.
15483 @end table
15484
15485 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15486 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15487 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15488 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15489 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15490 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15491 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15492 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15493 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15494
15495 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15496 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15497 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15498 @value{GDBN} developers.
15499
15500 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15501 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15502 are:
15503
15504 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15505 @item Command Name
15506 @tab Remote Packet
15507 @tab Related Features
15508
15509 @item @code{fetch-register}
15510 @tab @code{p}
15511 @tab @code{info registers}
15512
15513 @item @code{set-register}
15514 @tab @code{P}
15515 @tab @code{set}
15516
15517 @item @code{binary-download}
15518 @tab @code{X}
15519 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15520
15521 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
15522 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15523 @tab @code{info auxv}
15524
15525 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
15526 @tab @code{qSymbol}
15527 @tab Detecting multiple threads
15528
15529 @item @code{attach}
15530 @tab @code{vAttach}
15531 @tab @code{attach}
15532
15533 @item @code{verbose-resume}
15534 @tab @code{vCont}
15535 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15536
15537 @item @code{run}
15538 @tab @code{vRun}
15539 @tab @code{run}
15540
15541 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
15542 @tab @code{Z0}
15543 @tab @code{break}
15544
15545 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15546 @tab @code{Z1}
15547 @tab @code{hbreak}
15548
15549 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
15550 @tab @code{Z2}
15551 @tab @code{watch}
15552
15553 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
15554 @tab @code{Z3}
15555 @tab @code{rwatch}
15556
15557 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
15558 @tab @code{Z4}
15559 @tab @code{awatch}
15560
15561 @item @code{target-features}
15562 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15563 @tab @code{set architecture}
15564
15565 @item @code{library-info}
15566 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15567 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15568
15569 @item @code{memory-map}
15570 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15571 @tab @code{info mem}
15572
15573 @item @code{read-spu-object}
15574 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15575 @tab @code{info spu}
15576
15577 @item @code{write-spu-object}
15578 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15579 @tab @code{info spu}
15580
15581 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15582 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15583 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15584
15585 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15586 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15587 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15588
15589 @item @code{threads}
15590 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
15591 @tab @code{info threads}
15592
15593 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15594 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15595 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15596
15597 @item @code{search-memory}
15598 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15599 @tab @code{find}
15600
15601 @item @code{supported-packets}
15602 @tab @code{qSupported}
15603 @tab Remote communications parameters
15604
15605 @item @code{pass-signals}
15606 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15607 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15608
15609 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15610 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15611 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15612
15613 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15614 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15615 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15616
15617 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15618 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15619 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15620
15621 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15622 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15623 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15624
15625 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15626 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15627 @tab @code{remote delete}
15628
15629 @item @code{noack-packet}
15630 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15631 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15632
15633 @item @code{osdata}
15634 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15635 @tab @code{info os}
15636
15637 @item @code{query-attached}
15638 @tab @code{qAttached}
15639 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15640 @end multitable
15641
15642 @node Remote Stub
15643 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15644
15645 @cindex debugging stub, example
15646 @cindex remote stub, example
15647 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15648 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15649 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15650 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15651 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15652 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15653 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15654 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15655
15656 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15657 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15658 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15659 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15660 program, you need:
15661
15662 @enumerate
15663 @item
15664 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15665 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15666 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15667
15668 @item
15669 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15670 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15671
15672 @item
15673 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15674 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15675 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15676 documentation.
15677 @end enumerate
15678
15679 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15680 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15681 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15682
15683 @table @emph
15684 @item On the host,
15685 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15686 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15687 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15688
15689 @item On the target,
15690 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15691 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15692 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15693
15694 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15695 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15696 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15697 @end table
15698
15699 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15700 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15701 @sc{sparc} boards.
15702
15703 @cindex remote serial stub list
15704 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15705
15706 @table @code
15707
15708 @item i386-stub.c
15709 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15710 @cindex Intel
15711 @cindex i386
15712 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15713
15714 @item m68k-stub.c
15715 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15716 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15717 @cindex m680x0
15718 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15719
15720 @item sh-stub.c
15721 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15722 @cindex Renesas
15723 @cindex SH
15724 For Renesas SH architectures.
15725
15726 @item sparc-stub.c
15727 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15728 @cindex Sparc
15729 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15730
15731 @item sparcl-stub.c
15732 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15733 @cindex Fujitsu
15734 @cindex SparcLite
15735 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15736
15737 @end table
15738
15739 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15740 recently added stubs.
15741
15742 @menu
15743 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15744 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15745 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15746 @end menu
15747
15748 @node Stub Contents
15749 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15750
15751 @cindex remote serial stub
15752 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15753 subroutines:
15754
15755 @table @code
15756 @item set_debug_traps
15757 @findex set_debug_traps
15758 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15759 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15760 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15761 beginning of your program.
15762
15763 @item handle_exception
15764 @findex handle_exception
15765 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15766 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15767 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15768 run when a trap is triggered.
15769
15770 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15771 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15772 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15773 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15774 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15775 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15776 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15777 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15778 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15779 machine.
15780
15781 @item breakpoint
15782 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15783 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15784 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15785 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15786 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15787 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15788 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15789 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15790 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15791 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15792 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15793
15794 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15795 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15796 start of your debugging session.
15797 @end table
15798
15799 @node Bootstrapping
15800 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15801
15802 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15803 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15804 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15805 debugging target machine.
15806
15807 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15808 serial port.
15809
15810 @table @code
15811 @item int getDebugChar()
15812 @findex getDebugChar
15813 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15814 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15815 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15816
15817 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15818 @findex putDebugChar
15819 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15820 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15821 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15822 @end table
15823
15824 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15825 @cindex interrupting remote targets
15826 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
15827 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
15828 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
15829 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
15830 remote system to stop.
15831
15832 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
15833 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
15834 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15835 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15836
15837 Other routines you need to supply are:
15838
15839 @table @code
15840 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15841 @findex exceptionHandler
15842 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15843 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15844 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15845 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15846 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15847 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15848 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15849 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15850 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15851 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15852 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15853 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15854 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15855
15856 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15857 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15858 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15859 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15860 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15861
15862 @item void flush_i_cache()
15863 @findex flush_i_cache
15864 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15865 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15866 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
15867
15868 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
15869 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
15870 @end table
15871
15872 @noindent
15873 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
15874
15875 @table @code
15876 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
15877 @findex memset
15878 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
15879 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
15880 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
15881 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
15882 @end table
15883
15884 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
15885 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
15886 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
15887 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
15888
15889
15890 @node Debug Session
15891 @subsection Putting it All Together
15892
15893 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
15894 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
15895 steps.
15896
15897 @enumerate
15898 @item
15899 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
15900 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
15901 @display
15902 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
15903 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
15904 @end display
15905
15906 @item
15907 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
15908
15909 @smallexample
15910 set_debug_traps();
15911 breakpoint();
15912 @end smallexample
15913
15914 @item
15915 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
15916 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
15917
15918 @smallexample
15919 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
15920 @end smallexample
15921
15922 @noindent
15923 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
15924 function in your program, that function is called when
15925 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
15926 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
15927 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
15928
15929 @item
15930 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
15931 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
15932
15933 @item
15934 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
15935 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
15936
15937 @item
15938 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
15939 @c document that. FIXME.
15940 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
15941 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
15942
15943 @item
15944 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
15945 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15946
15947 @end enumerate
15948
15949 @node Configurations
15950 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
15951
15952 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
15953 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
15954 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
15955
15956 There are three major categories of configurations: native
15957 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
15958 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
15959 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
15960 are quite different from each other.
15961
15962 @menu
15963 * Native::
15964 * Embedded OS::
15965 * Embedded Processors::
15966 * Architectures::
15967 @end menu
15968
15969 @node Native
15970 @section Native
15971
15972 This section describes details specific to particular native
15973 configurations.
15974
15975 @menu
15976 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
15977 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
15978 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
15979 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
15980 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
15981 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
15982 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
15983 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
15984 @end menu
15985
15986 @node HP-UX
15987 @subsection HP-UX
15988
15989 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
15990 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
15991 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
15992
15993
15994 @node BSD libkvm Interface
15995 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
15996
15997 @cindex libkvm
15998 @cindex kernel memory image
15999 @cindex kernel crash dump
16000
16001 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16002 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16003 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16004 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16005 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16006 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16007 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16008 @code{kvm} target:
16009
16010 @smallexample
16011 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16012 @end smallexample
16013
16014 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16015 argument:
16016
16017 @smallexample
16018 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16019 @end smallexample
16020
16021 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16022 available:
16023
16024 @table @code
16025 @kindex kvm
16026 @item kvm pcb
16027 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16028
16029 @item kvm proc
16030 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16031 modern FreeBSD systems.
16032 @end table
16033
16034 @node SVR4 Process Information
16035 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
16036 @cindex /proc
16037 @cindex examine process image
16038 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16039
16040 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16041 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16042 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16043 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16044 proc} is available to report information about the process running
16045 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16046 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16047 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16048 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16049
16050 @table @code
16051 @kindex info proc
16052 @cindex process ID
16053 @item info proc
16054 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16055 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16056 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16057 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16058 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16059 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16060 executable file's absolute file name.
16061
16062 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16063 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16064 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16065 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16066 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16067 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16068
16069 @item info proc mappings
16070 @cindex memory address space mappings
16071 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16072 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16073 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16074 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16075 memory access rights to that range.
16076
16077 @item info proc stat
16078 @itemx info proc status
16079 @cindex process detailed status information
16080 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16081 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16082 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16083 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16084 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16085 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16086 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16087
16088 @item info proc all
16089 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16090 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16091
16092 @ignore
16093 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16094 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16095 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16096 @kindex info proc times
16097 @item info proc times
16098 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16099 its children.
16100
16101 @kindex info proc id
16102 @item info proc id
16103 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16104 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16105 @end ignore
16106
16107 @item set procfs-trace
16108 @kindex set procfs-trace
16109 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16110 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16111
16112 @item show procfs-trace
16113 @kindex show procfs-trace
16114 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16115
16116 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16117 @kindex set procfs-file
16118 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16119 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16120 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16121 standard output.
16122
16123 @item show procfs-file
16124 @kindex show procfs-file
16125 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16126
16127 @item proc-trace-entry
16128 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16129 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16130 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16131 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16132 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16133 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16134 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16135 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16136 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16137
16138 @item info pidlist
16139 @kindex info pidlist
16140 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16141 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16142 processes and all the threads within each process.
16143
16144 @item info meminfo
16145 @kindex info meminfo
16146 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16147 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16148 @end table
16149
16150 @node DJGPP Native
16151 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16152 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16153 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16154 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16155
16156 @cindex DPMI
16157 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16158 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16159 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16160 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16161
16162 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16163 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16164 subsection describes those commands.
16165
16166 @table @code
16167 @kindex info dos
16168 @item info dos
16169 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16170 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16171
16172 @kindex sysinfo
16173 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16174 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16175 @item info dos sysinfo
16176 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16177 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16178 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16179
16180 @cindex GDT
16181 @cindex LDT
16182 @cindex IDT
16183 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16184 @cindex descriptor tables display
16185 @item info dos gdt
16186 @itemx info dos ldt
16187 @itemx info dos idt
16188 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16189 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16190 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16191 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16192 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16193 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16194 rights.
16195
16196 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16197 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16198 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16199 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16200 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16201
16202 @cindex garbled pointers
16203 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16204 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16205 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16206 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16207 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16208 debugged program's data segment:
16209
16210 @smallexample
16211 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16212 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16213 @end smallexample
16214
16215 @noindent
16216 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16217 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16218
16219 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16220 @item info dos pde
16221 @itemx info dos pte
16222 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16223 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16224 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16225 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16226 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16227 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16228 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16229 that is currently in use.
16230
16231 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16232 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16233 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16234 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16235 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16236 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16237 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16238
16239 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16240 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16241 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16242 controller.
16243
16244 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16245
16246 @cindex physical address from linear address
16247 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16248 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16249 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16250 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16251 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16252 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16253 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16254
16255 @smallexample
16256 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16257 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16258 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16259 @end smallexample
16260
16261 @noindent
16262 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16263 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16264 attributes of that page.
16265
16266 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16267 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16268 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16269 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16270 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16271 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16272
16273 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16274 transfer buffer:
16275
16276 @smallexample
16277 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16278 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16279 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16280 @end smallexample
16281
16282 @noindent
16283 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16284 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16285 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16286 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16287 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16288
16289 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16290 @end table
16291
16292 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16293 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16294 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16295 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16296
16297 @table @code
16298 @kindex set com1base
16299 @kindex set com1irq
16300 @kindex set com2base
16301 @kindex set com2irq
16302 @kindex set com3base
16303 @kindex set com3irq
16304 @kindex set com4base
16305 @kindex set com4irq
16306 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16307 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16308 port.
16309
16310 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16311 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16312 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16313
16314 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16315 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16316 other 3 COM ports.
16317
16318 @kindex show com1base
16319 @kindex show com1irq
16320 @kindex show com2base
16321 @kindex show com2irq
16322 @kindex show com3base
16323 @kindex show com3irq
16324 @kindex show com4base
16325 @kindex show com4irq
16326 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16327 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16328 lines used by the COM ports.
16329
16330 @item info serial
16331 @kindex info serial
16332 @cindex DOS serial port status
16333 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16334 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16335 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16336 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16337 @end table
16338
16339
16340 @node Cygwin Native
16341 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16342 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16343 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16344 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16345
16346 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16347 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16348
16349 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16350 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16351 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16352 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16353 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16354 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16355 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16356 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16357
16358 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16359 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16360 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16361
16362 @table @code
16363 @kindex info w32
16364 @item info w32
16365 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16366 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16367
16368 @item info w32 selector
16369 This command displays information returned by
16370 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16371 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16372 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16373 Without argument, this command displays information
16374 about the six segment registers.
16375
16376 @kindex info dll
16377 @item info dll
16378 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16379
16380 @kindex dll-symbols
16381 @item dll-symbols
16382 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16383 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16384
16385 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16386 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16387 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16388 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16389 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16390 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16391 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16392 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16393 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16394 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16395 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16396
16397 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16398 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16399 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16400 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16401
16402 @kindex set new-console
16403 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16404 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16405 be started in a new console on next start.
16406 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
16407 be started in the same console as the debugger.
16408
16409 @kindex show new-console
16410 @item show new-console
16411 Displays whether a new console is used
16412 when the debuggee is started.
16413
16414 @kindex set new-group
16415 @item set new-group @var{mode}
16416 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16417 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16418 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16419 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
16420
16421 @kindex show new-group
16422 @item show new-group
16423 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16424
16425 @kindex set debugevents
16426 @item set debugevents
16427 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16428 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16429 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16430 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16431 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16432
16433 @kindex set debugexec
16434 @item set debugexec
16435 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16436 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16437
16438 @kindex set debugexceptions
16439 @item set debugexceptions
16440 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16441 debuggee seen by the debugger.
16442
16443 @kindex set debugmemory
16444 @item set debugmemory
16445 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16446 and writes by the debugger.
16447
16448 @kindex set shell
16449 @item set shell
16450 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16451 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16452
16453 @kindex show shell
16454 @item show shell
16455 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16456
16457 @end table
16458
16459 @menu
16460 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16461 @end menu
16462
16463 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16464 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16465 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16466 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16467
16468 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16469 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16470 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16471 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16472 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16473 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16474 ``minimal symbols''.
16475
16476 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16477 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16478 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16479 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16480 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16481 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16482 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16483 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16484 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16485 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16486
16487 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16488
16489 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16490 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16491 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16492 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16493 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16494 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16495 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16496 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16497 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16498
16499 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16500 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16501 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16502 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16503 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16504 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16505
16506 @smallexample
16507 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16508 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16509
16510 Non-debugging symbols:
16511 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
16512 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16513 @end smallexample
16514
16515 @smallexample
16516 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
16517 All functions matching regular expression "!":
16518
16519 Non-debugging symbols:
16520 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
16521 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
16522 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16523 [etc...]
16524 @end smallexample
16525
16526 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16527
16528 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16529 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16530 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16531 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16532 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16533 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16534 a function within a DLL without a running program.
16535
16536 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16537 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16538 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16539 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16540 problem:
16541
16542 @smallexample
16543 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16544 $1 = 268572168
16545 @end smallexample
16546
16547 @smallexample
16548 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
16549 0x10021610: "\230y\""
16550 @end smallexample
16551
16552 And two possible solutions:
16553
16554 @smallexample
16555 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16556 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16557 @end smallexample
16558
16559 @smallexample
16560 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
16561 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16562 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
16563 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16564 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
16565 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16566 @end smallexample
16567
16568 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16569 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16570 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16571 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16572 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16573
16574 @smallexample
16575 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16576 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16577 @end smallexample
16578
16579 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16580 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16581 safe.
16582
16583 @node Hurd Native
16584 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16585 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16586
16587 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16588 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16589
16590 @table @code
16591 @item set signals
16592 @itemx set sigs
16593 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16594 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16595 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16596 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16597 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16598 @code{signals}.
16599
16600 @item show signals
16601 @itemx show sigs
16602 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16603 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16604 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16605
16606 @item set signal-thread
16607 @itemx set sigthread
16608 @kindex set signal-thread
16609 @kindex set sigthread
16610 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16611 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16612 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16613 signal-thread}.
16614
16615 @item show signal-thread
16616 @itemx show sigthread
16617 @kindex show signal-thread
16618 @kindex show sigthread
16619 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16620 delivered a signal.
16621
16622 @item set stopped
16623 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16624 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16625 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16626 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16627
16628 @item show stopped
16629 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16630 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16631 stopped.
16632
16633 @item set exceptions
16634 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16635 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16636 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16637 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16638 trapping on.
16639
16640 @item show exceptions
16641 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16642 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16643
16644 @item set task pause
16645 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16646 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16647 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16648 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16649 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16650 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16651 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16652 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16653 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16654
16655 @item show task pause
16656 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16657 Show the current state of task suspension.
16658
16659 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16660 @cindex task suspend count
16661 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16662 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16663 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16664
16665 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16666 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16667
16668 @item set task exception-port
16669 @itemx set task excp
16670 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16671 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16672 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16673 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16674
16675 @item set noninvasive
16676 @cindex noninvasive task options
16677 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16678 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16679 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16680 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16681
16682 @item info send-rights
16683 @itemx info receive-rights
16684 @itemx info port-rights
16685 @itemx info port-sets
16686 @itemx info dead-names
16687 @itemx info ports
16688 @itemx info psets
16689 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16690 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16691 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16692 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16693 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16694 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16695 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16696 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16697 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16698
16699 @item set thread pause
16700 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16701 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16702 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16703 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16704 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16705 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16706 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16707 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16708 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16709 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16710 only the current thread.
16711
16712 @item show thread pause
16713 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16714 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16715
16716 @item set thread run
16717 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16718
16719 @item show thread run
16720 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16721
16722 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16723 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16724 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16725 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16726 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16727 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16728 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16729
16730 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16731 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16732 detaching.
16733
16734 @item set thread exception-port
16735 @itemx set thread excp
16736 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16737 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16738 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16739
16740 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16741 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16742 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16743 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16744
16745 @item set thread default
16746 @itemx show thread default
16747 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16748 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16749 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16750 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16751 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16752 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16753 the non-default commands.
16754 @end table
16755
16756
16757 @node Neutrino
16758 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16759 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16760
16761 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16762 Neutrino target:
16763
16764 @table @code
16765 @item set debug nto-debug
16766 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16767 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16768 Neutrino support.
16769
16770 @item show debug nto-debug
16771 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16772 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16773 @end table
16774
16775 @node Darwin
16776 @subsection Darwin
16777 @cindex Darwin
16778
16779 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16780
16781 @table @code
16782 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16783 @kindex set debug darwin
16784 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16785 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16786
16787 @item show debug darwin
16788 @kindex show debug darwin
16789 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16790
16791 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16792 @kindex set debug mach-o
16793 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16794 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16795 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16796 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16797 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16798 usage.
16799
16800 @item show debug mach-o
16801 @kindex show debug mach-o
16802 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16803
16804 @item set mach-exceptions on
16805 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16806 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16807 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16808 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16809 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16810 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16811
16812 @item show mach-exceptions
16813 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16814 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16815 @end table
16816
16817
16818 @node Embedded OS
16819 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16820
16821 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
16822 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
16823 architectures.
16824
16825 @menu
16826 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16827 @end menu
16828
16829 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
16830 various real-time operating systems.
16831
16832 @node VxWorks
16833 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16834
16835 @cindex VxWorks
16836
16837 @table @code
16838
16839 @kindex target vxworks
16840 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
16841 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
16842 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
16843
16844 @end table
16845
16846 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16847 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16848
16849 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16850 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16851 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16852 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16853 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16854 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16855 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16856
16857 @table @code
16858 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16859 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16860 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16861 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16862 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16863 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16864 of a thin network line.
16865 @end table
16866
16867 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
16868 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
16869 procedures.
16870
16871 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
16872 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
16873 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
16874 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
16875 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
16876 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
16877 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
16878 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
16879 manual.
16880 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
16881
16882 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
16883 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16884 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
16885 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
16886
16887 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16888
16889 @smallexample
16890 (vxgdb)
16891 @end smallexample
16892
16893 @menu
16894 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
16895 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
16896 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
16897 @end menu
16898
16899 @node VxWorks Connection
16900 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
16901
16902 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
16903 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
16904
16905 @smallexample
16906 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
16907 @end smallexample
16908
16909 @need 750
16910 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16911
16912 @smallexample
16913 Attaching remote machine across net...
16914 Connected to tt.
16915 @end smallexample
16916
16917 @need 1000
16918 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
16919 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
16920 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
16921 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
16922 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
16923
16924 @smallexample
16925 prog.o: No such file or directory.
16926 @end smallexample
16927
16928 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
16929 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
16930 command again.
16931
16932 @node VxWorks Download
16933 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
16934
16935 @cindex download to VxWorks
16936 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
16937 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
16938 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
16939 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
16940 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
16941 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
16942 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
16943 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
16944 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
16945 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
16946 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
16947 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
16948 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
16949 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
16950 program, type this on VxWorks:
16951
16952 @smallexample
16953 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
16954 @end smallexample
16955
16956 @noindent
16957 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16958
16959 @smallexample
16960 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
16961 (vxgdb) load prog.o
16962 @end smallexample
16963
16964 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
16965
16966 @smallexample
16967 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
16968 @end smallexample
16969
16970 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
16971 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
16972 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
16973 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
16974 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
16975 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
16976 table.)
16977
16978 @node VxWorks Attach
16979 @subsubsection Running Tasks
16980
16981 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
16982 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
16983 follows:
16984
16985 @smallexample
16986 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
16987 @end smallexample
16988
16989 @noindent
16990 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
16991 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
16992 the time of attachment.
16993
16994 @node Embedded Processors
16995 @section Embedded Processors
16996
16997 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
16998 configurations.
16999
17000 @cindex send command to simulator
17001 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17002 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17003
17004 @table @code
17005 @item sim @var{command}
17006 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
17007 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17008 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17009 acceptable commands.
17010 @end table
17011
17012
17013 @menu
17014 * ARM:: ARM RDI
17015 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17016 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
17017 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17018 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17019 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17020 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
17021 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17022 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17023 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17024 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17025 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
17026 * CRIS:: CRIS
17027 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17028 @end menu
17029
17030 @node ARM
17031 @subsection ARM
17032 @cindex ARM RDI
17033
17034 @table @code
17035 @kindex target rdi
17036 @item target rdi @var{dev}
17037 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17038 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17039 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17040
17041 @kindex target rdp
17042 @item target rdp @var{dev}
17043 ARM Demon monitor.
17044
17045 @end table
17046
17047 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17048
17049 @table @code
17050 @item set arm disassembler
17051 @kindex set arm
17052 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17053 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17054
17055 @item show arm disassembler
17056 @kindex show arm
17057 Show the current disassembly style.
17058
17059 @item set arm apcs32
17060 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17061 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17062
17063 @item show arm apcs32
17064 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17065
17066 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17067 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17068 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17069
17070 @table @code
17071 @item auto
17072 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17073 @item softfpa
17074 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17075 processors.
17076 @item fpa
17077 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17078 @item softvfp
17079 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17080 @item vfp
17081 VFP co-processor.
17082 @end table
17083
17084 @item show arm fpu
17085 Show the current type of the FPU.
17086
17087 @item set arm abi
17088 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17089
17090 @item show arm abi
17091 Show the currently used ABI.
17092
17093 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17094 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17095 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17096 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17097 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17098 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17099 register).
17100
17101 @item show arm fallback-mode
17102 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17103
17104 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17105 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17106 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17107 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17108 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17109
17110 @item show arm force-mode
17111 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17112
17113 @item set debug arm
17114 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17115 target support subsystem.
17116
17117 @item show debug arm
17118 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17119 @end table
17120
17121 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17122 using the RDI interface:
17123
17124 @table @code
17125 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17126 @kindex rdilogfile
17127 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17128 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17129 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17130 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17131 @file{rdi.log}.
17132
17133 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17134 @kindex rdilogenable
17135 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17136 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17137 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17138 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17139 are logged to a file.
17140
17141 @item set rdiromatzero
17142 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17143 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17144 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17145 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17146 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17147 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17148
17149 @item show rdiromatzero
17150 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17151 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17152
17153 @item set rdiheartbeat
17154 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17155 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17156 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17157 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17158 well as the Angel monitor.
17159
17160 @item show rdiheartbeat
17161 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17162 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17163 @end table
17164
17165
17166 @node M32R/D
17167 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17168
17169 @table @code
17170 @kindex target m32r
17171 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17172 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17173
17174 @kindex target m32rsdi
17175 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17176 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17177 @end table
17178
17179 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17180
17181 @table @code
17182 @item set download-path @var{path}
17183 @kindex set download-path
17184 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17185 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17186
17187 @item show download-path
17188 @kindex show download-path
17189 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17190
17191 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17192 @kindex set board-address
17193 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17194 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17195
17196 @item show board-address
17197 @kindex show board-address
17198 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17199
17200 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17201 @kindex set server-address
17202 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17203 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17204 host machine.
17205
17206 @item show server-address
17207 @kindex show server-address
17208 Display the IP address of the download server.
17209
17210 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17211 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17212 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17213 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17214 executable file is uploaded.
17215
17216 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17217 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17218 Test the @code{upload} command.
17219 @end table
17220
17221 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17222
17223 @table @code
17224 @item sdireset
17225 @kindex sdireset
17226 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17227 This command resets the SDI connection.
17228
17229 @item sdistatus
17230 @kindex sdistatus
17231 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17232
17233 @item debug_chaos
17234 @kindex debug_chaos
17235 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17236 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17237
17238 @item use_debug_dma
17239 @kindex use_debug_dma
17240 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17241
17242 @item use_mon_code
17243 @kindex use_mon_code
17244 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17245
17246 @item use_ib_break
17247 @kindex use_ib_break
17248 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17249
17250 @item use_dbt_break
17251 @kindex use_dbt_break
17252 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17253 @end table
17254
17255 @node M68K
17256 @subsection M68k
17257
17258 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17259 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17260
17261 @table @code
17262
17263 @kindex target dbug
17264 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17265 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17266
17267 @end table
17268
17269 @node MicroBlaze
17270 @subsection MicroBlaze
17271 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17272 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17273
17274 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17275 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17276 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17277 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17278 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17279 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17280 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17281 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17282 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17283 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17284 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17285
17286 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17287
17288 @table @code
17289 @item target remote :1234
17290 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17291 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17292
17293 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17294 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17295 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17296
17297 @item load
17298 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17299
17300 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17301 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17302
17303 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17304 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17305 @end table
17306
17307 @node MIPS Embedded
17308 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17309
17310 @cindex MIPS boards
17311 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17312 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17313 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17314
17315 @need 1000
17316 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17317
17318 @table @code
17319 @item target mips @var{port}
17320 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17321 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17322 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17323 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17324 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17325 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17326 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17327
17328 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17329 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17330 debugger:
17331
17332 @smallexample
17333 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17334 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17335 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17336 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17337 (@value{GDBP}) run
17338 @end smallexample
17339
17340 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17341 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17342 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17343 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17344 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17345
17346 @item target pmon @var{port}
17347 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17348 PMON ROM monitor.
17349
17350 @item target ddb @var{port}
17351 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17352 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17353
17354 @item target lsi @var{port}
17355 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17356 LSI variant of PMON.
17357
17358 @kindex target r3900
17359 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17360 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17361
17362 @kindex target array
17363 @item target array @var{dev}
17364 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17365
17366 @end table
17367
17368
17369 @noindent
17370 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17371
17372 @table @code
17373 @item set mipsfpu double
17374 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17375 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17376 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17377 @itemx show mipsfpu
17378 @kindex set mipsfpu
17379 @kindex show mipsfpu
17380 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17381 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17382 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17383 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17384 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17385 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17386 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17387 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17388 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17389 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17390 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17391 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17392 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17393
17394 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17395 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17396 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17397
17398 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17399 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
17400
17401 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
17402 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17403 @itemx show timeout
17404 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
17405 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17406 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17407 @kindex set timeout
17408 @kindex show timeout
17409 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
17410 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
17411 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17412 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17413 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17414 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17415 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17416 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17417 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17418 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17419
17420 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17421 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17422 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17423 to run before stopping.
17424
17425 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17426 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17427 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17428 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17429 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17430 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17431
17432 @item show syn-garbage-limit
17433 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17434 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17435 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17436
17437 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17438 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17439 @cindex remote monitor prompt
17440 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17441 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17442 @table @asis
17443 @item pmon target
17444 @samp{PMON}
17445 @item ddb target
17446 @samp{NEC010}
17447 @item lsi target
17448 @samp{PMON>}
17449 @end table
17450
17451 @item show monitor-prompt
17452 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17453 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17454 remote monitor.
17455
17456 @item set monitor-warnings
17457 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17458 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17459 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17460 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17461 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17462
17463 @item show monitor-warnings
17464 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17465 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17466
17467 @item pmon @var{command}
17468 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17469 @cindex send PMON command
17470 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17471 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17472 @end table
17473
17474 @node OpenRISC 1000
17475 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
17476 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
17477
17478 @cindex or1k boards
17479 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17480 about platform and commands.
17481
17482 @table @code
17483
17484 @kindex target jtag
17485 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17486
17487 Connects to remote JTAG server.
17488 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17489 connected via parallel port to the board.
17490
17491 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17492
17493 @kindex or1ksim
17494 @item or1ksim @var{command}
17495 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17496 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17497
17498 @kindex info or1k spr
17499 @item info or1k spr
17500 Displays spr groups.
17501
17502 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
17503 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17504 Displays register names in selected group.
17505
17506 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17507 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17508 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17509 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17510 Shows information about specified spr register.
17511
17512 @kindex spr
17513 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17514 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17515 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17516 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17517 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17518 @end table
17519
17520 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17521 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17522 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17523 triggers can be set using:
17524 @table @code
17525 @item $LEA/$LDATA
17526 Load effective address/data
17527 @item $SEA/$SDATA
17528 Store effective address/data
17529 @item $AEA/$ADATA
17530 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17531 @item $FETCH
17532 Fetch data
17533 @end table
17534
17535 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17536 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17537
17538 @code{htrace} commands:
17539 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17540 @table @code
17541 @kindex hwatch
17542 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
17543 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17544 or Data. For example:
17545
17546 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17547
17548 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17549
17550 @kindex htrace
17551 @item htrace info
17552 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17553
17554 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17555 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17556
17557 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17558 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17559
17560 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17561 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17562
17563 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17564 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17565 triggered.
17566
17567 @item htrace enable
17568 @itemx htrace disable
17569 Enables/disables the HW trace.
17570
17571 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17572 Clears currently recorded trace data.
17573
17574 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17575 will be written there.
17576
17577 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17578 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17579
17580 @item htrace mode continuous
17581 Set continuous trace mode.
17582
17583 @item htrace mode suspend
17584 Set suspend trace mode.
17585
17586 @end table
17587
17588 @node PowerPC Embedded
17589 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
17590
17591 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17592
17593 @table @code
17594 @kindex set powerpc
17595 @item set powerpc soft-float
17596 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
17597 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17598 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17599 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17600
17601 @item set powerpc vector-abi
17602 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17603 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17604 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17605 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17606 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17607 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17608 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17609
17610 @kindex target dink32
17611 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
17612 DINK32 ROM monitor.
17613
17614 @kindex target ppcbug
17615 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
17616 @kindex target ppcbug1
17617 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
17618 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
17619
17620 @kindex target sds
17621 @item target sds @var{dev}
17622 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
17623 @end table
17624
17625 @cindex SDS protocol
17626 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
17627 by @value{GDBN}:
17628
17629 @table @code
17630 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
17631 @kindex set sdstimeout
17632 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17633 default is 2 seconds.
17634
17635 @item show sdstimeout
17636 @kindex show sdstimeout
17637 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17638
17639 @item sds @var{command}
17640 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17641 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17642 @end table
17643
17644
17645 @node PA
17646 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17647
17648 @table @code
17649
17650 @kindex target op50n
17651 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17652 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17653
17654 @kindex target w89k
17655 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17656 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17657
17658 @end table
17659
17660 @node Sparclet
17661 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17662
17663 @cindex Sparclet
17664
17665 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17666 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17667 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17668 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17669 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17670
17671 @table @code
17672 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17673 @kindex remotetimeout
17674 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17675 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17676 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17677 @end table
17678
17679 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17680 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17681 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17682 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17683 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17684
17685 @smallexample
17686 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17687 @end smallexample
17688
17689 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17690
17691 @smallexample
17692 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17693 @end smallexample
17694
17695 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17696 Once you have set
17697 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17698 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17699 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17700
17701 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17702
17703 @smallexample
17704 (gdbslet)
17705 @end smallexample
17706
17707 @menu
17708 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17709 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17710 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17711 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17712 @end menu
17713
17714 @node Sparclet File
17715 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17716
17717 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17718
17719 @smallexample
17720 (gdbslet) file prog
17721 @end smallexample
17722
17723 @need 1000
17724 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17725 @value{GDBN} locates
17726 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17727 path.
17728 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17729 files will be searched as well.
17730 @value{GDBN} locates
17731 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17732 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17733 If it fails
17734 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17735
17736 @smallexample
17737 prog: No such file or directory.
17738 @end smallexample
17739
17740 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17741 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17742 @code{target} command again.
17743
17744 @node Sparclet Connection
17745 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17746
17747 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17748 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17749
17750 @smallexample
17751 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17752 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17753 main () at ../prog.c:3
17754 @end smallexample
17755
17756 @need 750
17757 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17758
17759 @smallexample
17760 Connected to ttya.
17761 @end smallexample
17762
17763 @node Sparclet Download
17764 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17765
17766 @cindex download to Sparclet
17767 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17768 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17769 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17770 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17771 command.
17772 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17773 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17774 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17775 of each of the file's sections.
17776 For instance, if the program
17777 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17778 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17779
17780 @smallexample
17781 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17782 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17783 @end smallexample
17784
17785 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17786 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17787 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17788
17789 @node Sparclet Execution
17790 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17791
17792 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17793 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17794 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17795 manual for the list of commands.
17796
17797 @smallexample
17798 (gdbslet) b main
17799 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17800 (gdbslet) run
17801 Starting program: prog
17802 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
17803 3 char *symarg = 0;
17804 (gdbslet) step
17805 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
17806 (gdbslet)
17807 @end smallexample
17808
17809 @node Sparclite
17810 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
17811
17812 @table @code
17813
17814 @kindex target sparclite
17815 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
17816 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
17817 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
17818 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
17819 remote protocol.
17820
17821 @end table
17822
17823 @node Z8000
17824 @subsection Zilog Z8000
17825
17826 @cindex Z8000
17827 @cindex simulator, Z8000
17828 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
17829
17830 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
17831 a Z8000 simulator.
17832
17833 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
17834 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
17835 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
17836 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
17837
17838 @table @code
17839 @item target sim @var{args}
17840 @kindex sim
17841 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
17842 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
17843 options, specify them via @var{args}.
17844 @end table
17845
17846 @noindent
17847 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
17848 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
17849 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
17850 to run your program, and so on.
17851
17852 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
17853 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
17854 additional items of information as specially named registers:
17855
17856 @table @code
17857
17858 @item cycles
17859 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
17860
17861 @item insts
17862 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
17863
17864 @item time
17865 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
17866
17867 @end table
17868
17869 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
17870 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
17871 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
17872 simulated clock ticks.
17873
17874 @node AVR
17875 @subsection Atmel AVR
17876 @cindex AVR
17877
17878 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
17879 following AVR-specific commands:
17880
17881 @table @code
17882 @item info io_registers
17883 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
17884 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
17885 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
17886 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
17887 @end table
17888
17889 @node CRIS
17890 @subsection CRIS
17891 @cindex CRIS
17892
17893 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
17894 following CRIS-specific commands:
17895
17896 @table @code
17897 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
17898 @cindex CRIS version
17899 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
17900 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
17901 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
17902
17903 @item show cris-version
17904 Show the current CRIS version.
17905
17906 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
17907 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
17908 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
17909 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
17910 @code{R59}.
17911
17912 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
17913 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
17914
17915 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
17916 @cindex CRIS mode
17917 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
17918 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
17919 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
17920
17921 @item show cris-mode
17922 Show the current CRIS mode.
17923 @end table
17924
17925 @node Super-H
17926 @subsection Renesas Super-H
17927 @cindex Super-H
17928
17929 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
17930 commands:
17931
17932 @table @code
17933 @item regs
17934 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
17935 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
17936
17937 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
17938 @kindex set sh calling-convention
17939 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
17940 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
17941 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
17942 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
17943 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
17944 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
17945 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
17946 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
17947 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
17948 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
17949
17950 @item show sh calling-convention
17951 @kindex show sh calling-convention
17952 Show the current calling convention setting.
17953
17954 @end table
17955
17956
17957 @node Architectures
17958 @section Architectures
17959
17960 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
17961 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
17962
17963 @menu
17964 * i386::
17965 * A29K::
17966 * Alpha::
17967 * MIPS::
17968 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
17969 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17970 * PowerPC::
17971 @end menu
17972
17973 @node i386
17974 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
17975
17976 @table @code
17977 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
17978 @kindex set struct-convention
17979 @cindex struct return convention
17980 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
17981 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
17982 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
17983 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
17984 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
17985 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
17986 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
17987 be returned in a register.
17988
17989 @item show struct-convention
17990 @kindex show struct-convention
17991 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
17992 from functions.
17993 @end table
17994
17995 @node A29K
17996 @subsection A29K
17997
17998 @table @code
17999
18000 @kindex set rstack_high_address
18001 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
18002 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
18003 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18004 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18005 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18006 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18007 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18008 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18009 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18010 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18011 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18012 hexadecimal.
18013
18014 @kindex show rstack_high_address
18015 @item show rstack_high_address
18016 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18017 processors.
18018
18019 @end table
18020
18021 @node Alpha
18022 @subsection Alpha
18023
18024 See the following section.
18025
18026 @node MIPS
18027 @subsection MIPS
18028
18029 @cindex stack on Alpha
18030 @cindex stack on MIPS
18031 @cindex Alpha stack
18032 @cindex MIPS stack
18033 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18034 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18035 find the beginning of a function.
18036
18037 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18038 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18039 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18040 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18041 commands:
18042
18043 @table @code
18044 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18045 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18046 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18047 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18048 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18049 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18050 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18051 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18052
18053 @item show heuristic-fence-post
18054 Display the current limit.
18055 @end table
18056
18057 @noindent
18058 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18059 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18060
18061 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18062 programs:
18063
18064 @table @code
18065 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
18066 @kindex set mips abi
18067 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
18068 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18069 values of @var{arg} are:
18070
18071 @table @samp
18072 @item auto
18073 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18074 default).
18075 @item o32
18076 @item o64
18077 @item n32
18078 @item n64
18079 @item eabi32
18080 @item eabi64
18081 @item auto
18082 @end table
18083
18084 @item show mips abi
18085 @kindex show mips abi
18086 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18087
18088 @item set mipsfpu
18089 @itemx show mipsfpu
18090 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18091
18092 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18093 @kindex set mips mask-address
18094 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18095 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18096 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18097 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18098 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18099
18100 @item show mips mask-address
18101 @kindex show mips mask-address
18102 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18103 not.
18104
18105 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18106 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18107 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18108 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18109 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18110 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18111
18112 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18113 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18114 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18115
18116 @item set debug mips
18117 @kindex set debug mips
18118 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18119 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18120
18121 @item show debug mips
18122 @kindex show debug mips
18123 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18124 @end table
18125
18126
18127 @node HPPA
18128 @subsection HPPA
18129 @cindex HPPA support
18130
18131 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18132 following special commands:
18133
18134 @table @code
18135 @item set debug hppa
18136 @kindex set debug hppa
18137 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18138 messages are to be displayed.
18139
18140 @item show debug hppa
18141 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18142
18143 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18144 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18145 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18146 given @var{address}.
18147
18148 @end table
18149
18150
18151 @node SPU
18152 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18153 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18154 @cindex SPU
18155
18156 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18157 it provides the following special commands:
18158
18159 @table @code
18160 @item info spu event
18161 @kindex info spu
18162 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18163 and pending event status.
18164
18165 @item info spu signal
18166 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18167 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18168 notification channels.
18169
18170 @item info spu mailbox
18171 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18172 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18173 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18174
18175 @item info spu dma
18176 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18177 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18178 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18179
18180 @item info spu proxydma
18181 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18182 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18183 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18184
18185 @end table
18186
18187 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18188 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18189 special commands:
18190
18191 @table @code
18192 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18193 @kindex set spu
18194 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18195 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18196 function. The default is @code{off}.
18197
18198 @item show spu stop-on-load
18199 @kindex show spu
18200 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18201
18202 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18203 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18204 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18205 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18206 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18207 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18208
18209 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18210 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18211
18212 @end table
18213
18214 @node PowerPC
18215 @subsection PowerPC
18216 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18217
18218 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18219 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18220 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18221 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18222 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18223
18224 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18225 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18226 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18227
18228 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18229 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18230
18231
18232 @node Controlling GDB
18233 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18234
18235 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18236 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18237 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18238 described here.
18239
18240 @menu
18241 * Prompt:: Prompt
18242 * Editing:: Command editing
18243 * Command History:: Command history
18244 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18245 * Numbers:: Numbers
18246 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18247 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18248 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18249 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18250 @end menu
18251
18252 @node Prompt
18253 @section Prompt
18254
18255 @cindex prompt
18256
18257 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18258 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18259 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18260 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18261 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18262 which one you are talking to.
18263
18264 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18265 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18266 or a prompt that does not.
18267
18268 @table @code
18269 @kindex set prompt
18270 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18271 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18272
18273 @kindex show prompt
18274 @item show prompt
18275 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18276 @end table
18277
18278 @node Editing
18279 @section Command Editing
18280 @cindex readline
18281 @cindex command line editing
18282
18283 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18284 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18285 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18286 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18287 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18288 debugging sessions.
18289
18290 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18291 command @code{set}.
18292
18293 @table @code
18294 @kindex set editing
18295 @cindex editing
18296 @item set editing
18297 @itemx set editing on
18298 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18299
18300 @item set editing off
18301 Disable command line editing.
18302
18303 @kindex show editing
18304 @item show editing
18305 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18306 @end table
18307
18308 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18309 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18310 encouraged to read that chapter.
18311
18312 @node Command History
18313 @section Command History
18314 @cindex command history
18315
18316 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18317 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18318 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18319 history facility.
18320
18321 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18322 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18323 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18324
18325 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18326 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18327 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18328 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18329 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18330 pressed on a line by itself.
18331
18332 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18333 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18334 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18335 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18336
18337 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18338 history.
18339
18340 @table @code
18341 @cindex history substitution
18342 @cindex history file
18343 @kindex set history filename
18344 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18345 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18346 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18347 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18348 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18349 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18350 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18351 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18352 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18353 is not set.
18354
18355 @cindex save command history
18356 @kindex set history save
18357 @item set history save
18358 @itemx set history save on
18359 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18360 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18361
18362 @item set history save off
18363 Stop recording command history in a file.
18364
18365 @cindex history size
18366 @kindex set history size
18367 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18368 @item set history size @var{size}
18369 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18370 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18371 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18372 @end table
18373
18374 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18375 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18376
18377 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18378 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18379 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18380 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18381 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18382 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18383 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18384 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18385
18386 The commands to control history expansion are:
18387
18388 @table @code
18389 @item set history expansion on
18390 @itemx set history expansion
18391 @kindex set history expansion
18392 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18393
18394 @item set history expansion off
18395 Disable history expansion.
18396
18397 @c @group
18398 @kindex show history
18399 @item show history
18400 @itemx show history filename
18401 @itemx show history save
18402 @itemx show history size
18403 @itemx show history expansion
18404 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18405 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18406 @c @end group
18407 @end table
18408
18409 @table @code
18410 @kindex show commands
18411 @cindex show last commands
18412 @cindex display command history
18413 @item show commands
18414 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18415
18416 @item show commands @var{n}
18417 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18418
18419 @item show commands +
18420 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18421 @end table
18422
18423 @node Screen Size
18424 @section Screen Size
18425 @cindex size of screen
18426 @cindex pauses in output
18427
18428 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18429 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18430 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18431 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18432 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18433 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18434 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18435 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18436
18437 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18438 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18439 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18440 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18441 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18442 width} commands:
18443
18444 @table @code
18445 @kindex set height
18446 @kindex set width
18447 @kindex show width
18448 @kindex show height
18449 @item set height @var{lpp}
18450 @itemx show height
18451 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
18452 @itemx show width
18453 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18454 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18455 commands display the current settings.
18456
18457 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18458 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18459 file or to an editor buffer.
18460
18461 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18462 from wrapping its output.
18463
18464 @item set pagination on
18465 @itemx set pagination off
18466 @kindex set pagination
18467 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18468 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
18469
18470 @item show pagination
18471 @kindex show pagination
18472 Show the current pagination mode.
18473 @end table
18474
18475 @node Numbers
18476 @section Numbers
18477 @cindex number representation
18478 @cindex entering numbers
18479
18480 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18481 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18482 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18483 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18484 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
18485 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18486 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18487 both input and output with the commands described below.
18488
18489 @table @code
18490 @kindex set input-radix
18491 @item set input-radix @var{base}
18492 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18493 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18494 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18495 example, any of
18496
18497 @smallexample
18498 set input-radix 012
18499 set input-radix 10.
18500 set input-radix 0xa
18501 @end smallexample
18502
18503 @noindent
18504 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18505 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18506 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18507 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18508 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18509 change the radix.
18510
18511 @kindex set output-radix
18512 @item set output-radix @var{base}
18513 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18514 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18515 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18516
18517 @kindex show input-radix
18518 @item show input-radix
18519 Display the current default base for numeric input.
18520
18521 @kindex show output-radix
18522 @item show output-radix
18523 Display the current default base for numeric display.
18524
18525 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18526 @itemx show radix
18527 @kindex set radix
18528 @kindex show radix
18529 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18530 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18531 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18532 default value of 10.
18533
18534 @end table
18535
18536 @node ABI
18537 @section Configuring the Current ABI
18538
18539 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18540 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18541 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18542 current ABI.
18543
18544 @cindex OS ABI
18545 @kindex set osabi
18546 @kindex show osabi
18547
18548 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18549 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18550 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18551 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18552 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18553 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18554 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18555 platform provides.
18556
18557 @table @code
18558 @item show osabi
18559 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18560
18561 @item set osabi
18562 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18563
18564 @item set osabi @var{abi}
18565 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18566 @end table
18567
18568 @cindex float promotion
18569
18570 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18571 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18572 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18573 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18574 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18575 @code{double} and then passed.
18576
18577 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18578 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18579 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18580
18581 @table @code
18582 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18583 @item set coerce-float-to-double
18584 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18585 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18586 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18587
18588 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
18589 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18590 functions.
18591
18592 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18593 @item show coerce-float-to-double
18594 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18595 @end table
18596
18597 @kindex set cp-abi
18598 @kindex show cp-abi
18599 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18600 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18601 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18602 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18603 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18604 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18605 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18606 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18607 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18608 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18609 ``auto''.
18610
18611 @table @code
18612 @item show cp-abi
18613 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
18614
18615 @item set cp-abi
18616 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
18617
18618 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
18619 @itemx set cp-abi auto
18620 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
18621 @end table
18622
18623 @node Messages/Warnings
18624 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
18625
18626 @cindex verbose operation
18627 @cindex optional warnings
18628 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
18629 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
18630 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
18631 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
18632
18633 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18634 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18635 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18636
18637 @table @code
18638 @kindex set verbose
18639 @item set verbose on
18640 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18641
18642 @item set verbose off
18643 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18644
18645 @kindex show verbose
18646 @item show verbose
18647 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18648 @end table
18649
18650 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18651 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18652 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18653 Symbol Files}).
18654
18655 @table @code
18656
18657 @kindex set complaints
18658 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18659 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18660 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18661 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18662 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18663
18664 @kindex show complaints
18665 @item show complaints
18666 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18667
18668 @end table
18669
18670 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18671 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18672 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18673 you try to run a program which is already running:
18674
18675 @smallexample
18676 (@value{GDBP}) run
18677 The program being debugged has been started already.
18678 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18679 @end smallexample
18680
18681 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18682 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18683
18684 @table @code
18685
18686 @kindex set confirm
18687 @cindex flinching
18688 @cindex confirmation
18689 @cindex stupid questions
18690 @item set confirm off
18691 Disables confirmation requests.
18692
18693 @item set confirm on
18694 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18695
18696 @kindex show confirm
18697 @item show confirm
18698 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18699
18700 @end table
18701
18702 @cindex command tracing
18703 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18704 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18705 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18706 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18707
18708 @table @code
18709 @kindex set trace-commands
18710 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18711 @item set trace-commands on
18712 Enable command tracing.
18713 @item set trace-commands off
18714 Disable command tracing.
18715 @item show trace-commands
18716 Display the current state of command tracing.
18717 @end table
18718
18719 @node Debugging Output
18720 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18721 @cindex optional debugging messages
18722
18723 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18724 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18725 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18726 section documents those commands.
18727
18728 @table @code
18729 @kindex set exec-done-display
18730 @item set exec-done-display
18731 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18732 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18733 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18734 @kindex show exec-done-display
18735 @item show exec-done-display
18736 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18737 notification.
18738 @kindex set debug
18739 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18740 @cindex architecture debugging info
18741 @item set debug arch
18742 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18743 @kindex show debug
18744 @item show debug arch
18745 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18746 @item set debug aix-thread
18747 @cindex AIX threads
18748 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18749 module.
18750 @item show debug aix-thread
18751 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18752 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18753 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18754 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18755 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18756 A value of zero turns off the display.
18757 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18758 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18759 @item set debug displaced
18760 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18761 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18762 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18763 @item show debug displaced
18764 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18765 related to displaced stepping.
18766 @item set debug event
18767 @cindex event debugging info
18768 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18769 default is off.
18770 @item show debug event
18771 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18772 info.
18773 @item set debug expression
18774 @cindex expression debugging info
18775 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18776 expression parsing. The default is off.
18777 @item show debug expression
18778 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18779 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18780 @item set debug frame
18781 @cindex frame debugging info
18782 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18783 default is off.
18784 @item show debug frame
18785 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18786 info.
18787 @item set debug gnu-nat
18788 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18789 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18790 @item show debug gnu-nat
18791 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18792 @item set debug infrun
18793 @cindex inferior debugging info
18794 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18795 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18796 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18797 @item show debug infrun
18798 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
18799 @item set debug lin-lwp
18800 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
18801 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18802 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
18803 @item show debug lin-lwp
18804 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
18805 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
18806 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
18807 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18808 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
18809 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
18810 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
18811 @item set debug observer
18812 @cindex observer debugging info
18813 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
18814 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
18815 @item show debug observer
18816 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
18817 @item set debug overload
18818 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
18819 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
18820 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
18821 is off.
18822 @item show debug overload
18823 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
18824 debugging info.
18825 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
18826 @cindex serial connections, debugging
18827 @cindex debug remote protocol
18828 @cindex remote protocol debugging
18829 @cindex display remote packets
18830 @item set debug remote
18831 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
18832 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
18833 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
18834 @item show debug remote
18835 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
18836 @item set debug serial
18837 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
18838 default is off.
18839 @item show debug serial
18840 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
18841 info.
18842 @item set debug solib-frv
18843 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
18844 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
18845 @item show debug solib-frv
18846 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
18847 messages.
18848 @item set debug target
18849 @cindex target debugging info
18850 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
18851 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
18852 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
18853 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
18854 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
18855 @item show debug target
18856 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
18857 info.
18858 @item set debug timestamp
18859 @cindex timestampping debugging info
18860 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
18861 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
18862 message.
18863 @item show debug timestamp
18864 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
18865 debugging info.
18866 @item set debugvarobj
18867 @cindex variable object debugging info
18868 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
18869 info. The default is off.
18870 @item show debugvarobj
18871 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
18872 debugging info.
18873 @item set debug xml
18874 @cindex XML parser debugging
18875 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
18876 @item show debug xml
18877 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
18878 @end table
18879
18880 @node Other Misc Settings
18881 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
18882 @cindex miscellaneous settings
18883
18884 @table @code
18885 @kindex set interactive-mode
18886 @item set interactive-mode
18887 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
18888 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
18889 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
18890 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
18891
18892 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
18893 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
18894 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
18895 inside a cygwin window.
18896
18897 @kindex show interactive-mode
18898 @item show interactive-mode
18899 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
18900 @end table
18901
18902 @node Extending GDB
18903 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
18904 @cindex extending GDB
18905
18906 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
18907 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
18908 Python scripting language.
18909
18910 @menu
18911 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
18912 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18913 @end menu
18914
18915 @node Sequences
18916 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
18917
18918 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
18919 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
18920 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
18921 files.
18922
18923 @menu
18924 * Define:: How to define your own commands
18925 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
18926 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
18927 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
18928 @end menu
18929
18930 @node Define
18931 @subsection User-defined Commands
18932
18933 @cindex user-defined command
18934 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
18935 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
18936 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
18937 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
18938 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
18939 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
18940
18941 @smallexample
18942 define adder
18943 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18944 end
18945 @end smallexample
18946
18947 @noindent
18948 To execute the command use:
18949
18950 @smallexample
18951 adder 1 2 3
18952 @end smallexample
18953
18954 @noindent
18955 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
18956 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
18957 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
18958 functions calls.
18959
18960 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
18961 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
18962 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
18963 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
18964
18965 @smallexample
18966 define adder
18967 if $argc == 2
18968 print $arg0 + $arg1
18969 end
18970 if $argc == 3
18971 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18972 end
18973 end
18974 @end smallexample
18975
18976 @table @code
18977
18978 @kindex define
18979 @item define @var{commandname}
18980 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
18981 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
18982 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
18983 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
18984 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
18985 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
18986
18987 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
18988 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
18989 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18990
18991 @kindex document
18992 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
18993 @item document @var{commandname}
18994 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
18995 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
18996 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
18997 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
18998 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
18999 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19000
19001 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19002 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19003 does not change the documentation.
19004
19005 @kindex dont-repeat
19006 @cindex don't repeat command
19007 @item dont-repeat
19008 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19009 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19010 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19011
19012 @kindex help user-defined
19013 @item help user-defined
19014 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19015 (if any) for each.
19016
19017 @kindex show user
19018 @item show user
19019 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
19020 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19021 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19022 definitions for all user-defined commands.
19023
19024 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19025 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
19026 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
19027 @item show max-user-call-depth
19028 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
19029 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19030 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19031 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19032 @end table
19033
19034 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19035 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19036
19037 When user-defined commands are executed, the
19038 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19039 stops execution of the user-defined command.
19040
19041 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19042 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19043 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19044 messages when used in a user-defined command.
19045
19046 @node Hooks
19047 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19048 @cindex command hooks
19049 @cindex hooks, for commands
19050 @cindex hooks, pre-command
19051
19052 @kindex hook
19053 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19054 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19055 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19056 before that command.
19057
19058 @cindex hooks, post-command
19059 @kindex hookpost
19060 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19061 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19062 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19063 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19064 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19065
19066 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19067 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19068
19069 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19070 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19071
19072 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19073 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19074 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19075 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19076 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19077
19078 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19079 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19080 you could define:
19081
19082 @smallexample
19083 define hook-stop
19084 handle SIGALRM nopass
19085 end
19086
19087 define hook-run
19088 handle SIGALRM pass
19089 end
19090
19091 define hook-continue
19092 handle SIGALRM pass
19093 end
19094 @end smallexample
19095
19096 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19097 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19098 you could define:
19099
19100 @smallexample
19101 define hook-echo
19102 echo <<<---
19103 end
19104
19105 define hookpost-echo
19106 echo --->>>\n
19107 end
19108
19109 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19110 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19111 (@value{GDBP})
19112
19113 @end smallexample
19114
19115 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19116 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19117 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19118 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19119 @c or not?
19120 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19121 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19122 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19123
19124 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19125 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19126 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19127
19128 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19129 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19130
19131 @node Command Files
19132 @subsection Command Files
19133
19134 @cindex command files
19135 @cindex scripting commands
19136 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19137 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19138 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19139 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19140 terminal.
19141
19142 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19143 command:
19144
19145 @table @code
19146 @kindex source
19147 @cindex execute commands from a file
19148 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
19149 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19150 @end table
19151
19152 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19153 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19154 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19155 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19156 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19157
19158 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
19159 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
19160
19161 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19162 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19163 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19164
19165 If @var{filename} ends in @samp{.py}, then @value{GDBN} evaluates the
19166 contents of the file as Python code. If Python support is not compiled
19167 in to @value{GDBN}, then the file is assumed to contain @value{GDBN}
19168 commands, regardless of its extension.
19169
19170 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19171 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19172 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19173 when called from command files.
19174
19175 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19176 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19177 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19178 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19179 the next command.
19180
19181 @smallexample
19182 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19183 @end smallexample
19184
19185 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19186 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19187 would be directed to @file{log}.
19188
19189 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19190 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19191 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19192 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19193 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19194 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19195 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19196 conditionally, etc.
19197
19198 @table @code
19199 @kindex if
19200 @kindex else
19201 @item if
19202 @itemx else
19203 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19204 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19205 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19206 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19207 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19208 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19209 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19210
19211 @kindex while
19212 @item while
19213 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19214 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19215 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19216 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19217 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19218 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19219
19220 @kindex loop_break
19221 @item loop_break
19222 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19223 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19224 line.
19225
19226 @kindex loop_continue
19227 @item loop_continue
19228 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19229 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19230 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19231 the controlling expression.
19232
19233 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19234 @item end
19235 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19236 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19237 @end table
19238
19239
19240 @node Output
19241 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19242
19243 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19244 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19245 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19246 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19247 want.
19248
19249 @table @code
19250 @kindex echo
19251 @item echo @var{text}
19252 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19253 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19254 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19255 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19256 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19257 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19258 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19259 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19260 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19261 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19262 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19263
19264 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19265 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19266
19267 @smallexample
19268 echo This is some text\n\
19269 which is continued\n\
19270 onto several lines.\n
19271 @end smallexample
19272
19273 produces the same output as
19274
19275 @smallexample
19276 echo This is some text\n
19277 echo which is continued\n
19278 echo onto several lines.\n
19279 @end smallexample
19280
19281 @kindex output
19282 @item output @var{expression}
19283 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19284 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19285 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19286 on expressions.
19287
19288 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19289 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19290 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19291 Formats}, for more information.
19292
19293 @kindex printf
19294 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19295 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19296 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19297 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19298 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19299 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19300 executing the code below:
19301
19302 @smallexample
19303 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19304 @end smallexample
19305
19306 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19307 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19308 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19309 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19310 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19311 printed.
19312
19313 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19314
19315 @smallexample
19316 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19317 @end smallexample
19318
19319 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19320 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19321 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19322
19323 @itemize @bullet
19324 @item
19325 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19326
19327 @item
19328 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19329 width.
19330
19331 @item
19332 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19333 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19334
19335 @item
19336 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19337 supported.
19338
19339 @item
19340 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19341
19342 @item
19343 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19344 @end itemize
19345
19346 @noindent
19347 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19348 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19349 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19350 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19351
19352 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19353 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19354 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19355 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19356 supported.
19357
19358 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19359 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19360 together with a floating point specifier.
19361 letters:
19362
19363 @itemize @bullet
19364 @item
19365 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19366
19367 @item
19368 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19369
19370 @item
19371 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19372 @end itemize
19373
19374 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19375 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19376 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19377
19378 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19379 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19380
19381 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19382 @smallexample
19383 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19384 @end smallexample
19385
19386 @end table
19387
19388 @node Python
19389 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19390 @cindex python scripting
19391 @cindex scripting with python
19392
19393 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19394 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19395 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19396
19397 @menu
19398 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19399 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19400 @end menu
19401
19402 @node Python Commands
19403 @subsection Python Commands
19404 @cindex python commands
19405 @cindex commands to access python
19406
19407 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19408 and one related setting:
19409
19410 @table @code
19411 @kindex python
19412 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19413 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19414
19415 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19416 argument as a Python command. For example:
19417
19418 @smallexample
19419 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
19420 23
19421 @end smallexample
19422
19423 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19424 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19425 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19426 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19427 containing @code{end}. For example:
19428
19429 @smallexample
19430 (@value{GDBP}) python
19431 Type python script
19432 End with a line saying just "end".
19433 >print 23
19434 >end
19435 23
19436 @end smallexample
19437
19438 @kindex maint set python print-stack
19439 @item maint set python print-stack
19440 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19441 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19442 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19443 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19444 disabled.
19445 @end table
19446
19447 @node Python API
19448 @subsection Python API
19449 @cindex python api
19450 @cindex programming in python
19451
19452 @cindex python stdout
19453 @cindex python pagination
19454 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19455 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19456 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19457 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19458 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19459
19460 @menu
19461 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19462 * Exception Handling::
19463 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19464 * Values From Inferior::
19465 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19466 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
19467 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19468 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19469 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19470 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19471 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19472 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
19473 @end menu
19474
19475 @node Basic Python
19476 @subsubsection Basic Python
19477
19478 @cindex python functions
19479 @cindex python module
19480 @cindex gdb module
19481 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19482 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19483 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19484 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19485
19486 @findex gdb.execute
19487 @defun execute command [from_tty]
19488 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19489 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19490 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19491 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19492
19493 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19494 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19495 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19496 @end defun
19497
19498 @findex gdb.parameter
19499 @defun parameter parameter
19500 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19501 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19502 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19503 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19504
19505 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19506 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19507 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19508 @end defun
19509
19510 @findex gdb.history
19511 @defun history number
19512 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19513 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19514 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19515 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19516 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19517 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19518 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19519 raised.
19520
19521 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19522 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19523 @end defun
19524
19525 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19526 @defun parse_and_eval expression
19527 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19528 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19529 @var{expression} must be a string.
19530
19531 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
19532 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
19533 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
19534 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
19535 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19536 @end defun
19537
19538 @findex gdb.write
19539 @defun write string
19540 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
19541 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
19542 call this function.
19543 @end defun
19544
19545 @findex gdb.flush
19546 @defun flush
19547 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
19548 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
19549 function.
19550 @end defun
19551
19552 @node Exception Handling
19553 @subsubsection Exception Handling
19554 @cindex python exceptions
19555 @cindex exceptions, python
19556
19557 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
19558 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
19559 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
19560 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
19561 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
19562 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
19563 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
19564
19565 @smallexample
19566 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
19567 Traceback (most recent call last):
19568 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
19569 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
19570 @end smallexample
19571
19572 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
19573 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
19574 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
19575 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
19576 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
19577 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
19578 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
19579 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
19580 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
19581 traceback.
19582
19583 @node Auto-loading
19584 @subsubsection Auto-loading
19585 @cindex auto-loading, Python
19586
19587 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
19588 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
19589 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
19590 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
19591 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
19592 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
19593 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
19594
19595 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
19596 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
19597 then @value{GDBN} will use for its each separated directory component
19598 @code{component} the file named @file{@code{component}/@var{real-name}}, where
19599 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
19600
19601 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
19602 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
19603 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
19604 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
19605 is the object file's real name, as described above.
19606
19607 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
19608 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
19609 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
19610 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
19611
19612 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
19613 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
19614 feature, and view its current state.
19615
19616 @table @code
19617 @kindex maint set python auto-load
19618 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
19619 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
19620
19621 @kindex show python auto-load
19622 @item show python auto-load
19623 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
19624 @end table
19625
19626 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
19627 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
19628 evaluated multiple times without error.
19629
19630 @node Values From Inferior
19631 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
19632 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
19633 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
19634
19635 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
19636 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
19637 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
19638 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
19639 fetching values when necessary.
19640
19641 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
19642 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
19643 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
19644
19645 @smallexample
19646 bar = some_val + 2
19647 @end smallexample
19648
19649 @noindent
19650 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
19651 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
19652
19653 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
19654 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
19655 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
19656 can access its @code{foo} element with:
19657
19658 @smallexample
19659 bar = some_val['foo']
19660 @end smallexample
19661
19662 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
19663
19664 The following attributes are provided:
19665
19666 @table @code
19667 @defivar Value address
19668 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
19669 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
19670 this attribute holds @code{None}.
19671 @end defivar
19672
19673 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19674 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19675 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19676 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19677 @end defivar
19678
19679 @defivar Value type
19680 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19681 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19682 @end defivar
19683 @end table
19684
19685 The following methods are provided:
19686
19687 @table @code
19688 @defmethod Value cast type
19689 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
19690 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
19691 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
19692 reason, this method throws an exception.
19693 @end defmethod
19694
19695 @defmethod Value dereference
19696 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19697 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19698 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19699
19700 @smallexample
19701 int *foo;
19702 @end smallexample
19703
19704 @noindent
19705 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
19706 @code{foo} points to like this:
19707
19708 @smallexample
19709 bar = foo.dereference ()
19710 @end smallexample
19711
19712 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
19713 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
19714 @end defmethod
19715
19716 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19717 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19718 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
19719 throw an exception.
19720
19721 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
19722 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
19723 language.
19724
19725 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
19726 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
19727 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
19728 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
19729 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
19730
19731 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19732 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
19733 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
19734 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
19735 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
19736 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
19737 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
19738 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
19739 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
19740
19741 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
19742 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
19743
19744 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19745 fetched and converted to the given length.
19746 @end defmethod
19747
19748 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19749 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19750 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
19751 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
19752
19753 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19754 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
19755 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
19756 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
19757 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
19758
19759 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
19760 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
19761 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
19762 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
19763 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
19764 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
19765
19766 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19767 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
19768 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
19769 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
19770 @end defmethod
19771 @end table
19772
19773 @node Types In Python
19774 @subsubsection Types In Python
19775 @cindex types in Python
19776 @cindex Python, working with types
19777
19778 @tindex gdb.Type
19779 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
19780 @code{gdb.Type}.
19781
19782 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
19783 module:
19784
19785 @findex gdb.lookup_type
19786 @defun lookup_type name [block]
19787 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
19788 type to look up. It must be a string.
19789
19790 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
19791 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
19792 @end defun
19793
19794 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
19795
19796 @table @code
19797 @defivar Type code
19798 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
19799 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
19800 @end defivar
19801
19802 @defivar Type sizeof
19803 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
19804 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
19805 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
19806 @end defivar
19807
19808 @defivar Type tag
19809 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
19810 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
19811 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
19812 @code{None} is returned.
19813 @end defivar
19814 @end table
19815
19816 The following methods are provided:
19817
19818 @table @code
19819 @defmethod Type fields
19820 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
19821 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
19822 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
19823 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
19824 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
19825 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
19826
19827 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
19828 @table @code
19829 @item bitpos
19830 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
19831 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
19832 position of the field.
19833
19834 @item name
19835 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
19836
19837 @item artificial
19838 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
19839 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
19840 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
19841
19842 @item is_base_class
19843 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
19844 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
19845 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
19846 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
19847
19848 @item bitsize
19849 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
19850 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
19851 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
19852
19853 @item type
19854 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
19855 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
19856 @end table
19857 @end defmethod
19858
19859 @defmethod Type const
19860 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19861 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
19862 @end defmethod
19863
19864 @defmethod Type volatile
19865 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19866 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
19867 @end defmethod
19868
19869 @defmethod Type unqualified
19870 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
19871 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
19872 @code{volatile}.
19873 @end defmethod
19874
19875 @defmethod Type range
19876 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
19877 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
19878 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
19879 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
19880 @end defmethod
19881
19882 @defmethod Type reference
19883 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
19884 type.
19885 @end defmethod
19886
19887 @defmethod Type pointer
19888 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
19889 type.
19890 @end defmethod
19891
19892 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
19893 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
19894 after removing all layers of typedefs.
19895 @end defmethod
19896
19897 @defmethod Type target
19898 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
19899 of this type.
19900
19901 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
19902 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
19903 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
19904 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
19905 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
19906 target type is the aliased type.
19907
19908 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
19909 exception.
19910 @end defmethod
19911
19912 @defmethod Type template_argument n
19913 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
19914 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
19915 @var{n}th template argument.
19916
19917 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
19918 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
19919
19920 @var{name} is searched for globally.
19921 @end defmethod
19922 @end table
19923
19924
19925 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
19926 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
19927 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19928
19929 @table @code
19930 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
19931 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
19932 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
19933 The type is a pointer.
19934
19935 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19936 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19937 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19938 The type is an array.
19939
19940 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19941 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19942 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19943 The type is a structure.
19944
19945 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
19946 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
19947 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
19948 The type is a union.
19949
19950 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19951 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19952 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19953 The type is an enum.
19954
19955 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19956 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19957 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19958 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
19959
19960 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19961 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19962 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19963 The type is a function.
19964
19965 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
19966 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
19967 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
19968 The type is an integer type.
19969
19970 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
19971 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
19972 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
19973 A floating point type.
19974
19975 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
19976 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
19977 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
19978 The special type @code{void}.
19979
19980 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
19981 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
19982 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
19983 A Pascal set type.
19984
19985 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19986 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19987 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19988 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
19989
19990 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
19991 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
19992 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
19993 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
19994 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
19995
19996 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19997 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19998 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19999 A string of bits.
20000
20001 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20002 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20003 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20004 An unknown or erroneous type.
20005
20006 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20007 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20008 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20009 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20010
20011 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20012 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20013 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20014 A pointer-to-member-function.
20015
20016 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20017 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20018 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20019 A pointer-to-member.
20020
20021 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20022 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20023 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
20024 A reference type.
20025
20026 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20027 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20028 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20029 A character type.
20030
20031 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20032 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20033 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20034 A boolean type.
20035
20036 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20037 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20038 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20039 A complex float type.
20040
20041 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20042 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20043 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20044 A typedef to some other type.
20045
20046 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20047 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20048 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20049 A C@t{++} namespace.
20050
20051 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20052 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20053 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20054 A decimal floating point type.
20055
20056 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20057 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20058 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20059 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20060 convenience functions.
20061 @end table
20062
20063 @node Pretty Printing
20064 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
20065
20066 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
20067 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
20068 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
20069 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
20070
20071 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
20072 pretty-printer:
20073
20074 @smallexample
20075 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20076 $1 = @{
20077 static npos = 4294967295,
20078 _M_dataplus = @{
20079 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
20080 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
20081 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
20082 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
20083 @}
20084 @}
20085 @end smallexample
20086
20087 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
20088 the contents are printed:
20089
20090 @smallexample
20091 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20092 $2 = "abcd"
20093 @end smallexample
20094
20095 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20096 specific interface, defined here.
20097
20098 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20099 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20100 children of the pretty-printer's value.
20101
20102 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20103 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
20104 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
20105 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
20106 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
20107
20108 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
20109 as though the value has no children.
20110 @end defop
20111
20112 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
20113 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
20114 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
20115 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
20116 printed.
20117
20118 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
20119 string.
20120
20121 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
20122
20123 @table @samp
20124 @item array
20125 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
20126 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
20127 @code{set print array}.
20128
20129 @item map
20130 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
20131 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
20132 values.
20133
20134 @item string
20135 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
20136 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
20137 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20138 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20139 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20140 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
20141 @end table
20142 @end defop
20143
20144 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20145 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20146 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20147
20148 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20149 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20150 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20151 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20152 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20153 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20154 the result of @code{children}.
20155
20156 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20157
20158 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20159 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20160 another pretty-printer.
20161
20162 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20163 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20164 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20165 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20166 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20167
20168 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20169 @end defop
20170
20171 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20172 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20173
20174 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20175 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20176 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20177 attribute.
20178
20179 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20180 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20181 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
20182 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20183 @code{None}.
20184
20185 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20186 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
20187 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
20188 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20189 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20190 object is returned.
20191
20192 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20193 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20194 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20195 object is returned.
20196
20197 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20198 written:
20199
20200 @smallexample
20201 class StdStringPrinter:
20202 "Print a std::string"
20203
20204 def __init__ (self, val):
20205 self.val = val
20206
20207 def to_string (self):
20208 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20209
20210 def display_hint (self):
20211 return 'string'
20212 @end smallexample
20213
20214 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20215 example above might be written.
20216
20217 @smallexample
20218 def str_lookup_function (val):
20219
20220 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20221 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20222 if lookup_tag == None:
20223 return None
20224 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20225 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20226
20227 return None
20228 @end smallexample
20229
20230 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20231 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20232 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20233 returns @code{None}.
20234
20235 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20236 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20237 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20238 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20239 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20240 different names.
20241
20242 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20243 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20244 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20245 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20246 the current objfile.
20247
20248 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20249 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20250 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20251 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20252 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20253 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20254 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20255 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20256 inferior.
20257
20258 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
20259 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20260
20261 @smallexample
20262 def register_printers (objfile):
20263 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20264 @end smallexample
20265
20266 @noindent
20267 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20268
20269 @smallexample
20270 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20271 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20272 @end smallexample
20273
20274 @node Commands In Python
20275 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20276
20277 @cindex commands in python
20278 @cindex python commands
20279 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20280 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20281 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20282
20283 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20284 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20285 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20286 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20287
20288 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20289 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20290 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20291 an exception is raised.
20292
20293 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20294
20295 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20296 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20297 new command in the help system.
20298
20299 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20300 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20301 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20302 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20303 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20304 error will occur when completion is attempted.
20305
20306 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20307 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20308 registered.
20309
20310 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20311 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20312 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20313 not documented.'' is used.
20314 @end defmethod
20315
20316 @cindex don't repeat Python command
20317 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
20318 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20319 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20320 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20321 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20322 @end defmethod
20323
20324 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20325 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20326
20327 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20328 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20329
20330 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20331 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20332 that the command came from elsewhere.
20333
20334 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20335 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20336 @end defmethod
20337
20338 @cindex completion of Python commands
20339 @defmethod Command complete text word
20340 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20341 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20342 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20343 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20344 complete}).
20345
20346 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20347 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20348 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20349 using a word-breaking heuristic.
20350
20351 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20352 @itemize @bullet
20353 @item
20354 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20355 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20356 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20357 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20358 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20359 sequence are ignored.
20360
20361 @item
20362 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20363 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20364 function is invoked, and its result is used.
20365
20366 @item
20367 All other results are treated as though there were no available
20368 completions.
20369 @end itemize
20370 @end defmethod
20371
20372 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20373 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20374 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20375 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20376 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20377 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20378
20379 @table @code
20380 @findex COMMAND_NONE
20381 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20382 @item COMMAND_NONE
20383 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20384 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20385
20386 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20387 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20388 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
20389 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20390 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20391 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20392 commands in this category.
20393
20394 @findex COMMAND_DATA
20395 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20396 @item COMMAND_DATA
20397 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20398 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20399 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20400 in this category.
20401
20402 @findex COMMAND_STACK
20403 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20404 @item COMMAND_STACK
20405 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20406 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20407 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20408 list of commands in this category.
20409
20410 @findex COMMAND_FILES
20411 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20412 @item COMMAND_FILES
20413 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20414 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20415 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20416 commands in this category.
20417
20418 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20419 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20420 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20421 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20422 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20423 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20424 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20425 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20426 commands in this category.
20427
20428 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
20429 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20430 @item COMMAND_STATUS
20431 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20432 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20433 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20434 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20435
20436 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20437 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20438 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20439 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20440 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20441 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20442 this category.
20443
20444 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20445 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20446 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20447 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20448 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20449 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20450 commands in this category.
20451
20452 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20453 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20454 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20455 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20456 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20457 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20458 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20459 category.
20460
20461 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20462 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20463 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20464 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20465 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20466 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20467 commands in this category.
20468 @end table
20469
20470 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20471 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20472 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20473 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20474
20475 @table @code
20476 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
20477 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20478 @item COMPLETE_NONE
20479 This constant means that no completion should be done.
20480
20481 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20482 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20483 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20484 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20485
20486 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20487 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20488 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20489 This constant means that location completion should be done.
20490 @xref{Specify Location}.
20491
20492 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20493 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20494 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20495 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20496 command names.
20497
20498 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20499 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20500 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20501 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20502 as the source.
20503 @end table
20504
20505 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20506 implemented in Python:
20507
20508 @smallexample
20509 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20510 """Greet the whole world."""
20511
20512 def __init__ (self):
20513 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20514
20515 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20516 print "Hello, World!"
20517
20518 HelloWorld ()
20519 @end smallexample
20520
20521 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20522 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20523 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20524 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20525
20526 @node Functions In Python
20527 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20528
20529 @cindex writing convenience functions
20530 @cindex convenience functions in python
20531 @cindex python convenience functions
20532 @tindex gdb.Function
20533 @tindex Function
20534 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20535 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20536 class @code{gdb.Function}.
20537
20538 @defmethod Function __init__ name
20539 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20540 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20541 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20542 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20543 the given @var{name}.
20544
20545 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20546 string for the new class.
20547 @end defmethod
20548
20549 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20550 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20551 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20552 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20553 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20554 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20555 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20556 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20557
20558 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20559 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20560 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20561 @end defmethod
20562
20563 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20564 be implemented in Python:
20565
20566 @smallexample
20567 class Greet (gdb.Function):
20568 """Return string to greet someone.
20569 Takes a name as argument."""
20570
20571 def __init__ (self):
20572 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20573
20574 def invoke (self, name):
20575 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
20576
20577 Greet ()
20578 @end smallexample
20579
20580 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20581 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20582 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20583 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20584
20585 @node Objfiles In Python
20586 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
20587
20588 @cindex objfiles in python
20589 @tindex gdb.Objfile
20590 @tindex Objfile
20591 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
20592 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
20593 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
20594 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
20595 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
20596
20597 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
20598 @code{gdb} module:
20599
20600 @findex gdb.current_objfile
20601 @defun current_objfile
20602 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
20603 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
20604 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
20605 this function returns @code{None}.
20606 @end defun
20607
20608 @findex gdb.objfiles
20609 @defun objfiles
20610 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
20611 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20612 @end defun
20613
20614 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
20615 class.
20616
20617 @defivar Objfile filename
20618 The file name of the objfile as a string.
20619 @end defivar
20620
20621 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
20622 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20623 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20624 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20625 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20626 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20627 information.
20628 @end defivar
20629
20630 @node Frames In Python
20631 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20632
20633 @cindex frames in python
20634 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
20635 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
20636 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
20637 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
20638 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
20639 exception.
20640
20641 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
20642 operator, like:
20643
20644 @smallexample
20645 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
20646 True
20647 @end smallexample
20648
20649 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
20650
20651 @findex gdb.selected_frame
20652 @defun selected_frame
20653 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
20654 @end defun
20655
20656 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
20657 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
20658 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
20659 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
20660 @end defun
20661
20662 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
20663
20664 @table @code
20665 @defmethod Frame is_valid
20666 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
20667 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
20668 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
20669 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
20670 @end defmethod
20671
20672 @defmethod Frame name
20673 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
20674 obtained.
20675 @end defmethod
20676
20677 @defmethod Frame type
20678 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
20679 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
20680 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
20681 @end defmethod
20682
20683 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
20684 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
20685 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
20686 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
20687 function to a string.
20688 @end defmethod
20689
20690 @defmethod Frame pc
20691 Returns the frame's resume address.
20692 @end defmethod
20693
20694 @defmethod Frame older
20695 Return the frame that called this frame.
20696 @end defmethod
20697
20698 @defmethod Frame newer
20699 Return the frame called by this frame.
20700 @end defmethod
20701
20702 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
20703 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
20704 be a string.
20705 @end defmethod
20706 @end table
20707
20708 @node Lazy Strings In Python
20709 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
20710
20711 @cindex lazy strings in python
20712 @tindex gdb.LazyString
20713
20714 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
20715 encoded until it is needed.
20716
20717 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
20718 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
20719 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
20720 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
20721 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
20722 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
20723 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
20724 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
20725 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
20726
20727 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
20728
20729 @defmethod LazyString value
20730 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
20731 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
20732 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
20733 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
20734 @end defmethod
20735
20736 @defivar LazyString address
20737 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
20738 writable.
20739 @end defivar
20740
20741 @defivar LazyString length
20742 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
20743 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
20744 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
20745 @end defivar
20746
20747 @defivar LazyString encoding
20748 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
20749 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
20750 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
20751 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
20752 is not writable.
20753 @end defivar
20754
20755 @defivar LazyString type
20756 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
20757 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
20758 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
20759 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
20760 writable.
20761 @end defivar
20762
20763 @node Interpreters
20764 @chapter Command Interpreters
20765 @cindex command interpreters
20766
20767 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
20768 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
20769 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
20770
20771 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
20772 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
20773 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
20774 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
20775
20776 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
20777 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
20778 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
20779 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
20780
20781 @table @code
20782 @item console
20783 @cindex console interpreter
20784 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
20785 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
20786 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
20787
20788 @item mi
20789 @cindex mi interpreter
20790 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
20791 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
20792 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
20793 Interface}.
20794
20795 @item mi2
20796 @cindex mi2 interpreter
20797 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
20798
20799 @item mi1
20800 @cindex mi1 interpreter
20801 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
20802
20803 @end table
20804
20805 @cindex invoke another interpreter
20806 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
20807 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
20808 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
20809 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
20810 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
20811 the IDE inoperable!
20812
20813 @kindex interpreter-exec
20814 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
20815 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
20816 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
20817 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
20818
20819 @smallexample
20820 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
20821 @end smallexample
20822
20823 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
20824 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
20825
20826 @node TUI
20827 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
20828 @cindex TUI
20829 @cindex Text User Interface
20830
20831 @menu
20832 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
20833 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
20834 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
20835 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
20836 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
20837 @end menu
20838
20839 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
20840 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
20841 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
20842 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
20843 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
20844 is available.
20845
20846 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
20847 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
20848 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
20849 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
20850 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
20851 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
20852
20853 @node TUI Overview
20854 @section TUI Overview
20855
20856 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
20857
20858 @table @emph
20859 @item command
20860 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
20861 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
20862 managed using readline.
20863
20864 @item source
20865 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
20866 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
20867
20868 @item assembly
20869 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
20870
20871 @item register
20872 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
20873 when their values change.
20874 @end table
20875
20876 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
20877 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
20878 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
20879 indicates the breakpoint type:
20880
20881 @table @code
20882 @item B
20883 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20884
20885 @item b
20886 Breakpoint which was never hit.
20887
20888 @item H
20889 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20890
20891 @item h
20892 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
20893 @end table
20894
20895 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
20896
20897 @table @code
20898 @item +
20899 Breakpoint is enabled.
20900
20901 @item -
20902 Breakpoint is disabled.
20903 @end table
20904
20905 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
20906 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
20907 changes.
20908
20909 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
20910 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
20911 layouts:
20912
20913 @itemize @bullet
20914 @item
20915 source only,
20916
20917 @item
20918 assembly only,
20919
20920 @item
20921 source and assembly,
20922
20923 @item
20924 source and registers, or
20925
20926 @item
20927 assembly and registers.
20928 @end itemize
20929
20930 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
20931
20932 @table @emph
20933 @item target
20934 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
20935 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20936
20937 @item process
20938 Gives the current process or thread number.
20939 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
20940
20941 @item function
20942 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
20943 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
20944 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
20945 the string @code{??} is displayed.
20946
20947 @item line
20948 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
20949 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
20950
20951 @item pc
20952 Indicates the current program counter address.
20953 @end table
20954
20955 @node TUI Keys
20956 @section TUI Key Bindings
20957 @cindex TUI key bindings
20958
20959 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
20960 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
20961 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
20962
20963 @table @kbd
20964 @kindex C-x C-a
20965 @item C-x C-a
20966 @kindex C-x a
20967 @itemx C-x a
20968 @kindex C-x A
20969 @itemx C-x A
20970 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
20971 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
20972 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
20973 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
20974 The screen is then refreshed.
20975
20976 @kindex C-x 1
20977 @item C-x 1
20978 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
20979 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
20980 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
20981
20982 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
20983
20984 @kindex C-x 2
20985 @item C-x 2
20986 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
20987 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
20988 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
20989 previous layout and the new one.
20990
20991 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
20992
20993 @kindex C-x o
20994 @item C-x o
20995 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
20996 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
20997 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
20998
20999 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
21000
21001 @kindex C-x s
21002 @item C-x s
21003 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
21004 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
21005 @end table
21006
21007 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
21008
21009 @table @asis
21010 @kindex PgUp
21011 @item @key{PgUp}
21012 Scroll the active window one page up.
21013
21014 @kindex PgDn
21015 @item @key{PgDn}
21016 Scroll the active window one page down.
21017
21018 @kindex Up
21019 @item @key{Up}
21020 Scroll the active window one line up.
21021
21022 @kindex Down
21023 @item @key{Down}
21024 Scroll the active window one line down.
21025
21026 @kindex Left
21027 @item @key{Left}
21028 Scroll the active window one column left.
21029
21030 @kindex Right
21031 @item @key{Right}
21032 Scroll the active window one column right.
21033
21034 @kindex C-L
21035 @item @kbd{C-L}
21036 Refresh the screen.
21037 @end table
21038
21039 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
21040 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
21041 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
21042 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
21043 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
21044
21045 @node TUI Single Key Mode
21046 @section TUI Single Key Mode
21047 @cindex TUI single key mode
21048
21049 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
21050 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
21051 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
21052
21053 @table @kbd
21054 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21055 @item c
21056 continue
21057
21058 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21059 @item d
21060 down
21061
21062 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21063 @item f
21064 finish
21065
21066 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21067 @item n
21068 next
21069
21070 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21071 @item q
21072 exit the SingleKey mode.
21073
21074 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21075 @item r
21076 run
21077
21078 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21079 @item s
21080 step
21081
21082 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21083 @item u
21084 up
21085
21086 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21087 @item v
21088 info locals
21089
21090 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21091 @item w
21092 where
21093 @end table
21094
21095 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
21096 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
21097 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
21098 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
21099 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
21100 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
21101
21102
21103 @node TUI Commands
21104 @section TUI-specific Commands
21105 @cindex TUI commands
21106
21107 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
21108 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
21109 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
21110 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
21111
21112 @table @code
21113 @item info win
21114 @kindex info win
21115 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
21116
21117 @item layout next
21118 @kindex layout
21119 Display the next layout.
21120
21121 @item layout prev
21122 Display the previous layout.
21123
21124 @item layout src
21125 Display the source window only.
21126
21127 @item layout asm
21128 Display the assembly window only.
21129
21130 @item layout split
21131 Display the source and assembly window.
21132
21133 @item layout regs
21134 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
21135
21136 @item focus next
21137 @kindex focus
21138 Make the next window active for scrolling.
21139
21140 @item focus prev
21141 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
21142
21143 @item focus src
21144 Make the source window active for scrolling.
21145
21146 @item focus asm
21147 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
21148
21149 @item focus regs
21150 Make the register window active for scrolling.
21151
21152 @item focus cmd
21153 Make the command window active for scrolling.
21154
21155 @item refresh
21156 @kindex refresh
21157 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
21158
21159 @item tui reg float
21160 @kindex tui reg
21161 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
21162
21163 @item tui reg general
21164 Show the general registers in the register window.
21165
21166 @item tui reg next
21167 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
21168 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
21169 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
21170 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
21171
21172 @item tui reg system
21173 Show the system registers in the register window.
21174
21175 @item update
21176 @kindex update
21177 Update the source window and the current execution point.
21178
21179 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
21180 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
21181 @kindex winheight
21182 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
21183 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
21184 decrease it.
21185
21186 @item tabset @var{nchars}
21187 @kindex tabset
21188 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
21189 @end table
21190
21191 @node TUI Configuration
21192 @section TUI Configuration Variables
21193 @cindex TUI configuration variables
21194
21195 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
21196
21197 @table @code
21198 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
21199 @kindex set tui border-kind
21200 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
21201 The possible values are the following:
21202 @table @code
21203 @item space
21204 Use a space character to draw the border.
21205
21206 @item ascii
21207 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
21208
21209 @item acs
21210 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
21211 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
21212 @end table
21213
21214 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
21215 @kindex set tui border-mode
21216 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
21217 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
21218 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
21219 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
21220 @table @code
21221 @item normal
21222 Use normal attributes to display the border.
21223
21224 @item standout
21225 Use standout mode.
21226
21227 @item reverse
21228 Use reverse video mode.
21229
21230 @item half
21231 Use half bright mode.
21232
21233 @item half-standout
21234 Use half bright and standout mode.
21235
21236 @item bold
21237 Use extra bright or bold mode.
21238
21239 @item bold-standout
21240 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
21241 @end table
21242 @end table
21243
21244 @node Emacs
21245 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
21246
21247 @cindex Emacs
21248 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
21249 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
21250 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
21251 @value{GDBN}.
21252
21253 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
21254 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
21255 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
21256 created Emacs buffer.
21257 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
21258
21259 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
21260 things:
21261
21262 @itemize @bullet
21263 @item
21264 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
21265 the GUD buffer.
21266
21267 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
21268 and output done by the program you are debugging.
21269
21270 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
21271 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
21272 in this way.
21273
21274 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
21275 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
21276 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
21277 stop.
21278
21279 @item
21280 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
21281
21282 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
21283 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
21284 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
21285 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
21286 and the source.
21287
21288 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
21289 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
21290 @end itemize
21291
21292 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
21293 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
21294 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
21295 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
21296
21297 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
21298 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
21299 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
21300 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
21301 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
21302 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
21303 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
21304 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
21305 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
21306
21307 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
21308 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
21309 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
21310 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21311
21312 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
21313 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
21314 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
21315 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
21316 one you want.
21317
21318 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
21319 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
21320
21321 @table @kbd
21322 @item C-h m
21323 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
21324
21325 @item C-c C-s
21326 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
21327 update the display window to show the current file and location.
21328
21329 @item C-c C-n
21330 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
21331 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
21332 to show the current file and location.
21333
21334 @item C-c C-i
21335 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
21336 display window accordingly.
21337
21338 @item C-c C-f
21339 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
21340 @code{finish} command.
21341
21342 @item C-c C-r
21343 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
21344 command.
21345
21346 @item C-c <
21347 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
21348 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
21349 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
21350
21351 @item C-c >
21352 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
21353 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
21354 @end table
21355
21356 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
21357 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
21358
21359 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
21360 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
21361 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
21362 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
21363 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
21364 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
21365 speedbar displays watch expressions.
21366
21367 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
21368 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
21369 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
21370 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
21371 frame.
21372
21373 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
21374 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
21375 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
21376 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
21377 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
21378 to correspond properly with the code.
21379
21380 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
21381 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
21382 Emacs Manual}).
21383
21384 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
21385 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
21386 @ignore
21387 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
21388 @kindex Epoch
21389 @kindex inspect
21390
21391 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
21392 called the @code{epoch}
21393 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
21394 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
21395 each value is printed in its own window.
21396 @end ignore
21397
21398
21399 @node GDB/MI
21400 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
21401
21402 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
21403
21404 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
21405 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
21406 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
21407 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
21408 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
21409 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
21410
21411 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
21412 in the form of a reference manual.
21413
21414 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
21415 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
21416 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
21417
21418 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
21419
21420 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
21421 This chapter uses the following notation:
21422
21423 @itemize @bullet
21424 @item
21425 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
21426
21427 @item
21428 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
21429 it may or may not be given.
21430
21431 @item
21432 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21433 may repeat zero or more times.
21434
21435 @item
21436 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21437 may repeat one or more times.
21438
21439 @item
21440 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
21441 @end itemize
21442
21443 @ignore
21444 @heading Dependencies
21445 @end ignore
21446
21447 @menu
21448 * GDB/MI General Design::
21449 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
21450 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
21451 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
21452 * GDB/MI Output Records::
21453 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
21454 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
21455 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
21456 * GDB/MI Program Context::
21457 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
21458 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
21459 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
21460 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
21461 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
21462 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
21463 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
21464 * GDB/MI File Commands::
21465 @ignore
21466 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
21467 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
21468 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
21469 @end ignore
21470 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
21471 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
21472 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
21473 @end menu
21474
21475 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21476 @node GDB/MI General Design
21477 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
21478 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
21479
21480 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
21481 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
21482 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
21483 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
21484 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
21485 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
21486 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
21487 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
21488 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
21489 a command and reported as part of that command response.
21490
21491 The important examples of notifications are:
21492 @itemize @bullet
21493
21494 @item
21495 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
21496 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
21497 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
21498 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
21499 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
21500 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
21501 command itself was successfully executed.
21502
21503 @item
21504 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
21505 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
21506 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
21507 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
21508 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
21509 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
21510
21511 @item
21512 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
21513 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
21514 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
21515 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
21516 orthogonal frontend design.
21517
21518 @end itemize
21519
21520 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
21521 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
21522 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
21523 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
21524 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
21525 the user interface.
21526
21527
21528 @menu
21529 * Context management::
21530 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
21531 * Thread groups::
21532 @end menu
21533
21534 @node Context management
21535 @subsection Context management
21536
21537 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
21538 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
21539 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
21540 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
21541 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
21542 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
21543 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
21544 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
21545 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
21546
21547 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
21548 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
21549 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
21550 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
21551 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
21552 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
21553 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
21554 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
21555 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
21556 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
21557 for thread and frame to operate on.
21558
21559 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
21560 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
21561 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
21562 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
21563 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
21564 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
21565 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
21566 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
21567 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
21568 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
21569
21570 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
21571 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
21572 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
21573 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
21574 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
21575 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
21576 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
21577 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
21578 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
21579 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
21580 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
21581 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
21582 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
21583 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
21584 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
21585 @samp{--frame} options.
21586
21587 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
21588 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
21589
21590 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
21591 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
21592 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
21593 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
21594 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
21595 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
21596 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
21597 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
21598 @code{-list-target-features} command.
21599
21600 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
21601 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
21602 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
21603 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
21604 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
21605 are running.
21606
21607 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
21608 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
21609 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
21610 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
21611 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
21612 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
21613 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
21614 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
21615 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
21616 @samp{--thread} option).
21617
21618 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
21619 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
21620 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
21621 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
21622
21623 @node Thread groups
21624 @subsection Thread groups
21625 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
21626 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
21627 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
21628 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
21629 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
21630
21631 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
21632 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
21633 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
21634 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
21635 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
21636 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
21637 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
21638 into processes.
21639
21640 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
21641 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
21642 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
21643 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
21644 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
21645 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
21646 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
21647 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
21648 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
21649 the members of specific thread group.
21650
21651 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
21652 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
21653 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
21654 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
21655 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
21656 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
21657 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
21658 after attaching to that thread group.
21659
21660 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21661 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
21662 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
21663
21664 @menu
21665 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
21666 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
21667 @end menu
21668
21669 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
21670 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
21671
21672 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
21673 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
21674 @table @code
21675 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
21676 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
21677
21678 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
21679 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
21680 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21681
21682 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
21683 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
21684 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
21685
21686 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21687 "any sequence of digits"
21688
21689 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
21690 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
21691
21692 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
21693 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
21694
21695 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
21696 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
21697
21698 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
21699 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
21700 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
21701
21702 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
21703 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
21704
21705 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21706 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21707 @end table
21708
21709 @noindent
21710 Notes:
21711
21712 @itemize @bullet
21713 @item
21714 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
21715 output is described below.
21716
21717 @item
21718 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
21719 finishes.
21720
21721 @item
21722 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
21723 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
21724 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
21725 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
21726 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
21727 @end itemize
21728
21729 Pragmatics:
21730
21731 @itemize @bullet
21732 @item
21733 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
21734
21735 @item
21736 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
21737 @end itemize
21738
21739 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
21740 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
21741
21742 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
21743 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
21744 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
21745 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
21746 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
21747 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
21748
21749 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
21750 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
21751 @var{token}.
21752
21753 @table @code
21754 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
21755 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
21756
21757 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
21758 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21759
21760 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
21761 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
21762
21763 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
21764 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
21765
21766 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
21767 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
21768
21769 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
21770 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
21771
21772 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
21773 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
21774
21775 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
21776 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21777
21778 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
21779 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
21780
21781 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
21782 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
21783 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
21784
21785 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
21786 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
21787
21788 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
21789 @code{ @var{string} }
21790
21791 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
21792 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
21793
21794 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
21795 @code{@var{c-string}}
21796
21797 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
21798 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
21799
21800 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
21801 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
21802 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
21803
21804 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
21805 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
21806
21807 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
21808 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
21809
21810 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
21811 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
21812
21813 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
21814 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
21815
21816 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21817 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21818
21819 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21820 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
21821 @end table
21822
21823 @noindent
21824 Notes:
21825
21826 @itemize @bullet
21827 @item
21828 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
21829
21830 @item
21831 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
21832 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
21833 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
21834 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
21835 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
21836 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
21837 prior command.
21838
21839 @item
21840 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21841 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
21842 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
21843 prefixed by @samp{+}.
21844
21845 @item
21846 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21847 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
21848 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
21849 @samp{*}.
21850
21851 @item
21852 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21853 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
21854 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
21855 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
21856
21857 @item
21858 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21859 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
21860 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
21861 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
21862
21863 @item
21864 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21865 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
21866 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
21867
21868 @item
21869 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21870 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
21871 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
21872 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
21873
21874 @item
21875 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21876 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
21877 @var{values}.
21878
21879
21880 @end itemize
21881
21882 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
21883 details about the various output records.
21884
21885 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21886 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
21887 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
21888
21889 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
21890 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
21891
21892 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
21893 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
21894 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
21895 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
21896 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
21897 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
21898
21899 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
21900 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
21901 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
21902
21903 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21904 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
21905 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
21906 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
21907
21908 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
21909 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
21910
21911 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
21912 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
21913 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
21914 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
21915 might change.
21916
21917 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
21918 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
21919 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
21920 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
21921
21922 @itemize @bullet
21923 @item
21924 New MI commands may be added.
21925
21926 @item
21927 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
21928
21929 @item
21930 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
21931 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
21932
21933 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
21934 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
21935
21936 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
21937 @c resolve inconsistencies.
21938 @end itemize
21939
21940 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
21941 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
21942 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
21943 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
21944 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
21945
21946 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
21947 @c version?
21948
21949 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
21950 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
21951 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
21952 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
21953 @cindex mailing lists
21954
21955 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21956 @node GDB/MI Output Records
21957 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
21958
21959 @menu
21960 * GDB/MI Result Records::
21961 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
21962 * GDB/MI Async Records::
21963 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
21964 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
21965 @end menu
21966
21967 @node GDB/MI Result Records
21968 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
21969
21970 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21971 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
21972 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
21973 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
21974
21975 @table @code
21976 @findex ^done
21977 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
21978 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
21979 values.
21980
21981 @item "^running"
21982 @findex ^running
21983 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
21984 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
21985 running.
21986
21987 @item "^connected"
21988 @findex ^connected
21989 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
21990
21991 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
21992 @findex ^error
21993 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
21994 error message.
21995
21996 @item "^exit"
21997 @findex ^exit
21998 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
21999
22000 @end table
22001
22002 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
22003 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
22004
22005 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
22006 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22007 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
22008 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
22009 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
22010
22011 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
22012 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
22013 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
22014 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
22015 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
22016
22017 @table @code
22018 @item "~" @var{string-output}
22019 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
22020 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
22021
22022 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
22023 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
22024 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
22025 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
22026
22027 @item "&" @var{string-output}
22028 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
22029 internals.
22030 @end table
22031
22032 @node GDB/MI Async Records
22033 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
22034
22035 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22036 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
22037 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
22038 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
22039 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
22040 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
22041
22042 The following is the list of possible async records:
22043
22044 @table @code
22045
22046 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
22047 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
22048 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
22049 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
22050 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
22051 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
22052 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
22053 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
22054 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
22055 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
22056
22057 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
22058 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
22059 following values:
22060
22061 @table @code
22062 @item breakpoint-hit
22063 A breakpoint was reached.
22064 @item watchpoint-trigger
22065 A watchpoint was triggered.
22066 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
22067 A read watchpoint was triggered.
22068 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
22069 An access watchpoint was triggered.
22070 @item function-finished
22071 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22072 @item location-reached
22073 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22074 @item watchpoint-scope
22075 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
22076 @item end-stepping-range
22077 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
22078 similar CLI command was accomplished.
22079 @item exited-signalled
22080 The inferior exited because of a signal.
22081 @item exited
22082 The inferior exited.
22083 @item exited-normally
22084 The inferior exited normally.
22085 @item signal-received
22086 A signal was received by the inferior.
22087 @end table
22088
22089 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
22090 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
22091 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
22092 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
22093 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
22094 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
22095 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
22096 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
22097 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
22098 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
22099 if such information is not available.
22100
22101 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
22102 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
22103 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
22104 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
22105 thread group.
22106
22107 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22108 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22109 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
22110 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
22111 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
22112
22113 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
22114 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
22115 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
22116 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
22117 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
22118 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
22119 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
22120
22121 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
22122 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
22123 that thread.
22124
22125 @item =library-loaded,...
22126 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
22127 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
22128 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
22129 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
22130 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
22131 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
22132 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
22133 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
22134 library are loaded.
22135
22136 @item =library-unloaded,...
22137 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
22138 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
22139 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
22140
22141 @end table
22142
22143 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
22144 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
22145
22146 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
22147 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
22148 fields:
22149
22150 @table @code
22151 @item level
22152 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
22153 zero. This field is always present.
22154
22155 @item func
22156 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
22157 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
22158
22159 @item addr
22160 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
22161
22162 @item file
22163 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
22164 address. This field may be absent.
22165
22166 @item line
22167 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
22168 may be absent.
22169
22170 @item from
22171 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
22172 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
22173
22174 @end table
22175
22176 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
22177 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
22178
22179 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
22180 uses a tuple with the following fields:
22181
22182 @table @code
22183 @item id
22184 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
22185 always present.
22186
22187 @item target-id
22188 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
22189
22190 @item details
22191 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
22192 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
22193 frontend. This field is optional.
22194
22195 @item state
22196 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
22197 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
22198
22199 @item core
22200 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
22201 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
22202 @end table
22203
22204
22205 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22206 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
22207 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
22208 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
22209
22210 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
22211 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
22212 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
22213 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
22214
22215 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
22216 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
22217
22218 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
22219
22220 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
22221 information of the breakpoint.
22222
22223 @smallexample
22224 -> -break-insert main
22225 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22226 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
22227 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
22228 <- (gdb)
22229 @end smallexample
22230
22231 @subheading Program Execution
22232
22233 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
22234 reason that execution stopped.
22235
22236 @smallexample
22237 -> -exec-run
22238 <- ^running
22239 <- (gdb)
22240 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
22241 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
22242 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
22243 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
22244 <- (gdb)
22245 -> -exec-continue
22246 <- ^running
22247 <- (gdb)
22248 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22249 <- (gdb)
22250 @end smallexample
22251
22252 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
22253
22254 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
22255
22256 @smallexample
22257 -> (gdb)
22258 <- -gdb-exit
22259 <- ^exit
22260 @end smallexample
22261
22262 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
22263 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
22264 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
22265 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
22266 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
22267 fails to exit in reasonable time.
22268
22269 @subheading A Bad Command
22270
22271 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
22272
22273 @smallexample
22274 -> -rubbish
22275 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
22276 <- (gdb)
22277 @end smallexample
22278
22279
22280 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22281 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
22282 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
22283
22284 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
22285 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
22286
22287 @subheading Motivation
22288
22289 The motivation for this collection of commands.
22290
22291 @subheading Introduction
22292
22293 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
22294
22295 @subheading Commands
22296
22297 For each command in the block, the following is described:
22298
22299 @subsubheading Synopsis
22300
22301 @smallexample
22302 -command @var{args}@dots{}
22303 @end smallexample
22304
22305 @subsubheading Result
22306
22307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22308
22309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
22310
22311 @subsubheading Example
22312
22313 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
22314 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
22315
22316
22317 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22318 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
22319 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
22320
22321 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
22322 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
22323 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
22324 breakpoints.
22325
22326 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
22327 @findex -break-after
22328
22329 @subsubheading Synopsis
22330
22331 @smallexample
22332 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
22333 @end smallexample
22334
22335 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
22336 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
22337 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
22338 @samp{-break-list} command below.
22339
22340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22341
22342 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
22343
22344 @subsubheading Example
22345
22346 @smallexample
22347 (gdb)
22348 -break-insert main
22349 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22350 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22351 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22352 (gdb)
22353 -break-after 1 3
22354 ~
22355 ^done
22356 (gdb)
22357 -break-list
22358 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22359 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22360 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22361 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22362 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22363 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22364 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22365 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22366 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22367 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22368 (gdb)
22369 @end smallexample
22370
22371 @ignore
22372 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
22373 @findex -break-catch
22374 @end ignore
22375
22376 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
22377 @findex -break-commands
22378
22379 @subsubheading Synopsis
22380
22381 @smallexample
22382 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
22383 @end smallexample
22384
22385 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
22386 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
22387 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
22388 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
22389 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
22390 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
22391
22392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22393
22394 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
22395
22396 @subsubheading Example
22397
22398 @smallexample
22399 (gdb)
22400 -break-insert main
22401 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22402 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22403 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22404 (gdb)
22405 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
22406 ^done
22407 (gdb)
22408 @end smallexample
22409
22410 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
22411 @findex -break-condition
22412
22413 @subsubheading Synopsis
22414
22415 @smallexample
22416 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
22417 @end smallexample
22418
22419 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
22420 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
22421 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
22422 command below).
22423
22424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22425
22426 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
22427
22428 @subsubheading Example
22429
22430 @smallexample
22431 (gdb)
22432 -break-condition 1 1
22433 ^done
22434 (gdb)
22435 -break-list
22436 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22437 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22438 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22439 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22440 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22441 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22442 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22443 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22444 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22445 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22446 (gdb)
22447 @end smallexample
22448
22449 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
22450 @findex -break-delete
22451
22452 @subsubheading Synopsis
22453
22454 @smallexample
22455 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22456 @end smallexample
22457
22458 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
22459 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
22460
22461 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22462
22463 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
22464
22465 @subsubheading Example
22466
22467 @smallexample
22468 (gdb)
22469 -break-delete 1
22470 ^done
22471 (gdb)
22472 -break-list
22473 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22474 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22475 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22476 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22477 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22478 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22479 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22480 body=[]@}
22481 (gdb)
22482 @end smallexample
22483
22484 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
22485 @findex -break-disable
22486
22487 @subsubheading Synopsis
22488
22489 @smallexample
22490 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22491 @end smallexample
22492
22493 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
22494 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
22495
22496 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22497
22498 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
22499
22500 @subsubheading Example
22501
22502 @smallexample
22503 (gdb)
22504 -break-disable 2
22505 ^done
22506 (gdb)
22507 -break-list
22508 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22509 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22510 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22511 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22512 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22513 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22514 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22515 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
22516 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22517 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22518 (gdb)
22519 @end smallexample
22520
22521 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
22522 @findex -break-enable
22523
22524 @subsubheading Synopsis
22525
22526 @smallexample
22527 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22528 @end smallexample
22529
22530 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
22531
22532 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22533
22534 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
22535
22536 @subsubheading Example
22537
22538 @smallexample
22539 (gdb)
22540 -break-enable 2
22541 ^done
22542 (gdb)
22543 -break-list
22544 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22545 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22546 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22547 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22548 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22549 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22550 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22551 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22552 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22553 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22554 (gdb)
22555 @end smallexample
22556
22557 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
22558 @findex -break-info
22559
22560 @subsubheading Synopsis
22561
22562 @smallexample
22563 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
22564 @end smallexample
22565
22566 @c REDUNDANT???
22567 Get information about a single breakpoint.
22568
22569 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22570
22571 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
22572
22573 @subsubheading Example
22574 N.A.
22575
22576 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
22577 @findex -break-insert
22578
22579 @subsubheading Synopsis
22580
22581 @smallexample
22582 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
22583 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
22584 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
22585 @end smallexample
22586
22587 @noindent
22588 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
22589
22590 @itemize @bullet
22591 @item function
22592 @c @item +offset
22593 @c @item -offset
22594 @c @item linenum
22595 @item filename:linenum
22596 @item filename:function
22597 @item *address
22598 @end itemize
22599
22600 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
22601
22602 @table @samp
22603 @item -t
22604 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
22605 @item -h
22606 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
22607 @item -c @var{condition}
22608 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
22609 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
22610 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
22611 @item -f
22612 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
22613 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
22614 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
22615 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
22616 cannot be parsed.
22617 @item -d
22618 Create a disabled breakpoint.
22619 @end table
22620
22621 @subsubheading Result
22622
22623 The result is in the form:
22624
22625 @smallexample
22626 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
22627 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
22628 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
22629 times="@var{times}"@}
22630 @end smallexample
22631
22632 @noindent
22633 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
22634 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
22635 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
22636 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
22637 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
22638 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
22639 which use the same output).
22640
22641 Note: this format is open to change.
22642 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
22643
22644 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22645
22646 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
22647 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
22648
22649 @subsubheading Example
22650
22651 @smallexample
22652 (gdb)
22653 -break-insert main
22654 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
22655 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
22656 (gdb)
22657 -break-insert -t foo
22658 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
22659 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
22660 (gdb)
22661 -break-list
22662 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22663 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22664 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22665 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22666 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22667 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22668 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22669 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22670 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
22671 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
22672 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
22673 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
22674 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
22675 (gdb)
22676 -break-insert -r foo.*
22677 ~int foo(int, int);
22678 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
22679 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
22680 (gdb)
22681 @end smallexample
22682
22683 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
22684 @findex -break-list
22685
22686 @subsubheading Synopsis
22687
22688 @smallexample
22689 -break-list
22690 @end smallexample
22691
22692 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
22693
22694 @table @samp
22695 @item Number
22696 number of the breakpoint
22697 @item Type
22698 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
22699 @item Disposition
22700 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
22701 or @samp{nokeep}
22702 @item Enabled
22703 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
22704 @item Address
22705 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
22706 @item What
22707 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
22708 name, line number
22709 @item Times
22710 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
22711 @end table
22712
22713 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
22714 @code{body} field is an empty list.
22715
22716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22717
22718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
22719
22720 @subsubheading Example
22721
22722 @smallexample
22723 (gdb)
22724 -break-list
22725 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22726 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22727 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22728 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22729 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22730 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22731 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22732 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22733 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
22734 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22735 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22736 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
22737 (gdb)
22738 @end smallexample
22739
22740 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
22741
22742 @smallexample
22743 (gdb)
22744 -break-list
22745 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22746 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22747 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22748 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22749 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22750 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22751 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22752 body=[]@}
22753 (gdb)
22754 @end smallexample
22755
22756 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
22757 @findex -break-watch
22758
22759 @subsubheading Synopsis
22760
22761 @smallexample
22762 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
22763 @end smallexample
22764
22765 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
22766 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
22767 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
22768 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
22769 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
22770 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
22771 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
22772 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
22773
22774 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
22775 breakpoints inserted.
22776
22777 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22778
22779 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
22780 @samp{rwatch}.
22781
22782 @subsubheading Example
22783
22784 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
22785
22786 @smallexample
22787 (gdb)
22788 -break-watch x
22789 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
22790 (gdb)
22791 -exec-continue
22792 ^running
22793 (gdb)
22794 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
22795 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
22796 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
22797 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
22798 (gdb)
22799 @end smallexample
22800
22801 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
22802 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
22803 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
22804
22805 @smallexample
22806 (gdb)
22807 -break-watch C
22808 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
22809 (gdb)
22810 -exec-continue
22811 ^running
22812 (gdb)
22813 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
22814 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22815 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22816 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22817 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22818 (gdb)
22819 -exec-continue
22820 ^running
22821 (gdb)
22822 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
22823 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22824 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22825 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22826 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22827 (gdb)
22828 @end smallexample
22829
22830 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
22831 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
22832 deleted.
22833
22834 @smallexample
22835 (gdb)
22836 -break-watch C
22837 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
22838 (gdb)
22839 -break-list
22840 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22841 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22842 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22843 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22844 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22845 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22846 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22847 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22848 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22849 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22850 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
22851 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22852 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
22853 (gdb)
22854 -exec-continue
22855 ^running
22856 (gdb)
22857 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
22858 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22859 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22860 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22861 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22862 (gdb)
22863 -break-list
22864 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22865 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22866 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22867 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22868 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22869 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22870 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22871 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22872 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22873 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22874 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
22875 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22876 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
22877 (gdb)
22878 -exec-continue
22879 ^running
22880 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
22881 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22882 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22883 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22884 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22885 (gdb)
22886 -break-list
22887 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22888 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22889 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22890 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22891 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22892 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22893 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22894 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22895 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22896 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22897 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
22898 times="1"@}]@}
22899 (gdb)
22900 @end smallexample
22901
22902 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22903 @node GDB/MI Program Context
22904 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
22905
22906 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
22907 @findex -exec-arguments
22908
22909
22910 @subsubheading Synopsis
22911
22912 @smallexample
22913 -exec-arguments @var{args}
22914 @end smallexample
22915
22916 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
22917 @samp{-exec-run}.
22918
22919 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22920
22921 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
22922
22923 @subsubheading Example
22924
22925 @smallexample
22926 (gdb)
22927 -exec-arguments -v word
22928 ^done
22929 (gdb)
22930 @end smallexample
22931
22932
22933 @ignore
22934 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
22935 @findex -exec-show-arguments
22936
22937 @subsubheading Synopsis
22938
22939 @smallexample
22940 -exec-show-arguments
22941 @end smallexample
22942
22943 Print the arguments of the program.
22944
22945 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22946
22947 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
22948
22949 @subsubheading Example
22950 N.A.
22951 @end ignore
22952
22953
22954 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
22955 @findex -environment-cd
22956
22957 @subsubheading Synopsis
22958
22959 @smallexample
22960 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
22961 @end smallexample
22962
22963 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
22964
22965 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22966
22967 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
22968
22969 @subsubheading Example
22970
22971 @smallexample
22972 (gdb)
22973 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22974 ^done
22975 (gdb)
22976 @end smallexample
22977
22978
22979 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
22980 @findex -environment-directory
22981
22982 @subsubheading Synopsis
22983
22984 @smallexample
22985 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22986 @end smallexample
22987
22988 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
22989 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
22990 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
22991 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22992 occurs as normal.
22993 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22994 multiple directories in a single command
22995 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22996 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22997 If blanks are needed as
22998 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22999 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23000 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23001 character must not be used
23002 in any directory name.
23003 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
23004
23005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23006
23007 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
23008
23009 @subsubheading Example
23010
23011 @smallexample
23012 (gdb)
23013 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
23014 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23015 (gdb)
23016 -environment-directory ""
23017 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23018 (gdb)
23019 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
23020 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
23021 (gdb)
23022 -environment-directory -r
23023 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
23024 (gdb)
23025 @end smallexample
23026
23027
23028 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
23029 @findex -environment-path
23030
23031 @subsubheading Synopsis
23032
23033 @smallexample
23034 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
23035 @end smallexample
23036
23037 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
23038 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
23039 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
23040 supplied in addition to the
23041 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
23042 occurs as normal.
23043 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
23044 multiple directories in a single command
23045 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
23046 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
23047 If blanks are needed as
23048 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
23049 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23050 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23051 character must not be used
23052 in any directory name.
23053 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
23054
23055
23056 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23057
23058 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
23059
23060 @subsubheading Example
23061
23062 @smallexample
23063 (gdb)
23064 -environment-path
23065 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
23066 (gdb)
23067 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
23068 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
23069 (gdb)
23070 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
23071 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
23072 (gdb)
23073 @end smallexample
23074
23075
23076 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
23077 @findex -environment-pwd
23078
23079 @subsubheading Synopsis
23080
23081 @smallexample
23082 -environment-pwd
23083 @end smallexample
23084
23085 Show the current working directory.
23086
23087 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23088
23089 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
23090
23091 @subsubheading Example
23092
23093 @smallexample
23094 (gdb)
23095 -environment-pwd
23096 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
23097 (gdb)
23098 @end smallexample
23099
23100 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23101 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
23102 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
23103
23104
23105 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
23106 @findex -thread-info
23107
23108 @subsubheading Synopsis
23109
23110 @smallexample
23111 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
23112 @end smallexample
23113
23114 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
23115 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
23116 threads. When printing information about all threads,
23117 also reports the current thread.
23118
23119 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23120
23121 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
23122 about all threads.
23123
23124 @subsubheading Example
23125
23126 @smallexample
23127 -thread-info
23128 ^done,threads=[
23129 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
23130 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
23131 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
23132 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
23133 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
23134 current-thread-id="1"
23135 (gdb)
23136 @end smallexample
23137
23138 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
23139
23140 @table @code
23141 @item stopped
23142 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
23143 threads.
23144
23145 @item running
23146 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
23147 threads.
23148
23149 @end table
23150
23151 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
23152 @findex -thread-list-ids
23153
23154 @subsubheading Synopsis
23155
23156 @smallexample
23157 -thread-list-ids
23158 @end smallexample
23159
23160 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
23161 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
23162
23163 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
23164 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
23165
23166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23167
23168 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
23169
23170 @subsubheading Example
23171
23172 @smallexample
23173 (gdb)
23174 -thread-list-ids
23175 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
23176 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
23177 (gdb)
23178 @end smallexample
23179
23180
23181 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
23182 @findex -thread-select
23183
23184 @subsubheading Synopsis
23185
23186 @smallexample
23187 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
23188 @end smallexample
23189
23190 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
23191 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
23192
23193 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
23194 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
23195
23196 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23197
23198 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
23199
23200 @subsubheading Example
23201
23202 @smallexample
23203 (gdb)
23204 -exec-next
23205 ^running
23206 (gdb)
23207 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
23208 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
23209 (gdb)
23210 -thread-list-ids
23211 ^done,
23212 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
23213 number-of-threads="3"
23214 (gdb)
23215 -thread-select 3
23216 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
23217 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
23218 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
23219 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
23220 (gdb)
23221 @end smallexample
23222
23223 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23224 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
23225 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
23226
23227 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
23228 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
23229 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
23230 other cases.
23231
23232 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
23233 @findex -exec-continue
23234
23235 @subsubheading Synopsis
23236
23237 @smallexample
23238 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
23239 @end smallexample
23240
23241 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
23242 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
23243 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
23244 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
23245 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
23246 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
23247 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
23248 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
23249 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
23250 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
23251 thread group are resumed.
23252
23253 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23254
23255 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
23256
23257 @subsubheading Example
23258
23259 @smallexample
23260 -exec-continue
23261 ^running
23262 (gdb)
23263 @@Hello world
23264 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
23265 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
23266 line="13"@}
23267 (gdb)
23268 @end smallexample
23269
23270
23271 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
23272 @findex -exec-finish
23273
23274 @subsubheading Synopsis
23275
23276 @smallexample
23277 -exec-finish
23278 @end smallexample
23279
23280 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
23281 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
23282
23283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23284
23285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
23286
23287 @subsubheading Example
23288
23289 Function returning @code{void}.
23290
23291 @smallexample
23292 -exec-finish
23293 ^running
23294 (gdb)
23295 @@hello from foo
23296 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23297 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
23298 (gdb)
23299 @end smallexample
23300
23301 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
23302 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
23303 value itself.
23304
23305 @smallexample
23306 -exec-finish
23307 ^running
23308 (gdb)
23309 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
23310 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
23311 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23312 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
23313 (gdb)
23314 @end smallexample
23315
23316
23317 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
23318 @findex -exec-interrupt
23319
23320 @subsubheading Synopsis
23321
23322 @smallexample
23323 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
23324 @end smallexample
23325
23326 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
23327 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
23328 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
23329 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
23330 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
23331
23332 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
23333 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
23334 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
23335 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
23336
23337 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
23338 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
23339 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
23340 threads in that group will be interrupted.
23341
23342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23343
23344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
23345
23346 @subsubheading Example
23347
23348 @smallexample
23349 (gdb)
23350 111-exec-continue
23351 111^running
23352
23353 (gdb)
23354 222-exec-interrupt
23355 222^done
23356 (gdb)
23357 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
23358 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23359 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
23360 (gdb)
23361
23362 (gdb)
23363 -exec-interrupt
23364 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
23365 (gdb)
23366 @end smallexample
23367
23368 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
23369 @findex -exec-jump
23370
23371 @subsubheading Synopsis
23372
23373 @smallexample
23374 -exec-jump @var{location}
23375 @end smallexample
23376
23377 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
23378 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
23379 different forms of @var{location}.
23380
23381 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23382
23383 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
23384
23385 @subsubheading Example
23386
23387 @smallexample
23388 -exec-jump foo.c:10
23389 *running,thread-id="all"
23390 ^running
23391 @end smallexample
23392
23393
23394 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
23395 @findex -exec-next
23396
23397 @subsubheading Synopsis
23398
23399 @smallexample
23400 -exec-next
23401 @end smallexample
23402
23403 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23404 of the next source line is reached.
23405
23406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23407
23408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
23409
23410 @subsubheading Example
23411
23412 @smallexample
23413 -exec-next
23414 ^running
23415 (gdb)
23416 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
23417 (gdb)
23418 @end smallexample
23419
23420
23421 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
23422 @findex -exec-next-instruction
23423
23424 @subsubheading Synopsis
23425
23426 @smallexample
23427 -exec-next-instruction
23428 @end smallexample
23429
23430 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
23431 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
23432 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
23433 printed as well.
23434
23435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23436
23437 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
23438
23439 @subsubheading Example
23440
23441 @smallexample
23442 (gdb)
23443 -exec-next-instruction
23444 ^running
23445
23446 (gdb)
23447 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23448 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
23449 (gdb)
23450 @end smallexample
23451
23452
23453 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
23454 @findex -exec-return
23455
23456 @subsubheading Synopsis
23457
23458 @smallexample
23459 -exec-return
23460 @end smallexample
23461
23462 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
23463 Displays the new current frame.
23464
23465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23466
23467 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
23468
23469 @subsubheading Example
23470
23471 @smallexample
23472 (gdb)
23473 200-break-insert callee4
23474 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
23475 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23476 (gdb)
23477 000-exec-run
23478 000^running
23479 (gdb)
23480 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23481 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23482 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23483 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23484 (gdb)
23485 205-break-delete
23486 205^done
23487 (gdb)
23488 111-exec-return
23489 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
23490 args=[@{name="strarg",
23491 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23492 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23493 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23494 (gdb)
23495 @end smallexample
23496
23497
23498 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
23499 @findex -exec-run
23500
23501 @subsubheading Synopsis
23502
23503 @smallexample
23504 -exec-run
23505 @end smallexample
23506
23507 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
23508 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
23509 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
23510 the program has exited exceptionally.
23511
23512 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23513
23514 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
23515
23516 @subsubheading Examples
23517
23518 @smallexample
23519 (gdb)
23520 -break-insert main
23521 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23522 (gdb)
23523 -exec-run
23524 ^running
23525 (gdb)
23526 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23527 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23528 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23529 (gdb)
23530 @end smallexample
23531
23532 @noindent
23533 Program exited normally:
23534
23535 @smallexample
23536 (gdb)
23537 -exec-run
23538 ^running
23539 (gdb)
23540 x = 55
23541 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23542 (gdb)
23543 @end smallexample
23544
23545 @noindent
23546 Program exited exceptionally:
23547
23548 @smallexample
23549 (gdb)
23550 -exec-run
23551 ^running
23552 (gdb)
23553 x = 55
23554 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
23555 (gdb)
23556 @end smallexample
23557
23558 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
23559 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
23560
23561 @smallexample
23562 (gdb)
23563 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
23564 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
23565 @end smallexample
23566
23567
23568 @c @subheading -exec-signal
23569
23570
23571 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
23572 @findex -exec-step
23573
23574 @subsubheading Synopsis
23575
23576 @smallexample
23577 -exec-step
23578 @end smallexample
23579
23580 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23581 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
23582 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
23583 function.
23584
23585 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23586
23587 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
23588
23589 @subsubheading Example
23590
23591 Stepping into a function:
23592
23593 @smallexample
23594 -exec-step
23595 ^running
23596 (gdb)
23597 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23598 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
23599 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
23600 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
23601 (gdb)
23602 @end smallexample
23603
23604 Regular stepping:
23605
23606 @smallexample
23607 -exec-step
23608 ^running
23609 (gdb)
23610 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
23611 (gdb)
23612 @end smallexample
23613
23614
23615 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
23616 @findex -exec-step-instruction
23617
23618 @subsubheading Synopsis
23619
23620 @smallexample
23621 -exec-step-instruction
23622 @end smallexample
23623
23624 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
23625 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
23626 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
23627 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
23628 well.
23629
23630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23631
23632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
23633
23634 @subsubheading Example
23635
23636 @smallexample
23637 (gdb)
23638 -exec-step-instruction
23639 ^running
23640
23641 (gdb)
23642 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23643 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23644 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23645 (gdb)
23646 -exec-step-instruction
23647 ^running
23648
23649 (gdb)
23650 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23651 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23652 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23653 (gdb)
23654 @end smallexample
23655
23656
23657 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
23658 @findex -exec-until
23659
23660 @subsubheading Synopsis
23661
23662 @smallexample
23663 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
23664 @end smallexample
23665
23666 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
23667 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
23668 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
23669 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
23670
23671 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23672
23673 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
23674
23675 @subsubheading Example
23676
23677 @smallexample
23678 (gdb)
23679 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
23680 ^running
23681 (gdb)
23682 x = 55
23683 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23684 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
23685 (gdb)
23686 @end smallexample
23687
23688 @ignore
23689 @subheading -file-clear
23690 Is this going away????
23691 @end ignore
23692
23693 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23694 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
23695 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
23696
23697
23698 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
23699 @findex -stack-info-frame
23700
23701 @subsubheading Synopsis
23702
23703 @smallexample
23704 -stack-info-frame
23705 @end smallexample
23706
23707 Get info on the selected frame.
23708
23709 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23710
23711 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
23712 (without arguments).
23713
23714 @subsubheading Example
23715
23716 @smallexample
23717 (gdb)
23718 -stack-info-frame
23719 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23720 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23721 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
23722 (gdb)
23723 @end smallexample
23724
23725 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
23726 @findex -stack-info-depth
23727
23728 @subsubheading Synopsis
23729
23730 @smallexample
23731 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
23732 @end smallexample
23733
23734 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
23735 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
23736
23737 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23738
23739 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
23740
23741 @subsubheading Example
23742
23743 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
23744
23745 @smallexample
23746 (gdb)
23747 -stack-info-depth
23748 ^done,depth="12"
23749 (gdb)
23750 -stack-info-depth 4
23751 ^done,depth="4"
23752 (gdb)
23753 -stack-info-depth 12
23754 ^done,depth="12"
23755 (gdb)
23756 -stack-info-depth 11
23757 ^done,depth="11"
23758 (gdb)
23759 -stack-info-depth 13
23760 ^done,depth="12"
23761 (gdb)
23762 @end smallexample
23763
23764 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
23765 @findex -stack-list-arguments
23766
23767 @subsubheading Synopsis
23768
23769 @smallexample
23770 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
23771 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23772 @end smallexample
23773
23774 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
23775 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
23776 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
23777 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
23778 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
23779 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
23780 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
23781 which case only existing frames will be returned.
23782
23783 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23784 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23785 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23786 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23787 structures and unions.
23788
23789 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
23790 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23791
23792 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23793
23794 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
23795 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
23796 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
23797
23798 @subsubheading Example
23799
23800 @smallexample
23801 (gdb)
23802 -stack-list-frames
23803 ^done,
23804 stack=[
23805 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23806 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23807 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
23808 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23809 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23810 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
23811 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
23812 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23813 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
23814 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
23815 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23816 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
23817 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
23818 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23819 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
23820 (gdb)
23821 -stack-list-arguments 0
23822 ^done,
23823 stack-args=[
23824 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23825 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
23826 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
23827 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
23828 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23829 (gdb)
23830 -stack-list-arguments 1
23831 ^done,
23832 stack-args=[
23833 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23834 frame=@{level="1",
23835 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23836 frame=@{level="2",args=[
23837 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23838 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23839 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
23840 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23841 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
23842 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
23843 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23844 (gdb)
23845 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
23846 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
23847 (gdb)
23848 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
23849 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
23850 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23851 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
23852 (gdb)
23853 @end smallexample
23854
23855 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
23856
23857
23858 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
23859 @findex -stack-list-frames
23860
23861 @subsubheading Synopsis
23862
23863 @smallexample
23864 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23865 @end smallexample
23866
23867 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
23868 following info:
23869
23870 @table @samp
23871 @item @var{level}
23872 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
23873 @item @var{addr}
23874 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
23875 @item @var{func}
23876 Function name.
23877 @item @var{file}
23878 File name of the source file where the function lives.
23879 @item @var{line}
23880 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
23881 @end table
23882
23883 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
23884 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
23885 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
23886 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
23887 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
23888 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
23889 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
23890
23891 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23892
23893 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
23894
23895 @subsubheading Example
23896
23897 Full stack backtrace:
23898
23899 @smallexample
23900 (gdb)
23901 -stack-list-frames
23902 ^done,stack=
23903 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
23904 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
23905 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23906 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23907 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23908 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23909 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23910 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23911 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23912 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23913 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23914 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23915 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23916 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23917 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23918 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23919 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23920 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23921 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23922 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23923 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23924 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23925 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
23926 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
23927 (gdb)
23928 @end smallexample
23929
23930 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
23931
23932 @smallexample
23933 (gdb)
23934 -stack-list-frames 3 5
23935 ^done,stack=
23936 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23937 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23938 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23939 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23940 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23941 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23942 (gdb)
23943 @end smallexample
23944
23945 Show a single frame:
23946
23947 @smallexample
23948 (gdb)
23949 -stack-list-frames 3 3
23950 ^done,stack=
23951 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23952 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23953 (gdb)
23954 @end smallexample
23955
23956
23957 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
23958 @findex -stack-list-locals
23959
23960 @subsubheading Synopsis
23961
23962 @smallexample
23963 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
23964 @end smallexample
23965
23966 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
23967 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23968 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23969 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23970 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23971 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
23972 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
23973 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
23974 more detail.
23975
23976 This command is deprecated in favor of the
23977 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23978
23979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23980
23981 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
23982
23983 @subsubheading Example
23984
23985 @smallexample
23986 (gdb)
23987 -stack-list-locals 0
23988 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
23989 (gdb)
23990 -stack-list-locals --all-values
23991 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
23992 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
23993 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
23994 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
23995 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
23996 (gdb)
23997 @end smallexample
23998
23999 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
24000 @findex -stack-list-variables
24001
24002 @subsubheading Synopsis
24003
24004 @smallexample
24005 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
24006 @end smallexample
24007
24008 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
24009 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24010 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24011 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24012 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24013 structures and unions.
24014
24015 @subsubheading Example
24016
24017 @smallexample
24018 (gdb)
24019 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
24020 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
24021 (gdb)
24022 @end smallexample
24023
24024
24025 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
24026 @findex -stack-select-frame
24027
24028 @subsubheading Synopsis
24029
24030 @smallexample
24031 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
24032 @end smallexample
24033
24034 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
24035 the stack.
24036
24037 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
24038 option to every command.
24039
24040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24041
24042 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
24043 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
24044
24045 @subsubheading Example
24046
24047 @smallexample
24048 (gdb)
24049 -stack-select-frame 2
24050 ^done
24051 (gdb)
24052 @end smallexample
24053
24054 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24055 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
24056 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
24057
24058 @ignore
24059
24060 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
24061
24062 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
24063 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
24064 used by @code{Insight}.
24065
24066 The two main reasons for that are:
24067
24068 @enumerate 1
24069 @item
24070 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
24071
24072 @item
24073 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
24074 now).
24075 @end enumerate
24076
24077 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
24078 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
24079 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
24080 hints about their use.
24081
24082 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
24083 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
24084 least, the following operations:
24085
24086 @itemize @bullet
24087 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
24088 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24089 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
24090 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
24091 @end itemize
24092
24093 @end ignore
24094
24095 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
24096
24097 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
24098
24099 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
24100 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
24101 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
24102 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
24103 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
24104 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
24105 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
24106 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
24107 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
24108 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
24109 object, or to change display format.
24110
24111 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
24112 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
24113 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
24114 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
24115 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
24116 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
24117 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
24118 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
24119 child will be created.
24120
24121 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
24122 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
24123 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
24124 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
24125 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
24126
24127 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
24128 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
24129 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
24130 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
24131 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
24132 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
24133 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
24134 variables that frontend has created.
24135
24136 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
24137 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
24138 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
24139 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
24140 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
24141 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
24142 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
24143 implicitly updated.
24144
24145 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
24146 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
24147 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
24148 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
24149 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
24150 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
24151 frame. Consider this example:
24152
24153 @smallexample
24154 void do_work(...)
24155 @{
24156 struct work_state state;
24157
24158 if (...)
24159 do_work(...);
24160 @}
24161 @end smallexample
24162
24163 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
24164 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
24165 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
24166 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
24167 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
24168
24169 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
24170 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
24171 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
24172 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
24173 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
24174 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
24175
24176 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
24177 access this functionality:
24178
24179 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
24180 @item @strong{Operation}
24181 @tab @strong{Description}
24182
24183 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
24184 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
24185 @item @code{-var-create}
24186 @tab create a variable object
24187 @item @code{-var-delete}
24188 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
24189 @item @code{-var-set-format}
24190 @tab set the display format of this variable
24191 @item @code{-var-show-format}
24192 @tab show the display format of this variable
24193 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
24194 @tab tells how many children this object has
24195 @item @code{-var-list-children}
24196 @tab return a list of the object's children
24197 @item @code{-var-info-type}
24198 @tab show the type of this variable object
24199 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
24200 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
24201 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
24202 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
24203 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
24204 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
24205 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
24206 @tab get the value of this variable
24207 @item @code{-var-assign}
24208 @tab set the value of this variable
24209 @item @code{-var-update}
24210 @tab update the variable and its children
24211 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
24212 @tab set frozeness attribute
24213 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
24214 @tab set range of children to display on update
24215 @end multitable
24216
24217 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
24218 how it can be used.
24219
24220 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
24221
24222 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
24223 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
24224
24225 @smallexample
24226 -enable-pretty-printing
24227 @end smallexample
24228
24229 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
24230 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
24231 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
24232 request that this functionality be enabled.
24233
24234 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
24235
24236 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
24237 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
24238
24239 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
24240 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
24241
24242 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
24243 @findex -var-create
24244
24245 @subsubheading Synopsis
24246
24247 @smallexample
24248 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
24249 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
24250 @end smallexample
24251
24252 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
24253 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
24254 register.
24255
24256 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
24257 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
24258 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
24259 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
24260 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
24261
24262 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
24263 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
24264 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
24265 object must be created.
24266
24267 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
24268 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
24269
24270 @itemize @bullet
24271 @item
24272 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
24273
24274 @item
24275 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
24276
24277 @item
24278 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
24279 @end itemize
24280
24281 @cindex dynamic varobj
24282 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
24283 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
24284 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
24285 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
24286 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
24287 compatibility for existing clients.
24288
24289 @subsubheading Result
24290
24291 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
24292 are:
24293
24294 @table @samp
24295 @item name
24296 The name of the varobj.
24297
24298 @item numchild
24299 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
24300 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
24301 @samp{has_more} attribute.
24302
24303 @item value
24304 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
24305 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
24306 will not be interesting.
24307
24308 @item type
24309 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
24310 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
24311
24312 @item thread-id
24313 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
24314 thread's identifier.
24315
24316 @item has_more
24317 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
24318 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
24319
24320 @item dynamic
24321 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24322 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24323 then this attribute will not be present.
24324
24325 @item displayhint
24326 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24327 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24328 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24329 @end table
24330
24331 Typical output will look like this:
24332
24333 @smallexample
24334 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
24335 has_more="@var{has_more}"
24336 @end smallexample
24337
24338
24339 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
24340 @findex -var-delete
24341
24342 @subsubheading Synopsis
24343
24344 @smallexample
24345 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
24346 @end smallexample
24347
24348 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
24349 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
24350
24351 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
24352
24353
24354 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
24355 @findex -var-set-format
24356
24357 @subsubheading Synopsis
24358
24359 @smallexample
24360 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
24361 @end smallexample
24362
24363 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
24364 @var{format-spec}.
24365
24366 @anchor{-var-set-format}
24367 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
24368
24369 @smallexample
24370 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
24371 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
24372 @end smallexample
24373
24374 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
24375 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
24376 for pointers, etc.).
24377
24378 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
24379 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
24380
24381 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
24382 @findex -var-show-format
24383
24384 @subsubheading Synopsis
24385
24386 @smallexample
24387 -var-show-format @var{name}
24388 @end smallexample
24389
24390 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
24391
24392 @smallexample
24393 @var{format} @expansion{}
24394 @var{format-spec}
24395 @end smallexample
24396
24397
24398 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
24399 @findex -var-info-num-children
24400
24401 @subsubheading Synopsis
24402
24403 @smallexample
24404 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
24405 @end smallexample
24406
24407 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
24408
24409 @smallexample
24410 numchild=@var{n}
24411 @end smallexample
24412
24413 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
24414 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
24415 be available.
24416
24417
24418 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
24419 @findex -var-list-children
24420
24421 @subsubheading Synopsis
24422
24423 @smallexample
24424 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
24425 @end smallexample
24426 @anchor{-var-list-children}
24427
24428 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
24429 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
24430 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
24431 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
24432 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
24433 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
24434 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
24435 and unions.
24436
24437 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
24438 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
24439 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
24440 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
24441 reported.
24442
24443 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
24444 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
24445 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
24446 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
24447 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
24448 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
24449 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
24450 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
24451 the visible items.
24452
24453 For each child the following results are returned:
24454
24455 @table @var
24456
24457 @item name
24458 Name of the variable object created for this child.
24459
24460 @item exp
24461 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
24462 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
24463
24464 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
24465 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
24466
24467 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
24468 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
24469 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
24470 type and value are not present.
24471
24472 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
24473 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
24474 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
24475
24476 @item numchild
24477 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
24478 0.
24479
24480 @item type
24481 The type of the child.
24482
24483 @item value
24484 If values were requested, this is the value.
24485
24486 @item thread-id
24487 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
24488 Otherwise this result is not present.
24489
24490 @item frozen
24491 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
24492 @end table
24493
24494 The result may have its own attributes:
24495
24496 @table @samp
24497 @item displayhint
24498 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24499 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24500 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24501
24502 @item has_more
24503 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
24504 remaining after the end of the selected range.
24505 @end table
24506
24507 @subsubheading Example
24508
24509 @smallexample
24510 (gdb)
24511 -var-list-children n
24512 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24513 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24514 (gdb)
24515 -var-list-children --all-values n
24516 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24517 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24518 @end smallexample
24519
24520
24521 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
24522 @findex -var-info-type
24523
24524 @subsubheading Synopsis
24525
24526 @smallexample
24527 -var-info-type @var{name}
24528 @end smallexample
24529
24530 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
24531 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
24532 @value{GDBN} CLI:
24533
24534 @smallexample
24535 type=@var{typename}
24536 @end smallexample
24537
24538
24539 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
24540 @findex -var-info-expression
24541
24542 @subsubheading Synopsis
24543
24544 @smallexample
24545 -var-info-expression @var{name}
24546 @end smallexample
24547
24548 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
24549 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
24550 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
24551
24552 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
24553 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
24554
24555 @smallexample
24556 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
24557 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
24558 @end smallexample
24559
24560 @noindent
24561 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
24562
24563 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
24564 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
24565 is of limited use.
24566
24567 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
24568 @findex -var-info-path-expression
24569
24570 @subsubheading Synopsis
24571
24572 @smallexample
24573 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
24574 @end smallexample
24575
24576 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
24577 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
24578 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
24579 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
24580 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
24581 watchpoint from a variable object.
24582
24583 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
24584 and will give an error when invoked on one.
24585
24586 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
24587 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
24588 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
24589 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
24590 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
24591 @smallexample
24592 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
24593 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
24594 @end smallexample
24595
24596 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
24597 @findex -var-show-attributes
24598
24599 @subsubheading Synopsis
24600
24601 @smallexample
24602 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
24603 @end smallexample
24604
24605 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
24606
24607 @smallexample
24608 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
24609 @end smallexample
24610
24611 @noindent
24612 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
24613
24614 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
24615 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
24616
24617 @subsubheading Synopsis
24618
24619 @smallexample
24620 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
24621 @end smallexample
24622
24623 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
24624 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
24625 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
24626 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
24627 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
24628 the current display format will be used. The current display format
24629 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
24630
24631 @smallexample
24632 value=@var{value}
24633 @end smallexample
24634
24635 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
24636 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
24637
24638 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
24639 @findex -var-assign
24640
24641 @subsubheading Synopsis
24642
24643 @smallexample
24644 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
24645 @end smallexample
24646
24647 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
24648 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
24649 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
24650 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
24651
24652 @subsubheading Example
24653
24654 @smallexample
24655 (gdb)
24656 -var-assign var1 3
24657 ^done,value="3"
24658 (gdb)
24659 -var-update *
24660 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
24661 (gdb)
24662 @end smallexample
24663
24664 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
24665 @findex -var-update
24666
24667 @subsubheading Synopsis
24668
24669 @smallexample
24670 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
24671 @end smallexample
24672
24673 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
24674 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
24675 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
24676 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
24677 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
24678 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
24679 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
24680 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
24681 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
24682 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
24683 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
24684 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
24685 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
24686
24687 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
24688 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
24689 diagnostic.
24690
24691 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
24692 only the selected range of children will be reported.
24693
24694 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
24695 @samp{changelist}.
24696
24697 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
24698
24699 @table @samp
24700 @item name
24701 The name of the varobj.
24702
24703 @item value
24704 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
24705 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
24706
24707 @item in_scope
24708 @anchor{-var-update}
24709 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
24710
24711 @table @code
24712 @item "true"
24713 The variable object's current value is valid.
24714
24715 @item "false"
24716 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
24717 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
24718 scope.
24719
24720 @item "invalid"
24721 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
24722 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
24723 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
24724 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
24725 objects.
24726 @end table
24727
24728 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
24729 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
24730
24731 @item type_changed
24732 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
24733 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
24734 be @samp{false}.
24735
24736 @item new_type
24737 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
24738 hold the new type.
24739
24740 @item new_num_children
24741 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
24742 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
24743
24744 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
24745 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
24746 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
24747 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
24748 children which may be available.
24749
24750 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
24751 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
24752 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
24753 only happen at the end of the update range).
24754
24755 @item displayhint
24756 The display hint, if any.
24757
24758 @item has_more
24759 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
24760 available outside the varobj's update range.
24761
24762 @item dynamic
24763 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24764 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24765 then this attribute will not be present.
24766
24767 @item new_children
24768 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
24769 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
24770 be listed in this attribute.
24771 @end table
24772
24773 @subsubheading Example
24774
24775 @smallexample
24776 (gdb)
24777 -var-assign var1 3
24778 ^done,value="3"
24779 (gdb)
24780 -var-update --all-values var1
24781 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
24782 type_changed="false"@}]
24783 (gdb)
24784 @end smallexample
24785
24786 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
24787 @findex -var-set-frozen
24788 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
24789
24790 @subsubheading Synopsis
24791
24792 @smallexample
24793 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
24794 @end smallexample
24795
24796 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
24797 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
24798 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
24799 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
24800 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
24801 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
24802 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
24803 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
24804 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
24805 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
24806 @code{-var-update} does.
24807
24808 @subsubheading Example
24809
24810 @smallexample
24811 (gdb)
24812 -var-set-frozen V 1
24813 ^done
24814 (gdb)
24815 @end smallexample
24816
24817 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
24818 @findex -var-set-update-range
24819 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
24820
24821 @subsubheading Synopsis
24822
24823 @smallexample
24824 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
24825 @end smallexample
24826
24827 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
24828 @code{-var-update}.
24829
24830 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
24831 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
24832 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
24833 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
24834
24835 @subsubheading Example
24836
24837 @smallexample
24838 (gdb)
24839 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
24840 ^done
24841 @end smallexample
24842
24843 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
24844 @findex -var-set-visualizer
24845 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
24846
24847 @subsubheading Synopsis
24848
24849 @smallexample
24850 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
24851 @end smallexample
24852
24853 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
24854
24855 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
24856 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
24857
24858 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
24859 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
24860 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
24861 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
24862 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
24863 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
24864 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24865
24866 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
24867 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
24868 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
24869 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
24870
24871 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
24872 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
24873 can be used to check this.
24874
24875 @subsubheading Example
24876
24877 Resetting the visualizer:
24878
24879 @smallexample
24880 (gdb)
24881 -var-set-visualizer V None
24882 ^done
24883 @end smallexample
24884
24885 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
24886
24887 @smallexample
24888 (gdb)
24889 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
24890 ^done
24891 @end smallexample
24892
24893 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
24894 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
24895
24896 @smallexample
24897 (gdb)
24898 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
24899 ^done
24900 @end smallexample
24901
24902 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24903 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
24904 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
24905
24906 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
24907 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
24908 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
24909 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
24910
24911 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
24912 @c @subheading -data-assign
24913 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
24914 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
24915 @c set variable
24916 @c @subsubheading Example
24917 @c N.A.
24918
24919 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
24920 @findex -data-disassemble
24921
24922 @subsubheading Synopsis
24923
24924 @smallexample
24925 -data-disassemble
24926 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
24927 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
24928 -- @var{mode}
24929 @end smallexample
24930
24931 @noindent
24932 Where:
24933
24934 @table @samp
24935 @item @var{start-addr}
24936 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
24937 @item @var{end-addr}
24938 is the end address
24939 @item @var{filename}
24940 is the name of the file to disassemble
24941 @item @var{linenum}
24942 is the line number to disassemble around
24943 @item @var{lines}
24944 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
24945 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
24946 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
24947 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
24948 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
24949 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
24950 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
24951 are displayed.
24952 @item @var{mode}
24953 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
24954 disassembly).
24955 @end table
24956
24957 @subsubheading Result
24958
24959 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
24960
24961 @itemize @bullet
24962 @item Address
24963 @item Func-name
24964 @item Offset
24965 @item Instruction
24966 @end itemize
24967
24968 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
24969 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
24970
24971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24972
24973 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
24974
24975 @subsubheading Example
24976
24977 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
24978
24979 @smallexample
24980 (gdb)
24981 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
24982 ^done,
24983 asm_insns=[
24984 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24985 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24986 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24987 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24988 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
24989 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
24990 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
24991 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24992 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
24993 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
24994 (gdb)
24995 @end smallexample
24996
24997 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
24998 @code{main}.
24999
25000 @smallexample
25001 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
25002 ^done,asm_insns=[
25003 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25004 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25005 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25006 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25007 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25008 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25009 [@dots{}]
25010 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
25011 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
25012 (gdb)
25013 @end smallexample
25014
25015 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
25016
25017 @smallexample
25018 (gdb)
25019 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
25020 ^done,asm_insns=[
25021 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25022 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25023 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25024 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25025 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25026 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
25027 (gdb)
25028 @end smallexample
25029
25030 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
25031
25032 @smallexample
25033 (gdb)
25034 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
25035 ^done,asm_insns=[
25036 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
25037 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25038 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25039 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25040 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
25041 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
25042 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25043 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25044 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25045 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25046 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25047 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
25048 (gdb)
25049 @end smallexample
25050
25051
25052 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
25053 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
25054
25055 @subsubheading Synopsis
25056
25057 @smallexample
25058 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
25059 @end smallexample
25060
25061 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
25062 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
25063 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
25064
25065 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25066
25067 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
25068 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
25069 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
25070
25071 @subsubheading Example
25072
25073 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
25074 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
25075 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
25076 output.
25077
25078 @smallexample
25079 211-data-evaluate-expression A
25080 211^done,value="1"
25081 (gdb)
25082 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
25083 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
25084 (gdb)
25085 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
25086 411^done,value="4"
25087 (gdb)
25088 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
25089 511^done,value="4"
25090 (gdb)
25091 @end smallexample
25092
25093
25094 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
25095 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
25096
25097 @subsubheading Synopsis
25098
25099 @smallexample
25100 -data-list-changed-registers
25101 @end smallexample
25102
25103 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
25104
25105 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25106
25107 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
25108 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
25109
25110 @subsubheading Example
25111
25112 On a PPC MBX board:
25113
25114 @smallexample
25115 (gdb)
25116 -exec-continue
25117 ^running
25118
25119 (gdb)
25120 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
25121 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
25122 line="5"@}
25123 (gdb)
25124 -data-list-changed-registers
25125 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
25126 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
25127 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
25128 (gdb)
25129 @end smallexample
25130
25131
25132 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
25133 @findex -data-list-register-names
25134
25135 @subsubheading Synopsis
25136
25137 @smallexample
25138 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
25139 @end smallexample
25140
25141 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
25142 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
25143 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
25144 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
25145 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
25146 include empty register names.
25147
25148 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25149
25150 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
25151 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
25152 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
25153
25154 @subsubheading Example
25155
25156 For the PPC MBX board:
25157 @smallexample
25158 (gdb)
25159 -data-list-register-names
25160 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
25161 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
25162 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
25163 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
25164 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
25165 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
25166 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
25167 (gdb)
25168 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
25169 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
25170 (gdb)
25171 @end smallexample
25172
25173 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
25174 @findex -data-list-register-values
25175
25176 @subsubheading Synopsis
25177
25178 @smallexample
25179 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
25180 @end smallexample
25181
25182 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
25183 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
25184 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
25185 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
25186
25187 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
25188
25189 @table @code
25190 @item x
25191 Hexadecimal
25192 @item o
25193 Octal
25194 @item t
25195 Binary
25196 @item d
25197 Decimal
25198 @item r
25199 Raw
25200 @item N
25201 Natural
25202 @end table
25203
25204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25205
25206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
25207 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
25208
25209 @subsubheading Example
25210
25211 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
25212 don't appear in the actual output):
25213
25214 @smallexample
25215 (gdb)
25216 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
25217 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25218 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
25219 (gdb)
25220 -data-list-register-values x
25221 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
25222 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
25223 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
25224 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
25225 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
25226 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
25227 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
25228 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
25229 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
25230 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
25231 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
25232 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
25233 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
25234 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
25235 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
25236 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
25237 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
25238 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
25239 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
25240 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
25241 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
25242 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
25243 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
25244 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
25245 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
25246 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
25247 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
25248 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
25249 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
25250 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
25251 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
25252 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
25253 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25254 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
25255 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
25256 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
25257 (gdb)
25258 @end smallexample
25259
25260
25261 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
25262 @findex -data-read-memory
25263
25264 @subsubheading Synopsis
25265
25266 @smallexample
25267 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
25268 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
25269 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
25270 @end smallexample
25271
25272 @noindent
25273 where:
25274
25275 @table @samp
25276 @item @var{address}
25277 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
25278 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
25279 quoted using the C convention.
25280
25281 @item @var{word-format}
25282 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
25283 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
25284 ,Output Formats}).
25285
25286 @item @var{word-size}
25287 The size of each memory word in bytes.
25288
25289 @item @var{nr-rows}
25290 The number of rows in the output table.
25291
25292 @item @var{nr-cols}
25293 The number of columns in the output table.
25294
25295 @item @var{aschar}
25296 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
25297 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
25298 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
25299 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
25300
25301 @item @var{byte-offset}
25302 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
25303 @end table
25304
25305 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
25306 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
25307 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
25308 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
25309 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
25310 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
25311 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
25312 @samp{addr}.
25313
25314 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
25315 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
25316 @samp{prev-page}.
25317
25318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25319
25320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
25321 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
25322
25323 @subsubheading Example
25324
25325 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
25326 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
25327 word. Display each word in hex.
25328
25329 @smallexample
25330 (gdb)
25331 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
25332 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
25333 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
25334 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
25335 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
25336 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
25337 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
25338 (gdb)
25339 @end smallexample
25340
25341 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
25342 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
25343
25344 @smallexample
25345 (gdb)
25346 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
25347 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
25348 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
25349 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
25350 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
25351 (gdb)
25352 @end smallexample
25353
25354 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
25355 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
25356 used as the non-printable character.
25357
25358 @smallexample
25359 (gdb)
25360 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
25361 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
25362 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
25363 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
25364 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25365 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25366 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25367 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25368 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
25369 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
25370 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
25371 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
25372 (gdb)
25373 @end smallexample
25374
25375 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25376 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
25377 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
25378
25379 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
25380
25381 @c @subheading -trace-actions
25382
25383 @c @subheading -trace-delete
25384
25385 @c @subheading -trace-disable
25386
25387 @c @subheading -trace-dump
25388
25389 @c @subheading -trace-enable
25390
25391 @c @subheading -trace-exists
25392
25393 @c @subheading -trace-find
25394
25395 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
25396
25397 @c @subheading -trace-info
25398
25399 @c @subheading -trace-insert
25400
25401 @c @subheading -trace-list
25402
25403 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
25404
25405 @c @subheading -trace-save
25406
25407 @c @subheading -trace-start
25408
25409 @c @subheading -trace-stop
25410
25411
25412 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25413 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
25414 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
25415
25416
25417 @ignore
25418 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
25419 @findex -symbol-info-address
25420
25421 @subsubheading Synopsis
25422
25423 @smallexample
25424 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
25425 @end smallexample
25426
25427 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
25428
25429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25430
25431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
25432
25433 @subsubheading Example
25434 N.A.
25435
25436
25437 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
25438 @findex -symbol-info-file
25439
25440 @subsubheading Synopsis
25441
25442 @smallexample
25443 -symbol-info-file
25444 @end smallexample
25445
25446 Show the file for the symbol.
25447
25448 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25449
25450 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
25451 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
25452
25453 @subsubheading Example
25454 N.A.
25455
25456
25457 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
25458 @findex -symbol-info-function
25459
25460 @subsubheading Synopsis
25461
25462 @smallexample
25463 -symbol-info-function
25464 @end smallexample
25465
25466 Show which function the symbol lives in.
25467
25468 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25469
25470 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
25471
25472 @subsubheading Example
25473 N.A.
25474
25475
25476 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
25477 @findex -symbol-info-line
25478
25479 @subsubheading Synopsis
25480
25481 @smallexample
25482 -symbol-info-line
25483 @end smallexample
25484
25485 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
25486
25487 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25488
25489 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
25490 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
25491
25492 @subsubheading Example
25493 N.A.
25494
25495
25496 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
25497 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
25498
25499 @subsubheading Synopsis
25500
25501 @smallexample
25502 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
25503 @end smallexample
25504
25505 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
25506
25507 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25508
25509 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
25510
25511 @subsubheading Example
25512 N.A.
25513
25514
25515 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
25516 @findex -symbol-list-functions
25517
25518 @subsubheading Synopsis
25519
25520 @smallexample
25521 -symbol-list-functions
25522 @end smallexample
25523
25524 List the functions in the executable.
25525
25526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25527
25528 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
25529 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25530
25531 @subsubheading Example
25532 N.A.
25533 @end ignore
25534
25535
25536 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
25537 @findex -symbol-list-lines
25538
25539 @subsubheading Synopsis
25540
25541 @smallexample
25542 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
25543 @end smallexample
25544
25545 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
25546 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
25547 ascending PC order.
25548
25549 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25550
25551 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
25552
25553 @subsubheading Example
25554 @smallexample
25555 (gdb)
25556 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
25557 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
25558 (gdb)
25559 @end smallexample
25560
25561
25562 @ignore
25563 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
25564 @findex -symbol-list-types
25565
25566 @subsubheading Synopsis
25567
25568 @smallexample
25569 -symbol-list-types
25570 @end smallexample
25571
25572 List all the type names.
25573
25574 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25575
25576 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
25577 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25578
25579 @subsubheading Example
25580 N.A.
25581
25582
25583 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
25584 @findex -symbol-list-variables
25585
25586 @subsubheading Synopsis
25587
25588 @smallexample
25589 -symbol-list-variables
25590 @end smallexample
25591
25592 List all the global and static variable names.
25593
25594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25595
25596 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25597
25598 @subsubheading Example
25599 N.A.
25600
25601
25602 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
25603 @findex -symbol-locate
25604
25605 @subsubheading Synopsis
25606
25607 @smallexample
25608 -symbol-locate
25609 @end smallexample
25610
25611 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25612
25613 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
25614
25615 @subsubheading Example
25616 N.A.
25617
25618
25619 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
25620 @findex -symbol-type
25621
25622 @subsubheading Synopsis
25623
25624 @smallexample
25625 -symbol-type @var{variable}
25626 @end smallexample
25627
25628 Show type of @var{variable}.
25629
25630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25631
25632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
25633 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
25634
25635 @subsubheading Example
25636 N.A.
25637 @end ignore
25638
25639
25640 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25641 @node GDB/MI File Commands
25642 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
25643
25644 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
25645 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
25646
25647 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
25648 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
25649
25650 @subsubheading Synopsis
25651
25652 @smallexample
25653 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
25654 @end smallexample
25655
25656 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
25657 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
25658 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
25659 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
25660 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
25661 notification.
25662
25663 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25664
25665 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
25666
25667 @subsubheading Example
25668
25669 @smallexample
25670 (gdb)
25671 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25672 ^done
25673 (gdb)
25674 @end smallexample
25675
25676
25677 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
25678 @findex -file-exec-file
25679
25680 @subsubheading Synopsis
25681
25682 @smallexample
25683 -file-exec-file @var{file}
25684 @end smallexample
25685
25686 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
25687 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
25688 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
25689 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
25690 notification.
25691
25692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25693
25694 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
25695
25696 @subsubheading Example
25697
25698 @smallexample
25699 (gdb)
25700 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25701 ^done
25702 (gdb)
25703 @end smallexample
25704
25705
25706 @ignore
25707 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
25708 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
25709
25710 @subsubheading Synopsis
25711
25712 @smallexample
25713 -file-list-exec-sections
25714 @end smallexample
25715
25716 List the sections of the current executable file.
25717
25718 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25719
25720 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
25721 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
25722 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
25723
25724 @subsubheading Example
25725 N.A.
25726 @end ignore
25727
25728
25729 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
25730 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
25731
25732 @subsubheading Synopsis
25733
25734 @smallexample
25735 -file-list-exec-source-file
25736 @end smallexample
25737
25738 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
25739 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
25740 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
25741 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
25742
25743 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25744
25745 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
25746
25747 @subsubheading Example
25748
25749 @smallexample
25750 (gdb)
25751 123-file-list-exec-source-file
25752 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
25753 (gdb)
25754 @end smallexample
25755
25756
25757 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
25758 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
25759
25760 @subsubheading Synopsis
25761
25762 @smallexample
25763 -file-list-exec-source-files
25764 @end smallexample
25765
25766 List the source files for the current executable.
25767
25768 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
25769 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
25770
25771 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25772
25773 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
25774 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
25775
25776 @subsubheading Example
25777 @smallexample
25778 (gdb)
25779 -file-list-exec-source-files
25780 ^done,files=[
25781 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
25782 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
25783 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
25784 (gdb)
25785 @end smallexample
25786
25787 @ignore
25788 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
25789 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
25790
25791 @subsubheading Synopsis
25792
25793 @smallexample
25794 -file-list-shared-libraries
25795 @end smallexample
25796
25797 List the shared libraries in the program.
25798
25799 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25800
25801 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
25802
25803 @subsubheading Example
25804 N.A.
25805
25806
25807 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
25808 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
25809
25810 @subsubheading Synopsis
25811
25812 @smallexample
25813 -file-list-symbol-files
25814 @end smallexample
25815
25816 List symbol files.
25817
25818 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25819
25820 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
25821
25822 @subsubheading Example
25823 N.A.
25824 @end ignore
25825
25826
25827 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
25828 @findex -file-symbol-file
25829
25830 @subsubheading Synopsis
25831
25832 @smallexample
25833 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
25834 @end smallexample
25835
25836 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
25837 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
25838 produced, except for a completion notification.
25839
25840 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25841
25842 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
25843
25844 @subsubheading Example
25845
25846 @smallexample
25847 (gdb)
25848 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25849 ^done
25850 (gdb)
25851 @end smallexample
25852
25853 @ignore
25854 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25855 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
25856 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
25857
25858 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
25859
25860 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
25861
25862 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
25863
25864 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
25865
25866 @c @subheading -overlay-map
25867
25868 @c @subheading -overlay-off
25869
25870 @c @subheading -overlay-on
25871
25872 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
25873
25874 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25875 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
25876 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
25877
25878 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
25879
25880 @c @subheading -signal-handle
25881
25882 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
25883
25884 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
25885 @end ignore
25886
25887
25888 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25889 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
25890 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
25891
25892
25893 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
25894 @findex -target-attach
25895
25896 @subsubheading Synopsis
25897
25898 @smallexample
25899 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
25900 @end smallexample
25901
25902 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
25903 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
25904 group, the id previously returned by
25905 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
25906
25907 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25908
25909 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
25910
25911 @subsubheading Example
25912 @smallexample
25913 (gdb)
25914 -target-attach 34
25915 =thread-created,id="1"
25916 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
25917 ^done
25918 (gdb)
25919 @end smallexample
25920
25921 @ignore
25922 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
25923 @findex -target-compare-sections
25924
25925 @subsubheading Synopsis
25926
25927 @smallexample
25928 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
25929 @end smallexample
25930
25931 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
25932 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
25933
25934 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25935
25936 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
25937
25938 @subsubheading Example
25939 N.A.
25940 @end ignore
25941
25942
25943 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
25944 @findex -target-detach
25945
25946 @subsubheading Synopsis
25947
25948 @smallexample
25949 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
25950 @end smallexample
25951
25952 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
25953 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
25954 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
25955
25956 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25957
25958 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
25959
25960 @subsubheading Example
25961
25962 @smallexample
25963 (gdb)
25964 -target-detach
25965 ^done
25966 (gdb)
25967 @end smallexample
25968
25969
25970 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
25971 @findex -target-disconnect
25972
25973 @subsubheading Synopsis
25974
25975 @smallexample
25976 -target-disconnect
25977 @end smallexample
25978
25979 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
25980 generally not resumed.
25981
25982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25983
25984 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
25985
25986 @subsubheading Example
25987
25988 @smallexample
25989 (gdb)
25990 -target-disconnect
25991 ^done
25992 (gdb)
25993 @end smallexample
25994
25995
25996 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
25997 @findex -target-download
25998
25999 @subsubheading Synopsis
26000
26001 @smallexample
26002 -target-download
26003 @end smallexample
26004
26005 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
26006 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
26007
26008 @table @samp
26009 @item section
26010 The name of the section.
26011 @item section-sent
26012 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
26013 @item section-size
26014 The size of the section.
26015 @item total-sent
26016 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
26017 @item total-size
26018 The size of the overall executable to download.
26019 @end table
26020
26021 @noindent
26022 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
26023 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
26024
26025 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
26026 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
26027
26028 @table @samp
26029 @item section
26030 The name of the section.
26031 @item section-size
26032 The size of the section.
26033 @item total-size
26034 The size of the overall executable to download.
26035 @end table
26036
26037 @noindent
26038 At the end, a summary is printed.
26039
26040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26041
26042 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
26043
26044 @subsubheading Example
26045
26046 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
26047 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
26048
26049 @smallexample
26050 (gdb)
26051 -target-download
26052 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
26053 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
26054 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
26055 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
26056 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
26057 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
26058 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
26059 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
26060 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
26061 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
26062 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
26063 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
26064 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
26065 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
26066 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
26067 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
26068 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
26069 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
26070 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
26071 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
26072 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
26073 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
26074 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
26075 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
26076 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
26077 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
26078 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
26079 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
26080 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
26081 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
26082 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
26083 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
26084 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
26085 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
26086 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
26087 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
26088 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
26089 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
26090 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
26091 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
26092 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
26093 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
26094 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
26095 write-rate="429"
26096 (gdb)
26097 @end smallexample
26098
26099
26100 @ignore
26101 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
26102 @findex -target-exec-status
26103
26104 @subsubheading Synopsis
26105
26106 @smallexample
26107 -target-exec-status
26108 @end smallexample
26109
26110 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
26111 not, for instance).
26112
26113 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26114
26115 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26116
26117 @subsubheading Example
26118 N.A.
26119
26120
26121 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
26122 @findex -target-list-available-targets
26123
26124 @subsubheading Synopsis
26125
26126 @smallexample
26127 -target-list-available-targets
26128 @end smallexample
26129
26130 List the possible targets to connect to.
26131
26132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26133
26134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
26135
26136 @subsubheading Example
26137 N.A.
26138
26139
26140 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
26141 @findex -target-list-current-targets
26142
26143 @subsubheading Synopsis
26144
26145 @smallexample
26146 -target-list-current-targets
26147 @end smallexample
26148
26149 Describe the current target.
26150
26151 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26152
26153 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
26154 other things).
26155
26156 @subsubheading Example
26157 N.A.
26158
26159
26160 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
26161 @findex -target-list-parameters
26162
26163 @subsubheading Synopsis
26164
26165 @smallexample
26166 -target-list-parameters
26167 @end smallexample
26168
26169 @c ????
26170 @end ignore
26171
26172 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26173
26174 No equivalent.
26175
26176 @subsubheading Example
26177 N.A.
26178
26179
26180 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
26181 @findex -target-select
26182
26183 @subsubheading Synopsis
26184
26185 @smallexample
26186 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
26187 @end smallexample
26188
26189 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
26190
26191 @table @samp
26192 @item @var{type}
26193 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
26194 @item @var{parameters}
26195 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
26196 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
26197 @end table
26198
26199 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
26200 which the target program is, in the following form:
26201
26202 @smallexample
26203 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
26204 args=[@var{arg list}]
26205 @end smallexample
26206
26207 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26208
26209 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
26210
26211 @subsubheading Example
26212
26213 @smallexample
26214 (gdb)
26215 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
26216 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
26217 (gdb)
26218 @end smallexample
26219
26220 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26221 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
26222 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
26223
26224
26225 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
26226 @findex -target-file-put
26227
26228 @subsubheading Synopsis
26229
26230 @smallexample
26231 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
26232 @end smallexample
26233
26234 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
26235 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
26236
26237 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26238
26239 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
26240
26241 @subsubheading Example
26242
26243 @smallexample
26244 (gdb)
26245 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
26246 ^done
26247 (gdb)
26248 @end smallexample
26249
26250
26251 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
26252 @findex -target-file-get
26253
26254 @subsubheading Synopsis
26255
26256 @smallexample
26257 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
26258 @end smallexample
26259
26260 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
26261 on the host system.
26262
26263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26264
26265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
26266
26267 @subsubheading Example
26268
26269 @smallexample
26270 (gdb)
26271 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
26272 ^done
26273 (gdb)
26274 @end smallexample
26275
26276
26277 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
26278 @findex -target-file-delete
26279
26280 @subsubheading Synopsis
26281
26282 @smallexample
26283 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
26284 @end smallexample
26285
26286 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
26287
26288 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26289
26290 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
26291
26292 @subsubheading Example
26293
26294 @smallexample
26295 (gdb)
26296 -target-file-delete remotefile
26297 ^done
26298 (gdb)
26299 @end smallexample
26300
26301
26302 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26303 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
26304 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
26305
26306 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
26307
26308 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
26309 @findex -gdb-exit
26310
26311 @subsubheading Synopsis
26312
26313 @smallexample
26314 -gdb-exit
26315 @end smallexample
26316
26317 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
26318
26319 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26320
26321 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
26322
26323 @subsubheading Example
26324
26325 @smallexample
26326 (gdb)
26327 -gdb-exit
26328 ^exit
26329 @end smallexample
26330
26331
26332 @ignore
26333 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
26334 @findex -exec-abort
26335
26336 @subsubheading Synopsis
26337
26338 @smallexample
26339 -exec-abort
26340 @end smallexample
26341
26342 Kill the inferior running program.
26343
26344 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26345
26346 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
26347
26348 @subsubheading Example
26349 N.A.
26350 @end ignore
26351
26352
26353 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
26354 @findex -gdb-set
26355
26356 @subsubheading Synopsis
26357
26358 @smallexample
26359 -gdb-set
26360 @end smallexample
26361
26362 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
26363 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
26364
26365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26366
26367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
26368
26369 @subsubheading Example
26370
26371 @smallexample
26372 (gdb)
26373 -gdb-set $foo=3
26374 ^done
26375 (gdb)
26376 @end smallexample
26377
26378
26379 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
26380 @findex -gdb-show
26381
26382 @subsubheading Synopsis
26383
26384 @smallexample
26385 -gdb-show
26386 @end smallexample
26387
26388 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
26389
26390 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26391
26392 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
26393
26394 @subsubheading Example
26395
26396 @smallexample
26397 (gdb)
26398 -gdb-show annotate
26399 ^done,value="0"
26400 (gdb)
26401 @end smallexample
26402
26403 @c @subheading -gdb-source
26404
26405
26406 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
26407 @findex -gdb-version
26408
26409 @subsubheading Synopsis
26410
26411 @smallexample
26412 -gdb-version
26413 @end smallexample
26414
26415 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
26416
26417 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26418
26419 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
26420 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
26421
26422 @subsubheading Example
26423
26424 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
26425 @c box in TeX.
26426 @smallexample
26427 (gdb)
26428 -gdb-version
26429 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
26430 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26431 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
26432 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
26433 ~ certain conditions.
26434 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26435 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
26436 ~ details.
26437 ~This GDB was configured as
26438 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
26439 ^done
26440 (gdb)
26441 @end smallexample
26442
26443 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
26444 @findex -list-features
26445
26446 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
26447 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
26448 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
26449 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
26450 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
26451 startup.
26452
26453 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
26454 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
26455 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
26456 is given below.
26457
26458 Example output:
26459
26460 @smallexample
26461 (gdb) -list-features
26462 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
26463 @end smallexample
26464
26465 The current list of features is:
26466
26467 @table @samp
26468 @item frozen-varobjs
26469 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
26470 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
26471 of @code{-varobj-create}.
26472 @item pending-breakpoints
26473 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
26474 @item python
26475 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
26476 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
26477 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
26478 @item thread-info
26479 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
26480
26481 @end table
26482
26483 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
26484 @findex -list-target-features
26485
26486 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
26487 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
26488 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
26489 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
26490 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
26491 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
26492 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
26493 Example output:
26494
26495 @smallexample
26496 (gdb) -list-features
26497 ^done,result=["async"]
26498 @end smallexample
26499
26500 The current list of features is:
26501
26502 @table @samp
26503 @item async
26504 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
26505 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
26506 while the target is running.
26507
26508 @end table
26509
26510 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
26511 @findex -list-thread-groups
26512
26513 @subheading Synopsis
26514
26515 @smallexample
26516 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
26517 @end smallexample
26518
26519 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
26520 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
26521 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
26522 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
26523 top-level thread groups.
26524
26525 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
26526 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
26527 available on the target.
26528
26529 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
26530 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
26531 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
26532 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
26533 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
26534 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
26535 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
26536 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
26537
26538 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
26539 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
26540 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
26541 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
26542 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
26543 @samp{threads} field.
26544
26545 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
26546 the following caveats:
26547
26548 @itemize @bullet
26549 @item
26550 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
26551 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
26552 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
26553
26554 @item
26555 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
26556 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
26557 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
26558 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
26559 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
26560 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
26561
26562 @end itemize
26563
26564 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
26565 have the following fields:
26566
26567 @table @code
26568 @item id
26569 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
26570
26571 @item type
26572 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
26573 valid type.
26574
26575 @item pid
26576 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
26577 for thread groups of type @samp{process}.
26578
26579 @item num_children
26580 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
26581 absent for an available thread group.
26582
26583 @item threads
26584 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
26585 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
26586 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
26587
26588 @item cores
26589 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
26590 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
26591 such information is not available.
26592
26593 @end table
26594
26595 @subheading Example
26596
26597 @smallexample
26598 @value{GDBP}
26599 -list-thread-groups
26600 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
26601 -list-thread-groups 17
26602 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26603 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
26604 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26605 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26606 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
26607 -list-thread-groups --available
26608 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
26609 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
26610 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
26611 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
26612 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
26613 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
26614 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
26615 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
26616 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
26617 @end smallexample
26618
26619 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
26620 @findex -interpreter-exec
26621
26622 @subheading Synopsis
26623
26624 @smallexample
26625 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
26626 @end smallexample
26627 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
26628
26629 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
26630
26631 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26632
26633 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
26634
26635 @subheading Example
26636
26637 @smallexample
26638 (gdb)
26639 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
26640 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
26641 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
26642 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
26643 ^done
26644 (gdb)
26645 @end smallexample
26646
26647 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
26648 @findex -inferior-tty-set
26649
26650 @subheading Synopsis
26651
26652 @smallexample
26653 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26654 @end smallexample
26655
26656 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
26657
26658 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26659
26660 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
26661
26662 @subheading Example
26663
26664 @smallexample
26665 (gdb)
26666 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26667 ^done
26668 (gdb)
26669 @end smallexample
26670
26671 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
26672 @findex -inferior-tty-show
26673
26674 @subheading Synopsis
26675
26676 @smallexample
26677 -inferior-tty-show
26678 @end smallexample
26679
26680 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
26681
26682 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26683
26684 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
26685
26686 @subheading Example
26687
26688 @smallexample
26689 (gdb)
26690 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26691 ^done
26692 (gdb)
26693 -inferior-tty-show
26694 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
26695 (gdb)
26696 @end smallexample
26697
26698 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
26699 @findex -enable-timings
26700
26701 @subheading Synopsis
26702
26703 @smallexample
26704 -enable-timings [yes | no]
26705 @end smallexample
26706
26707 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
26708 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
26709 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
26710 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
26711
26712 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26713
26714 No equivalent.
26715
26716 @subheading Example
26717
26718 @smallexample
26719 (gdb)
26720 -enable-timings
26721 ^done
26722 (gdb)
26723 -break-insert main
26724 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26725 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26726 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
26727 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
26728 (gdb)
26729 -enable-timings no
26730 ^done
26731 (gdb)
26732 -exec-run
26733 ^running
26734 (gdb)
26735 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26736 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
26737 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
26738 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
26739 (gdb)
26740 @end smallexample
26741
26742 @node Annotations
26743 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
26744
26745 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
26746 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
26747 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
26748 relatively high level.
26749
26750 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
26751 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
26752
26753 @ignore
26754 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
26755 @end ignore
26756
26757 @menu
26758 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
26759 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
26760 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
26761 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
26762 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
26763 * Annotations for Running::
26764 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
26765 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
26766 @end menu
26767
26768 @node Annotations Overview
26769 @section What is an Annotation?
26770 @cindex annotations
26771
26772 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
26773 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
26774 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
26775 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
26776 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
26777 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
26778 cannot contain newline characters.
26779
26780 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
26781 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
26782 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
26783 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
26784 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
26785 means those three characters as output.
26786
26787 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
26788 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
26789 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
26790 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
26791 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
26792 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
26793 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
26794 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
26795 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
26796
26797 @table @code
26798 @kindex set annotate
26799 @item set annotate @var{level}
26800 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
26801 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
26802
26803 @item show annotate
26804 @kindex show annotate
26805 Show the current annotation level.
26806 @end table
26807
26808 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
26809
26810 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
26811
26812 @smallexample
26813 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
26814 GNU gdb 6.0
26815 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26816 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
26817 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
26818 under certain conditions.
26819 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26820 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
26821 for details.
26822 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
26823
26824 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26825 (@value{GDBP})
26826 ^Z^Zprompt
26827 @kbd{quit}
26828
26829 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26830 $
26831 @end smallexample
26832
26833 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
26834 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
26835 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
26836 output from @value{GDBN}.
26837
26838 @node Server Prefix
26839 @section The Server Prefix
26840 @cindex server prefix
26841
26842 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
26843 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
26844 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
26845 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
26846 a transparent manner.
26847
26848 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
26849 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
26850 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
26851 @code{print} command.
26852
26853 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
26854 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
26855
26856 @node Prompting
26857 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
26858
26859 @cindex annotations for prompts
26860 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
26861 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
26862 over, etc.
26863
26864 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
26865 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
26866 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
26867 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
26868 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
26869 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
26870 features the following annotations:
26871
26872 @smallexample
26873 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26874 ^Z^Zprompt
26875 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26876 @end smallexample
26877
26878 The input types are
26879
26880 @table @code
26881 @findex pre-prompt annotation
26882 @findex prompt annotation
26883 @findex post-prompt annotation
26884 @item prompt
26885 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
26886
26887 @findex pre-commands annotation
26888 @findex commands annotation
26889 @findex post-commands annotation
26890 @item commands
26891 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
26892 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
26893
26894 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
26895 @findex overload-choice annotation
26896 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
26897 @item overload-choice
26898 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
26899
26900 @findex pre-query annotation
26901 @findex query annotation
26902 @findex post-query annotation
26903 @item query
26904 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
26905
26906 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
26907 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
26908 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
26909 @item prompt-for-continue
26910 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
26911 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
26912 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
26913 presence of annotations.
26914 @end table
26915
26916 @node Errors
26917 @section Errors
26918 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
26919
26920 @findex quit annotation
26921 @smallexample
26922 ^Z^Zquit
26923 @end smallexample
26924
26925 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
26926
26927 @findex error annotation
26928 @smallexample
26929 ^Z^Zerror
26930 @end smallexample
26931
26932 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
26933
26934 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
26935 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
26936 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
26937 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
26938 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
26939 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
26940 to the top level.
26941
26942 @findex error-begin annotation
26943 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
26944
26945 @smallexample
26946 ^Z^Zerror-begin
26947 @end smallexample
26948
26949 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
26950 message.
26951
26952 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
26953 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
26954 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
26955
26956 @node Invalidation
26957 @section Invalidation Notices
26958
26959 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
26960 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
26961 changed.
26962
26963 @table @code
26964 @findex frames-invalid annotation
26965 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
26966
26967 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
26968 have changed.
26969
26970 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
26971 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
26972
26973 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
26974 deleted a breakpoint.
26975 @end table
26976
26977 @node Annotations for Running
26978 @section Running the Program
26979 @cindex annotations for running programs
26980
26981 @findex starting annotation
26982 @findex stopping annotation
26983 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
26984 @code{step} or @code{continue},
26985
26986 @smallexample
26987 ^Z^Zstarting
26988 @end smallexample
26989
26990 is output. When the program stops,
26991
26992 @smallexample
26993 ^Z^Zstopped
26994 @end smallexample
26995
26996 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
26997 annotations describe how the program stopped.
26998
26999 @table @code
27000 @findex exited annotation
27001 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
27002 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
27003 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
27004
27005 @findex signalled annotation
27006 @findex signal-name annotation
27007 @findex signal-name-end annotation
27008 @findex signal-string annotation
27009 @findex signal-string-end annotation
27010 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
27011 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
27012 annotation continues:
27013
27014 @smallexample
27015 @var{intro-text}
27016 ^Z^Zsignal-name
27017 @var{name}
27018 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
27019 @var{middle-text}
27020 ^Z^Zsignal-string
27021 @var{string}
27022 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
27023 @var{end-text}
27024 @end smallexample
27025
27026 @noindent
27027 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
27028 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
27029 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
27030 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
27031 user's benefit and have no particular format.
27032
27033 @findex signal annotation
27034 @item ^Z^Zsignal
27035 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
27036 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
27037 terminated with it.
27038
27039 @findex breakpoint annotation
27040 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
27041 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
27042
27043 @findex watchpoint annotation
27044 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
27045 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
27046 @end table
27047
27048 @node Source Annotations
27049 @section Displaying Source
27050 @cindex annotations for source display
27051
27052 @findex source annotation
27053 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
27054
27055 @smallexample
27056 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
27057 @end smallexample
27058
27059 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
27060 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
27061 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
27062 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
27063 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
27064 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
27065 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
27066 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
27067 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
27068 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
27069 depend on the language).
27070
27071 @node JIT Interface
27072 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
27073 @cindex just-in-time compilation
27074 @cindex JIT compilation interface
27075
27076 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
27077 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
27078 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
27079 performance while maintaining platform independence.
27080
27081 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
27082 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
27083 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
27084 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
27085 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
27086 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
27087
27088 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
27089 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
27090 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
27091 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
27092 LLVM JIT.
27093
27094 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
27095 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
27096 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
27097 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
27098 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
27099 out about additional code.
27100
27101 @menu
27102 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
27103 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
27104 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
27105 @end menu
27106
27107 @node Declarations
27108 @section JIT Declarations
27109
27110 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
27111 implement the interface:
27112
27113 @smallexample
27114 typedef enum
27115 @{
27116 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
27117 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
27118 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
27119 @} jit_actions_t;
27120
27121 struct jit_code_entry
27122 @{
27123 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
27124 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
27125 const char *symfile_addr;
27126 uint64_t symfile_size;
27127 @};
27128
27129 struct jit_descriptor
27130 @{
27131 uint32_t version;
27132 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
27133 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
27134 uint32_t action_flag;
27135 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
27136 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
27137 @};
27138
27139 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
27140 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
27141
27142 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
27143 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
27144 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
27145 @end smallexample
27146
27147 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
27148 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
27149 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
27150
27151 @node Registering Code
27152 @section Registering Code
27153
27154 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
27155
27156 @itemize @bullet
27157 @item
27158 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
27159 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
27160
27161 @item
27162 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
27163 file.
27164
27165 @item
27166 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
27167
27168 @item
27169 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
27170
27171 @item
27172 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
27173 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
27174 @end itemize
27175
27176 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
27177 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
27178 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
27179 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
27180
27181 @node Unregistering Code
27182 @section Unregistering Code
27183
27184 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
27185
27186 @itemize @bullet
27187 @item
27188 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
27189
27190 @item
27191 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
27192
27193 @item
27194 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
27195 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
27196 @end itemize
27197
27198 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
27199 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
27200
27201 @node GDB Bugs
27202 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
27203 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
27204 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
27205
27206 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
27207
27208 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
27209 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
27210 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
27211 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
27212
27213 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
27214 information that enables us to fix the bug.
27215
27216 @menu
27217 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
27218 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
27219 @end menu
27220
27221 @node Bug Criteria
27222 @section Have You Found a Bug?
27223 @cindex bug criteria
27224
27225 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
27226
27227 @itemize @bullet
27228 @cindex fatal signal
27229 @cindex debugger crash
27230 @cindex crash of debugger
27231 @item
27232 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
27233 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
27234
27235 @cindex error on valid input
27236 @item
27237 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
27238 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
27239 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
27240
27241 @cindex invalid input
27242 @item
27243 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
27244 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
27245 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
27246 for traditional practice''.
27247
27248 @item
27249 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
27250 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
27251 @end itemize
27252
27253 @node Bug Reporting
27254 @section How to Report Bugs
27255 @cindex bug reports
27256 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
27257
27258 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
27259 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
27260 contact that organization first.
27261
27262 You can find contact information for many support companies and
27263 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
27264 distribution.
27265 @c should add a web page ref...
27266
27267 @ifset BUGURL
27268 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
27269 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
27270 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
27271 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
27272 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
27273 be used.
27274
27275 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
27276 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
27277 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
27278 @samp{bug-gdb}.
27279
27280 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
27281 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
27282 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
27283 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
27284 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
27285 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
27286 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
27287 bug reports to the mailing list.
27288 @end ifset
27289 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
27290 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
27291 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
27292 @end ifclear
27293 @end ifset
27294
27295 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
27296 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
27297 fact or leave it out, state it!
27298
27299 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
27300 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
27301 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
27302 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
27303 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
27304 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
27305 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
27306 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
27307 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
27308
27309 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
27310 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
27311 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
27312 self-contained.
27313
27314 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
27315 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
27316 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
27317 bugs properly.
27318
27319 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
27320
27321 @itemize @bullet
27322 @item
27323 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
27324 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
27325 version}.
27326
27327 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
27328 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
27329
27330 @item
27331 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
27332 version number.
27333
27334 @item
27335 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
27336 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
27337
27338 @item
27339 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
27340 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
27341 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
27342 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
27343 those compilers.
27344
27345 @item
27346 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
27347 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
27348 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
27349 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
27350
27351 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
27352 and then we might not encounter the bug.
27353
27354 @item
27355 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
27356 reproduce the bug.
27357
27358 @item
27359 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
27360 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
27361
27362 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
27363 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
27364 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
27365 a chance to make a mistake.
27366
27367 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
27368 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
27369 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
27370 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
27371 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
27372 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
27373 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
27374 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
27375
27376 @pindex script
27377 @cindex recording a session script
27378 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
27379 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
27380 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
27381 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
27382
27383 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
27384 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
27385
27386 @item
27387 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
27388 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
27389 it by context, not by line number.
27390
27391 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
27392 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
27393
27394 @end itemize
27395
27396 Here are some things that are not necessary:
27397
27398 @itemize @bullet
27399 @item
27400 A description of the envelope of the bug.
27401
27402 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
27403 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
27404 changes will not affect it.
27405
27406 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
27407 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
27408 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
27409 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
27410
27411 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
27412 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
27413 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
27414 less time, and so on.
27415
27416 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
27417 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
27418
27419 @item
27420 A patch for the bug.
27421
27422 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
27423 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
27424 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
27425 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
27426
27427 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
27428 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
27429 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
27430 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
27431
27432 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
27433 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
27434 help us to understand.
27435
27436 @item
27437 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
27438
27439 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
27440 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
27441 @end itemize
27442
27443 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
27444 @c and consists of the two following files:
27445 @c rluser.texinfo
27446 @c inc-hist.texinfo
27447 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
27448 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
27449 @include rluser.texi
27450 @include inc-hist.texinfo
27451
27452
27453 @node Formatting Documentation
27454 @appendix Formatting Documentation
27455
27456 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
27457 @cindex reference card
27458 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
27459 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
27460 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
27461 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
27462 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
27463 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
27464
27465 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
27466 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
27467
27468 @smallexample
27469 make refcard.dvi
27470 @end smallexample
27471
27472 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
27473 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
27474 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
27475 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
27476 your @sc{dvi} output program.
27477
27478 @cindex documentation
27479
27480 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
27481 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
27482 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
27483 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
27484 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
27485 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
27486
27487 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
27488 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
27489 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
27490 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
27491 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
27492 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
27493 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
27494 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
27495
27496 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
27497 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
27498 @code{makeinfo}.
27499
27500 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
27501 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
27502 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
27503
27504 @smallexample
27505 cd gdb
27506 make gdb.info
27507 @end smallexample
27508
27509 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
27510 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
27511 Texinfo definitions file.
27512
27513 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
27514 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
27515 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
27516 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
27517 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
27518 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
27519 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
27520
27521 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
27522 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
27523 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
27524 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
27525 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
27526 directory.
27527
27528 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
27529 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
27530 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
27531 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
27532
27533 @smallexample
27534 make gdb.dvi
27535 @end smallexample
27536
27537 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
27538
27539 @node Installing GDB
27540 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
27541 @cindex installation
27542
27543 @menu
27544 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
27545 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
27546 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
27547 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
27548 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
27549 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
27550 @end menu
27551
27552 @node Requirements
27553 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
27554 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
27555
27556 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
27557 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
27558
27559 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
27560 @table @asis
27561 @item ISO C90 compiler
27562 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
27563 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
27564
27565 @end table
27566
27567 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
27568 @table @asis
27569 @item Expat
27570 @anchor{Expat}
27571 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
27572 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
27573 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
27574 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
27575 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
27576 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
27577
27578 Expat is used for:
27579
27580 @itemize @bullet
27581 @item
27582 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
27583 @item
27584 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
27585 @item
27586 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
27587 @item
27588 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
27589 @end itemize
27590
27591 @item zlib
27592 @cindex compressed debug sections
27593 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
27594 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
27595 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
27596 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
27597 information in such binaries.
27598
27599 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
27600 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
27601 @url{http://zlib.net}.
27602
27603 @item iconv
27604 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
27605 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
27606 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
27607 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
27608
27609 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
27610 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
27611 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
27612
27613 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
27614 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
27615 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
27616 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
27617 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
27618 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
27619 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
27620 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
27621 @end table
27622
27623 @node Running Configure
27624 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
27625 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
27626 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
27627 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
27628 build the @code{gdb} program.
27629 @iftex
27630 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
27631 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
27632 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
27633 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
27634 @end iftex
27635
27636 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
27637 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
27638 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
27639
27640 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
27641 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
27642
27643 @table @code
27644 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
27645 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
27646
27647 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
27648 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
27649
27650 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
27651 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
27652
27653 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
27654 @sc{gnu} include files
27655
27656 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
27657 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
27658
27659 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
27660 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
27661
27662 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
27663 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
27664
27665 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
27666 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
27667
27668 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
27669 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
27670 @end table
27671
27672 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
27673 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
27674 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
27675
27676 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
27677 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
27678 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
27679 argument.
27680
27681 For example:
27682
27683 @smallexample
27684 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27685 ./configure @var{host}
27686 make
27687 @end smallexample
27688
27689 @noindent
27690 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
27691 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
27692 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
27693 correct value by examining your system.)
27694
27695 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
27696 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
27697 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
27698 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
27699
27700 @need 750
27701 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
27702 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
27703 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
27704
27705 @smallexample
27706 sh configure @var{host}
27707 @end smallexample
27708
27709 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
27710 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
27711 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
27712 @file{configure}
27713 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
27714 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
27715
27716 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
27717 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
27718 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
27719 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
27720 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
27721 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
27722 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
27723 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
27724 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27725
27726 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
27727 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
27728 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
27729 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
27730 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
27731
27732 @node Separate Objdir
27733 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
27734
27735 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
27736 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
27737 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
27738 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
27739 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
27740 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
27741 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
27742 program specified there.
27743
27744 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
27745 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
27746 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
27747 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
27748 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
27749 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
27750
27751 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
27752 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
27753
27754 @smallexample
27755 @group
27756 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27757 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
27758 cd ../gdb-sun4
27759 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
27760 make
27761 @end group
27762 @end smallexample
27763
27764 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
27765 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
27766 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
27767 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
27768 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
27769 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
27770
27771 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
27772 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
27773 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
27774 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
27775 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27776
27777 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
27778 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
27779 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
27780 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
27781 You specify a cross-debugging target by
27782 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
27783
27784 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
27785 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
27786 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
27787
27788 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
27789 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
27790 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
27791 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
27792 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
27793
27794 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
27795 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
27796 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
27797 with each other.
27798
27799 @node Config Names
27800 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
27801
27802 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
27803 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
27804 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
27805 of information in the following pattern:
27806
27807 @smallexample
27808 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
27809 @end smallexample
27810
27811 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
27812 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
27813 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
27814
27815 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
27816 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
27817 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
27818 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
27819 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
27820 abbreviations---for example:
27821
27822 @smallexample
27823 % sh config.sub i386-linux
27824 i386-pc-linux-gnu
27825 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
27826 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
27827 % sh config.sub hp9k700
27828 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
27829 % sh config.sub sun4
27830 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
27831 % sh config.sub sun3
27832 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
27833 % sh config.sub i986v
27834 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
27835 @end smallexample
27836
27837 @noindent
27838 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
27839 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
27840
27841 @node Configure Options
27842 @section @file{configure} Options
27843
27844 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
27845 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
27846 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
27847 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
27848
27849 @smallexample
27850 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
27851 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27852 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27853 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
27854 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
27855 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
27856 @var{host}
27857 @end smallexample
27858
27859 @noindent
27860 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
27861 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
27862 @samp{--}.
27863
27864 @table @code
27865 @item --help
27866 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
27867
27868 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
27869 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
27870 @file{@var{dir}}.
27871
27872 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
27873 Configure the source to install programs under directory
27874 @file{@var{dir}}.
27875
27876 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
27877 @need 2000
27878 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
27879 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
27880 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
27881 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
27882 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
27883 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
27884 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
27885 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
27886 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
27887 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
27888 @var{dirname}.
27889
27890 @item --norecursion
27891 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
27892 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
27893
27894 @item --target=@var{target}
27895 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
27896 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
27897 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
27898
27899 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
27900
27901 @item @var{host} @dots{}
27902 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
27903
27904 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
27905 @end table
27906
27907 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
27908 needed for special purposes only.
27909
27910 @node System-wide configuration
27911 @section System-wide configuration and settings
27912 @cindex system-wide init file
27913
27914 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
27915 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
27916 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
27917
27918 Here is the corresponding configure option:
27919
27920 @table @code
27921 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
27922 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
27923 @var{file}.
27924 @end table
27925
27926 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
27927 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
27928
27929 @itemize @bullet
27930 @item
27931 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
27932 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
27933 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
27934 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
27935 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
27936 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
27937
27938 @item
27939 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
27940 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
27941 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27942 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27943 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
27944 @end itemize
27945
27946 @node Maintenance Commands
27947 @appendix Maintenance Commands
27948 @cindex maintenance commands
27949 @cindex internal commands
27950
27951 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
27952 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
27953 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
27954 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
27955 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
27956
27957 @table @code
27958 @kindex maint agent
27959 @kindex maint agent-eval
27960 @item maint agent @var{expression}
27961 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
27962 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
27963 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
27964 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
27965 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
27966 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
27967 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
27968 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
27969 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
27970 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
27971 addition and return the sum.
27972
27973 @kindex maint info breakpoints
27974 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
27975 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
27976 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
27977 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
27978 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
27979 is shown:
27980
27981 @table @code
27982 @item breakpoint
27983 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
27984
27985 @item watchpoint
27986 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
27987
27988 @item longjmp
27989 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
27990 @code{longjmp} calls.
27991
27992 @item longjmp resume
27993 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
27994
27995 @item until
27996 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
27997
27998 @item finish
27999 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
28000
28001 @item shlib events
28002 Shared library events.
28003
28004 @end table
28005
28006 @kindex set displaced-stepping
28007 @kindex show displaced-stepping
28008 @cindex displaced stepping support
28009 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
28010 @item set displaced-stepping
28011 @itemx show displaced-stepping
28012 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
28013 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
28014 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
28015 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
28016 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
28017
28018 @table @code
28019 @item set displaced-stepping on
28020 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
28021 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
28022
28023 @item set displaced-stepping off
28024 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
28025 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
28026
28027 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
28028 @item set displaced-stepping auto
28029 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
28030 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
28031 architecture supports displaced stepping.
28032 @end table
28033
28034 @kindex maint check-symtabs
28035 @item maint check-symtabs
28036 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
28037
28038 @kindex maint cplus first_component
28039 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
28040 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
28041
28042 @kindex maint cplus namespace
28043 @item maint cplus namespace
28044 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
28045
28046 @kindex maint demangle
28047 @item maint demangle @var{name}
28048 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
28049
28050 @kindex maint deprecate
28051 @kindex maint undeprecate
28052 @cindex deprecated commands
28053 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
28054 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
28055 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
28056 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
28057 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
28058 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
28059 the replacement as part of the warning.
28060
28061 @kindex maint dump-me
28062 @item maint dump-me
28063 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
28064 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
28065 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
28066 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
28067
28068 @kindex maint internal-error
28069 @kindex maint internal-warning
28070 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
28071 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
28072 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
28073 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
28074 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
28075 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
28076 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
28077 @value{GDBN} session.
28078
28079 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
28080 used as the text of the error or warning message.
28081
28082 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
28083
28084 @smallexample
28085 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
28086 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
28087 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
28088 debugging may prove unreliable.
28089 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
28090 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
28091 (@value{GDBP})
28092 @end smallexample
28093
28094 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
28095 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
28096
28097 @kindex maint set internal-error
28098 @kindex maint show internal-error
28099 @kindex maint set internal-warning
28100 @kindex maint show internal-warning
28101 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
28102 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
28103 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
28104 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
28105 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
28106 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
28107 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
28108 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
28109 described in the table below.
28110
28111 @table @samp
28112 @item quit
28113 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
28114 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
28115
28116 @item corefile
28117 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
28118 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
28119 @end table
28120
28121 @kindex maint packet
28122 @item maint packet @var{text}
28123 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
28124 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
28125 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
28126 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
28127 checksum.
28128
28129 @kindex maint print architecture
28130 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28131 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
28132 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
28133
28134 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
28135 @item maint print c-tdesc
28136 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
28137 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
28138 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
28139
28140 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
28141 @item maint print dummy-frames
28142 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
28143
28144 @smallexample
28145 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
28146 @dots{}
28147 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
28148 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
28149 58 return (a + b);
28150 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
28151 @dots{}
28152 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
28153 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
28154 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
28155 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
28156 (@value{GDBP})
28157 @end smallexample
28158
28159 Takes an optional file parameter.
28160
28161 @kindex maint print registers
28162 @kindex maint print raw-registers
28163 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
28164 @kindex maint print register-groups
28165 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28166 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28167 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28168 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28169 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
28170
28171 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
28172 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
28173 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
28174 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
28175 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
28176 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
28177
28178 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
28179 write the information.
28180
28181 @kindex maint print reggroups
28182 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28183 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
28184 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
28185 information.
28186
28187 The register groups info looks like this:
28188
28189 @smallexample
28190 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
28191 Group Type
28192 general user
28193 float user
28194 all user
28195 vector user
28196 system user
28197 save internal
28198 restore internal
28199 @end smallexample
28200
28201 @kindex flushregs
28202 @item flushregs
28203 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
28204
28205 @kindex maint print objfiles
28206 @cindex info for known object files
28207 @item maint print objfiles
28208 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
28209 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
28210 and symtabs.
28211
28212 @kindex maint print statistics
28213 @cindex bcache statistics
28214 @item maint print statistics
28215 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
28216 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
28217 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
28218 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
28219 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
28220 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
28221 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
28222 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
28223 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
28224 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
28225 lengths.
28226
28227 @kindex maint print target-stack
28228 @cindex target stack description
28229 @item maint print target-stack
28230 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
28231 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
28232 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
28233 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
28234 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
28235 address.
28236
28237 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
28238 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
28239
28240 @kindex maint print type
28241 @cindex type chain of a data type
28242 @item maint print type @var{expr}
28243 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
28244 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
28245 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
28246 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
28247 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
28248
28249 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
28250 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
28251 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
28252 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
28253 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
28254
28255 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
28256 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
28257 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
28258 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
28259 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
28260 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
28261 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
28262 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
28263 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
28264
28265 @kindex maint set profile
28266 @kindex maint show profile
28267 @cindex profiling GDB
28268 @item maint set profile
28269 @itemx maint show profile
28270 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
28271
28272 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
28273 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
28274 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
28275 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
28276 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
28277 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
28278 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
28279
28280 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
28281 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
28282
28283 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
28284 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
28285 @cindex hardware debug registers
28286 @item maint set show-debug-regs
28287 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
28288 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
28289 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
28290 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
28291 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
28292 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
28293
28294 @kindex maint space
28295 @cindex memory used by commands
28296 @item maint space
28297 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
28298 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
28299 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
28300 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
28301 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
28302
28303 @kindex maint time
28304 @cindex time of command execution
28305 @item maint time
28306 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
28307 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
28308 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
28309 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
28310 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
28311 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
28312 it's not possibly currently
28313 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
28314 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
28315
28316 @kindex maint translate-address
28317 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
28318 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
28319 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
28320 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
28321 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
28322 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
28323 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
28324
28325 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
28326 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
28327 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
28328
28329 @end table
28330
28331 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
28332 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
28333
28334 @table @code
28335 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
28336 @kindex set watchdog
28337 @cindex watchdog timer
28338 @cindex timeout for commands
28339 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
28340 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
28341 reports and error and the command is aborted.
28342
28343 @item show watchdog
28344 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
28345 @end table
28346
28347 @node Remote Protocol
28348 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
28349
28350 @menu
28351 * Overview::
28352 * Packets::
28353 * Stop Reply Packets::
28354 * General Query Packets::
28355 * Register Packet Format::
28356 * Tracepoint Packets::
28357 * Host I/O Packets::
28358 * Interrupts::
28359 * Notification Packets::
28360 * Remote Non-Stop::
28361 * Packet Acknowledgment::
28362 * Examples::
28363 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
28364 * Library List Format::
28365 * Memory Map Format::
28366 * Thread List Format::
28367 @end menu
28368
28369 @node Overview
28370 @section Overview
28371
28372 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
28373 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
28374 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
28375 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
28376
28377 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
28378 transmitted and received data, respectively.
28379
28380 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
28381 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
28382 @cindex remote serial protocol
28383 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
28384 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
28385 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
28386 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
28387 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
28388
28389 @smallexample
28390 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28391 @end smallexample
28392 @noindent
28393
28394 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
28395 @noindent
28396 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
28397 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
28398 eight bit unsigned checksum).
28399
28400 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
28401 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
28402
28403 @smallexample
28404 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28405 @end smallexample
28406
28407 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
28408 @noindent
28409 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
28410 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
28411 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
28412
28413 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
28414 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
28415 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
28416 retransmission):
28417
28418 @smallexample
28419 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28420 <- @code{+}
28421 @end smallexample
28422 @noindent
28423
28424 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
28425 once a connection is established.
28426 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
28427
28428 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
28429 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
28430 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
28431 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
28432 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
28433 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
28434 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
28435
28436 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
28437 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
28438 exceptions).
28439
28440 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
28441 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
28442 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
28443 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
28444
28445 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
28446 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
28447 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
28448
28449 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
28450 @anchor{Binary Data}
28451 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
28452 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
28453 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
28454 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
28455 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
28456 binary data.
28457
28458 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
28459 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
28460 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
28461 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
28462 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
28463 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
28464 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
28465 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
28466 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
28467 (described next).
28468
28469 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
28470 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
28471 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
28472 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
28473 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
28474 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
28475 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
28476 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
28477 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
28478 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
28479 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
28480 3}} more times.
28481
28482 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
28483 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
28484 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
28485 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
28486 @samp{0*"00}.
28487
28488 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
28489 error number. That number is not well defined.
28490
28491 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
28492 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
28493 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
28494 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
28495 on that response.
28496
28497 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
28498 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
28499 optional.
28500
28501 @node Packets
28502 @section Packets
28503
28504 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
28505 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
28506 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
28507 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
28508
28509 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
28510 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
28511 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
28512 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
28513 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
28514 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
28515 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
28516 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
28517 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
28518 @var{baz}.
28519
28520 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
28521 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
28522 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
28523 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
28524 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
28525 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
28526 pick any thread.
28527
28528 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
28529 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
28530 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
28531 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
28532 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
28533 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
28534 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
28535 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
28536 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
28537 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
28538 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
28539 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
28540 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
28541
28542 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
28543 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
28544 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
28545 more information.
28546
28547 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
28548 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
28549
28550 Here are the packet descriptions.
28551
28552 @table @samp
28553
28554 @item !
28555 @cindex @samp{!} packet
28556 @anchor{extended mode}
28557 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
28558 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
28559 debugged.
28560
28561 Reply:
28562 @table @samp
28563 @item OK
28564 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
28565 @end table
28566
28567 @item ?
28568 @cindex @samp{?} packet
28569 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
28570 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
28571 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
28572
28573 Reply:
28574 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28575
28576 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
28577 @cindex @samp{A} packet
28578 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
28579 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
28580 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
28581
28582 Reply:
28583 @table @samp
28584 @item OK
28585 The arguments were set.
28586 @item E @var{NN}
28587 An error occurred.
28588 @end table
28589
28590 @item b @var{baud}
28591 @cindex @samp{b} packet
28592 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
28593 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
28594
28595 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
28596 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
28597 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
28598
28599 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
28600 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
28601 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
28602 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
28603 of view, nothing actually happened.}
28604
28605 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
28606 @cindex @samp{B} packet
28607 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
28608 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
28609
28610 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
28611 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
28612
28613 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
28614 @anchor{bc}
28615 @item bc
28616 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
28617 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28618
28619 Reply:
28620 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28621
28622 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
28623 @anchor{bs}
28624 @item bs
28625 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
28626 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28627
28628 Reply:
28629 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28630
28631 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28632 @cindex @samp{c} packet
28633 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
28634 resume at current address.
28635
28636 Reply:
28637 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28638
28639 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28640 @cindex @samp{C} packet
28641 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
28642 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
28643
28644 Reply:
28645 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28646
28647 @item d
28648 @cindex @samp{d} packet
28649 Toggle debug flag.
28650
28651 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
28652 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
28653
28654 @item D
28655 @itemx D;@var{pid}
28656 @cindex @samp{D} packet
28657 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
28658 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
28659 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
28660
28661 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
28662 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
28663 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
28664 big-endian hex string.
28665
28666 Reply:
28667 @table @samp
28668 @item OK
28669 for success
28670 @item E @var{NN}
28671 for an error
28672 @end table
28673
28674 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
28675 @cindex @samp{F} packet
28676 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
28677 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
28678 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
28679
28680 @item g
28681 @anchor{read registers packet}
28682 @cindex @samp{g} packet
28683 Read general registers.
28684
28685 Reply:
28686 @table @samp
28687 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28688 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
28689 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
28690 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
28691 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
28692 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
28693 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
28694 @item E @var{NN}
28695 for an error.
28696 @end table
28697
28698 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
28699 @cindex @samp{G} packet
28700 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
28701 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
28702
28703 Reply:
28704 @table @samp
28705 @item OK
28706 for success
28707 @item E @var{NN}
28708 for an error
28709 @end table
28710
28711 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
28712 @cindex @samp{H} packet
28713 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
28714 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
28715 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
28716 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
28717 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28718
28719 Reply:
28720 @table @samp
28721 @item OK
28722 for success
28723 @item E @var{NN}
28724 for an error
28725 @end table
28726
28727 @c FIXME: JTC:
28728 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
28729 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
28730 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
28731 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
28732 @c described. For example:
28733 @c
28734 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28735 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
28736 @c otherwise returns current registers.
28737 @c
28738 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28739 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
28740 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
28741
28742 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
28743 @anchor{cycle step packet}
28744 @cindex @samp{i} packet
28745 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
28746 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
28747 step starting at that address.
28748
28749 @item I
28750 @cindex @samp{I} packet
28751 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
28752 step packet}.
28753
28754 @item k
28755 @cindex @samp{k} packet
28756 Kill request.
28757
28758 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
28759 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
28760 thread?)}.
28761
28762 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
28763 @cindex @samp{m} packet
28764 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28765 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
28766
28767 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
28768 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
28769 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
28770 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
28771 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
28772 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
28773 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
28774 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
28775
28776 Reply:
28777 @table @samp
28778 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28779 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
28780 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
28781 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
28782 @item E @var{NN}
28783 @var{NN} is errno
28784 @end table
28785
28786 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28787 @cindex @samp{M} packet
28788 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28789 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
28790 hexadecimal number.
28791
28792 Reply:
28793 @table @samp
28794 @item OK
28795 for success
28796 @item E @var{NN}
28797 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
28798 written).
28799 @end table
28800
28801 @item p @var{n}
28802 @cindex @samp{p} packet
28803 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
28804 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
28805 register value is encoded.
28806
28807 Reply:
28808 @table @samp
28809 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28810 the register's value
28811 @item E @var{NN}
28812 for an error
28813 @item
28814 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
28815 @end table
28816
28817 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
28818 @anchor{write register packet}
28819 @cindex @samp{P} packet
28820 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
28821 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
28822 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
28823
28824 Reply:
28825 @table @samp
28826 @item OK
28827 for success
28828 @item E @var{NN}
28829 for an error
28830 @end table
28831
28832 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28833 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28834 @cindex @samp{q} packet
28835 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
28836 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
28837 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
28838
28839 @item r
28840 @cindex @samp{r} packet
28841 Reset the entire system.
28842
28843 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
28844
28845 @item R @var{XX}
28846 @cindex @samp{R} packet
28847 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
28848 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28849
28850 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
28851
28852 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28853 @cindex @samp{s} packet
28854 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
28855 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
28856
28857 Reply:
28858 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28859
28860 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28861 @anchor{step with signal packet}
28862 @cindex @samp{S} packet
28863 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
28864 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
28865
28866 Reply:
28867 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28868
28869 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
28870 @cindex @samp{t} packet
28871 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
28872 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
28873 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
28874
28875 @item T @var{thread-id}
28876 @cindex @samp{T} packet
28877 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
28878
28879 Reply:
28880 @table @samp
28881 @item OK
28882 thread is still alive
28883 @item E @var{NN}
28884 thread is dead
28885 @end table
28886
28887 @item v
28888 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
28889 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
28890
28891 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
28892 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
28893 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
28894 The process ID is a
28895 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
28896 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
28897 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
28898
28899 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
28900 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
28901 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
28902 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
28903 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
28904 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
28905 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
28906 @c stopping or restarting threads.
28907
28908 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28909
28910 Reply:
28911 @table @samp
28912 @item E @var{nn}
28913 for an error
28914 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28915 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28916 @item OK
28917 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
28918 @end table
28919
28920 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
28921 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
28922 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
28923 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
28924 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
28925 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
28926 in their current state in non-stop mode.
28927 Specifying multiple
28928 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
28929 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28930
28931 Currently supported actions are:
28932
28933 @table @samp
28934 @item c
28935 Continue.
28936 @item C @var{sig}
28937 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28938 @item s
28939 Step.
28940 @item S @var{sig}
28941 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28942 @item t
28943 Stop.
28944 @end table
28945
28946 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
28947 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
28948 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
28949
28950 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
28951 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
28952 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
28953 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
28954 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
28955 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
28956 as an implementation detail.
28957
28958 Reply:
28959 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28960
28961 @item vCont?
28962 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
28963 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
28964
28965 Reply:
28966 @table @samp
28967 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
28968 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
28969 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
28970 @item
28971 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
28972 @end table
28973
28974 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
28975 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
28976 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
28977 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
28978
28979 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
28980 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
28981 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
28982 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
28983 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
28984 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
28985 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
28986 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
28987 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
28988 packet is received.
28989
28990 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
28991 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
28992 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
28993 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
28994 @var{thread-id}.
28995
28996 Reply:
28997 @table @samp
28998 @item OK
28999 for success
29000 @item E @var{NN}
29001 for an error
29002 @end table
29003
29004 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29005 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
29006 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
29007 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
29008 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
29009 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
29010 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
29011 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
29012 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
29013 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
29014 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
29015 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
29016
29017
29018 Reply:
29019 @table @samp
29020 @item OK
29021 for success
29022 @item E.memtype
29023 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
29024 @item E @var{NN}
29025 for an error
29026 @end table
29027
29028 @item vFlashDone
29029 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
29030 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
29031 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
29032 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
29033 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
29034 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
29035 request is completed.
29036
29037 @item vKill;@var{pid}
29038 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
29039 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
29040 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
29041 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
29042 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
29043
29044 Reply:
29045 @table @samp
29046 @item E @var{nn}
29047 for an error
29048 @item OK
29049 for success
29050 @end table
29051
29052 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
29053 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
29054 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
29055 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
29056 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
29057 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
29058 state.
29059
29060 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
29061
29062 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
29063
29064 Reply:
29065 @table @samp
29066 @item E @var{nn}
29067 for an error
29068 @item @r{Any stop packet}
29069 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
29070 @end table
29071
29072 @item vStopped
29073 @anchor{vStopped packet}
29074 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
29075
29076 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
29077 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
29078
29079 Reply:
29080 @table @samp
29081 @item @r{Any stop packet}
29082 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
29083 @item OK
29084 if there are no unreported stop events
29085 @end table
29086
29087 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29088 @anchor{X packet}
29089 @cindex @samp{X} packet
29090 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
29091 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
29092 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
29093
29094 Reply:
29095 @table @samp
29096 @item OK
29097 for success
29098 @item E @var{NN}
29099 for an error
29100 @end table
29101
29102 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
29103 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
29104 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
29105 @cindex @samp{z} packet
29106 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
29107 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
29108 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
29109 @var{length} bytes.
29110
29111 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
29112 separately.
29113
29114 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
29115 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
29116 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
29117 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
29118 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
29119 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
29120
29121 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
29122 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
29123 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
29124 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
29125 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
29126 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
29127
29128 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
29129 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
29130 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
29131 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
29132 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
29133
29134 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
29135 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
29136 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
29137 target, is not defined.}
29138
29139 Reply:
29140 @table @samp
29141 @item OK
29142 success
29143 @item
29144 not supported
29145 @item E @var{NN}
29146 for an error
29147 @end table
29148
29149 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
29150 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
29151 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
29152 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
29153 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
29154 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
29155
29156 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
29157 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
29158
29159 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
29160 movement.}
29161
29162 Reply:
29163 @table @samp
29164 @item OK
29165 success
29166 @item
29167 not supported
29168 @item E @var{NN}
29169 for an error
29170 @end table
29171
29172 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
29173 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
29174 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
29175 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
29176 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
29177
29178 Reply:
29179 @table @samp
29180 @item OK
29181 success
29182 @item
29183 not supported
29184 @item E @var{NN}
29185 for an error
29186 @end table
29187
29188 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
29189 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
29190 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
29191 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
29192 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
29193
29194 Reply:
29195 @table @samp
29196 @item OK
29197 success
29198 @item
29199 not supported
29200 @item E @var{NN}
29201 for an error
29202 @end table
29203
29204 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
29205 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
29206 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
29207 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
29208 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
29209
29210 Reply:
29211 @table @samp
29212 @item OK
29213 success
29214 @item
29215 not supported
29216 @item E @var{NN}
29217 for an error
29218 @end table
29219
29220 @end table
29221
29222 @node Stop Reply Packets
29223 @section Stop Reply Packets
29224 @cindex stop reply packets
29225
29226 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
29227 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
29228 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
29229 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
29230 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
29231 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
29232 @value{GDBN} source code.
29233
29234 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
29235 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
29236 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
29237 components.
29238
29239 @table @samp
29240
29241 @item S @var{AA}
29242 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
29243 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
29244 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
29245
29246 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
29247 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
29248 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
29249 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
29250 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
29251 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
29252 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
29253 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
29254
29255 @itemize @bullet
29256 @item
29257 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
29258 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
29259 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
29260 two-digit hex number.
29261
29262 @item
29263 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
29264 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29265
29266 @item
29267 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
29268 the core on which the stop event was detected.
29269
29270 @item
29271 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
29272 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
29273 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
29274 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
29275
29276 @item
29277 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
29278 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
29279 future.
29280 @end itemize
29281
29282 The currently defined stop reasons are:
29283
29284 @table @samp
29285 @item watch
29286 @itemx rwatch
29287 @itemx awatch
29288 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
29289 hex.
29290
29291 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
29292 @item library
29293 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
29294 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
29295 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
29296
29297 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
29298 @item replaylog
29299 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
29300 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
29301 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
29302 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
29303 for more information.
29304 @end table
29305
29306 @item W @var{AA}
29307 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
29308 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
29309 applicable to certain targets.
29310
29311 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
29312 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
29313 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
29314 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29315
29316 @item X @var{AA}
29317 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
29318 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
29319
29320 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
29321 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
29322 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
29323 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29324
29325 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
29326 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
29327 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
29328 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
29329 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
29330
29331 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
29332 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
29333 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
29334 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
29335 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
29336 system calls.
29337
29338 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
29339 this very system call.
29340
29341 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
29342 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
29343 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
29344 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
29345 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
29346 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
29347
29348 @end table
29349
29350 @node General Query Packets
29351 @section General Query Packets
29352 @cindex remote query requests
29353
29354 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
29355 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
29356 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
29357 sending information to and from the stub.
29358
29359 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
29360 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
29361 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
29362 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
29363 conventions:
29364
29365 @itemize @bullet
29366 @item
29367 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
29368 @item
29369 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
29370 letter.
29371 @item
29372 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
29373 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
29374 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
29375 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
29376 @end itemize
29377
29378 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
29379 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
29380 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
29381 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
29382 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
29383 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
29384 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
29385 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
29386 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
29387 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
29388 packet.}.
29389
29390 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
29391 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
29392 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
29393 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
29394 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
29395
29396 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
29397
29398 @table @samp
29399
29400 @item qC
29401 @cindex current thread, remote request
29402 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
29403 Return the current thread ID.
29404
29405 Reply:
29406 @table @samp
29407 @item QC @var{thread-id}
29408 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
29409 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29410 @item @r{(anything else)}
29411 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
29412 @end table
29413
29414 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
29415 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
29416 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
29417 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
29418 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
29419 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
29420 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
29421
29422 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
29423 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
29424 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
29425 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
29426 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
29427 detect trailing zeros.
29428
29429 Reply:
29430 @table @samp
29431 @item E @var{NN}
29432 An error (such as memory fault)
29433 @item C @var{crc32}
29434 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
29435 @end table
29436
29437 @item qfThreadInfo
29438 @itemx qsThreadInfo
29439 @cindex list active threads, remote request
29440 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
29441 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
29442 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
29443 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
29444 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
29445 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
29446 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
29447 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
29448
29449 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
29450
29451 Reply:
29452 @table @samp
29453 @item m @var{thread-id}
29454 A single thread ID
29455 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
29456 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
29457 @item l
29458 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
29459 @end table
29460
29461 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
29462 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
29463 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
29464 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
29465 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
29466 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
29467 fields.
29468
29469 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
29470 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
29471 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
29472 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
29473 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
29474
29475 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
29476 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
29477
29478 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
29479 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
29480 information associated with the variable.)
29481
29482 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
29483 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
29484 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
29485 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
29486 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
29487 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
29488
29489 Reply:
29490 @table @samp
29491 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
29492 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
29493 local storage requested.
29494
29495 @item E @var{nn}
29496 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29497
29498 @item
29499 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
29500 @end table
29501
29502 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
29503 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
29504 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
29505 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
29506 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
29507 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
29508 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
29509
29510 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
29511
29512 Reply:
29513 @table @samp
29514 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
29515 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
29516 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
29517 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
29518 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
29519 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
29520 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
29521 @end table
29522
29523 @item qOffsets
29524 @cindex section offsets, remote request
29525 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
29526 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
29527 image.
29528
29529 Reply:
29530 @table @samp
29531 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
29532 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
29533 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
29534 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
29535 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
29536 segments by the supplied offsets.
29537
29538 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
29539 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
29540 to the @code{Bss} section.}
29541
29542 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
29543 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
29544 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
29545 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
29546 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
29547 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
29548 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
29549 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
29550 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
29551 @end table
29552
29553 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
29554 @cindex thread information, remote request
29555 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
29556 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
29557 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
29558 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
29559
29560 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
29561 (see below).
29562
29563 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
29564
29565 @item QNonStop:1
29566 @item QNonStop:0
29567 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
29568 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
29569 @anchor{QNonStop}
29570 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
29571 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
29572
29573 Reply:
29574 @table @samp
29575 @item OK
29576 The request succeeded.
29577
29578 @item E @var{nn}
29579 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29580
29581 @item
29582 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
29583 the stub.
29584 @end table
29585
29586 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29587 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29588 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
29589 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
29590
29591 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
29592 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
29593 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29594 @anchor{QPassSignals}
29595 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
29596 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
29597 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
29598 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
29599 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
29600 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
29601 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
29602 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
29603 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
29604
29605 Reply:
29606 @table @samp
29607 @item OK
29608 The request succeeded.
29609
29610 @item E @var{nn}
29611 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29612
29613 @item
29614 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
29615 the stub.
29616 @end table
29617
29618 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
29619 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
29620 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29621 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29622
29623 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
29624 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
29625 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
29626 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
29627 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
29628 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
29629 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
29630 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
29631 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
29632
29633 Reply:
29634 @table @samp
29635 @item OK
29636 A command response with no output.
29637 @item @var{OUTPUT}
29638 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
29639 @item E @var{NN}
29640 Indicate a badly formed request.
29641 @item
29642 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
29643 @end table
29644
29645 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
29646 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
29647 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
29648 packets.)
29649
29650 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
29651 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
29652 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
29653 @anchor{qSearch memory}
29654 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
29655 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
29656 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
29657
29658 Reply:
29659 @table @samp
29660 @item 0
29661 The pattern was not found.
29662 @item 1,address
29663 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
29664 @item E @var{NN}
29665 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
29666 @item
29667 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
29668 @end table
29669
29670 @item QStartNoAckMode
29671 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
29672 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
29673 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
29674 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
29675
29676 Reply:
29677 @table @samp
29678 @item OK
29679 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
29680 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
29681 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
29682 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
29683 @item
29684 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
29685 @end table
29686
29687 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
29688 @cindex supported packets, remote query
29689 @cindex features of the remote protocol
29690 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
29691 @anchor{qSupported}
29692 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
29693 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
29694 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
29695 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
29696 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
29697 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
29698 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
29699 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
29700 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
29701 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
29702 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
29703 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
29704 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
29705 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
29706
29707 Reply:
29708 @table @samp
29709 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
29710 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
29711 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
29712 possible forms).
29713 @item
29714 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
29715 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
29716 @end table
29717
29718 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
29719 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
29720 are:
29721
29722 @table @samp
29723 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
29724 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
29725 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
29726 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
29727 @item @var{name}+
29728 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
29729 need an associated value.
29730 @item @var{name}-
29731 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
29732 @item @var{name}?
29733 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
29734 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
29735 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
29736 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
29737 @end table
29738
29739 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
29740 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
29741 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
29742 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
29743 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
29744
29745 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
29746 are defined:
29747
29748 @table @samp
29749 @item multiprocess
29750 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
29751 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
29752 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
29753 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
29754 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
29755 @end table
29756
29757 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
29758 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
29759 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
29760 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
29761 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
29762 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
29763 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
29764 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
29765 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
29766 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
29767 all the features it supports.
29768
29769 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
29770 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
29771
29772 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
29773 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
29774 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
29775 form response.
29776
29777 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
29778 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
29779 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
29780 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
29781
29782 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
29783 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
29784 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
29785 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
29786 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
29787
29788 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
29789
29790 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
29791 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
29792 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
29793 @item Feature Name
29794 @tab Value Required
29795 @tab Default
29796 @tab Probe Allowed
29797
29798 @item @samp{PacketSize}
29799 @tab Yes
29800 @tab @samp{-}
29801 @tab No
29802
29803 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
29804 @tab No
29805 @tab @samp{-}
29806 @tab Yes
29807
29808 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
29809 @tab No
29810 @tab @samp{-}
29811 @tab Yes
29812
29813 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
29814 @tab No
29815 @tab @samp{-}
29816 @tab Yes
29817
29818 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
29819 @tab No
29820 @tab @samp{-}
29821 @tab Yes
29822
29823 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
29824 @tab No
29825 @tab @samp{-}
29826 @tab Yes
29827
29828 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
29829 @tab No
29830 @tab @samp{-}
29831 @tab Yes
29832
29833 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
29834 @tab No
29835 @tab @samp{-}
29836 @tab Yes
29837
29838 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
29839 @tab No
29840 @tab @samp{-}
29841 @tab Yes
29842
29843 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
29844 @tab No
29845 @tab @samp{-}
29846 @tab Yes
29847
29848
29849 @item @samp{QNonStop}
29850 @tab No
29851 @tab @samp{-}
29852 @tab Yes
29853
29854 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
29855 @tab No
29856 @tab @samp{-}
29857 @tab Yes
29858
29859 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
29860 @tab No
29861 @tab @samp{-}
29862 @tab Yes
29863
29864 @item @samp{multiprocess}
29865 @tab No
29866 @tab @samp{-}
29867 @tab No
29868
29869 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
29870 @tab No
29871 @tab @samp{-}
29872 @tab No
29873
29874 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
29875 @tab No
29876 @tab @samp{-}
29877 @tab No
29878
29879 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
29880 @tab No
29881 @tab @samp{-}
29882 @tab No
29883
29884 @end multitable
29885
29886 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
29887
29888 @table @samp
29889 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
29890 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
29891 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
29892 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
29893 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
29894 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
29895 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
29896 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
29897 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
29898 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
29899
29900 @item qXfer:auxv:read
29901 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
29902 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
29903
29904 @item qXfer:features:read
29905 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
29906 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
29907
29908 @item qXfer:libraries:read
29909 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
29910 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
29911
29912 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
29913 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
29914 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
29915
29916 @item qXfer:spu:read
29917 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
29918 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
29919
29920 @item qXfer:spu:write
29921 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
29922 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
29923
29924 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
29925 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
29926 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
29927
29928 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
29929 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
29930 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
29931
29932 @item qXfer:threads:read
29933 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
29934 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
29935
29936 @item QNonStop
29937 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
29938 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
29939
29940 @item QPassSignals
29941 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29942 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
29943
29944 @item QStartNoAckMode
29945 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
29946 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
29947
29948 @item multiprocess
29949 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
29950 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
29951 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
29952 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
29953 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
29954 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
29955 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
29956 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
29957 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
29958 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
29959 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
29960
29961 @item qXfer:osdata:read
29962 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
29963 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
29964
29965 @item ConditionalTracepoints
29966 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
29967 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
29968
29969 @item ReverseContinue
29970 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
29971 (@pxref{bc}).
29972
29973 @item ReverseStep
29974 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
29975 (@pxref{bs}).
29976
29977 @end table
29978
29979 @item qSymbol::
29980 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
29981 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
29982 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
29983 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
29984
29985 Reply:
29986 @table @samp
29987 @item OK
29988 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
29989 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
29990 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
29991 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
29992 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
29993 below.
29994 @end table
29995
29996 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
29997 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
29998
29999 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
30000 target has previously requested.
30001
30002 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
30003 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
30004 will be empty.
30005
30006 Reply:
30007 @table @samp
30008 @item OK
30009 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
30010 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
30011 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
30012 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
30013 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
30014 @end table
30015
30016 @item qTBuffer
30017 @item QTDisconnected
30018 @itemx QTDP
30019 @itemx QTDV
30020 @itemx qTfP
30021 @itemx qTfV
30022 @itemx QTFrame
30023 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
30024
30025 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
30026 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
30027 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
30028 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
30029 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
30030 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
30031 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
30032 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
30033 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
30034 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
30035 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
30036
30037 Reply:
30038 @table @samp
30039 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
30040 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
30041 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
30042 the thread's attributes.
30043 @end table
30044
30045 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
30046 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
30047 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
30048 packets.)
30049
30050 @item QTSave
30051 @item qTsP
30052 @item qTsV
30053 @itemx QTStart
30054 @itemx QTStop
30055 @itemx QTinit
30056 @itemx QTro
30057 @itemx qTStatus
30058 @itemx qTV
30059 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
30060
30061 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30062 @cindex read special object, remote request
30063 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
30064 @anchor{qXfer read}
30065 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
30066 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
30067 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
30068 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
30069 additional details about what data to access.
30070
30071 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
30072 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
30073 formats, listed below.
30074
30075 @table @samp
30076 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30077 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
30078 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
30079 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
30080
30081 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30082 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30083
30084 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30085 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
30086 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
30087 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
30088 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
30089
30090 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30091 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30092
30093 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30094 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
30095 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
30096 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30097 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30098
30099 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
30100 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
30101 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
30102
30103 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30104 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30105
30106 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30107 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
30108 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
30109 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30110 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30111
30112 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30113 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30114
30115 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30116 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
30117 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
30118 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
30119 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30120
30121 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30122 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
30123 (@pxref{qSupported}).
30124
30125 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30126 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
30127 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
30128 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
30129 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
30130 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
30131 in that context to be accessed.
30132
30133 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30134 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
30135 (@pxref{qSupported}).
30136
30137 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30138 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
30139 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
30140 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30141 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30142
30143 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30144 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30145
30146 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30147 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
30148 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
30149 @xref{Operating System Information}.
30150
30151 @end table
30152
30153 Reply:
30154 @table @samp
30155 @item m @var{data}
30156 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
30157 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
30158 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
30159 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
30160 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
30161 request.
30162
30163 @item l @var{data}
30164 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
30165 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
30166 than the @var{length} in the request.
30167
30168 @item l
30169 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
30170 There is no more data to be read.
30171
30172 @item E00
30173 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
30174
30175 @item E @var{nn}
30176 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
30177 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
30178
30179 @item
30180 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
30181 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
30182 @end table
30183
30184 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
30185 @cindex write data into object, remote request
30186 @anchor{qXfer write}
30187 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
30188 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
30189 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
30190 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
30191 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
30192 to access.
30193
30194 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
30195 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
30196 formats, listed below.
30197
30198 @table @samp
30199 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
30200 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
30201 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
30202 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
30203 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
30204
30205 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30206 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
30207 (@pxref{qSupported}).
30208
30209 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
30210 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
30211 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
30212 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
30213 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
30214 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
30215 in that context to be accessed.
30216
30217 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30218 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30219 @end table
30220
30221 Reply:
30222 @table @samp
30223 @item @var{nn}
30224 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
30225 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
30226
30227 @item E00
30228 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
30229
30230 @item E @var{nn}
30231 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
30232 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
30233
30234 @item
30235 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
30236 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
30237 @end table
30238
30239 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
30240 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
30241 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
30242 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
30243 must respond with an empty packet.
30244
30245 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
30246 @cindex query attached, remote request
30247 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
30248 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
30249 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
30250 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
30251 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
30252 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
30253 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
30254
30255 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
30256 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
30257 the @code{quit} command.
30258
30259 Reply:
30260 @table @samp
30261 @item 1
30262 The remote server attached to an existing process.
30263 @item 0
30264 The remote server created a new process.
30265 @item E @var{NN}
30266 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
30267 @end table
30268
30269 @end table
30270
30271 @node Register Packet Format
30272 @section Register Packet Format
30273
30274 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
30275 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
30276 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
30277 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
30278 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
30279 most-significant - least-significant.
30280
30281 @table @r
30282
30283 @item MIPS32
30284
30285 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
30286 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
30287 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
30288
30289 @item MIPS64
30290
30291 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
30292 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
30293 as @code{MIPS32}.
30294
30295 @end table
30296
30297 @node Tracepoint Packets
30298 @section Tracepoint Packets
30299 @cindex tracepoint packets
30300 @cindex packets, tracepoint
30301
30302 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
30303 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
30304
30305 @table @samp
30306
30307 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
30308 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
30309 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
30310 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
30311 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
30312 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
30313 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
30314 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
30315 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
30316 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
30317 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
30318 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
30319 actions.
30320
30321 Replies:
30322 @table @samp
30323 @item OK
30324 The packet was understood and carried out.
30325 @item
30326 The packet was not recognized.
30327 @end table
30328
30329 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
30330 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
30331 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
30332 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
30333 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
30334 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
30335 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
30336
30337 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
30338 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
30339 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
30340 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
30341 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
30342 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
30343 tracepoint actions.
30344
30345 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
30346 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
30347 following forms:
30348
30349 @table @samp
30350
30351 @item R @var{mask}
30352 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
30353 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
30354 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
30355 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
30356 not fit in a 32-bit word.
30357
30358 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
30359 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
30360 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
30361 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
30362 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
30363 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
30364 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
30365
30366 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
30367 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
30368 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
30369 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
30370 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
30371 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
30372 packet).
30373
30374 @end table
30375
30376 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
30377 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
30378 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
30379 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
30380 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
30381 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
30382 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
30383 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
30384
30385 Replies:
30386 @table @samp
30387 @item OK
30388 The packet was understood and carried out.
30389 @item
30390 The packet was not recognized.
30391 @end table
30392
30393 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
30394 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
30395 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
30396 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
30397 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
30398 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
30399 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
30400 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
30401 mentioned in expressions.
30402
30403 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
30404 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
30405 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
30406 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
30407
30408 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
30409 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
30410 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
30411 one of the following forms:
30412
30413 @table @samp
30414 @item F @var{f}
30415 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
30416 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
30417 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
30418
30419 @item T @var{t}
30420 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
30421 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
30422
30423 @end table
30424
30425 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
30426 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30427 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
30428 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
30429
30430 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
30431 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30432 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
30433 is a hexadecimal number.
30434
30435 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
30436 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30437 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
30438 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
30439 numbers.
30440
30441 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
30442 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
30443 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
30444
30445 @item QTStart
30446 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
30447 hits in the trace frame buffer.
30448
30449 @item QTStop
30450 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
30451
30452 @item QTinit
30453 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
30454
30455 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
30456 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
30457 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
30458 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
30459
30460 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
30461 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
30462 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
30463 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
30464
30465 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
30466 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
30467 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
30468 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
30469 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
30470
30471 @item qTStatus
30472 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
30473
30474 Replies:
30475 @table @samp
30476 @item T0
30477 There is no trace experiment running.
30478 @item T1
30479 There is a trace experiment running.
30480 @end table
30481
30482 @item qTV:@var{var}
30483 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
30484 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
30485 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
30486
30487 Replies:
30488 @table @samp
30489 @item V@var{value}
30490 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
30491 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
30492 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
30493 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
30494 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
30495 program is running.
30496
30497 @item U
30498 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
30499 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
30500 was not collected.
30501 @end table
30502
30503 @item qTfP
30504 @itemx qTsP
30505 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
30506 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
30507 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
30508 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
30509 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
30510
30511 @item qTfV
30512 @itemx qTsV
30513 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
30514 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
30515 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
30516 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
30517 trace state variables.
30518
30519 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
30520 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
30521 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
30522 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
30523 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
30524
30525 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
30526 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
30527 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
30528 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
30529 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
30530 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
30531 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
30532 available.
30533
30534 @end table
30535
30536 @node Host I/O Packets
30537 @section Host I/O Packets
30538 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
30539 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
30540
30541 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
30542 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
30543 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
30544 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
30545 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
30546 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
30547 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
30548 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
30549 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
30550 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
30551
30552 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
30553 its arguments. They have this format:
30554
30555 @table @samp
30556
30557 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
30558 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
30559 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
30560 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
30561 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
30562 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
30563 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
30564 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
30565 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
30566
30567 @end table
30568
30569 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
30570
30571 @table @samp
30572
30573 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
30574 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
30575 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
30576 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
30577 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
30578 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
30579 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
30580 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
30581 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
30582 @var{attachment}.
30583
30584 @item
30585 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
30586
30587 @end table
30588
30589 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
30590
30591 @table @samp
30592 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
30593 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
30594 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
30595 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
30596 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
30597 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
30598 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
30599
30600 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
30601 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
30602 -1 if an error occurs.
30603
30604 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
30605 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
30606 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
30607 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
30608 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
30609 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
30610 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
30611 @var{count} was zero.
30612
30613 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
30614 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
30615 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
30616 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
30617 some characters were escaped.
30618
30619 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
30620 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
30621 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
30622 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
30623 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
30624 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
30625 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
30626 error occurred.
30627
30628 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
30629 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
30630 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
30631
30632 @end table
30633
30634 @node Interrupts
30635 @section Interrupts
30636 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
30637
30638 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
30639 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
30640 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
30641 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
30642
30643 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
30644 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
30645 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
30646 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
30647 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
30648
30649 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
30650 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
30651 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
30652 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
30653 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
30654 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
30655 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
30656 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
30657
30658 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
30659 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
30660 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
30661
30662 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
30663 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
30664 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
30665 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
30666 currently-executing threads and processes.
30667 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
30668 running program, it should send one of the stop
30669 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
30670 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
30671 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
30672 Interrupts received while the
30673 program is stopped are discarded.
30674
30675 @node Notification Packets
30676 @section Notification Packets
30677 @cindex notification packets
30678 @cindex packets, notification
30679
30680 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
30681 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
30682 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
30683 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
30684 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
30685 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
30686 is not a problem.
30687
30688 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
30689 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
30690 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
30691 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
30692 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
30693 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
30694 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
30695
30696 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
30697 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
30698
30699 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
30700 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
30701 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
30702 not they understand it.
30703
30704 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
30705 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
30706 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
30707 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
30708 recipients.
30709
30710 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
30711 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
30712 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
30713 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
30714 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
30715
30716 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
30717 defined:
30718
30719 @table @samp
30720 @item Stop: @var{reply}
30721 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
30722 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
30723 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
30724 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
30725 @value{GDBN}.
30726 @end table
30727
30728 @node Remote Non-Stop
30729 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
30730
30731 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
30732 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
30733 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
30734 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30735
30736 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
30737 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
30738 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
30739 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
30740 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
30741 probe the target state after a mode change.
30742
30743 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
30744 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
30745 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
30746 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
30747 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
30748 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
30749 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
30750 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
30751 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
30752 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
30753 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
30754
30755 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
30756 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
30757 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
30758 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
30759 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
30760 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
30761 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
30762 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
30763 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
30764 sending any queued stop events.
30765
30766 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
30767 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
30768 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
30769 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
30770 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
30771 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
30772 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
30773
30774 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
30775 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
30776 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
30777 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
30778 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
30779 process normally.
30780
30781 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
30782 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
30783 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
30784 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
30785 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
30786 should process normally.
30787
30788 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
30789 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
30790 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
30791 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
30792 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
30793
30794 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
30795 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
30796 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
30797 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
30798 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
30799 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
30800 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
30801 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
30802 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
30803 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
30804 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
30805 @samp{OK}.
30806
30807 @node Packet Acknowledgment
30808 @section Packet Acknowledgment
30809
30810 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30811 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30812 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
30813 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
30814 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
30815 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
30816 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
30817
30818 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
30819 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
30820 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
30821 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
30822 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
30823
30824 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
30825 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
30826 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
30827 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
30828
30829 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
30830 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
30831 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
30832 @pxref{qSupported}.
30833 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
30834 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
30835 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
30836 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
30837 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
30838 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
30839 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
30840
30841 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
30842 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
30843 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
30844 connection.
30845 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
30846 new connection is established,
30847 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
30848 for the current connection, once disabled.
30849
30850 @node Examples
30851 @section Examples
30852
30853 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
30854 does not get any direct output:
30855
30856 @smallexample
30857 -> @code{R00}
30858 <- @code{+}
30859 @emph{target restarts}
30860 -> @code{?}
30861 <- @code{+}
30862 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30863 -> @code{+}
30864 @end smallexample
30865
30866 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
30867
30868 @smallexample
30869 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
30870 <- @code{+}
30871 -> @code{s}
30872 <- @code{+}
30873 @emph{time passes}
30874 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30875 -> @code{+}
30876 -> @code{g}
30877 <- @code{+}
30878 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
30879 -> @code{+}
30880 @end smallexample
30881
30882 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30883 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30884 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
30885
30886 @menu
30887 * File-I/O Overview::
30888 * Protocol Basics::
30889 * The F Request Packet::
30890 * The F Reply Packet::
30891 * The Ctrl-C Message::
30892 * Console I/O::
30893 * List of Supported Calls::
30894 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
30895 * Constants::
30896 * File-I/O Examples::
30897 @end menu
30898
30899 @node File-I/O Overview
30900 @subsection File-I/O Overview
30901 @cindex file-i/o overview
30902
30903 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
30904 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
30905 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
30906 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
30907 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
30908 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
30909
30910 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
30911 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
30912 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
30913 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
30914 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
30915
30916 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
30917 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30918 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
30919 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
30920 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
30921 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
30922 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
30923
30924 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
30925 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
30926 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
30927 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
30928 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
30929
30930 @smallexample
30931 (@value{GDBP}) continue
30932 <- target requests 'system call X'
30933 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
30934 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
30935 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
30936 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
30937 @end smallexample
30938
30939 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
30940 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
30941 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
30942 system are not supported by this protocol.
30943
30944 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
30945
30946 @node Protocol Basics
30947 @subsection Protocol Basics
30948 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
30949
30950 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
30951 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
30952 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
30953 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
30954 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
30955 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
30956 to call the appropriate host system call:
30957
30958 @itemize @bullet
30959 @item
30960 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
30961
30962 @item
30963 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
30964 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
30965 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
30966 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
30967
30968 @end itemize
30969
30970 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
30971
30972 @itemize @bullet
30973 @item
30974 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
30975 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
30976 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
30977 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
30978 packet.
30979
30980 @item
30981 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
30982 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
30983
30984 @item
30985 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
30986
30987 @item
30988 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
30989
30990 @item
30991 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
30992 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
30993 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
30994 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
30995 packet.
30996
30997 @end itemize
30998
30999 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
31000 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
31001
31002 @itemize @bullet
31003 @item
31004 Return value.
31005
31006 @item
31007 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
31008
31009 @item
31010 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
31011
31012 @end itemize
31013
31014 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
31015 the latest continue or step action.
31016
31017 @node The F Request Packet
31018 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
31019 @cindex file-i/o request packet
31020 @cindex @code{F} request packet
31021
31022 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
31023
31024 @table @samp
31025 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
31026
31027 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
31028 This is just the name of the function.
31029
31030 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
31031 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
31032 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
31033 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
31034 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
31035 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
31036 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
31037
31038 @end table
31039
31040
31041
31042 @node The F Reply Packet
31043 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
31044 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
31045 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
31046
31047 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
31048
31049 @table @samp
31050
31051 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
31052
31053 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
31054
31055 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
31056 representation.
31057 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
31058
31059 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
31060 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
31061 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
31062
31063 @smallexample
31064 F0,0,C
31065 @end smallexample
31066
31067 @noindent
31068 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
31069
31070 @smallexample
31071 F-1,4,C
31072 @end smallexample
31073
31074 @noindent
31075 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
31076
31077 @end table
31078
31079
31080 @node The Ctrl-C Message
31081 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
31082 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
31083
31084 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
31085 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
31086 the target should behave as if it had
31087 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
31088 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
31089 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
31090 packet.
31091
31092 It's important for the target to know in which
31093 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
31094
31095 @itemize @bullet
31096 @item
31097 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
31098
31099 @item
31100 The system call on the host has been finished.
31101
31102 @end itemize
31103
31104 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
31105 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
31106 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
31107 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
31108 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
31109 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
31110
31111 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
31112 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
31113 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
31114 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
31115 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
31116 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
31117 or the full action has been completed.
31118
31119 @node Console I/O
31120 @subsection Console I/O
31121 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
31122
31123 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
31124 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
31125 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
31126 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
31127 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
31128 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
31129 conditions is met:
31130
31131 @itemize @bullet
31132 @item
31133 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
31134 @code{read}
31135 system call is treated as finished.
31136
31137 @item
31138 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
31139 newline.
31140
31141 @item
31142 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
31143 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
31144
31145 @end itemize
31146
31147 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
31148 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
31149 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
31150 is stopped at the user's request.
31151
31152
31153 @node List of Supported Calls
31154 @subsection List of Supported Calls
31155 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
31156
31157 @menu
31158 * open::
31159 * close::
31160 * read::
31161 * write::
31162 * lseek::
31163 * rename::
31164 * unlink::
31165 * stat/fstat::
31166 * gettimeofday::
31167 * isatty::
31168 * system::
31169 @end menu
31170
31171 @node open
31172 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
31173 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
31174
31175 @table @asis
31176 @item Synopsis:
31177 @smallexample
31178 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
31179 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
31180 @end smallexample
31181
31182 @item Request:
31183 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
31184
31185 @noindent
31186 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
31187
31188 @table @code
31189 @item O_CREAT
31190 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
31191 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
31192 are concerned.
31193
31194 @item O_EXCL
31195 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
31196 an error and open() fails.
31197
31198 @item O_TRUNC
31199 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
31200 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
31201 truncated to zero length.
31202
31203 @item O_APPEND
31204 The file is opened in append mode.
31205
31206 @item O_RDONLY
31207 The file is opened for reading only.
31208
31209 @item O_WRONLY
31210 The file is opened for writing only.
31211
31212 @item O_RDWR
31213 The file is opened for reading and writing.
31214 @end table
31215
31216 @noindent
31217 Other bits are silently ignored.
31218
31219
31220 @noindent
31221 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
31222
31223 @table @code
31224 @item S_IRUSR
31225 User has read permission.
31226
31227 @item S_IWUSR
31228 User has write permission.
31229
31230 @item S_IRGRP
31231 Group has read permission.
31232
31233 @item S_IWGRP
31234 Group has write permission.
31235
31236 @item S_IROTH
31237 Others have read permission.
31238
31239 @item S_IWOTH
31240 Others have write permission.
31241 @end table
31242
31243 @noindent
31244 Other bits are silently ignored.
31245
31246
31247 @item Return value:
31248 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
31249 occurred.
31250
31251 @item Errors:
31252
31253 @table @code
31254 @item EEXIST
31255 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
31256
31257 @item EISDIR
31258 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
31259
31260 @item EACCES
31261 The requested access is not allowed.
31262
31263 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31264 @var{pathname} was too long.
31265
31266 @item ENOENT
31267 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
31268
31269 @item ENODEV
31270 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
31271
31272 @item EROFS
31273 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
31274 write access was requested.
31275
31276 @item EFAULT
31277 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
31278
31279 @item ENOSPC
31280 No space on device to create the file.
31281
31282 @item EMFILE
31283 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
31284
31285 @item ENFILE
31286 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
31287 has been reached.
31288
31289 @item EINTR
31290 The call was interrupted by the user.
31291 @end table
31292
31293 @end table
31294
31295 @node close
31296 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
31297 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
31298
31299 @table @asis
31300 @item Synopsis:
31301 @smallexample
31302 int close(int fd);
31303 @end smallexample
31304
31305 @item Request:
31306 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
31307
31308 @item Return value:
31309 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
31310
31311 @item Errors:
31312
31313 @table @code
31314 @item EBADF
31315 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
31316
31317 @item EINTR
31318 The call was interrupted by the user.
31319 @end table
31320
31321 @end table
31322
31323 @node read
31324 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
31325 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
31326
31327 @table @asis
31328 @item Synopsis:
31329 @smallexample
31330 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
31331 @end smallexample
31332
31333 @item Request:
31334 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
31335
31336 @item Return value:
31337 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
31338 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
31339 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
31340
31341 @item Errors:
31342
31343 @table @code
31344 @item EBADF
31345 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
31346 reading.
31347
31348 @item EFAULT
31349 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31350
31351 @item EINTR
31352 The call was interrupted by the user.
31353 @end table
31354
31355 @end table
31356
31357 @node write
31358 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
31359 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
31360
31361 @table @asis
31362 @item Synopsis:
31363 @smallexample
31364 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
31365 @end smallexample
31366
31367 @item Request:
31368 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
31369
31370 @item Return value:
31371 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
31372 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
31373 is returned.
31374
31375 @item Errors:
31376
31377 @table @code
31378 @item EBADF
31379 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
31380 writing.
31381
31382 @item EFAULT
31383 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31384
31385 @item EFBIG
31386 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
31387 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
31388
31389 @item ENOSPC
31390 No space on device to write the data.
31391
31392 @item EINTR
31393 The call was interrupted by the user.
31394 @end table
31395
31396 @end table
31397
31398 @node lseek
31399 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
31400 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
31401
31402 @table @asis
31403 @item Synopsis:
31404 @smallexample
31405 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
31406 @end smallexample
31407
31408 @item Request:
31409 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
31410
31411 @var{flag} is one of:
31412
31413 @table @code
31414 @item SEEK_SET
31415 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
31416
31417 @item SEEK_CUR
31418 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
31419 bytes.
31420
31421 @item SEEK_END
31422 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
31423 bytes.
31424 @end table
31425
31426 @item Return value:
31427 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
31428 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
31429 value of -1 is returned.
31430
31431 @item Errors:
31432
31433 @table @code
31434 @item EBADF
31435 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
31436
31437 @item ESPIPE
31438 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
31439
31440 @item EINVAL
31441 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
31442
31443 @item EINTR
31444 The call was interrupted by the user.
31445 @end table
31446
31447 @end table
31448
31449 @node rename
31450 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
31451 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
31452
31453 @table @asis
31454 @item Synopsis:
31455 @smallexample
31456 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
31457 @end smallexample
31458
31459 @item Request:
31460 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
31461
31462 @item Return value:
31463 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31464
31465 @item Errors:
31466
31467 @table @code
31468 @item EISDIR
31469 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
31470 directory.
31471
31472 @item EEXIST
31473 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
31474
31475 @item EBUSY
31476 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
31477 process.
31478
31479 @item EINVAL
31480 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
31481 of itself.
31482
31483 @item ENOTDIR
31484 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
31485 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
31486 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
31487
31488 @item EFAULT
31489 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
31490
31491 @item EACCES
31492 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31493
31494 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31495
31496 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
31497
31498 @item ENOENT
31499 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
31500
31501 @item EROFS
31502 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31503
31504 @item ENOSPC
31505 The device containing the file has no room for the new
31506 directory entry.
31507
31508 @item EINTR
31509 The call was interrupted by the user.
31510 @end table
31511
31512 @end table
31513
31514 @node unlink
31515 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
31516 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
31517
31518 @table @asis
31519 @item Synopsis:
31520 @smallexample
31521 int unlink(const char *pathname);
31522 @end smallexample
31523
31524 @item Request:
31525 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
31526
31527 @item Return value:
31528 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31529
31530 @item Errors:
31531
31532 @table @code
31533 @item EACCES
31534 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31535
31536 @item EPERM
31537 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
31538
31539 @item EBUSY
31540 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
31541 being used by another process.
31542
31543 @item EFAULT
31544 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31545
31546 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31547 @var{pathname} was too long.
31548
31549 @item ENOENT
31550 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
31551
31552 @item ENOTDIR
31553 A component of the path is not a directory.
31554
31555 @item EROFS
31556 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31557
31558 @item EINTR
31559 The call was interrupted by the user.
31560 @end table
31561
31562 @end table
31563
31564 @node stat/fstat
31565 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
31566 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
31567 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
31568
31569 @table @asis
31570 @item Synopsis:
31571 @smallexample
31572 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
31573 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
31574 @end smallexample
31575
31576 @item Request:
31577 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
31578 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
31579
31580 @item Return value:
31581 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31582
31583 @item Errors:
31584
31585 @table @code
31586 @item EBADF
31587 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
31588
31589 @item ENOENT
31590 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
31591 path is an empty string.
31592
31593 @item ENOTDIR
31594 A component of the path is not a directory.
31595
31596 @item EFAULT
31597 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31598
31599 @item EACCES
31600 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31601
31602 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31603 @var{pathname} was too long.
31604
31605 @item EINTR
31606 The call was interrupted by the user.
31607 @end table
31608
31609 @end table
31610
31611 @node gettimeofday
31612 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
31613 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
31614
31615 @table @asis
31616 @item Synopsis:
31617 @smallexample
31618 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
31619 @end smallexample
31620
31621 @item Request:
31622 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
31623
31624 @item Return value:
31625 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
31626
31627 @item Errors:
31628
31629 @table @code
31630 @item EINVAL
31631 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
31632
31633 @item EFAULT
31634 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31635 @end table
31636
31637 @end table
31638
31639 @node isatty
31640 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
31641 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
31642
31643 @table @asis
31644 @item Synopsis:
31645 @smallexample
31646 int isatty(int fd);
31647 @end smallexample
31648
31649 @item Request:
31650 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
31651
31652 @item Return value:
31653 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
31654
31655 @item Errors:
31656
31657 @table @code
31658 @item EINTR
31659 The call was interrupted by the user.
31660 @end table
31661
31662 @end table
31663
31664 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
31665 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
31666 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
31667 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
31668 needed.
31669
31670
31671 @node system
31672 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
31673 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
31674
31675 @table @asis
31676 @item Synopsis:
31677 @smallexample
31678 int system(const char *command);
31679 @end smallexample
31680
31681 @item Request:
31682 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
31683
31684 @item Return value:
31685 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
31686 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
31687 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
31688 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
31689 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
31690 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
31691 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
31692
31693 @item Errors:
31694
31695 @table @code
31696 @item EINTR
31697 The call was interrupted by the user.
31698 @end table
31699
31700 @end table
31701
31702 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
31703 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
31704 the host is simplified before it's returned
31705 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
31706 is discarded, and the return value consists
31707 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
31708
31709 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
31710 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
31711 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
31712
31713 @table @code
31714 @item set remote system-call-allowed
31715 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
31716 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
31717 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
31718
31719 @item show remote system-call-allowed
31720 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
31721 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
31722 protocol.
31723 @end table
31724
31725 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31726 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31727 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31728
31729 @menu
31730 * Integral Datatypes::
31731 * Pointer Values::
31732 * Memory Transfer::
31733 * struct stat::
31734 * struct timeval::
31735 @end menu
31736
31737 @node Integral Datatypes
31738 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
31739 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31740
31741 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
31742 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
31743 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
31744
31745 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
31746 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
31747
31748 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
31749
31750 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
31751 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
31752
31753 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
31754
31755 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
31756 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
31757 byte order.
31758
31759 @node Pointer Values
31760 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
31761 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
31762
31763 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
31764 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
31765 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
31766 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
31767
31768 @smallexample
31769 @code{1aaf/12}
31770 @end smallexample
31771
31772 @noindent
31773 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
31774 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
31775 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
31776 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
31777
31778 @smallexample
31779 @code{123456/d}
31780 @end smallexample
31781
31782 @node Memory Transfer
31783 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
31784 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
31785
31786 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
31787 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
31788 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
31789 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
31790 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
31791 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
31792 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
31793
31794
31795 @node struct stat
31796 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
31797 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
31798
31799 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
31800 is defined as follows:
31801
31802 @smallexample
31803 struct stat @{
31804 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
31805 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
31806 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
31807 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
31808 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
31809 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
31810 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
31811 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
31812 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
31813 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
31814 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
31815 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
31816 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
31817 @};
31818 @end smallexample
31819
31820 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31821 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31822 structure is of size 64 bytes.
31823
31824 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
31825 range of values.
31826
31827 @table @code
31828
31829 @item st_dev
31830 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
31831
31832 @item st_ino
31833 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31834
31835 @item st_mode
31836 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
31837 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
31838
31839 @item st_uid
31840 @itemx st_gid
31841 @itemx st_rdev
31842 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31843
31844 @item st_atime
31845 @itemx st_mtime
31846 @itemx st_ctime
31847 These values have a host and file system dependent
31848 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
31849 support exact timing values.
31850 @end table
31851
31852 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
31853 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
31854 continuing.
31855
31856 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
31857 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
31858 get truncated on the target.
31859
31860 @node struct timeval
31861 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
31862 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
31863
31864 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
31865 is defined as follows:
31866
31867 @smallexample
31868 struct timeval @{
31869 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
31870 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
31871 @};
31872 @end smallexample
31873
31874 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31875 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31876 structure is of size 8 bytes.
31877
31878 @node Constants
31879 @subsection Constants
31880 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
31881
31882 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
31883 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
31884 values before and after the call as needed.
31885
31886 @menu
31887 * Open Flags::
31888 * mode_t Values::
31889 * Errno Values::
31890 * Lseek Flags::
31891 * Limits::
31892 @end menu
31893
31894 @node Open Flags
31895 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
31896 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
31897
31898 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
31899
31900 @smallexample
31901 O_RDONLY 0x0
31902 O_WRONLY 0x1
31903 O_RDWR 0x2
31904 O_APPEND 0x8
31905 O_CREAT 0x200
31906 O_TRUNC 0x400
31907 O_EXCL 0x800
31908 @end smallexample
31909
31910 @node mode_t Values
31911 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
31912 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
31913
31914 All values are given in octal representation.
31915
31916 @smallexample
31917 S_IFREG 0100000
31918 S_IFDIR 040000
31919 S_IRUSR 0400
31920 S_IWUSR 0200
31921 S_IXUSR 0100
31922 S_IRGRP 040
31923 S_IWGRP 020
31924 S_IXGRP 010
31925 S_IROTH 04
31926 S_IWOTH 02
31927 S_IXOTH 01
31928 @end smallexample
31929
31930 @node Errno Values
31931 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
31932 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
31933
31934 All values are given in decimal representation.
31935
31936 @smallexample
31937 EPERM 1
31938 ENOENT 2
31939 EINTR 4
31940 EBADF 9
31941 EACCES 13
31942 EFAULT 14
31943 EBUSY 16
31944 EEXIST 17
31945 ENODEV 19
31946 ENOTDIR 20
31947 EISDIR 21
31948 EINVAL 22
31949 ENFILE 23
31950 EMFILE 24
31951 EFBIG 27
31952 ENOSPC 28
31953 ESPIPE 29
31954 EROFS 30
31955 ENAMETOOLONG 91
31956 EUNKNOWN 9999
31957 @end smallexample
31958
31959 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
31960 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
31961
31962 @node Lseek Flags
31963 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
31964 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
31965
31966 @smallexample
31967 SEEK_SET 0
31968 SEEK_CUR 1
31969 SEEK_END 2
31970 @end smallexample
31971
31972 @node Limits
31973 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
31974 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
31975
31976 All values are given in decimal representation.
31977
31978 @smallexample
31979 INT_MIN -2147483648
31980 INT_MAX 2147483647
31981 UINT_MAX 4294967295
31982 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
31983 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
31984 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
31985 @end smallexample
31986
31987 @node File-I/O Examples
31988 @subsection File-I/O Examples
31989 @cindex file-i/o examples
31990
31991 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
31992 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
31993
31994 @smallexample
31995 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
31996 @emph{request memory read from target}
31997 -> @code{m1234,6}
31998 <- XXXXXX
31999 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
32000 -> @code{F6}
32001 @end smallexample
32002
32003 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
32004 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
32005
32006 @smallexample
32007 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32008 @emph{request memory write to target}
32009 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
32010 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
32011 -> @code{F6}
32012 @end smallexample
32013
32014 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
32015 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
32016
32017 @smallexample
32018 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32019 -> @code{F-1,9}
32020 @end smallexample
32021
32022 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
32023 host is called:
32024
32025 @smallexample
32026 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32027 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
32028 <- @code{T02}
32029 @end smallexample
32030
32031 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
32032 host is called:
32033
32034 @smallexample
32035 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32036 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
32037 <- @code{T02}
32038 @end smallexample
32039
32040 @node Library List Format
32041 @section Library List Format
32042 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
32043
32044 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
32045 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
32046 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
32047 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
32048 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
32049 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
32050 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
32051 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
32052 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
32053 are loaded.
32054
32055 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
32056 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
32057 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
32058 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
32059
32060 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
32061 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
32062 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
32063 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
32064 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
32065 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
32066
32067 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
32068 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
32069
32070 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
32071 offset, looks like this:
32072
32073 @smallexample
32074 <library-list>
32075 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
32076 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
32077 </library>
32078 </library-list>
32079 @end smallexample
32080
32081 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
32082 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
32083
32084 @smallexample
32085 <library-list>
32086 <library name="sharedlib.o">
32087 <section address="0x10000000"/>
32088 <section address="0x20000000"/>
32089 <section address="0x30000000"/>
32090 </library>
32091 </library-list>
32092 @end smallexample
32093
32094 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
32095
32096 @smallexample
32097 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
32098 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
32099 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
32100 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
32101 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
32102 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
32103 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
32104 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
32105 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
32106 @end smallexample
32107
32108 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
32109 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
32110 section for each library.
32111
32112 @node Memory Map Format
32113 @section Memory Map Format
32114 @cindex memory map format
32115
32116 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
32117 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
32118 memory map.
32119
32120 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
32121 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
32122 lists memory regions.
32123
32124 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
32125 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
32126
32127 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
32128
32129 @smallexample
32130 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32131 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
32132 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
32133 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
32134 <memory-map>
32135 region...
32136 </memory-map>
32137 @end smallexample
32138
32139 Each region can be either:
32140
32141 @itemize
32142
32143 @item
32144 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
32145 bytes from there:
32146
32147 @smallexample
32148 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
32149 @end smallexample
32150
32151
32152 @item
32153 A region of read-only memory:
32154
32155 @smallexample
32156 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
32157 @end smallexample
32158
32159
32160 @item
32161 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
32162 bytes in length:
32163
32164 @smallexample
32165 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
32166 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
32167 </memory>
32168 @end smallexample
32169
32170 @end itemize
32171
32172 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
32173 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
32174 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
32175
32176 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
32177
32178 @smallexample
32179 <!-- ................................................... -->
32180 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
32181 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
32182 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
32183 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
32184 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
32185 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
32186 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
32187 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
32188 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
32189 and its type, or device. -->
32190 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
32191 start CDATA #REQUIRED
32192 length CDATA #REQUIRED
32193 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
32194 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
32195 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
32196 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
32197 @end smallexample
32198
32199 @node Thread List Format
32200 @section Thread List Format
32201 @cindex thread list format
32202
32203 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
32204 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
32205 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
32206 the following structure:
32207
32208 @smallexample
32209 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32210 <threads>
32211 <thread id="id" core="0">
32212 ... description ...
32213 </thread>
32214 </threads>
32215 @end smallexample
32216
32217 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
32218 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
32219 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
32220 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
32221 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
32222
32223 @include agentexpr.texi
32224
32225 @node Trace File Format
32226 @appendix Trace File Format
32227 @cindex trace file format
32228
32229 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
32230 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
32231
32232 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
32233 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
32234 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
32235 in the future.
32236
32237 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
32238 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
32239 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
32240 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
32241 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
32242 of this section.
32243
32244 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
32245
32246 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
32247 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
32248 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
32249 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
32250 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
32251 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
32252 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
32253 endianness.
32254
32255 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
32256
32257 @table @code
32258 @item R @var{bytes}
32259 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
32260 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
32261 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
32262 hexadecimal encoding.
32263
32264 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
32265 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
32266 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
32267 @var{length} bytes.
32268
32269 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
32270 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
32271 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
32272
32273 @end table
32274
32275 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
32276 of blocks.
32277
32278 @node Target Descriptions
32279 @appendix Target Descriptions
32280 @cindex target descriptions
32281
32282 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
32283 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
32284 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
32285
32286 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
32287 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
32288 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
32289 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
32290 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
32291 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
32292 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
32293
32294 @itemize @bullet
32295 @item
32296 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
32297 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
32298 @item
32299 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
32300 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
32301 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
32302 @item
32303 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
32304 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
32305 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
32306 @end itemize
32307
32308 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
32309 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
32310 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
32311 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
32312 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
32313
32314 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
32315 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
32316
32317 @menu
32318 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
32319 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
32320 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
32321 descriptions.
32322 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
32323 @end menu
32324
32325 @node Retrieving Descriptions
32326 @section Retrieving Descriptions
32327
32328 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
32329 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
32330 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
32331 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
32332 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
32333 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
32334 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
32335 Format}.
32336
32337 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
32338 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
32339 specify a file are:
32340
32341 @table @code
32342 @cindex set tdesc filename
32343 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
32344 Read the target description from @var{path}.
32345
32346 @cindex unset tdesc filename
32347 @item unset tdesc filename
32348 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
32349 will use the description supplied by the current target.
32350
32351 @cindex show tdesc filename
32352 @item show tdesc filename
32353 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
32354 @end table
32355
32356
32357 @node Target Description Format
32358 @section Target Description Format
32359 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
32360
32361 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
32362 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
32363 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
32364 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
32365 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
32366 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
32367 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
32368
32369 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
32370 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
32371 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
32372 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
32373 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
32374
32375 Here is a simple target description:
32376
32377 @smallexample
32378 <target version="1.0">
32379 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
32380 </target>
32381 @end smallexample
32382
32383 @noindent
32384 This minimal description only says that the target uses
32385 the x86-64 architecture.
32386
32387 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
32388 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
32389 are explained further below.
32390
32391 @smallexample
32392 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32393 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
32394 <target version="1.0">
32395 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
32396 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
32397 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
32398 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
32399 </target>
32400 @end smallexample
32401
32402 @noindent
32403 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
32404 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
32405 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
32406 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
32407 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
32408 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
32409 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
32410 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
32411 the version mismatch.
32412
32413 @subsection Inclusion
32414 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
32415 @cindex XInclude
32416 @ifnotinfo
32417 @cindex <xi:include>
32418 @end ifnotinfo
32419
32420 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
32421 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
32422 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
32423 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
32424 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
32425
32426 @smallexample
32427 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
32428 @end smallexample
32429
32430 @noindent
32431 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
32432 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
32433 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
32434 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
32435 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
32436 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
32437 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
32438 original description.
32439
32440 @subsection Architecture
32441 @cindex <architecture>
32442
32443 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
32444
32445 @smallexample
32446 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
32447 @end smallexample
32448
32449 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
32450 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
32451
32452 @subsection OS ABI
32453 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
32454
32455 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32456 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32457
32458 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
32459
32460 @smallexample
32461 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
32462 @end smallexample
32463
32464 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
32465 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
32466
32467 @subsection Compatible Architecture
32468 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
32469
32470 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32471 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32472
32473 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
32474
32475 @smallexample
32476 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
32477 @end smallexample
32478
32479 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
32480 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
32481
32482 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
32483 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
32484 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
32485 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
32486 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
32487 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
32488 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
32489
32490 @smallexample
32491 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
32492 <compatible>spu</compatible>
32493 @end smallexample
32494
32495 @subsection Features
32496 @cindex <feature>
32497
32498 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
32499 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
32500 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
32501 has this form:
32502
32503 @smallexample
32504 <feature name="@var{name}">
32505 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
32506 @var{reg}@dots{}
32507 </feature>
32508 @end smallexample
32509
32510 @noindent
32511 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
32512 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
32513 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
32514 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
32515
32516 @subsection Types
32517
32518 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
32519 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
32520 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
32521 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
32522 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
32523
32524 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
32525 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
32526 Types must be defined before they are used.
32527
32528 @cindex <vector>
32529 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
32530 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
32531 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
32532 @var{count}:
32533
32534 @smallexample
32535 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
32536 @end smallexample
32537
32538 @cindex <union>
32539 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
32540 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
32541 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
32542 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
32543
32544 @smallexample
32545 <union id="@var{id}">
32546 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
32547 @dots{}
32548 </union>
32549 @end smallexample
32550
32551 @subsection Registers
32552 @cindex <reg>
32553
32554 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
32555
32556 @smallexample
32557 <reg name="@var{name}"
32558 bitsize="@var{size}"
32559 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
32560 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
32561 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
32562 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
32563 @end smallexample
32564
32565 @noindent
32566 The components are as follows:
32567
32568 @table @var
32569
32570 @item name
32571 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
32572
32573 @item bitsize
32574 The register's size, in bits.
32575
32576 @item regnum
32577 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
32578 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
32579 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
32580 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
32581 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
32582 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
32583 in order of increasing register number.
32584
32585 @item save-restore
32586 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
32587 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
32588 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
32589 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
32590 ABI.
32591
32592 @item type
32593 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
32594 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
32595 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
32596 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
32597 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
32598 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
32599
32600 @item group
32601 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
32602 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
32603 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
32604 in @code{info registers}.
32605
32606 @end table
32607
32608 @node Predefined Target Types
32609 @section Predefined Target Types
32610 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
32611
32612 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
32613 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
32614 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
32615 types. The currently supported types are:
32616
32617 @table @code
32618
32619 @item int8
32620 @itemx int16
32621 @itemx int32
32622 @itemx int64
32623 @itemx int128
32624 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32625
32626 @item uint8
32627 @itemx uint16
32628 @itemx uint32
32629 @itemx uint64
32630 @itemx uint128
32631 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32632
32633 @item code_ptr
32634 @itemx data_ptr
32635 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
32636 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
32637 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
32638 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
32639 may be marked as data pointers.
32640
32641 @item ieee_single
32642 Single precision IEEE floating point.
32643
32644 @item ieee_double
32645 Double precision IEEE floating point.
32646
32647 @item arm_fpa_ext
32648 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
32649
32650 @end table
32651
32652 @node Standard Target Features
32653 @section Standard Target Features
32654 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
32655
32656 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
32657 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
32658 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
32659 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
32660 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
32661 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
32662 can recognize them.
32663
32664 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
32665 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
32666 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
32667 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
32668 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
32669 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
32670 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
32671 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
32672
32673 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
32674 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
32675 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
32676
32677 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
32678 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
32679 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
32680 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
32681
32682 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
32683 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
32684 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
32685
32686 @menu
32687 * ARM Features::
32688 * MIPS Features::
32689 * M68K Features::
32690 * PowerPC Features::
32691 @end menu
32692
32693
32694 @node ARM Features
32695 @subsection ARM Features
32696 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
32697
32698 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
32699 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
32700 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
32701
32702 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
32703 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
32704
32705 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
32706 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
32707 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
32708 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
32709
32710 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
32711 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
32712 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
32713 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
32714 halves of the double-precision registers.
32715
32716 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
32717 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
32718 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
32719 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
32720 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
32721 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
32722
32723 @node MIPS Features
32724 @subsection MIPS Features
32725 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
32726
32727 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
32728 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
32729 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
32730 on the target.
32731
32732 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
32733 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
32734 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32735
32736 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
32737 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
32738 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
32739 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32740
32741 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
32742 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
32743 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
32744
32745 @node M68K Features
32746 @subsection M68K Features
32747 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
32748
32749 @table @code
32750 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
32751 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
32752 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
32753 One of those features must be always present.
32754 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
32755 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
32756 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
32757 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
32758
32759 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
32760 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
32761 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
32762 @samp{fpiaddr}.
32763 @end table
32764
32765 @node PowerPC Features
32766 @subsection PowerPC Features
32767 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
32768
32769 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
32770 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
32771 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
32772 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32773
32774 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
32775 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
32776
32777 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
32778 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
32779 and @samp{vrsave}.
32780
32781 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
32782 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
32783 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
32784 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
32785 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
32786 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
32787
32788 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
32789 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
32790 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
32791 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
32792 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
32793 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
32794 user.
32795
32796 @node Operating System Information
32797 @appendix Operating System Information
32798 @cindex operating system information
32799
32800 @menu
32801 * Process list::
32802 @end menu
32803
32804 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
32805 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
32806 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
32807 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
32808 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
32809 on a different aspect of target.
32810
32811 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
32812 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
32813 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
32814 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
32815
32816 @node Process list
32817 @appendixsection Process list
32818 @cindex operating system information, process list
32819
32820 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
32821 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
32822 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
32823 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
32824
32825 An example document is:
32826
32827 @smallexample
32828 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32829 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
32830 <osdata type="processes">
32831 <item>
32832 <column name="pid">1</column>
32833 <column name="user">root</column>
32834 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
32835 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
32836 </item>
32837 </osdata>
32838 @end smallexample
32839
32840 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
32841 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
32842 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
32843 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
32844 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
32845 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
32846 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
32847
32848 @include gpl.texi
32849
32850 @raisesections
32851 @include fdl.texi
32852 @lowersections
32853
32854 @node Index
32855 @unnumbered Index
32856
32857 @printindex cp
32858
32859 @tex
32860 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
32861 % meantime:
32862 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
32863 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
32864 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
32865 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
32866 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
32867 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
32868 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
32869 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
32870 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
32871 \page\colophon
32872 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
32873 @end tex
32874
32875 @bye
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