2012-03-14 Siva Chandra <sivachandra@google.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-1996, 1998-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @include gdb-cfg.texi
10 @c
11 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
12 @setchapternewpage odd
13 @c %**end of header
14
15 @iftex
16 @c @smallbook
17 @c @cropmarks
18 @end iftex
19
20 @finalout
21 @syncodeindex ky cp
22 @syncodeindex tp cp
23
24 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
25 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
26 @syncodeindex vr cp
27 @syncodeindex fn cp
28
29 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
30 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
31 @set EDITION Tenth
32
33 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
34 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
35
36 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
37
38 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
39 @c manuals to an info tree.
40 @dircategory Software development
41 @direntry
42 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
43 @end direntry
44
45 @copying
46 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
47 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
48 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
49
50 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
51 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
52 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
53 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
54 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
55 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
56
57 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
58 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
59 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
60 @end copying
61
62 @ifnottex
63 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
64
65 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
66 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
67 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
68 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
69 @end ifset
70 Version @value{GDBVN}.
71
72 @insertcopying
73 @end ifnottex
74
75 @titlepage
76 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
77 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
78 @sp 1
79 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
80 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
81 @sp 1
82 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
83 @end ifset
84 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
85 @page
86 @tex
87 {\parskip=0pt
88 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
89 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
90 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
91 }
92 @end tex
93
94 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
95 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
96 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
97 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
98 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
99
100 @insertcopying
101 @end titlepage
102 @page
103
104 @ifnottex
105 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
106
107 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
108
109 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
110
111 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
112 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
113 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
114 @end ifset
115 Version @value{GDBVN}.
116
117 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
118
119 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
120 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
121 software in general. We will miss him.
122
123 @menu
124 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
125 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126
127 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
128 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
129 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
130 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
131 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
132 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
133 * Stack:: Examining the stack
134 * Source:: Examining source files
135 * Data:: Examining data
136 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
137 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
138 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
139 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
140
141 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
142
143 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
144 * Altering:: Altering execution
145 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
146 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
147 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
148 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
149 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
150 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
151 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
152 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
153 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
154 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
155 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
156 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
157 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
158
159 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
160
161 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
162 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
163 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
164 @end ifset
165 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 @end ifclear
169 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
170 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
171 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
172 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
173 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
174 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
175 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
176 @value{GDBN}
177 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
178 the operating system
179 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
180 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
181 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
182 how you can copy and share GDB
183 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
184 * Index:: Index
185 @end menu
186
187 @end ifnottex
188
189 @contents
190
191 @node Summary
192 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
193
194 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
195 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
196 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
197
198 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
199 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
200
201 @itemize @bullet
202 @item
203 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
204
205 @item
206 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
207
208 @item
209 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
210
211 @item
212 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
213 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
214 @end itemize
215
216 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
217 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
218 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
219
220 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
221 @ref{D,,D}.
222
223 @cindex Modula-2
224 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
225 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
226
227 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
228 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
229
230 @cindex Pascal
231 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
232 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
233 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
234 syntax.
235
236 @cindex Fortran
237 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
238 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
239 underscore.
240
241 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
242 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
243
244 @menu
245 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
246 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
247 @end menu
248
249 @node Free Software
250 @unnumberedsec Free Software
251
252 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
253 General Public License
254 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
255 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
256 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
257 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
258 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
259 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
260
261 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
262 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
263 from anyone else.
264
265 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
266
267 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
268 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
269 include with the free software. Many of our most important
270 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
271 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
272 when an important free software package does not come with a free
273 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
274 gaps today.
275
276 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
277 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
278 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
279 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
280 them from the free software world.
281
282 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
283 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
284 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
285 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
286 contract to make it non-free.
287
288 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
289 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
290 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
291 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
292 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
293 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
294 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
295
296 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
297 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
298 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
299 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
300
301 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
302 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
303 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
304 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
305 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
306 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
307 community.
308
309 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
310 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
311 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
312 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
313 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
314 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
315 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
316 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
317 of the manual.
318
319 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
320 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
321 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
322 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
323 manual to replace it.
324
325 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
326 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
327 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
328 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
329 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
330 the free software community.
331
332 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
333 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
334 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
335 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
336 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
337 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
338 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
339 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
340 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
341
342 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
343 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
344 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
345 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
346 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
347 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
348 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
349 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
350
351 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
352 published by other publishers, at
353 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
354
355 @node Contributors
356 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
357
358 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
359 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
360 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
361 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
362 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
363 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
364 blow-by-blow account.
365
366 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
367
368 @quotation
369 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
370 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
371 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
372 @end quotation
373
374 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
375 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
376 releases:
377 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
378 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
379 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
380 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
381 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
382 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
383 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
384 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
385 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
386
387 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
388 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
389
390 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
391 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
392 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
393 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
394 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
395
396 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
397 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
398 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
399
400 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
401 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
402
403 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
404
405 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
406 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
407 support.
408 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
409 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
410 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
411 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
412 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
413 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
414 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
415 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
416 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
417 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
418 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
419 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
420 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
421 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
422 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
423 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
424
425 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
426
427 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
428 libraries.
429
430 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
431 about several machine instruction sets.
432
433 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
434 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
435 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
436 and RDI targets, respectively.
437
438 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
439 command-line editing and command history.
440
441 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
442 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
443
444 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
445 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
446 symbols.
447
448 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
449 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
450
451 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
452
453 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
454 processors.
455
456 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
457
458 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
459
460 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
461
462 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
463 watchpoints.
464
465 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
466
467 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
468
469 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
470 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
471
472 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
473 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
474 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
475 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
476 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
477 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
478 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
479
480 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
481 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
482
483 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
484 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
485 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
486 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
487 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
488 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
489 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
490 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
491 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
492 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
493 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
494 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
495 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
496 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
497 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
498
499 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
500 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
501
502 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
503 Hat.
504
505 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
506 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
507 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
508 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
509 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
510 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
511
512 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
513 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
514 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
515 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
516 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
517 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
518 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
519 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
520 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
521 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
522 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
523 Weigand.
524
525 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
526 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
527 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
528 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
529
530 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
531 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
532
533 @node Sample Session
534 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
535
536 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
537 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
538 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
539
540 @iftex
541 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
542 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
543 @end iftex
544
545 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
546 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
547
548 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
549 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
550 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
551 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
552 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
553 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
554 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
555 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
556 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
557
558 @smallexample
559 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
560 $ @b{./m4}
561 @b{define(foo,0000)}
562
563 @b{foo}
564 0000
565 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
566
567 @b{bar}
568 0000
569 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
570
571 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
572 @b{baz}
573 @b{Ctrl-d}
574 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
575 @end smallexample
576
577 @noindent
578 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
579
580 @smallexample
581 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
582 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
583 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
584 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
585 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
586 the conditions.
587 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
588 for details.
589
590 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
591 (@value{GDBP})
592 @end smallexample
593
594 @noindent
595 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
596 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
597 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
598 that examples fit in this manual.
599
600 @smallexample
601 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
606 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
607 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
608 @code{break} command.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
612 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
613 @end smallexample
614
615 @noindent
616 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
617 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
618 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
622 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
623 @b{define(foo,0000)}
624
625 @b{foo}
626 0000
627 @end smallexample
628
629 @noindent
630 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
631 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
632 context where it stops.
633
634 @smallexample
635 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
636
637 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
638 at builtin.c:879
639 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
640 @end smallexample
641
642 @noindent
643 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
644 the next line of the current function.
645
646 @smallexample
647 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
648 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
649 : nil,
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
654 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
655 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
656 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
657
658 @smallexample
659 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
660 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
661 at input.c:530
662 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
663 @end smallexample
664
665 @noindent
666 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
667 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
668 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
669 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
670 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
671 stack frame for each active subroutine.
672
673 @smallexample
674 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
675 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
676 at input.c:530
677 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
678 at builtin.c:882
679 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
680 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
681 at macro.c:71
682 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
683 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
684 @end smallexample
685
686 @noindent
687 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
688 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
689 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
690
691 @smallexample
692 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
693 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
694 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
695 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
696 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
698 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
699 : xstrdup(rq);
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
701 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
702 @end smallexample
703
704 @noindent
705 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
706 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
707 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
708 (@code{print}) to see their values.
709
710 @smallexample
711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
712 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
713 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
714 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
715 @end smallexample
716
717 @noindent
718 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
719 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
720 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
721
722 @smallexample
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
724 533 xfree(rquote);
725 534
726 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
727 : xstrdup (lq);
728 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
729 : xstrdup (rq);
730 537
731 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
732 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
733 540 @}
734 541
735 542 void
736 @end smallexample
737
738 @noindent
739 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
740 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
741
742 @smallexample
743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
744 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
745 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
746 540 @}
747 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
748 $3 = 9
749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
750 $4 = 7
751 @end smallexample
752
753 @noindent
754 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
755 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
756 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
757 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
758 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
759 assignments.
760
761 @smallexample
762 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
763 $5 = 7
764 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
765 $6 = 9
766 @end smallexample
767
768 @noindent
769 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
770 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
771 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
772 example that caused trouble initially:
773
774 @smallexample
775 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
776 Continuing.
777
778 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
779
780 baz
781 0000
782 @end smallexample
783
784 @noindent
785 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
786 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
787 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
788
789 @smallexample
790 @b{Ctrl-d}
791 Program exited normally.
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
796 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
797 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
798
799 @smallexample
800 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
801 @end smallexample
802
803 @node Invocation
804 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
805
806 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
807 The essentials are:
808 @itemize @bullet
809 @item
810 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
811 @item
812 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
813 @end itemize
814
815 @menu
816 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
817 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
818 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
819 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
820 @end menu
821
822 @node Invoking GDB
823 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
824
825 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
826 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
827
828 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
829 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
830
831 The command-line options described here are designed
832 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
833 options may effectively be unavailable.
834
835 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
836 specifying an executable program:
837
838 @smallexample
839 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
840 @end smallexample
841
842 @noindent
843 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
844 specified:
845
846 @smallexample
847 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
848 @end smallexample
849
850 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
851 to debug a running process:
852
853 @smallexample
854 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
855 @end smallexample
856
857 @noindent
858 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
859 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
860
861 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
862 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
863 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
864 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
865 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
866
867 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
868 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
869 option processing.
870 @smallexample
871 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
872 @end smallexample
873 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
874 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
875
876 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
877 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
878
879 @smallexample
880 @value{GDBP} -silent
881 @end smallexample
882
883 @noindent
884 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
885 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
886
887 @noindent
888 Type
889
890 @smallexample
891 @value{GDBP} -help
892 @end smallexample
893
894 @noindent
895 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
896 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
897
898 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
899 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
900 @samp{-x} option is used.
901
902
903 @menu
904 * File Options:: Choosing files
905 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
906 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
907 @end menu
908
909 @node File Options
910 @subsection Choosing Files
911
912 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
913 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
914 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
915 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
916 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
917 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
918 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
919 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
920 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
921 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
922 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
923 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
924 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
925
926 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
927 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
928 argument and ignore it.
929
930 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
931 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
932 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
933 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
934 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
935
936 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
937 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
938 @c it.
939
940 @table @code
941 @item -symbols @var{file}
942 @itemx -s @var{file}
943 @cindex @code{--symbols}
944 @cindex @code{-s}
945 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
946
947 @item -exec @var{file}
948 @itemx -e @var{file}
949 @cindex @code{--exec}
950 @cindex @code{-e}
951 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
952 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
953
954 @item -se @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--se}
956 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
957 file.
958
959 @item -core @var{file}
960 @itemx -c @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--core}
962 @cindex @code{-c}
963 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
964
965 @item -pid @var{number}
966 @itemx -p @var{number}
967 @cindex @code{--pid}
968 @cindex @code{-p}
969 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
970
971 @item -command @var{file}
972 @itemx -x @var{file}
973 @cindex @code{--command}
974 @cindex @code{-x}
975 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
976 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
977 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
978
979 @item -eval-command @var{command}
980 @itemx -ex @var{command}
981 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
982 @cindex @code{-ex}
983 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
984
985 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
986 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
987
988 @smallexample
989 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
990 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
991 @end smallexample
992
993 @item -init-command @var{file}
994 @itemx -ix @var{file}
995 @cindex @code{--init-command}
996 @cindex @code{-ix}
997 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading gdbinit files or the
998 inferior.
999 @xref{Startup}.
1000
1001 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1002 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1003 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1004 @cindex @code{-iex}
1005 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading gdbinit files or the
1006 inferior.
1007 @xref{Startup}.
1008
1009 @item -directory @var{directory}
1010 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1011 @cindex @code{--directory}
1012 @cindex @code{-d}
1013 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1014
1015 @item -r
1016 @itemx -readnow
1017 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1018 @cindex @code{-r}
1019 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1020 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1021 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1022
1023 @end table
1024
1025 @node Mode Options
1026 @subsection Choosing Modes
1027
1028 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1029 batch mode or quiet mode.
1030
1031 @table @code
1032 @item -nx
1033 @itemx -n
1034 @cindex @code{--nx}
1035 @cindex @code{-n}
1036 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1037 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1038 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1039 Files}.
1040
1041 @item -quiet
1042 @itemx -silent
1043 @itemx -q
1044 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1045 @cindex @code{--silent}
1046 @cindex @code{-q}
1047 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1048 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1049
1050 @item -batch
1051 @cindex @code{--batch}
1052 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1053 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1054 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1055 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1056 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1057 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1058 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1059
1060 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1061 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1062 make this more useful, the message
1063
1064 @smallexample
1065 Program exited normally.
1066 @end smallexample
1067
1068 @noindent
1069 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1070 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1071 mode.
1072
1073 @item -batch-silent
1074 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1075 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1076 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1077 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1078 for an interactive session.
1079
1080 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1081 messages, for example.
1082
1083 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1084 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1085
1086 @item -return-child-result
1087 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1088 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1089 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1090
1091 @itemize @bullet
1092 @item
1093 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1094 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1095 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1096 @item
1097 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1098 @item
1099 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1100 the exit code will be -1.
1101 @end itemize
1102
1103 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1104 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1105 interface.
1106
1107 @item -nowindows
1108 @itemx -nw
1109 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1110 @cindex @code{-nw}
1111 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1112 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1113 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1114
1115 @item -windows
1116 @itemx -w
1117 @cindex @code{--windows}
1118 @cindex @code{-w}
1119 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1120 used if possible.
1121
1122 @item -cd @var{directory}
1123 @cindex @code{--cd}
1124 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1125 instead of the current directory.
1126
1127 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1128 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1129 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1130 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1131 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1132
1133 @item -fullname
1134 @itemx -f
1135 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1136 @cindex @code{-f}
1137 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1138 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1139 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1140 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1141 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1142 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1143 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1144 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1145 frame.
1146
1147 @item -epoch
1148 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1149 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1150 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1151 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1152 separate window.
1153
1154 @item -annotate @var{level}
1155 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1156 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1157 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1158 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1159 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1160 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1161 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1162 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1163 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1164
1165 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1166 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1167
1168 @item --args
1169 @cindex @code{--args}
1170 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1171 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1172 This option stops option processing.
1173
1174 @item -baud @var{bps}
1175 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1176 @cindex @code{--baud}
1177 @cindex @code{-b}
1178 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1179 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1180
1181 @item -l @var{timeout}
1182 @cindex @code{-l}
1183 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1184 for remote debugging.
1185
1186 @item -tty @var{device}
1187 @itemx -t @var{device}
1188 @cindex @code{--tty}
1189 @cindex @code{-t}
1190 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1191 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1192
1193 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1194 @item -tui
1195 @cindex @code{--tui}
1196 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1197 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1198 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1199 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1200 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1201 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1202
1203 @c @item -xdb
1204 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1205 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1206 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1207 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1208 @c systems.
1209
1210 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1211 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1212 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1213 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1214 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1215 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1216
1217 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1218 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1219 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1220 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1221 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1222 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1223
1224 @item -write
1225 @cindex @code{--write}
1226 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1227 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1228 (@pxref{Patching}).
1229
1230 @item -statistics
1231 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1232 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1233 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1234
1235 @item -version
1236 @cindex @code{--version}
1237 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1238 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1239
1240 @item -use-deprecated-index-sections
1241 @cindex @code{--use-deprecated-index-sections}
1242 This option causes @value{GDBN} to read and use deprecated
1243 @samp{.gdb_index} sections from symbol files. This can speed up
1244 startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
1245 @xref{Index Section Format}.
1246
1247 @end table
1248
1249 @node Startup
1250 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1251 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1252
1253 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1254
1255 @enumerate
1256 @item
1257 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1258 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1259
1260 @item
1261 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1262 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1263 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1264 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1265 gets loaded.
1266
1267 @item
1268 @cindex init file
1269 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1270 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1271 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1272 that file.
1273
1274 @item
1275 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1276 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1277 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1278 that file.
1279
1280 @item
1281 Processes command line options and operands.
1282
1283 @item
1284 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1285 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1286 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1287 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1288 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1289 @value{GDBN}.
1290
1291 @item
1292 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1293 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1294 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1295 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1296
1297 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1298 you must do something like the following:
1299
1300 @smallexample
1301 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1302 @end smallexample
1303
1304 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1305 off too late.
1306
1307 @item
1308 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1309 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1310 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1314 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1315 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1316 @end enumerate
1317
1318 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1319 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1320 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1321 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1322 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1323 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1324
1325 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1326 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1327
1328 @cindex init file name
1329 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1330 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1331 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1332 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1333 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1334 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1335 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1336 the file to the standard name.
1337
1338
1339 @node Quitting GDB
1340 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1341 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1342 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1343
1344 @table @code
1345 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1346 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1347 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1348 @itemx q
1349 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1350 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1351 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1352 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1353 error code.
1354 @end table
1355
1356 @cindex interrupt
1357 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1358 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1359 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1360 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1361 until a time when it is safe.
1362
1363 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1364 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1365 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1366
1367 @node Shell Commands
1368 @section Shell Commands
1369
1370 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1371 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1372 just use the @code{shell} command.
1373
1374 @table @code
1375 @kindex shell
1376 @kindex !
1377 @cindex shell escape
1378 @item shell @var{command-string}
1379 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1380 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1381 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1382 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1383 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1384 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1385 @end table
1386
1387 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1388 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1389 @value{GDBN}:
1390
1391 @table @code
1392 @kindex make
1393 @cindex calling make
1394 @item make @var{make-args}
1395 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1396 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1397 @end table
1398
1399 @node Logging Output
1400 @section Logging Output
1401 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1402 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1403
1404 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1405 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1406
1407 @table @code
1408 @kindex set logging
1409 @item set logging on
1410 Enable logging.
1411 @item set logging off
1412 Disable logging.
1413 @cindex logging file name
1414 @item set logging file @var{file}
1415 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1416 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1417 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1418 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1419 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1420 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1421 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1422 @kindex show logging
1423 @item show logging
1424 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1425 @end table
1426
1427 @node Commands
1428 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1429
1430 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1431 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1432 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1433 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1434 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1435
1436 @menu
1437 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1438 * Completion:: Command completion
1439 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1440 @end menu
1441
1442 @node Command Syntax
1443 @section Command Syntax
1444
1445 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1446 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1447 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1448 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1449 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1450 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1451
1452 @cindex abbreviation
1453 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1454 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1455 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1456 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1457 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1458 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1459 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1460
1461 @cindex repeating commands
1462 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1463 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1464 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1465 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1466 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1467 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1468 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1469
1470 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1471 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1472 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1473
1474 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1475 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1476 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1477 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1478 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1479
1480 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1481 @cindex comment
1482 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1483 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1484 Files,,Command Files}).
1485
1486 @cindex repeating command sequences
1487 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1488 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1489 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1490 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1491 for editing.
1492
1493 @node Completion
1494 @section Command Completion
1495
1496 @cindex completion
1497 @cindex word completion
1498 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1499 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1500 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1501 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1502
1503 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1504 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1505 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1506 enter it). For example, if you type
1507
1508 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1509 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1510 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1511 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1512 @smallexample
1513 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1514 @end smallexample
1515
1516 @noindent
1517 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1518 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1526 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1527 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1528 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1529 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1530 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1531
1532 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1533 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1534 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1535 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1536 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1537 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1538 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1539 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1540 example:
1541
1542 @smallexample
1543 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1544 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1545 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1546 make_abs_section make_function_type
1547 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1548 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1549 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1550 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1551 @end smallexample
1552
1553 @noindent
1554 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1555 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1556 command.
1557
1558 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1559 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1560 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1561 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1562 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1563
1564 @cindex quotes in commands
1565 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1566 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1567 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1568 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1569 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1570 @value{GDBN} commands.
1571
1572 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1573 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1574 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1575 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1576 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1577 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1578 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1579 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1580 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1581 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1582 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1583
1584 @smallexample
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1586 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1587 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1588 @end smallexample
1589
1590 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1591 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1592 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1593 place:
1594
1595 @smallexample
1596 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1597 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1598 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1603 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1604 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1605
1606 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1607 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1608 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1609 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1610
1611 @cindex completion of structure field names
1612 @cindex structure field name completion
1613 @cindex completion of union field names
1614 @cindex union field name completion
1615 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1616 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1617 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1618 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1619 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1620 left-hand-side:
1621
1622 @smallexample
1623 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1624 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1625 to_data to_isatty to_write
1626 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1627 to_flush to_read
1628 @end smallexample
1629
1630 @noindent
1631 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1632 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1633 follows:
1634
1635 @smallexample
1636 struct ui_file
1637 @{
1638 int *magic;
1639 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1640 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1641 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1642 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1643 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1644 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1645 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1646 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1647 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1648 void *to_data;
1649 @}
1650 @end smallexample
1651
1652
1653 @node Help
1654 @section Getting Help
1655 @cindex online documentation
1656 @kindex help
1657
1658 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1659 using the command @code{help}.
1660
1661 @table @code
1662 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1663 @item help
1664 @itemx h
1665 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1666 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1667
1668 @smallexample
1669 (@value{GDBP}) help
1670 List of classes of commands:
1671
1672 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1673 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1674 data -- Examining data
1675 files -- Specifying and examining files
1676 internals -- Maintenance commands
1677 obscure -- Obscure features
1678 running -- Running the program
1679 stack -- Examining the stack
1680 status -- Status inquiries
1681 support -- Support facilities
1682 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1683 stopping the program
1684 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1685
1686 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1687 commands in that class.
1688 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1689 documentation.
1690 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1691 (@value{GDBP})
1692 @end smallexample
1693 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1694
1695 @item help @var{class}
1696 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1697 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1698 help display for the class @code{status}:
1699
1700 @smallexample
1701 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1702 Status inquiries.
1703
1704 List of commands:
1705
1706 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1707 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1708 info -- Generic command for showing things
1709 about the program being debugged
1710 show -- Generic command for showing things
1711 about the debugger
1712
1713 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1714 documentation.
1715 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1716 (@value{GDBP})
1717 @end smallexample
1718
1719 @item help @var{command}
1720 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1721 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1722
1723 @kindex apropos
1724 @item apropos @var{args}
1725 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1726 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1727 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1728
1729 @smallexample
1730 apropos alias
1731 @end smallexample
1732
1733 @noindent
1734 results in:
1735
1736 @smallexample
1737 @c @group
1738 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1739 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1740 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1741 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1742 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1743 @c @end group
1744 @end smallexample
1745
1746 @kindex complete
1747 @item complete @var{args}
1748 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1749 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1750 command you want completed. For example:
1751
1752 @smallexample
1753 complete i
1754 @end smallexample
1755
1756 @noindent results in:
1757
1758 @smallexample
1759 @group
1760 if
1761 ignore
1762 info
1763 inspect
1764 @end group
1765 @end smallexample
1766
1767 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1768 @end table
1769
1770 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1771 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1772 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1773 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1774 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1775 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1776
1777 @c @group
1778 @table @code
1779 @kindex info
1780 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1781 @item info
1782 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1783 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1784 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1785 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1786 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1787 @w{@code{help info}}.
1788
1789 @kindex set
1790 @item set
1791 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1792 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1793 @code{set prompt $}.
1794
1795 @kindex show
1796 @item show
1797 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1798 @value{GDBN} itself.
1799 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1800 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1801 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1802 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1803
1804 @kindex info set
1805 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1806 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1807 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1808 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1809 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1810 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1811 @end table
1812 @c @end group
1813
1814 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1815 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1816
1817 @table @code
1818 @kindex show version
1819 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1820 @item show version
1821 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1822 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1823 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1824 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1825 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1826 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1827 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1828 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1829 @value{GDBN}.
1830
1831 @kindex show copying
1832 @kindex info copying
1833 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1834 @item show copying
1835 @itemx info copying
1836 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1837
1838 @kindex show warranty
1839 @kindex info warranty
1840 @item show warranty
1841 @itemx info warranty
1842 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1843 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1844
1845 @end table
1846
1847 @node Running
1848 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1849
1850 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1851 debugging information when you compile it.
1852
1853 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1854 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1855 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1856 kill a child process.
1857
1858 @menu
1859 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1860 * Starting:: Starting your program
1861 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1862 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1863
1864 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1865 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1866 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1867 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1868
1869 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1870 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1871 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1872 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1873 @end menu
1874
1875 @node Compilation
1876 @section Compiling for Debugging
1877
1878 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1879 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1880 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1881 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1882 and addresses in the executable code.
1883
1884 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1885 the compiler.
1886
1887 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1888 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1889 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1890 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1891 executables containing debugging information.
1892
1893 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1894 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1895 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1896 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1897 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1898
1899 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1900 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1901 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1902
1903 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1904 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1905 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1906 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1907 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1908 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1909
1910 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1911 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1912 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1913
1914 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1915 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1916 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1917 format in @value{GDBN}.
1918
1919 @need 2000
1920 @node Starting
1921 @section Starting your Program
1922 @cindex starting
1923 @cindex running
1924
1925 @table @code
1926 @kindex run
1927 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1928 @item run
1929 @itemx r
1930 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1931 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1932 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1933 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1934 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1935
1936 @end table
1937
1938 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1939 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1940 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1941 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1942 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1943 message like this one:
1944
1945 @smallexample
1946 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1947 Try "help target" or "continue".
1948 @end smallexample
1949
1950 @noindent
1951 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1952 first (@pxref{load}).
1953
1954 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1955 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1956 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1957 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1958 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1959 divided into four categories:
1960
1961 @table @asis
1962 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1963 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1964 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1965 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1966 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1967 the arguments.
1968 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1969 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1970 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1971
1972 @item The @emph{environment.}
1973 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1974 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1975 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1976 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1977
1978 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1979 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1980 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1981 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1982
1983 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1984 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1985 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1986 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1987 set a different device for your program.
1988 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1989
1990 @cindex pipes
1991 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1992 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1993 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1994 wrong program.
1995 @end table
1996
1997 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1998 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1999 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2000 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2001 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2002
2003 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2004 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2005 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2006 your current breakpoints.
2007
2008 @table @code
2009 @kindex start
2010 @item start
2011 @cindex run to main procedure
2012 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2013 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2014 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2015 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2016 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2017 procedure, depending on the language used.
2018
2019 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2020 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2021 the @samp{run} command.
2022
2023 @cindex elaboration phase
2024 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2025 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2026 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2027 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2028 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2029 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2030 will remain to halt execution.
2031
2032 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2033 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2034 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2035 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2036 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2037
2038 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2039 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2040 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2041 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2042 elaboration code before running your program.
2043
2044 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2045 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2046 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2047 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2048 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2049 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2050 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2051 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2052 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2053 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2054 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2055
2056 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2057 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2058 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2059 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2060
2061 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2062 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2063 environment:
2064
2065 @smallexample
2066 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2067 (@value{GDBP}) run
2068 @end smallexample
2069
2070 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2071 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2072
2073 @kindex set disable-randomization
2074 @item set disable-randomization
2075 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2076 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2077 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2078 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2079 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2080
2081 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2082 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2083
2084 @smallexample
2085 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2086 @end smallexample
2087
2088 @item set disable-randomization off
2089 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2090 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2091 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2092 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2093 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2094 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2095
2096 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2097 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2098 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2099 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2100 a code at its expected addresses.
2101
2102 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2103 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2104 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2105 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2106 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2107 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2108 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2109 a randomly chosen address.
2110
2111 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2112 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2113 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2114 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2115 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2116
2117 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2118 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2119
2120 @item show disable-randomization
2121 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2122 the virtual address space of the started program.
2123
2124 @end table
2125
2126 @node Arguments
2127 @section Your Program's Arguments
2128
2129 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2130 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2131 @code{run} command.
2132 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2133 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2134 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2135 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2136 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2137
2138 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2139 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2140 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2141 the program, not by the shell.
2142
2143 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2144 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2145
2146 @table @code
2147 @kindex set args
2148 @item set args
2149 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2150 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2151 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2152 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2153 it again without arguments.
2154
2155 @kindex show args
2156 @item show args
2157 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2158 @end table
2159
2160 @node Environment
2161 @section Your Program's Environment
2162
2163 @cindex environment (of your program)
2164 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2165 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2166 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2167 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2168 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2169 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2170 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2171
2172 @table @code
2173 @kindex path
2174 @item path @var{directory}
2175 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2176 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2177 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2178 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2179 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2180 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2181 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2182
2183 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2184 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2185 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2186 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2187 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2188 @var{directory} to the search path.
2189 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2190 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2191
2192 @kindex show paths
2193 @item show paths
2194 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2195 environment variable).
2196
2197 @kindex show environment
2198 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2199 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2200 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2201 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2202 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2203
2204 @kindex set environment
2205 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2206 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2207 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2208 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2209 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2210 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2211 null value.
2212 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2213 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2214
2215 For example, this command:
2216
2217 @smallexample
2218 set env USER = foo
2219 @end smallexample
2220
2221 @noindent
2222 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2223 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2224 are not actually required.)
2225
2226 @kindex unset environment
2227 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2228 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2229 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2230 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2231 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2232 @end table
2233
2234 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2235 the shell indicated
2236 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2237 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2238 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2239 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2240 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2241 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2242 @file{.profile}.
2243
2244 @node Working Directory
2245 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2246
2247 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2248 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2249 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2250 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2251 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2252 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2253
2254 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2255 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2256 Specify Files}.
2257
2258 @table @code
2259 @kindex cd
2260 @cindex change working directory
2261 @item cd @var{directory}
2262 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2263
2264 @kindex pwd
2265 @item pwd
2266 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2267 @end table
2268
2269 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2270 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2271 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2272 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2273 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2274 current working directory of the debuggee.
2275
2276 @node Input/Output
2277 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2278
2279 @cindex redirection
2280 @cindex i/o
2281 @cindex terminal
2282 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2283 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2284 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2285 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2286 running your program.
2287
2288 @table @code
2289 @kindex info terminal
2290 @item info terminal
2291 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2292 program is using.
2293 @end table
2294
2295 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2296 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2297
2298 @smallexample
2299 run > outfile
2300 @end smallexample
2301
2302 @noindent
2303 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2304
2305 @kindex tty
2306 @cindex controlling terminal
2307 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2308 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2309 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2310 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2311 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2312
2313 @smallexample
2314 tty /dev/ttyb
2315 @end smallexample
2316
2317 @noindent
2318 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2319 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2320 that as their controlling terminal.
2321
2322 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2323 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2324 terminal.
2325
2326 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2327 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2328 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2329 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2330
2331 @cindex inferior tty
2332 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2333 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2334 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2335 program.
2336
2337 @table @code
2338 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2339 @kindex set inferior-tty
2340 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2341
2342 @item show inferior-tty
2343 @kindex show inferior-tty
2344 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2345 @end table
2346
2347 @node Attach
2348 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2349 @kindex attach
2350 @cindex attach
2351
2352 @table @code
2353 @item attach @var{process-id}
2354 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2355 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2356 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2357 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2358 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2359
2360 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2361 executing the command.
2362 @end table
2363
2364 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2365 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2366 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2367 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2368
2369 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2370 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2371 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2372 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2373 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2374 Specify Files}.
2375
2376 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2377 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2378 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2379 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2380 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2381 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2382 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2383
2384 @table @code
2385 @kindex detach
2386 @item detach
2387 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2388 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2389 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2390 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2391 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2392 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2393 executing the command.
2394 @end table
2395
2396 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2397 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2398 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2399 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2400 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2401 Messages}).
2402
2403 @node Kill Process
2404 @section Killing the Child Process
2405
2406 @table @code
2407 @kindex kill
2408 @item kill
2409 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2410 @end table
2411
2412 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2413 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2414 is running.
2415
2416 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2417 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2418 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2419 outside the debugger.
2420
2421 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2422 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2423 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2424 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2425 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2426 breakpoint settings).
2427
2428 @node Inferiors and Programs
2429 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2430
2431 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2432 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2433 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2434 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2435 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2436 from multiple executables.
2437
2438 @cindex inferior
2439 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2440 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2441 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2442 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2443 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2444 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2445 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2446 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2447 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2448 threads running in it.
2449
2450 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2451 inferiors}}:
2452
2453 @table @code
2454 @kindex info inferiors
2455 @item info inferiors
2456 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2457
2458 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2459
2460 @enumerate
2461 @item
2462 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2463
2464 @item
2465 the target system's inferior identifier
2466
2467 @item
2468 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2469
2470 @end enumerate
2471
2472 @noindent
2473 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2474 indicates the current inferior.
2475
2476 For example,
2477 @end table
2478 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2479
2480 @smallexample
2481 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2482 Num Description Executable
2483 2 process 2307 hello
2484 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2485 @end smallexample
2486
2487 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2488
2489 @table @code
2490 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2491 @item inferior @var{infno}
2492 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2493 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2494 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2495 @end table
2496
2497
2498 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2499 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2500 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2501 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2502 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2503 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2504
2505 @table @code
2506 @kindex add-inferior
2507 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2508 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2509 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2510 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2511 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2512 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2513
2514 @kindex clone-inferior
2515 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2516 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2517 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2518 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2519 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2520
2521 @smallexample
2522 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2523 Num Description Executable
2524 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2525 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2526 Added inferior 2.
2527 1 inferiors added.
2528 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2529 Num Description Executable
2530 2 <null> helloworld
2531 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2532 @end smallexample
2533
2534 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2535
2536 @kindex remove-inferiors
2537 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2538 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2539 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2540 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2541
2542 @end table
2543
2544 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2545 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2546 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2547 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2548
2549 @table @code
2550 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2551 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2552 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2553 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2554 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2555 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2556
2557 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2558 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2559 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2560 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2561 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2562 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2563 @end table
2564
2565 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2566 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2567 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2568 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2569
2570
2571 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2572 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2573
2574 @table @code
2575 @kindex set print inferior-events
2576 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2577 @item set print inferior-events
2578 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2579 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2580 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2581 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2582 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2583 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2584
2585 @kindex show print inferior-events
2586 @item show print inferior-events
2587 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2588 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2589 @end table
2590
2591 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2592 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2593 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2594
2595
2596 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2597 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2598 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2599 info program-spaces}} command.
2600
2601 @table @code
2602 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2603 @item maint info program-spaces
2604 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2605 @value{GDBN}.
2606
2607 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2608
2609 @enumerate
2610 @item
2611 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2612
2613 @item
2614 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2615 the @code{file} command.
2616
2617 @end enumerate
2618
2619 @noindent
2620 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2621 indicates the current program space.
2622
2623 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2624 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2625 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2626
2627 @smallexample
2628 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2629 Id Executable
2630 2 goodbye
2631 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2632 * 1 hello
2633 @end smallexample
2634
2635 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2636 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2637 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2638 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2639 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2640
2641 @smallexample
2642 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2643 Id Executable
2644 * 1 vfork-test
2645 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2646 @end smallexample
2647
2648 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2649 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2650 @end table
2651
2652 @node Threads
2653 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2654
2655 @cindex threads of execution
2656 @cindex multiple threads
2657 @cindex switching threads
2658 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2659 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2660 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2661 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2662 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2663 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2664 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2665
2666 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2667 programs:
2668
2669 @itemize @bullet
2670 @item automatic notification of new threads
2671 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2672 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2673 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2674 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2675 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2676 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2677 messages on thread start and exit.
2678 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2679 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2680 isn't compatible with the program.
2681 @end itemize
2682
2683 @quotation
2684 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2685 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2686 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2687 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2688 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2689 like this:
2690
2691 @smallexample
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2693 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2694 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2695 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2696 @end smallexample
2697 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2698 @c doesn't support threads"?
2699 @end quotation
2700
2701 @cindex focus of debugging
2702 @cindex current thread
2703 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2704 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2705 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2706 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2707 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2708
2709 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2710 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2711 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2712 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2713 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2714 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2715 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2716 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2717 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2718 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2719
2720 @smallexample
2721 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2722 @end smallexample
2723
2724 @noindent
2725 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2726 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2727 further qualifier.
2728
2729 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2730 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2731 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2732 @c program?
2733 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2734 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2735 @c threads ab initio?
2736
2737 @cindex thread number
2738 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2739 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2740 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2741
2742 @table @code
2743 @kindex info threads
2744 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2745 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2746 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2747 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2748 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2749
2750 @enumerate
2751 @item
2752 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2753
2754 @item
2755 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2756
2757 @item
2758 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2759 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2760 program itself.
2761
2762 @item
2763 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2764 @end enumerate
2765
2766 @noindent
2767 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2768 indicates the current thread.
2769
2770 For example,
2771 @end table
2772 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2773
2774 @smallexample
2775 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2776 Id Target Id Frame
2777 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2778 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2779 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2780 at threadtest.c:68
2781 @end smallexample
2782
2783 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2784 Solaris-specific command:
2785
2786 @table @code
2787 @item maint info sol-threads
2788 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2789 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2790 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2791 @end table
2792
2793 @table @code
2794 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2795 @item thread @var{threadno}
2796 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2797 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2798 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2799 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2800 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2801
2802 @smallexample
2803 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2804 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2805 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2806 8 printf ("hello\n");
2807 @end smallexample
2808
2809 @noindent
2810 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2811 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2812 threads.
2813
2814 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2815 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2816 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2817 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2818 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2819 information on convenience variables.
2820
2821 @kindex thread apply
2822 @cindex apply command to several threads
2823 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2824 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2825 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2826 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2827 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2828 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2829 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2830 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2831
2832 @kindex thread name
2833 @cindex name a thread
2834 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2835 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2836 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2837 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2838
2839 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2840 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2841 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2842 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2843 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2844
2845 @kindex thread find
2846 @cindex search for a thread
2847 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2848 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2849 matches the supplied regular expression.
2850
2851 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2852 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2853 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2854 is the LWP id.
2855
2856 @smallexample
2857 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2858 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2859 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2860 Id Target Id Frame
2861 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2862 @end smallexample
2863
2864 @kindex set print thread-events
2865 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2866 @item set print thread-events
2867 @itemx set print thread-events on
2868 @itemx set print thread-events off
2869 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2870 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2871 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2872 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2873 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2874
2875 @kindex show print thread-events
2876 @item show print thread-events
2877 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2878 have started and exited.
2879 @end table
2880
2881 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2882 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2883 programs with multiple threads.
2884
2885 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2886 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2887
2888 @table @code
2889 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2890 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2891 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2892 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2893 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2894 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2895 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2896 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2897 macro.
2898
2899 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2900 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2901 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2902 to find @code{libthread_db}.
2903
2904 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2905 refers to the default system directories that are
2906 normally searched for loading shared libraries.
2907
2908 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2909 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2910 was loaded in the inferior process.
2911
2912 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2913 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2914 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2915 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2916 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2917 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2918 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2919
2920 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2921 only on some platforms.
2922
2923 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2924 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2925 Display current libthread_db search path.
2926
2927 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2928 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2929 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2930 @item set debug libthread-db
2931 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2932 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2933 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2934 @end table
2935
2936 @node Forks
2937 @section Debugging Forks
2938
2939 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2940 @cindex multiple processes
2941 @cindex processes, multiple
2942 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2943 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2944 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2945 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2946 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2947 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2948 will cause it to terminate.
2949
2950 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2951 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2952 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2953 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2954 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2955 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2956 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2957 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2958 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2959 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2960
2961 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2962 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2963 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2964 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2965
2966 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2967 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2968
2969 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2970 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2971
2972 @table @code
2973 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2974 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2975 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2976 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2977 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2978
2979 @table @code
2980 @item parent
2981 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2982 unimpeded. This is the default.
2983
2984 @item child
2985 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2986 unimpeded.
2987
2988 @end table
2989
2990 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2991 @item show follow-fork-mode
2992 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2993 @end table
2994
2995 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2996 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2997 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2998
2999 @table @code
3000 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3001 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3002 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3003 retain debugger control over them both.
3004
3005 @table @code
3006 @item on
3007 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3008 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3009 independently. This is the default.
3010
3011 @item off
3012 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3013 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3014 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3015 is held suspended.
3016
3017 @end table
3018
3019 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3020 @item show detach-on-fork
3021 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3022 @end table
3023
3024 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3025 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3026 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3027 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3028 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3029 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3030
3031 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3032 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3033 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3034 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3035 and Programs}.
3036
3037 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3038 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3039 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3040 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3041 the child process's @code{main}.
3042
3043 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3044 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3045
3046 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3047 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3048 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3049 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3050 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3051 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3052 command.
3053
3054 @table @code
3055 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3056 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3057
3058 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3059 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3060
3061 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3062
3063 @table @code
3064 @item new
3065 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3066 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3067 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3068 original inferior.
3069
3070 For example:
3071
3072 @smallexample
3073 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3074 (gdb) info inferior
3075 Id Description Executable
3076 * 1 <null> prog1
3077 (@value{GDBP}) run
3078 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3079 Program exited normally.
3080 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3081 Id Description Executable
3082 * 2 <null> prog2
3083 1 <null> prog1
3084 @end smallexample
3085
3086 @item same
3087 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3088 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3089 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3090 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3091 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3092
3093 For example:
3094
3095 @smallexample
3096 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3097 Id Description Executable
3098 * 1 <null> prog1
3099 (@value{GDBP}) run
3100 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3101 Program exited normally.
3102 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3103 Id Description Executable
3104 * 1 <null> prog2
3105 @end smallexample
3106
3107 @end table
3108 @end table
3109
3110 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3111 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3112 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3113
3114 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3115 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3116
3117 @cindex checkpoint
3118 @cindex restart
3119 @cindex bookmark
3120 @cindex snapshot of a process
3121 @cindex rewind program state
3122
3123 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3124 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3125 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3126 later.
3127
3128 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3129 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3130 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3131 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3132 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3133
3134 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3135 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3136 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3137 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3138 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3139 start again from there.
3140
3141 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3142 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3143
3144 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3145
3146 @table @code
3147 @kindex checkpoint
3148 @item checkpoint
3149 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3150 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3151 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3152
3153 @kindex info checkpoints
3154 @item info checkpoints
3155 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3156 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3157 listed:
3158
3159 @table @code
3160 @item Checkpoint ID
3161 @item Process ID
3162 @item Code Address
3163 @item Source line, or label
3164 @end table
3165
3166 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3167 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3168 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3169 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3170 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3171 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3172 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3173
3174 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3175 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3176 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3177 the debugger.
3178
3179 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3180 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3181 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3182
3183 @end table
3184
3185 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3186 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3187 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3188 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3189 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3190 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3191 previously read data can be read again.
3192
3193 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3194 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3195 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3196 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3197 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3198 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3199
3200 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3201 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3202 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3203 different execution path this time.
3204
3205 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3206 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3207 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3208 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3209 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3210 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3211 potentially pose a problem.
3212
3213 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3214
3215 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3216 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3217 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3218 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3219 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3220 next.
3221
3222 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3223 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3224 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3225 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3226 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3227
3228 @node Stopping
3229 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3230
3231 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3232 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3233 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3234
3235 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3236 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3237 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3238 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3239 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3240 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3241 explicitly request this information at any time.
3242
3243 @table @code
3244 @kindex info program
3245 @item info program
3246 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3247 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3248 @end table
3249
3250 @menu
3251 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3252 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3253 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3254 Skipping over functions and files
3255 * Signals:: Signals
3256 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3257 @end menu
3258
3259 @node Breakpoints
3260 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3261
3262 @cindex breakpoints
3263 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3264 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3265 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3266 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3267 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3268 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3269 program.
3270
3271 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3272 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3273 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3274 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3275 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3276 call).
3277
3278 @cindex watchpoints
3279 @cindex data breakpoints
3280 @cindex memory tracing
3281 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3282 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3283 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3284 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3285 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3286 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3287 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3288 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3289 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3290 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3291 same commands.
3292
3293 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3294 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3295 Automatic Display}.
3296
3297 @cindex catchpoints
3298 @cindex breakpoint on events
3299 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3300 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3301 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3302 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3303 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3304 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3305 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3306
3307 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3308 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3309 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3310 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3311 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3312 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3313 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3314 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3315 enable it again.
3316
3317 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3318 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3319 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3320 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3321 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3322 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3323 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3324
3325 @menu
3326 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3327 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3328 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3329 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3330 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3331 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3332 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3333 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3334 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3335 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3336 @end menu
3337
3338 @node Set Breaks
3339 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3340
3341 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3342 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3343 @c
3344 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3345
3346 @kindex break
3347 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3348 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3349 @cindex latest breakpoint
3350 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3351 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3352 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3353 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3354 convenience variables.
3355
3356 @table @code
3357 @item break @var{location}
3358 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3359 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3360 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3361 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3362 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3363
3364 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3365 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3366 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3367 that situation.
3368
3369 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3370 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3371 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3372
3373 @item break
3374 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3375 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3376 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3377 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3378 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3379 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3380 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3381 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3382 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3383 inside loops.
3384
3385 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3386 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3387 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3388 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3389 existed when your program stopped.
3390
3391 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3392 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3393 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3394 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3395 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3396 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3397 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3398
3399 @kindex tbreak
3400 @item tbreak @var{args}
3401 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3402 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3403 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3404 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3405
3406 @kindex hbreak
3407 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3408 @item hbreak @var{args}
3409 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3410 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3411 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3412 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3413 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3414 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3415 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3416 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3417 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3418 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3419 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3420 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3421 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3422 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3423 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3424 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3425 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3426 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3427
3428 @kindex thbreak
3429 @item thbreak @var{args}
3430 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3431 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3432 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3433 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3434 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3435 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3436 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3437 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3438
3439 @kindex rbreak
3440 @cindex regular expression
3441 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3442 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3443 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3444 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3445 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3446 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3447 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3448 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3449 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3450
3451 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3452 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3453 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3454 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3455 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3456 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3457
3458 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3459 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3460 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3461 classes.
3462
3463 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3464 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3465 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3466
3467 @smallexample
3468 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3469 @end smallexample
3470
3471 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3472 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3473 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3474 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3475 every function in a given file:
3476
3477 @smallexample
3478 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3479 @end smallexample
3480
3481 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3482 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3483
3484 @kindex info breakpoints
3485 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3486 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3487 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3488 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3489 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3490 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3491 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3492
3493 @table @emph
3494 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3495 @item Type
3496 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3497 @item Disposition
3498 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3499 @item Enabled or Disabled
3500 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3501 that are not enabled.
3502 @item Address
3503 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3504 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3505 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3506 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3507 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3508 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3509 @item What
3510 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3511 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3512 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3513 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3514 @end table
3515
3516 @noindent
3517 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3518 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3519 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3520 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3521 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3522 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3523
3524 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3525 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3526 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3527 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3528
3529 @noindent
3530 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3531 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3532 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3533 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3534 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3535
3536 @noindent
3537 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3538 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3539 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3540 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3541 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3542 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3543
3544 @noindent
3545 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3546 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3547
3548 @end table
3549
3550 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3551 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3552 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3553 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3554
3555 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3556 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3557 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3558 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3559
3560 @itemize @bullet
3561 @item
3562 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3563
3564 @item
3565 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3566 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3567
3568 @item
3569 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3570 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3571
3572 @item
3573 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3574 several places where that function is inlined.
3575 @end itemize
3576
3577 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3578 the relevant locations.
3579
3580 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3581 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3582 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3583 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3584 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3585 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3586 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3587
3588 For example:
3589
3590 @smallexample
3591 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3592 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3593 stop only if i==1
3594 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3595 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3596 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3597 @end smallexample
3598
3599 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3600 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3601 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3602 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3603 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3604 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3605 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3606 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3607 that belong to that breakpoint.
3608
3609 @cindex pending breakpoints
3610 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3611 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3612 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3613 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3614 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3615 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3616 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3617 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3618 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3619 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3620 is not yet resolved.
3621
3622 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3623 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3624 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3625 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3626 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3627 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3628
3629 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3630 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3631 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3632 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3633
3634 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3635 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3636 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3637
3638 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3639 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3640 address specification to an address:
3641
3642 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3643 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3644 @table @code
3645 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3646 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3647 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3648
3649 @item set breakpoint pending on
3650 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3651 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3652
3653 @item set breakpoint pending off
3654 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3655 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3656 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3657
3658 @item show breakpoint pending
3659 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3660 @end table
3661
3662 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3663 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3664 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3665
3666 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3667 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3668 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3669 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3670 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3671 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3672 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3673 breakpoints.
3674
3675 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3676
3677 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3678 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3679 @table @code
3680 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3681 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3682 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3683 breakpoint must be used.
3684
3685 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3686 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3687 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3688 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3689 @end table
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3692 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3693 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3694 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3695 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3696 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3697 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3698 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3699 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3700
3701 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3702 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3703 @table @code
3704 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3705 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3706 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3707 removed from the target when it stops.
3708
3709 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3710 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3711 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3712 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3713 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3714
3715 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3716 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3717 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3718 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3719 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3720 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3721 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3722 @end table
3723
3724 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3725 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3726 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3727
3728 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3729 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3730
3731 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3732
3733 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3734 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3735 @table @code
3736 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3737 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3738 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3739 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3740 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3741
3742 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3743 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3744 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3745 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3746 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3747 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3748 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3749 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3750 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3751 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3752 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3753 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3754 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3755
3756 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3757 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3758 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3759 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3760 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3761 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3762 @end table
3763
3764
3765 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3766 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3767 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3768 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3769 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3770 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3771 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3772 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3773
3774
3775 @node Set Watchpoints
3776 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3777
3778 @cindex setting watchpoints
3779 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3780 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3781 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3782 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3783 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3784
3785 @itemize @bullet
3786 @item
3787 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3788
3789 @item
3790 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3791 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3792 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3793
3794 @item
3795 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3796 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3797 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3798 @end itemize
3799
3800 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3801 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3802 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3803 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3804 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3805 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3806 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3807 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3808 the expression changes.
3809
3810 @cindex software watchpoints
3811 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3812 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3813 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3814 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3815 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3816 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3817 culprit.)
3818
3819 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3820 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3821 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3822
3823 @table @code
3824 @kindex watch
3825 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3826 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3827 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3828 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3829 to watch the value of a single variable:
3830
3831 @smallexample
3832 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3833 @end smallexample
3834
3835 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3836 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3837 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3838 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3839 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3840 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3841
3842 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3843 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3844 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3845 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3846 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3847 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3848 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3849 error.
3850
3851 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3852 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3853 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3854 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3855 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3856 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3857 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3858 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3859 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3860 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3861 Examples:
3862
3863 @smallexample
3864 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3865 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3866 @end smallexample
3867
3868 @kindex rwatch
3869 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3870 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3871 by the program.
3872
3873 @kindex awatch
3874 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3875 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3876 or written into by the program.
3877
3878 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3879 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3880 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3881 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3882 @end table
3883
3884 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3885 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3886 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3887 a never-changing value:
3888
3889 @smallexample
3890 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3891 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3892 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3893 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3894 @end smallexample
3895
3896 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3897 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3898 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3899 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3900 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3901 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3902
3903 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3904 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3905 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3906 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3907 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3908 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3909 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3910 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3911
3912 @table @code
3913 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3914 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3915 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3916
3917 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3918 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3919 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3920 @end table
3921
3922 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3923 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3924 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3925
3926 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3927
3928 @smallexample
3929 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3930 @end smallexample
3931
3932 @noindent
3933 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3934
3935 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3936 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3937 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3938 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3939 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3940 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3941 will print a message like this:
3942
3943 @smallexample
3944 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3945 @end smallexample
3946
3947 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3948 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3949 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3950 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3951 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3952 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3953 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3954 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3955
3956 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3957 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3958 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3959 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3960 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3961 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3962
3963 @smallexample
3964 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3965 @end smallexample
3966
3967 @noindent
3968 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3969
3970 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3971 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3972 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3973 expression with separately allocated resources.
3974
3975 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3976 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3977 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3978
3979 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3980 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3981 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3982 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3983 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3984 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3985 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3986 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3987 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3988
3989 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3990 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3991 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3992 watched expression from every thread.
3993
3994 @quotation
3995 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3996 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3997 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3998 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3999 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4000 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4001 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4002 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4003 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4004 @end quotation
4005
4006 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4007
4008 @node Set Catchpoints
4009 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4010 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4011 @cindex exception handlers
4012 @cindex event handling
4013
4014 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4015 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4016 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4017
4018 @table @code
4019 @kindex catch
4020 @item catch @var{event}
4021 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4022 @table @code
4023 @item throw
4024 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4025 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4026
4027 @item catch
4028 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4029
4030 @item exception
4031 @cindex Ada exception catching
4032 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4033 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4034 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4035 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4036 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4037
4038 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4039 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4040 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4041 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4042 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4043 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4044 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4045 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4046
4047 @item exception unhandled
4048 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4049
4050 @item assert
4051 A failed Ada assertion.
4052
4053 @item exec
4054 @cindex break on fork/exec
4055 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4056 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4057
4058 @item syscall
4059 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4060 @cindex break on a system call.
4061 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4062 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4063 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4064 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4065 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4066 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4067 will be caught.
4068
4069 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4070 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4071 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4072 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4073
4074 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4075 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4076 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4077 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4078
4079 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4080 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4081 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4082 available choices.
4083
4084 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4085 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4086 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4087 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4088 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4089 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4090 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4091 behind the OS upgrades).
4092
4093 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4094 arguments to it:
4095
4096 @smallexample
4097 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4098 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4099 (@value{GDBP}) r
4100 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4101
4102 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4103 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4104 (@value{GDBP}) c
4105 Continuing.
4106
4107 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4108 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4109 (@value{GDBP})
4110 @end smallexample
4111
4112 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4113
4114 @smallexample
4115 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4116 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4117 (@value{GDBP}) r
4118 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4119
4120 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4121 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4122 (@value{GDBP}) c
4123 Continuing.
4124
4125 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4126 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4127 (@value{GDBP})
4128 @end smallexample
4129
4130 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4131 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4132 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4133
4134 @smallexample
4135 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4136 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4137 (@value{GDBP}) r
4138 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4139
4140 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4141 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4142 (@value{GDBP}) c
4143 Continuing.
4144
4145 Program exited normally.
4146 (@value{GDBP})
4147 @end smallexample
4148
4149 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4150 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4151 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4152 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4153
4154 @smallexample
4155 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4156 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4157 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4158 (@value{GDBP})
4159 @end smallexample
4160
4161 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4162 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4163 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4164 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4165 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4166 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4167
4168 @smallexample
4169 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4170 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4171 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4172 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4173 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4174 (@value{GDBP})
4175 @end smallexample
4176
4177 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4178
4179 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4180 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4181
4182 @smallexample
4183 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4184 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4185 @end smallexample
4186
4187 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4188
4189 @item fork
4190 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4191 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4192
4193 @item vfork
4194 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4195 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4196
4197 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4198 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4199 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4200 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4201 matches one of the affected libraries.
4202
4203 @end table
4204
4205 @item tcatch @var{event}
4206 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4207 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4208
4209 @end table
4210
4211 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4212
4213 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4214 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4215
4216 @itemize @bullet
4217 @item
4218 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4219 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4220 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4221 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4222 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4223 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4224 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4225 disabled within interactive calls.
4226
4227 @item
4228 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4229
4230 @item
4231 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4232 @end itemize
4233
4234 @cindex raise exceptions
4235 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4236 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4237 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4238 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4239 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4240 out where the exception was raised.
4241
4242 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4243 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4244 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4245 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4246
4247 @smallexample
4248 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4249 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4250 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4251 @end smallexample
4252
4253 @noindent
4254 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4255 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4256 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4257
4258 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4259 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4260 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4261 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4262 raised.
4263
4264
4265 @node Delete Breaks
4266 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4267
4268 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4269 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4270 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4271 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4272 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4273 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4274
4275 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4276 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4277 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4278 their breakpoint numbers.
4279
4280 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4281 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4282 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4283
4284 @table @code
4285 @kindex clear
4286 @item clear
4287 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4288 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4289 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4290 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4291
4292 @item clear @var{location}
4293 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4294 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4295 most useful ones are listed below:
4296
4297 @table @code
4298 @item clear @var{function}
4299 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4300 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4301
4302 @item clear @var{linenum}
4303 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4304 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4305 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4306 @end table
4307
4308 @cindex delete breakpoints
4309 @kindex delete
4310 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4311 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4312 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4313 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4314 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4315 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4316 @end table
4317
4318 @node Disabling
4319 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4320
4321 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4322 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4323 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4324 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4325 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4326
4327 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4328 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4329 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4330 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4331 do not know which numbers to use.
4332
4333 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4334 affects all of its locations.
4335
4336 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4337 different states of enablement:
4338
4339 @itemize @bullet
4340 @item
4341 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4342 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4343 @item
4344 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4345 @item
4346 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4347 disabled.
4348 @item
4349 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4350 N times, then becomes disabled.
4351 @item
4352 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4353 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4354 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4355 @end itemize
4356
4357 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4358 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4359
4360 @table @code
4361 @kindex disable
4362 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4363 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4364 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4365 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4366 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4367 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4368 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4369
4370 @kindex enable
4371 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4372 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4373 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4374
4375 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4376 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4377 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4378
4379 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4380 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4381 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4382 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4383 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4384 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4385 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4386
4387 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4388 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4389 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4390 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4391 @end table
4392
4393 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4394 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4395 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4396 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4397 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4398 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4399 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4400 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4401 Stepping}.)
4402
4403 @node Conditions
4404 @subsection Break Conditions
4405 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4406 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4407
4408 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4409 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4410 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4411 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4412 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4413 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4414 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4415 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4416
4417 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4418 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4419 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4420 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4421 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4422
4423 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4424 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4425 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4426 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4427 one.
4428
4429 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4430 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4431 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4432 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4433 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4434 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4435 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4436 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4437 conditions for the
4438 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4439 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4440
4441 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4442 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4443 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4444 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4445 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4446 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4447
4448 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4449 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4450 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4451 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4452 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4453
4454 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4455 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4456 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4457 with the @code{condition} command.
4458
4459 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4460 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4461 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4462 catchpoint.
4463
4464 @table @code
4465 @kindex condition
4466 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4467 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4468 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4469 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4470 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4471 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4472 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4473 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4474 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4475 prints an error message:
4476
4477 @smallexample
4478 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4479 @end smallexample
4480
4481 @noindent
4482 @value{GDBN} does
4483 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4484 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4485 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4486
4487 @item condition @var{bnum}
4488 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4489 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4490 @end table
4491
4492 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4493 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4494 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4495 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4496 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4497 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4498 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4499 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4500 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4501 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4502 your program reaches it.
4503
4504 @table @code
4505 @kindex ignore
4506 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4507 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4508 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4509 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4510 takes no action.
4511
4512 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4513 a count of zero.
4514
4515 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4516 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4517 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4518 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4519
4520 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4521 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4522 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4523
4524 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4525 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4526 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4527 Variables}.
4528 @end table
4529
4530 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4531
4532
4533 @node Break Commands
4534 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4535
4536 @cindex breakpoint commands
4537 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4538 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4539 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4540 enable other breakpoints.
4541
4542 @table @code
4543 @kindex commands
4544 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4545 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4546 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4547 @itemx end
4548 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4549 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4550 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4551
4552 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4553 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4554
4555 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4556 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4557 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4558 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4559 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4560 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4561 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4562 Expressions}).
4563 @end table
4564
4565 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4566 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4567
4568 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4569 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4570 that resumes execution.
4571
4572 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4573 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4574 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4575 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4576 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4577
4578 @kindex silent
4579 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4580 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4581 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4582 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4583 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4584 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4585
4586 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4587 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4588 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4589
4590 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4591 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4592
4593 @smallexample
4594 break foo if x>0
4595 commands
4596 silent
4597 printf "x is %d\n",x
4598 cont
4599 end
4600 @end smallexample
4601
4602 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4603 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4604 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4605 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4606 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4607 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4608 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4609
4610 @smallexample
4611 break 403
4612 commands
4613 silent
4614 set x = y + 4
4615 cont
4616 end
4617 @end smallexample
4618
4619 @node Save Breakpoints
4620 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4621
4622 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4623 breakpoints}} command.
4624
4625 @table @code
4626 @kindex save breakpoints
4627 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4628 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4629 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4630 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4631 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4632 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4633 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4634 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4635 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4636 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4637 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4638 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4639 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4640 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4641 that can no longer be recreated.
4642 @end table
4643
4644 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4645 @node Error in Breakpoints
4646 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4647
4648 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4649 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4650
4651 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4652 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4653 @smallexample
4654 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4655 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4656 @end smallexample
4657
4658 @noindent
4659 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4660 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4661 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4662
4663 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4664 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4665
4666 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4667 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4668 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4669
4670 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4671 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4672 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4673 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4674
4675 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4676 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4677 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4678 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4679 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4680 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4681 first in the bundle.
4682
4683 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4684 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4685 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4686 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4687 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4688 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4689 is hit.
4690
4691 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4692 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4693
4694 @smallexample
4695 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4696 @end smallexample
4697
4698 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4699 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4700 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4701 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4702 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4703 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4704 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4705 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4706
4707 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4708 adjusted breakpoints:
4709
4710 @smallexample
4711 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4712 to 0x00010410.
4713 @end smallexample
4714
4715 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4716 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4717 frequently than expected.
4718
4719 @node Continuing and Stepping
4720 @section Continuing and Stepping
4721
4722 @cindex stepping
4723 @cindex continuing
4724 @cindex resuming execution
4725 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4726 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4727 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4728 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4729 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4730 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4731 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4732 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4733
4734 @table @code
4735 @kindex continue
4736 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4737 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4738 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4739 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4740 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4741 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4742 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4743 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4744 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4745 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4746
4747 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4748 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4749 @code{continue} is ignored.
4750
4751 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4752 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4753 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4754 @code{continue}.
4755 @end table
4756
4757 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4758 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4759 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4760 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4761
4762 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4763 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4764 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4765 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4766 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4767 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4768
4769 @table @code
4770 @kindex step
4771 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4772 @item step
4773 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4774 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4775 abbreviated @code{s}.
4776
4777 @quotation
4778 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4779 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4780 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4781 @c distinction here.
4782 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4783 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4784 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4785 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4786 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4787 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4788 below.
4789 @end quotation
4790
4791 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4792 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4793 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4794 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4795 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4796 called within the line.
4797
4798 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4799 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4800 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4801 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4802 was any debugging information about the routine.
4803
4804 @item step @var{count}
4805 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4806 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4807 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4808
4809 @kindex next
4810 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4811 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4812 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4813 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4814 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4815 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4816 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4817 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4818
4819 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4820
4821
4822 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4823 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4824 @c
4825 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4826 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4827 @c function are executed without stopping.
4828
4829 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4830 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4831 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4832
4833 @kindex set step-mode
4834 @item set step-mode
4835 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4836 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4837 @itemx set step-mode on
4838 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4839 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4840 information rather than stepping over it.
4841
4842 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4843 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4844 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4845
4846 @item set step-mode off
4847 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4848 debug information. This is the default.
4849
4850 @item show step-mode
4851 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4852 source line debug information.
4853
4854 @kindex finish
4855 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4856 @item finish
4857 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4858 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4859 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4860
4861 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4862 ,Returning from a Function}).
4863
4864 @kindex until
4865 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4866 @cindex run until specified location
4867 @item until
4868 @itemx u
4869 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4870 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4871 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4872 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4873 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4874 than the address of the jump.
4875
4876 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4877 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4878 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4879 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4880 through the next iteration.
4881
4882 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4883 stack frame.
4884
4885 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4886 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4887 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4888 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4889 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4890
4891 @smallexample
4892 (@value{GDBP}) f
4893 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4894 206 expand_input();
4895 (@value{GDBP}) until
4896 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4897 @end smallexample
4898
4899 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4900 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4901 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4902 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4903 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4904 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4905 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4906
4907 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4908 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4909 argument.
4910
4911 @item until @var{location}
4912 @itemx u @var{location}
4913 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4914 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4915 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4916 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4917 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4918 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4919 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4920 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4921 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4922 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4923 invocations have returned.
4924
4925 @smallexample
4926 94 int factorial (int value)
4927 95 @{
4928 96 if (value > 1) @{
4929 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4930 98 @}
4931 99 return (value);
4932 100 @}
4933 @end smallexample
4934
4935
4936 @kindex advance @var{location}
4937 @itemx advance @var{location}
4938 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4939 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4940 @ref{Specify Location}.
4941 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4942 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4943 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4944 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4945
4946
4947 @kindex stepi
4948 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4949 @item stepi
4950 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4951 @itemx si
4952 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4953
4954 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4955 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4956 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4957 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4958
4959 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4960
4961 @need 750
4962 @kindex nexti
4963 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4964 @item nexti
4965 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4966 @itemx ni
4967 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4968 proceed until the function returns.
4969
4970 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4971 @end table
4972
4973 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
4974 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
4975 @cindex skipping over functions and files
4976
4977 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
4978 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
4979 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
4980
4981 For example, consider the following C function:
4982
4983 @smallexample
4984 101 int func()
4985 102 @{
4986 103 foo(boring());
4987 104 bar(boring());
4988 105 @}
4989 @end smallexample
4990
4991 @noindent
4992 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
4993 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
4994 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
4995 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
4996
4997 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
4998 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
4999 is called from many places.
5000
5001 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5002 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5003 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5004 @code{foo}.
5005
5006 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5007 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5008
5009 @table @code
5010 @kindex skip function
5011 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5012 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5013 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5014 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5015 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5016
5017 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5018 will be skipped.
5019
5020 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5021 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5022
5023 @kindex skip file
5024 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5025 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5026 will be skipped over when stepping.
5027
5028 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5029 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5030 @end table
5031
5032 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5033 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5034
5035 @table @code
5036 @kindex info skip
5037 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5038 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5039 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5040 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5041
5042 @table @emph
5043 @item Identifier
5044 A number identifying this skip.
5045 @item Type
5046 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5047 @item Enabled or Disabled
5048 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5049 @item Address
5050 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5051 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5052 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5053 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5054 address here.
5055 @item What
5056 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5057 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5058 where it is defined.
5059 @end table
5060
5061 @kindex skip delete
5062 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5063 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5064 skips.
5065
5066 @kindex skip enable
5067 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5068 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5069 skips.
5070
5071 @kindex skip disable
5072 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5073 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5074 skips.
5075
5076 @end table
5077
5078 @node Signals
5079 @section Signals
5080 @cindex signals
5081
5082 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5083 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5084 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5085 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5086 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5087 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5088 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5089 requested an alarm).
5090
5091 @cindex fatal signals
5092 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5093 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5094 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5095 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5096 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5097 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5098
5099 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5100 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5101 signal.
5102
5103 @cindex handling signals
5104 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5105 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5106 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5107 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5108 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5109
5110 @table @code
5111 @kindex info signals
5112 @kindex info handle
5113 @item info signals
5114 @itemx info handle
5115 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5116 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5117 the defined types of signals.
5118
5119 @item info signals @var{sig}
5120 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5121
5122 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5123
5124 @kindex handle
5125 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5126 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5127 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5128 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5129 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5130 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5131 say what change to make.
5132 @end table
5133
5134 @c @group
5135 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5136 Their full names are:
5137
5138 @table @code
5139 @item nostop
5140 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5141 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5142
5143 @item stop
5144 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5145 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5146
5147 @item print
5148 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5149
5150 @item noprint
5151 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5152 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5153
5154 @item pass
5155 @itemx noignore
5156 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5157 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5158 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5159
5160 @item nopass
5161 @itemx ignore
5162 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5163 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5164 @end table
5165 @c @end group
5166
5167 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5168 program until you
5169 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5170 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5171 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5172 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5173 program sees that signal when you continue.
5174
5175 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5176 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5177 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5178 erroneous signals.
5179
5180 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5181 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5182 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5183 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5184 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5185 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5186 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5187 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5188 Program a Signal}.
5189
5190 @cindex extra signal information
5191 @anchor{extra signal information}
5192
5193 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5194 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5195 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5196 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5197 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5198 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5199 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5200 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5201 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5202 system header.
5203
5204 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5205 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5206
5207 @smallexample
5208 @group
5209 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5210 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5211 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5212 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5213 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5214 type = struct @{
5215 int si_signo;
5216 int si_errno;
5217 int si_code;
5218 union @{
5219 int _pad[28];
5220 struct @{...@} _kill;
5221 struct @{...@} _timer;
5222 struct @{...@} _rt;
5223 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5224 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5225 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5226 @} _sifields;
5227 @}
5228 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5229 type = struct @{
5230 void *si_addr;
5231 @}
5232 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5233 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5234 @end group
5235 @end smallexample
5236
5237 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5238
5239 @node Thread Stops
5240 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5241
5242 @cindex stopped threads
5243 @cindex threads, stopped
5244
5245 @cindex continuing threads
5246 @cindex threads, continuing
5247
5248 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5249 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5250 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5251 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5252 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5253 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5254 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5255 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5256 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5257
5258 @menu
5259 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5260 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5261 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5262 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5263 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5264 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5265 @end menu
5266
5267 @node All-Stop Mode
5268 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5269
5270 @cindex all-stop mode
5271
5272 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5273 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5274 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5275 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5276 underfoot.
5277
5278 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5279 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5280 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5281
5282 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5283 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5284 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5285 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5286 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5287 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5288 stops.
5289
5290 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5291 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5292 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5293 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5294
5295 @cindex automatic thread selection
5296 @cindex switching threads automatically
5297 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5298 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5299 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5300 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5301 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5302 thread.
5303
5304 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5305 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5306
5307 @table @code
5308 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5309 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5310 @cindex lock scheduler
5311 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5312 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5313 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5314 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5315 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5316 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5317 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5318 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5319 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5320 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5321 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5322 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5323
5324 @item show scheduler-locking
5325 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5326 @end table
5327
5328 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5329 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5330 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5331 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5332 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5333 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5334 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5335 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5336 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5337 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5338 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5339 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5340 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5341 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5342
5343 @table @code
5344 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5345 @item set schedule-multiple
5346 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5347 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5348 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5349 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5350 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5351 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5352
5353 @item show schedule-multiple
5354 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5355 multiple processes.
5356 @end table
5357
5358 @node Non-Stop Mode
5359 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5360
5361 @cindex non-stop mode
5362
5363 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5364 @c with more details.
5365
5366 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5367 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5368 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5369 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5370 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5371 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5372
5373 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5374 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5375 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5376 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5377 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5378 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5379 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5380 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5381 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5382 independently and simultaneously.
5383
5384 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5385 or attach to your program:
5386
5387 @smallexample
5388 # Enable the async interface.
5389 set target-async 1
5390
5391 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5392 set pagination off
5393
5394 # Finally, turn it on!
5395 set non-stop on
5396 @end smallexample
5397
5398 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5399
5400 @table @code
5401 @kindex set non-stop
5402 @item set non-stop on
5403 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5404 @item set non-stop off
5405 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5406 @kindex show non-stop
5407 @item show non-stop
5408 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5409 @end table
5410
5411 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5412 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5413 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5414 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5415 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5416 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5417 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5418 default.
5419
5420 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5421 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5422 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5423
5424 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5425 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5426 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5427 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5428 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5429
5430 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5431 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5432 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5433 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5434 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5435
5436 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5437
5438 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5439 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5440 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5441 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5442 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5443 previously current thread.
5444
5445 @node Background Execution
5446 @subsection Background Execution
5447
5448 @cindex foreground execution
5449 @cindex background execution
5450 @cindex asynchronous execution
5451 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5452
5453 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5454 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5455 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5456 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5457 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5458 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5459
5460 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5461 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5462 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5463
5464 @table @code
5465 @kindex set target-async
5466 @item set target-async on
5467 Enable asynchronous mode.
5468 @item set target-async off
5469 Disable asynchronous mode.
5470 @kindex show target-async
5471 @item show target-async
5472 Show the current target-async setting.
5473 @end table
5474
5475 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5476 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5477
5478 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5479 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5480 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5481 are:
5482
5483 @table @code
5484 @kindex run&
5485 @item run
5486 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5487
5488 @item attach
5489 @kindex attach&
5490 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5491
5492 @item step
5493 @kindex step&
5494 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5495
5496 @item stepi
5497 @kindex stepi&
5498 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5499
5500 @item next
5501 @kindex next&
5502 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5503
5504 @item nexti
5505 @kindex nexti&
5506 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5507
5508 @item continue
5509 @kindex continue&
5510 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5511
5512 @item finish
5513 @kindex finish&
5514 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5515
5516 @item until
5517 @kindex until&
5518 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5519
5520 @end table
5521
5522 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5523 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5524 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5525 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5526 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5527 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5528
5529 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5530 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5531
5532 @table @code
5533 @kindex interrupt
5534 @item interrupt
5535 @itemx interrupt -a
5536
5537 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5538 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5539 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5540 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5541 @end table
5542
5543 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5544 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5545
5546 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5547 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5548 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5549
5550 @table @code
5551 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5552 @cindex thread breakpoints
5553 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5554 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5555 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5556 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5557 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5558 specify some source line.
5559
5560 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5561 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5562 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5563 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5564 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5565
5566 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5567 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5568 program.
5569
5570 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5571 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5572 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5573
5574 @smallexample
5575 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5576 @end smallexample
5577
5578 @end table
5579
5580 @node Interrupted System Calls
5581 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5582
5583 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5584 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5585 @cindex premature return from system calls
5586 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5587 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5588 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5589 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5590 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5591 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5592 stop execution.
5593
5594 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5595 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5596 style anyways.
5597
5598 For example, do not write code like this:
5599
5600 @smallexample
5601 sleep (10);
5602 @end smallexample
5603
5604 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5605 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5606
5607 Instead, write this:
5608
5609 @smallexample
5610 int unslept = 10;
5611 while (unslept > 0)
5612 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5613 @end smallexample
5614
5615 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5616 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5617 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5618 @value{GDBN}.
5619
5620 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5621 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5622 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5623 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5624
5625 @node Observer Mode
5626 @subsection Observer Mode
5627
5628 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5629 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5630 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5631 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5632 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5633
5634 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5635 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5636 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5637 mode.
5638
5639 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5640 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5641 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5642 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5643 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5644
5645 @table @code
5646
5647 @kindex observer
5648 @item set observer on
5649 @itemx set observer off
5650 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5651 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5652 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5653 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5654
5655 @item show observer
5656 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5657
5658 @kindex may-write-registers
5659 @item set may-write-registers on
5660 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5661 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5662 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5663 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5664
5665 @item show may-write-registers
5666 Show the current permission to write registers.
5667
5668 @kindex may-write-memory
5669 @item set may-write-memory on
5670 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5671 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5672 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5673 defaults to @code{on}.
5674
5675 @item show may-write-memory
5676 Show the current permission to write memory.
5677
5678 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5679 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5680 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5681 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5682 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5683 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5684
5685 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5686 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5687
5688 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5689 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5690 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5691 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5692 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5693 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5694 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5695
5696 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5697 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5698
5699 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5700 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5701 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5702 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5703 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5704 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5705 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5706
5707 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5708 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5709
5710 @kindex may-interrupt
5711 @item set may-interrupt on
5712 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5713 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5714 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5715 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5716 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5717
5718 @item show may-interrupt
5719 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5720
5721 @end table
5722
5723 @node Reverse Execution
5724 @chapter Running programs backward
5725 @cindex reverse execution
5726 @cindex running programs backward
5727
5728 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5729 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5730 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5731 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5732
5733 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5734 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5735 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5736 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5737 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5738 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5739
5740 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5741 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5742 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5743 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5744 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5745 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5746 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5747 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5748 prior values@footnote{
5749 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5750 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5751 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5752
5753 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5754 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5755 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5756 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5757 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5758 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5759 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5760 }.
5761
5762 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5763 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5764
5765 @table @code
5766 @kindex reverse-continue
5767 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5768 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5769 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5770 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5771 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5772 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5773 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5774
5775 @kindex reverse-step
5776 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5777 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5778 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5779 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5780
5781 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5782 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5783 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5784 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5785 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5786 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5787
5788 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5789 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5790
5791 @kindex reverse-stepi
5792 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5793 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5794 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5795 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5796 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5797 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5798 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5799
5800 @kindex reverse-next
5801 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5802 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5803 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5804 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5805 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5806 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5807 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5808 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5809 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5810 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5811
5812 @kindex reverse-nexti
5813 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5814 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5815 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5816 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5817 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5818 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5819 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5820 frame) is reached.
5821
5822 @kindex reverse-finish
5823 @item reverse-finish
5824 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5825 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5826 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5827 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5828
5829 @kindex set exec-direction
5830 @item set exec-direction
5831 Set the direction of target execution.
5832 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5833 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5834 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5835 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5836 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5837 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5838 @item set exec-direction forward
5839 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5840 This is the default.
5841 @end table
5842
5843
5844 @node Process Record and Replay
5845 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5846 @cindex process record and replay
5847 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5848
5849 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5850 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5851 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5852
5853 @cindex replay mode
5854 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5855 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5856 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5857 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5858 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5859 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5860 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5861 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5862 execution log.
5863
5864 @cindex record mode
5865 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5866 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5867 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5868 for future replay.
5869
5870 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5871 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5872 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5873 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5874 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5875 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5876
5877 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5878 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5879 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5880 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5881
5882 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5883 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5884
5885 @table @code
5886 @kindex target record
5887 @kindex record
5888 @kindex rec
5889 @item target record
5890 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5891 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5892 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5893 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5894 the @kbd{target record} command.
5895
5896 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5897
5898 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5899 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5900 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5901 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5902 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5903
5904 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5905 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5906 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5907 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5908 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5909 support these two modes.
5910
5911 @kindex record stop
5912 @kindex rec s
5913 @item record stop
5914 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5915 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5916 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5917
5918 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5919 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5920 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5921 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5922 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5923
5924 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5925 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5926 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5927 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5928 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5929
5930 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5931 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5932
5933 @kindex record save
5934 @item record save @var{filename}
5935 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5936 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5937 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5938
5939 @kindex record restore
5940 @item record restore @var{filename}
5941 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5942 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5943
5944 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5945 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5946 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5947
5948 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5949 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5950 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5951 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5952 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5953 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5954 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5955 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5956
5957 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5958 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5959 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5960
5961 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5962 @item show record insn-number-max
5963 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5964
5965 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5966 @item set record stop-at-limit
5967 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5968 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5969 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5970 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5971 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5972 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5973
5974 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5975 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5976
5977 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5978 @item show record stop-at-limit
5979 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5980
5981 @kindex set record memory-query
5982 @item set record memory-query
5983 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5984 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5985 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5986
5987 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5988 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5989 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5990 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5991 results.
5992
5993 @kindex show record memory-query
5994 @item show record memory-query
5995 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5996
5997 @kindex info record
5998 @item info record
5999 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6000 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6001
6002 @itemize @bullet
6003 @item
6004 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6005 @item
6006 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6007 @item
6008 Highest recorded instruction number.
6009 @item
6010 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6011 @item
6012 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6013 @item
6014 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6015 @end itemize
6016
6017 @kindex record delete
6018 @kindex rec del
6019 @item record delete
6020 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6021 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6022 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6023 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6024 @end table
6025
6026
6027 @node Stack
6028 @chapter Examining the Stack
6029
6030 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6031 stopped and how it got there.
6032
6033 @cindex call stack
6034 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6035 is generated.
6036 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6037 the arguments of the call,
6038 and the local variables of the function being called.
6039 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6040 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6041 stack}.
6042
6043 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6044 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6045
6046 @cindex selected frame
6047 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6048 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6049 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6050 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6051 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6052 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6053
6054 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6055 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6056 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6057
6058 @menu
6059 * Frames:: Stack frames
6060 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6061 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6062 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6063
6064 @end menu
6065
6066 @node Frames
6067 @section Stack Frames
6068
6069 @cindex frame, definition
6070 @cindex stack frame
6071 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6072 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6073 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6074 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6075 which the function is executing.
6076
6077 @cindex initial frame
6078 @cindex outermost frame
6079 @cindex innermost frame
6080 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6081 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6082 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6083 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6084 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6085 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6086 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6087 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6088
6089 @cindex frame pointer
6090 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6091 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6092 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6093 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6094 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6095 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6096
6097 @cindex frame number
6098 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6099 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6100 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6101 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6102 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6103
6104 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6105 @c underflow problems.
6106 @cindex frameless execution
6107 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6108 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6109 @smallexample
6110 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6111 @end smallexample
6112 generates functions without a frame.)
6113 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6114 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6115 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6116 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6117 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6118 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6119 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6120
6121 @table @code
6122 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6123 @cindex current stack frame
6124 @item frame @var{args}
6125 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6126 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6127 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6128 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6129
6130 @kindex select-frame
6131 @cindex selecting frame silently
6132 @item select-frame
6133 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6134 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6135 @code{frame}.
6136 @end table
6137
6138 @node Backtrace
6139 @section Backtraces
6140
6141 @cindex traceback
6142 @cindex call stack traces
6143 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6144 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6145 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6146 stack.
6147
6148 @table @code
6149 @kindex backtrace
6150 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6151 @item backtrace
6152 @itemx bt
6153 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6154 frames in the stack.
6155
6156 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6157 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6158
6159 @item backtrace @var{n}
6160 @itemx bt @var{n}
6161 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6162
6163 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6164 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6165 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6166
6167 @item backtrace full
6168 @itemx bt full
6169 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6170 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6171 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6172 number of frames to print, as described above.
6173 @end table
6174
6175 @kindex where
6176 @kindex info stack
6177 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6178 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6179
6180 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6181 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6182 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6183 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6184 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6185 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6186 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6187 multi-threaded program.
6188
6189 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6190 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6191 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6192 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6193 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6194 line number.
6195
6196 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6197 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6198
6199 @smallexample
6200 @group
6201 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6202 at builtin.c:993
6203 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6204 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6205 at macro.c:71
6206 (More stack frames follow...)
6207 @end group
6208 @end smallexample
6209
6210 @noindent
6211 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6212 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6213 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6214
6215 @noindent
6216 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6217 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6218 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6219 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6220 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6221
6222 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6223 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6224 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6225 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6226 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6227 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6228 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6229 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6230 such a backtrace might look like:
6231
6232 @smallexample
6233 @group
6234 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6235 at builtin.c:993
6236 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6237 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6238 at macro.c:71
6239 (More stack frames follow...)
6240 @end group
6241 @end smallexample
6242
6243 @noindent
6244 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6245 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6246
6247 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6248 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6249 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6250
6251 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6252 @cindex program entry point
6253 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6254 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6255 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6256 @code{main}@footnote{
6257 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6258 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6259 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6260 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6261 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6262 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6263
6264 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6265 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6266
6267 @table @code
6268 @item set backtrace past-main
6269 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6270 @kindex set backtrace
6271 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6272
6273 @item set backtrace past-main off
6274 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6275 default.
6276
6277 @item show backtrace past-main
6278 @kindex show backtrace
6279 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6280
6281 @item set backtrace past-entry
6282 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6283 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6284 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6285 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6286
6287 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6288 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6289 application. This is the default.
6290
6291 @item show backtrace past-entry
6292 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6293
6294 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6295 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6296 @cindex backtrace limit
6297 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6298 unlimited.
6299
6300 @item show backtrace limit
6301 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6302 @end table
6303
6304 @node Selection
6305 @section Selecting a Frame
6306
6307 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6308 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6309 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6310 of the stack frame just selected.
6311
6312 @table @code
6313 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6314 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6315 @item frame @var{n}
6316 @itemx f @var{n}
6317 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6318 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6319 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6320 @code{main}.
6321
6322 @item frame @var{addr}
6323 @itemx f @var{addr}
6324 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6325 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6326 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6327 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6328 switches between them.
6329
6330 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6331 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6332
6333 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6334 pointer and a program counter.
6335
6336 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6337 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6338
6339 @kindex up
6340 @item up @var{n}
6341 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6342 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6343 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6344
6345 @kindex down
6346 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6347 @item down @var{n}
6348 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6349 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6350 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6351 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6352 @end table
6353
6354 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6355 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6356 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6357 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6358
6359 @need 1000
6360 For example:
6361
6362 @smallexample
6363 @group
6364 (@value{GDBP}) up
6365 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6366 at env.c:10
6367 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6368 @end group
6369 @end smallexample
6370
6371 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6372 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6373 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6374 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6375 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6376 for details.
6377
6378 @table @code
6379 @kindex down-silently
6380 @kindex up-silently
6381 @item up-silently @var{n}
6382 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6383 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6384 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6385 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6386 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6387 distracting.
6388 @end table
6389
6390 @node Frame Info
6391 @section Information About a Frame
6392
6393 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6394 stack frame.
6395
6396 @table @code
6397 @item frame
6398 @itemx f
6399 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6400 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6401 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6402 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6403 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6404
6405 @kindex info frame
6406 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6407 @item info frame
6408 @itemx info f
6409 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6410 including:
6411
6412 @itemize @bullet
6413 @item
6414 the address of the frame
6415 @item
6416 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6417 @item
6418 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6419 @item
6420 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6421 @item
6422 the address of the frame's arguments
6423 @item
6424 the address of the frame's local variables
6425 @item
6426 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6427 @item
6428 which registers were saved in the frame
6429 @end itemize
6430
6431 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6432 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6433 the usual conventions.
6434
6435 @item info frame @var{addr}
6436 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6437 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6438 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6439 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6440 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6441 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6442
6443 @kindex info args
6444 @item info args
6445 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6446
6447 @item info locals
6448 @kindex info locals
6449 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6450 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6451 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6452
6453 @end table
6454
6455
6456 @node Source
6457 @chapter Examining Source Files
6458
6459 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6460 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6461 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6462 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6463 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6464 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6465 source files by explicit command.
6466
6467 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6468 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6469 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6470
6471 @menu
6472 * List:: Printing source lines
6473 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6474 * Edit:: Editing source files
6475 * Search:: Searching source files
6476 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6477 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6478 @end menu
6479
6480 @node List
6481 @section Printing Source Lines
6482
6483 @kindex list
6484 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6485 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6486 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6487 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6488 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6489
6490 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6491
6492 @table @code
6493 @item list @var{linenum}
6494 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6495 current source file.
6496
6497 @item list @var{function}
6498 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6499 @var{function}.
6500
6501 @item list
6502 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6503 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6504 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6505 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6506 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6507
6508 @item list -
6509 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6510 @end table
6511
6512 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6513 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6514 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6515
6516 @table @code
6517 @kindex set listsize
6518 @item set listsize @var{count}
6519 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6520 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6521
6522 @kindex show listsize
6523 @item show listsize
6524 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6525 @end table
6526
6527 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6528 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6529 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6530 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6531 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6532
6533 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6534 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6535 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6536 to specify some source line.
6537
6538 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6539
6540 @table @code
6541 @item list @var{linespec}
6542 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6543
6544 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6545 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6546 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6547 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6548 the same source file as the first linespec.
6549
6550 @item list ,@var{last}
6551 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6552
6553 @item list @var{first},
6554 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6555
6556 @item list +
6557 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6558
6559 @item list -
6560 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6561
6562 @item list
6563 As described in the preceding table.
6564 @end table
6565
6566 @node Specify Location
6567 @section Specifying a Location
6568 @cindex specifying location
6569 @cindex linespec
6570
6571 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6572 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6573 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6574 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6575
6576 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6577 @value{GDBN} understands:
6578
6579 @table @code
6580 @item @var{linenum}
6581 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6582
6583 @item -@var{offset}
6584 @itemx +@var{offset}
6585 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6586 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6587 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6588 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6589 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6590 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6591 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6592 linespec.
6593
6594 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6595 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6596 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6597 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6598 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6599 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6600 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6601
6602 @item @var{function}
6603 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6604 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6605
6606 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6607 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6608
6609 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6610 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6611 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6612 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6613 functions in different source files.
6614
6615 @item @var{label}
6616 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6617 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6618 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6619 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6620 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6621
6622 @item *@var{address}
6623 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6624 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6625 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6626 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6627 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6628 source files.
6629
6630 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6631 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6632 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6633 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6634 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6635 of @var{address}:
6636
6637 @table @code
6638 @item @var{expression}
6639 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6640
6641 @item @var{funcaddr}
6642 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6643 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6644 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6645 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6646 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6647 (although the Pascal form also works).
6648
6649 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6650 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6651
6652 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6653 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6654 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6655 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6656 functions with identical names in different source files.
6657 @end table
6658
6659 @end table
6660
6661
6662 @node Edit
6663 @section Editing Source Files
6664 @cindex editing source files
6665
6666 @kindex edit
6667 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6668 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6669 The editing program of your choice
6670 is invoked with the current line set to
6671 the active line in the program.
6672 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6673 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6674
6675 @table @code
6676 @item edit @var{location}
6677 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6678 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6679 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6680 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6681 command most commonly used:
6682
6683 @table @code
6684 @item edit @var{number}
6685 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6686
6687 @item edit @var{function}
6688 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6689 @end table
6690
6691 @end table
6692
6693 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6694 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6695 @footnote{
6696 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6697 following command-line syntax:
6698 @smallexample
6699 ex +@var{number} file
6700 @end smallexample
6701 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6702 the file where to start editing.}.
6703 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6704 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6705 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6706 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6707 @smallexample
6708 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6709 export EDITOR
6710 gdb @dots{}
6711 @end smallexample
6712 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6713 @smallexample
6714 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6715 gdb @dots{}
6716 @end smallexample
6717
6718 @node Search
6719 @section Searching Source Files
6720 @cindex searching source files
6721
6722 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6723 regular expression.
6724
6725 @table @code
6726 @kindex search
6727 @kindex forward-search
6728 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6729 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6730 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6731 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6732 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6733 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6734 @code{fo}.
6735
6736 @kindex reverse-search
6737 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6738 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6739 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6740 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6741 this command as @code{rev}.
6742 @end table
6743
6744 @node Source Path
6745 @section Specifying Source Directories
6746
6747 @cindex source path
6748 @cindex directories for source files
6749 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6750 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6751 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6752 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6753 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6754 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6755 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6756
6757 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6758 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6759 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6760 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6761 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6762 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6763 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6764 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6765 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6766 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6767 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6768
6769 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6770 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6771 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6772 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6773 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6774 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6775
6776 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6777 source files.
6778
6779 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6780 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6781 each line is in the file.
6782
6783 @kindex directory
6784 @kindex dir
6785 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6786 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6787 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6788
6789 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6790 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6791
6792 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6793 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6794 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6795 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6796 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6797 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6798 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6799 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6800 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6801 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6802 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6803 name to look up the sources.
6804
6805 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6806 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6807 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6808 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6809 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6810 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6811 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6812 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6813
6814 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6815 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6816 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6817 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6818 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6819 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6820 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6821
6822 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6823 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6824 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6825 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6826 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6827 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6828 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6829 command.
6830
6831 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6832 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6833 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6834 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6835 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6836 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6837 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6838
6839 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6840 @cindex default source path substitution
6841 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6842 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6843 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6844 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6845 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6846 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6847 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6848 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6849 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6850 together.
6851
6852 @table @code
6853 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6854 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6855 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6856 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6857 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6858 part of absolute file names) or
6859 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6860 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6861
6862 @kindex cdir
6863 @kindex cwd
6864 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6865 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6866 @cindex compilation directory
6867 @cindex current directory
6868 @cindex working directory
6869 @cindex directory, current
6870 @cindex directory, compilation
6871 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6872 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6873 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6874 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6875 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6876 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6877
6878 @item directory
6879 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6880
6881 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6882 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6883
6884 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6885 @kindex set directories
6886 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6887 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6888
6889 @item show directories
6890 @kindex show directories
6891 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6892
6893 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6894 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6895 @kindex set substitute-path
6896 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6897 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6898 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6899
6900 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6901 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6902
6903 @smallexample
6904 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6905 @end smallexample
6906
6907 @noindent
6908 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6909 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6910 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6911
6912 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6913 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6914 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6915 the substitution.
6916
6917 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6918
6919 @smallexample
6920 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6921 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6922 @end smallexample
6923
6924 @noindent
6925 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6926 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6927 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6928 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6929
6930
6931 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6932 @kindex unset substitute-path
6933 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6934 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6935 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6936
6937 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6938
6939 @item show substitute-path [path]
6940 @kindex show substitute-path
6941 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6942 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6943
6944 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6945 rules.
6946
6947 @end table
6948
6949 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6950 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6951 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6952
6953 @enumerate
6954 @item
6955 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6956
6957 @item
6958 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6959 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6960 directories in one command.
6961 @end enumerate
6962
6963 @node Machine Code
6964 @section Source and Machine Code
6965 @cindex source line and its code address
6966
6967 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6968 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6969 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6970 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6971 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6972 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6973 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6974 well as hex.
6975
6976 @table @code
6977 @kindex info line
6978 @item info line @var{linespec}
6979 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6980 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6981 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6982 @end table
6983
6984 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6985 the object code for the first line of function
6986 @code{m4_changequote}:
6987
6988 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6989 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6990 @smallexample
6991 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6992 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6993 @end smallexample
6994
6995 @noindent
6996 @cindex code address and its source line
6997 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6998 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6999 @smallexample
7000 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7001 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7002 @end smallexample
7003
7004 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7005 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7006 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7007 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7008 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7009 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7010 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7011 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7012 Variables}).
7013
7014 @table @code
7015 @kindex disassemble
7016 @cindex assembly instructions
7017 @cindex instructions, assembly
7018 @cindex machine instructions
7019 @cindex listing machine instructions
7020 @item disassemble
7021 @itemx disassemble /m
7022 @itemx disassemble /r
7023 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7024 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7025 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7026 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7027 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7028 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7029 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7030 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7031 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7032 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7033
7034 @table @code
7035 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7036 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7037 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7038 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7039 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7040 @end table
7041
7042 @noindent
7043 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7044 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7045
7046 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7047 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7048
7049 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7050 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7051 @end table
7052
7053 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7054 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7055
7056 @smallexample
7057 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7058 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7059 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7060 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7061 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7062 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7063 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7064 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7065 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7066 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7067 End of assembler dump.
7068 @end smallexample
7069
7070 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7071 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7072
7073 @smallexample
7074 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7075 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7076 5 @{
7077 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7078 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7079 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7080 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7081 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7082
7083 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7084 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7085 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7086
7087 7 return 0;
7088 8 @}
7089 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7090 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7091 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7092
7093 End of assembler dump.
7094 @end smallexample
7095
7096 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7097
7098 @smallexample
7099 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7100 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7101 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7102 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7103 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7104 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7105 End of assembler dump.
7106 @end smallexample
7107
7108 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7109 mnemonics or other syntax.
7110
7111 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7112 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7113 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7114 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7115 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7116
7117 @table @code
7118 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7119 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7120 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7121 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7122 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7123 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7124
7125 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7126 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7127 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7128 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7129
7130 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7131 @item show disassembly-flavor
7132 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7133 @end table
7134
7135 @table @code
7136 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7137 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7138 @item set disassemble-next-line
7139 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7140 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7141 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7142 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7143 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7144 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7145 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7146 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7147 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7148 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7149 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7150 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7151 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7152 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7153 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7154 instruction.
7155 @end table
7156
7157
7158 @node Data
7159 @chapter Examining Data
7160
7161 @cindex printing data
7162 @cindex examining data
7163 @kindex print
7164 @kindex inspect
7165 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
7166 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
7167 @c different window or something like that.
7168 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7169 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7170 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7171 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7172 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7173 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7174
7175 @table @code
7176 @item print @var{expr}
7177 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7178 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7179 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7180 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7181 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7182 Formats}.
7183
7184 @item print
7185 @itemx print /@var{f}
7186 @cindex reprint the last value
7187 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7188 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7189 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7190 @end table
7191
7192 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7193 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7194 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7195
7196 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7197 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7198 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7199 Table}.
7200
7201 @menu
7202 * Expressions:: Expressions
7203 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7204 * Variables:: Program variables
7205 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7206 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7207 * Memory:: Examining memory
7208 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7209 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7210 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7211 * Value History:: Value history
7212 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7213 * Registers:: Registers
7214 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7215 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7216 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7217 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7218 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7219 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7220 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7221 character set than GDB does
7222 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7223 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7224 @end menu
7225
7226 @node Expressions
7227 @section Expressions
7228
7229 @cindex expressions
7230 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7231 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7232 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7233 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7234 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7235 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7236 @ref{Compilation}.
7237
7238 @cindex arrays in expressions
7239 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7240 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7241 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7242 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7243 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7244 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7245
7246 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7247 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7248 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7249 languages.
7250
7251 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7252 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7253
7254 @cindex casts, in expressions
7255 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7256 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7257 at that address in memory.
7258 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7259
7260 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7261 to programming languages:
7262
7263 @table @code
7264 @item @@
7265 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7266 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7267
7268 @item ::
7269 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7270 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7271
7272 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7273 @cindex type casting memory
7274 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7275 @cindex casts, to view memory
7276 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7277 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7278 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7279 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7280 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7281 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7282 @end table
7283
7284 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7285 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7286 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7287
7288 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7289 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7290 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7291 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7292 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7293 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7294 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7295
7296 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7297 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7298 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7299 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7300 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7301 as well.
7302
7303 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7304 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7305 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7306 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7307 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7308 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7309 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7310 choices.
7311
7312 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7313 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7314 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7315
7316 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7317 @smallexample
7318 @group
7319 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7320 [0] cancel
7321 [1] all
7322 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7323 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7324 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7325 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7326 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7327 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7328 > 2 4 6
7329 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7330 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7331 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7332 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7333 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7334 breakpoints.
7335 (@value{GDBP})
7336 @end group
7337 @end smallexample
7338
7339 @table @code
7340 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7341 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7342 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7343
7344 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7345 is ambiguous.
7346
7347 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7348 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7349 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7350 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7351 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7352 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7353 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7354 in the use of the menu.
7355
7356 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7357 when an ambiguity is detected.
7358
7359 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7360 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7361
7362 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7363 @item show multiple-symbols
7364 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7365 @end table
7366
7367 @node Variables
7368 @section Program Variables
7369
7370 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7371 in your program.
7372
7373 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7374 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7375
7376 @itemize @bullet
7377 @item
7378 global (or file-static)
7379 @end itemize
7380
7381 @noindent or
7382
7383 @itemize @bullet
7384 @item
7385 visible according to the scope rules of the
7386 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7387 @end itemize
7388
7389 @noindent This means that in the function
7390
7391 @smallexample
7392 foo (a)
7393 int a;
7394 @{
7395 bar (a);
7396 @{
7397 int b = test ();
7398 bar (b);
7399 @}
7400 @}
7401 @end smallexample
7402
7403 @noindent
7404 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7405 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7406 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7407 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7408
7409 @cindex variable name conflict
7410 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7411 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7412 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7413 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7414 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7415 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7416 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7417
7418 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7419 @ifnotinfo
7420 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7421 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7422 @end ifnotinfo
7423 @smallexample
7424 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7425 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7426 @end smallexample
7427
7428 @noindent
7429 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7430 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7431 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7432 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7433
7434 @smallexample
7435 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7436 @end smallexample
7437
7438 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7439 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7440 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7441 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7442 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7443
7444 @smallexample
7445 void
7446 foo (int a)
7447 @{
7448 if (a < 10)
7449 bar (a);
7450 else
7451 process (a); /* Stop here */
7452 @}
7453
7454 int
7455 bar (int a)
7456 @{
7457 foo (a + 5);
7458 @}
7459 @end smallexample
7460
7461 @noindent
7462 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7463 here is what you might see
7464 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7465
7466 @smallexample
7467 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7468 $1 = 10
7469 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7470 $2 = 5
7471 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
7472 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7473 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7474 $3 = 5
7475 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7476 $4 = 0
7477 @end smallexample
7478
7479 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7480 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7481 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7482 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7483 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7484 @c conflict?? --mew
7485
7486 @cindex wrong values
7487 @cindex variable values, wrong
7488 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7489 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7490 @quotation
7491 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7492 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7493 scope, and just before exit.
7494 @end quotation
7495 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7496 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7497 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7498 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7499 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7500 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7501 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7502 variable definitions may be gone.
7503
7504 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7505 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7506 when compiling.
7507
7508 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7509 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7510 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7511 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7512 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7513 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7514 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7515
7516 @smallexample
7517 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7518 @end smallexample
7519
7520 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7521 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7522 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7523 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7524 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7525
7526 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7527 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7528 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7529 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7530
7531 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7532 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7533 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7534 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7535 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7536
7537 @smallexample
7538 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7539 29 i++;
7540 (gdb) next
7541 30 e (i);
7542 (gdb) print i
7543 $1 = 31
7544 (gdb) print i@@entry
7545 $2 = 30
7546 @end smallexample
7547
7548 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7549 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7550 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7551 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7552 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7553 For program code
7554
7555 @smallexample
7556 char var0[] = "A";
7557 signed char var1[] = "A";
7558 @end smallexample
7559
7560 You get during debugging
7561 @smallexample
7562 (gdb) print var0
7563 $1 = "A"
7564 (gdb) print var1
7565 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7566 @end smallexample
7567
7568 @node Arrays
7569 @section Artificial Arrays
7570
7571 @cindex artificial array
7572 @cindex arrays
7573 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7574 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7575 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7576 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7577 program.
7578
7579 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7580 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7581 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7582 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7583 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7584 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7585 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7586 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7587 example. If a program says
7588
7589 @smallexample
7590 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7591 @end smallexample
7592
7593 @noindent
7594 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7595
7596 @smallexample
7597 p *array@@len
7598 @end smallexample
7599
7600 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7601 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7602 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7603 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7604 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7605
7606 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7607 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7608 The value need not be in memory:
7609 @smallexample
7610 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7611 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7612 @end smallexample
7613
7614 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7615 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7616 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7617 @smallexample
7618 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7619 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7620 @end smallexample
7621
7622 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7623 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7624 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7625 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7626 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7627 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7628 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7629 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7630 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7631 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7632
7633 @smallexample
7634 set $i = 0
7635 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7636 @key{RET}
7637 @key{RET}
7638 @dots{}
7639 @end smallexample
7640
7641 @node Output Formats
7642 @section Output Formats
7643
7644 @cindex formatted output
7645 @cindex output formats
7646 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7647 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7648 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7649 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7650 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7651
7652 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7653 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7654 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7655 letters supported are:
7656
7657 @table @code
7658 @item x
7659 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7660 hexadecimal.
7661
7662 @item d
7663 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7664
7665 @item u
7666 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7667
7668 @item o
7669 Print as integer in octal.
7670
7671 @item t
7672 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7673 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7674 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7675 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7676
7677 @item a
7678 @cindex unknown address, locating
7679 @cindex locate address
7680 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7681 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7682 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7683
7684 @smallexample
7685 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7686 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7687 @end smallexample
7688
7689 @noindent
7690 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7691 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7692
7693 @item c
7694 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7695 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7696 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7697 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7698
7699 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7700 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7701 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7702 data.
7703
7704 @item f
7705 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7706 using typical floating point syntax.
7707
7708 @item s
7709 @cindex printing strings
7710 @cindex printing byte arrays
7711 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7712 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7713 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7714 natural types.
7715
7716 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7717 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7718 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7719 array.
7720
7721 @item r
7722 @cindex raw printing
7723 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7724 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7725 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7726 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7727 pretty-printer which might exist.
7728 @end table
7729
7730 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7731
7732 @smallexample
7733 p/x $pc
7734 @end smallexample
7735
7736 @noindent
7737 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7738 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7739
7740 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7741 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7742 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7743
7744 @node Memory
7745 @section Examining Memory
7746
7747 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7748 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7749
7750 @cindex examining memory
7751 @table @code
7752 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7753 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7754 @itemx x @var{addr}
7755 @itemx x
7756 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7757 @end table
7758
7759 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7760 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7761 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7762 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7763 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7764
7765 @table @r
7766 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7767 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7768 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7769 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7770 @c 4.1.2.
7771
7772 @item @var{f}, the display format
7773 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7774 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7775 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7776 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7777 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7778
7779 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7780 The unit size is any of
7781
7782 @table @code
7783 @item b
7784 Bytes.
7785 @item h
7786 Halfwords (two bytes).
7787 @item w
7788 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7789 @item g
7790 Giant words (eight bytes).
7791 @end table
7792
7793 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7794 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7795 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7796 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7797 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7798 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7799 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7800 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7801 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7802 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7803 be altered.
7804
7805 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7806 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7807 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7808 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7809 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7810 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7811 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7812 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7813 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7814 a value from memory).
7815 @end table
7816
7817 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7818 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7819 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7820 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7821 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7822
7823 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7824 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7825 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7826 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7827 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7828
7829 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7830 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7831 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7832 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7833 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7834 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7835 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7836 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7837 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7838
7839 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7840 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7841 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7842 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7843 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7844 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7845 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7846
7847 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7848 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7849
7850 @smallexample
7851 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7852 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7853 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7854 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7855 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7856 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7857 @end smallexample
7858
7859 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7860 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7861 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7862 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7863 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7864 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7865 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7866 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7867 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7868
7869 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7870 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7871 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7872
7873 @cindex remote memory comparison
7874 @cindex verify remote memory image
7875 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7876 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7877 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7878 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7879 situations.
7880
7881 @table @code
7882 @kindex compare-sections
7883 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7884 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7885 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7886 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7887 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7888 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7889 remote request.
7890 @end table
7891
7892 @node Auto Display
7893 @section Automatic Display
7894 @cindex automatic display
7895 @cindex display of expressions
7896
7897 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7898 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7899 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7900 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7901 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7902 The automatic display looks like this:
7903
7904 @smallexample
7905 2: foo = 38
7906 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7907 @end smallexample
7908
7909 @noindent
7910 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7911 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7912 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7913 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7914 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7915 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7916
7917 @table @code
7918 @kindex display
7919 @item display @var{expr}
7920 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7921 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7922
7923 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7924
7925 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7926 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7927 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7928 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7929 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7930
7931 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7932 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7933 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7934 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7935 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7936 @end table
7937
7938 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7939 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7940 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7941
7942 @table @code
7943 @kindex delete display
7944 @kindex undisplay
7945 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7946 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7947 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7948 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7949 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7950 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7951 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7952
7953 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7954 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7955
7956 @kindex disable display
7957 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7958 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7959 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7960 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7961 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7962 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7963 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7964 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7965
7966 @kindex enable display
7967 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7968 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7969 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7970 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7971 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7972 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7973 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7974
7975 @item display
7976 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7977 done when your program stops.
7978
7979 @kindex info display
7980 @item info display
7981 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7982 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7983 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7984 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7985 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7986 @end table
7987
7988 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7989 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7990 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7991 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7992 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7993 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7994 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7995 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7996 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7997 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7998 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7999
8000 @node Print Settings
8001 @section Print Settings
8002
8003 @cindex format options
8004 @cindex print settings
8005 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8006 and symbols are printed.
8007
8008 @noindent
8009 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8010
8011 @table @code
8012 @kindex set print
8013 @item set print address
8014 @itemx set print address on
8015 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8016 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8017 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8018 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8019 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8020 @code{set print address on}:
8021
8022 @smallexample
8023 @group
8024 (@value{GDBP}) f
8025 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8026 at input.c:530
8027 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8028 @end group
8029 @end smallexample
8030
8031 @item set print address off
8032 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8033 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8034
8035 @smallexample
8036 @group
8037 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8038 (@value{GDBP}) f
8039 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8040 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8041 @end group
8042 @end smallexample
8043
8044 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8045 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8046 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8047 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8048
8049 @kindex show print
8050 @item show print address
8051 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8052 @end table
8053
8054 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8055 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8056 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8057 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8058 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8059 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8060 it prints a symbolic address:
8061
8062 @table @code
8063 @item set print symbol-filename on
8064 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8065 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8066 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8067 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8068
8069 @item set print symbol-filename off
8070 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8071 default.
8072
8073 @item show print symbol-filename
8074 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8075 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8076 @end table
8077
8078 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8079 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8080 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8081
8082 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8083 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8084
8085 @table @code
8086 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8087 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8088 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8089 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8090 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8091 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8092
8093 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8094 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8095 symbolic address.
8096 @end table
8097
8098 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8099 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8100 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8101 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8102 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8103 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8104 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8105 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8106
8107 @smallexample
8108 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8109 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8110 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8111 @end smallexample
8112
8113 @quotation
8114 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8115 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8116 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8117 @end quotation
8118
8119 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8120
8121 @table @code
8122 @item set print array
8123 @itemx set print array on
8124 @cindex pretty print arrays
8125 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8126 but uses more space. The default is off.
8127
8128 @item set print array off
8129 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8130
8131 @item show print array
8132 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8133 arrays.
8134
8135 @cindex print array indexes
8136 @item set print array-indexes
8137 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8138 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8139 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8140 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8141
8142 @item set print array-indexes off
8143 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8144
8145 @item show print array-indexes
8146 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8147 arrays.
8148
8149 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8150 @cindex number of array elements to print
8151 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8152 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8153 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8154 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8155 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8156 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8157 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8158
8159 @item show print elements
8160 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8161 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8162
8163 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8164 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8165 @cindex printing frame argument values
8166 @cindex print all frame argument values
8167 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8168 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8169 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8170 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8171 values are:
8172
8173 @table @code
8174 @item all
8175 The values of all arguments are printed.
8176
8177 @item scalars
8178 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8179 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8180 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8181 only scalar arguments are shown:
8182
8183 @smallexample
8184 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8185 at frame-args.c:23
8186 @end smallexample
8187
8188 @item none
8189 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8190 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8191
8192 @smallexample
8193 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8194 at frame-args.c:23
8195 @end smallexample
8196 @end table
8197
8198 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8199 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8200 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8201 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8202 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8203 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8204 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8205 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8206 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8207 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8208
8209 @item show print frame-arguments
8210 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8211
8212 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8213 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8214 @kindex set print entry-values
8215 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8216 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8217 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8218 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8219 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8220
8221 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8222 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8223 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8224 @code{no} setting.
8225
8226 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8227 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8228 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8229 this information.
8230
8231 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8232
8233 @table @code
8234 @item no
8235 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8236 point.
8237 @smallexample
8238 #0 equal (val=5)
8239 #0 different (val=6)
8240 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8241 #0 born (val=10)
8242 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8243 @end smallexample
8244
8245 @item only
8246 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8247 values are never printed.
8248 @smallexample
8249 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8250 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8251 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8252 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8253 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8254 @end smallexample
8255
8256 @item preferred
8257 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8258 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8259 value for such parameter.
8260 @smallexample
8261 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8262 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8263 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8264 #0 born (val=10)
8265 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8266 @end smallexample
8267
8268 @item if-needed
8269 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8270 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8271 parameter.
8272 @smallexample
8273 #0 equal (val=5)
8274 #0 different (val=6)
8275 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8276 #0 born (val=10)
8277 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8278 @end smallexample
8279
8280 @item both
8281 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8282 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8283 optimizations.
8284 @smallexample
8285 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8286 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8287 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8288 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8289 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8290 @end smallexample
8291
8292 @item compact
8293 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8294 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8295 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8296 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8297 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8298 @smallexample
8299 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8300 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8301 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8302 #0 born (val=10)
8303 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8304 @end smallexample
8305
8306 @item default
8307 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8308 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8309 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8310 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8311 @smallexample
8312 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8313 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8314 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8315 #0 born (val=10)
8316 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8317 @end smallexample
8318 @end table
8319
8320 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8321 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8322
8323 @item show print entry-values
8324 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8325 entry.
8326
8327 @item set print repeats
8328 @cindex repeated array elements
8329 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8330 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8331 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8332 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8333 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8334 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8335 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8336
8337 @item show print repeats
8338 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8339 elements.
8340
8341 @item set print null-stop
8342 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8343 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8344 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8345 contain only short strings.
8346 The default is off.
8347
8348 @item show print null-stop
8349 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8350 @sc{null} character.
8351
8352 @item set print pretty on
8353 @cindex print structures in indented form
8354 @cindex indentation in structure display
8355 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8356 per line, like this:
8357
8358 @smallexample
8359 @group
8360 $1 = @{
8361 next = 0x0,
8362 flags = @{
8363 sweet = 1,
8364 sour = 1
8365 @},
8366 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8367 @}
8368 @end group
8369 @end smallexample
8370
8371 @item set print pretty off
8372 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8373
8374 @smallexample
8375 @group
8376 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8377 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8378 @end group
8379 @end smallexample
8380
8381 @noindent
8382 This is the default format.
8383
8384 @item show print pretty
8385 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8386
8387 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8388 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8389 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8390 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8391 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8392 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8393 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8394 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8395
8396 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8397 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8398 international character sets, and is the default.
8399
8400 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8401 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8402
8403 @item set print union on
8404 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8405 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8406 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8407
8408 @item set print union off
8409 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8410 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8411 instead.
8412
8413 @item show print union
8414 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8415 structures and other unions.
8416
8417 For example, given the declarations
8418
8419 @smallexample
8420 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8421 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8422 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8423 Bug_forms;
8424
8425 struct thing @{
8426 Species it;
8427 union @{
8428 Tree_forms tree;
8429 Bug_forms bug;
8430 @} form;
8431 @};
8432
8433 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8434 @end smallexample
8435
8436 @noindent
8437 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8438
8439 @smallexample
8440 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8441 @end smallexample
8442
8443 @noindent
8444 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8445
8446 @smallexample
8447 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8448 @end smallexample
8449
8450 @noindent
8451 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8452 and in Pascal.
8453 @end table
8454
8455 @need 1000
8456 @noindent
8457 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8458
8459 @table @code
8460 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8461 @item set print demangle
8462 @itemx set print demangle on
8463 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8464 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8465 linkage. The default is on.
8466
8467 @item show print demangle
8468 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8469
8470 @item set print asm-demangle
8471 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8472 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8473 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8474 The default is off.
8475
8476 @item show print asm-demangle
8477 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8478 or demangled form.
8479
8480 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8481 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8482 @kindex set demangle-style
8483 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8484 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8485 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8486
8487 @table @code
8488 @item auto
8489 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8490
8491 @item gnu
8492 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8493 This is the default.
8494
8495 @item hp
8496 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8497
8498 @item lucid
8499 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8500
8501 @item arm
8502 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8503 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8504 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8505 require further enhancement to permit that.
8506
8507 @end table
8508 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8509
8510 @item show demangle-style
8511 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8512
8513 @item set print object
8514 @itemx set print object on
8515 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8516 @cindex display derived types
8517 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8518 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8519 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8520 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8521 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8522 type is sufficient.
8523
8524 @item set print object off
8525 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8526 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8527
8528 @item show print object
8529 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8530
8531 @item set print static-members
8532 @itemx set print static-members on
8533 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8534 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8535
8536 @item set print static-members off
8537 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8538
8539 @item show print static-members
8540 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8541
8542 @item set print pascal_static-members
8543 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8544 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8545 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8546 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8547
8548 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8549 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8550
8551 @item show print pascal_static-members
8552 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8553
8554 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8555 @item set print vtbl
8556 @itemx set print vtbl on
8557 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8558 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8559 @cindex VTBL display
8560 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8561 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8562 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8563
8564 @item set print vtbl off
8565 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8566
8567 @item show print vtbl
8568 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8569 @end table
8570
8571 @node Pretty Printing
8572 @section Pretty Printing
8573
8574 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8575 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8576 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8577
8578 @menu
8579 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8580 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8581 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8582 @end menu
8583
8584 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8585 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8586
8587 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8588 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8589 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8590
8591 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8592 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8593 pretty-printers with their names.
8594 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8595 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8596 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8597 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8598
8599 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8600 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8601 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8602 do anything special.
8603
8604 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8605
8606 @itemize @bullet
8607 @item
8608 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8609 all inferiors.
8610
8611 @item
8612 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8613 when debugging that program.
8614 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8615
8616 @item
8617 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8618 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8619 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8620 @end itemize
8621
8622 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8623 pretty-printers are selected,
8624
8625 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8626 for new types.
8627
8628 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8629 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8630
8631 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8632
8633 @smallexample
8634 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8635 $1 = @{
8636 static npos = 4294967295,
8637 _M_dataplus = @{
8638 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8639 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8640 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8641 @},
8642 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8643 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8644 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8645 @}
8646 @}
8647 @end smallexample
8648
8649 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8650
8651 @smallexample
8652 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8653 $2 = "abcd"
8654 @end smallexample
8655
8656 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8657 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8658 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8659
8660 @table @code
8661 @kindex info pretty-printer
8662 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8663 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8664 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8665
8666 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8667 whose pretty-printers to list.
8668 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8669 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8670 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8671 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8672 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8673
8674 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8675 to list.
8676
8677 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8678 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8679 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8680 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8681
8682 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8683 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8684 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8685 @end table
8686
8687 Example:
8688
8689 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8690 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8691 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8692 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8693
8694 @smallexample
8695 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8696 library1.so:
8697 foo
8698 library2.so:
8699 bar
8700 bar1
8701 bar2
8702 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8703 library2.so:
8704 bar
8705 bar1
8706 bar2
8707 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8708 1 printer disabled
8709 2 of 3 printers enabled
8710 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8711 library1.so:
8712 foo [disabled]
8713 library2.so:
8714 bar
8715 bar1
8716 bar2
8717 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8718 1 printer disabled
8719 1 of 3 printers enabled
8720 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8721 library1.so:
8722 foo [disabled]
8723 library2.so:
8724 bar
8725 bar1 [disabled]
8726 bar2
8727 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8728 1 printer disabled
8729 0 of 3 printers enabled
8730 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8731 library1.so:
8732 foo [disabled]
8733 library2.so:
8734 bar [disabled]
8735 bar1 [disabled]
8736 bar2
8737 @end smallexample
8738
8739 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8740 as can each individual subprinter.
8741
8742 @node Value History
8743 @section Value History
8744
8745 @cindex value history
8746 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8747 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8748 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8749 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8750 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8751 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8752 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8753 symbol table.
8754
8755 @cindex @code{$}
8756 @cindex @code{$$}
8757 @cindex history number
8758 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8759 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8760 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8761 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8762 history number.
8763
8764 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8765 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8766 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8767 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8768 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8769 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8770 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8771
8772 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8773 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8774
8775 @smallexample
8776 p *$
8777 @end smallexample
8778
8779 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8780 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8781
8782 @smallexample
8783 p *$.next
8784 @end smallexample
8785
8786 @noindent
8787 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8788 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8789
8790 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8791 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8792
8793 @smallexample
8794 print x
8795 set x=5
8796 @end smallexample
8797
8798 @noindent
8799 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8800 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8801
8802 @table @code
8803 @kindex show values
8804 @item show values
8805 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8806 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8807 values} does not change the history.
8808
8809 @item show values @var{n}
8810 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8811
8812 @item show values +
8813 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8814 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8815 @end table
8816
8817 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8818 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8819
8820 @node Convenience Vars
8821 @section Convenience Variables
8822
8823 @cindex convenience variables
8824 @cindex user-defined variables
8825 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8826 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8827 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8828 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8829 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8830
8831 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8832 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8833 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8834 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8835 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8836
8837 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8838 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8839 For example:
8840
8841 @smallexample
8842 set $foo = *object_ptr
8843 @end smallexample
8844
8845 @noindent
8846 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8847 @code{object_ptr}.
8848
8849 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8850 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8851 value with another assignment at any time.
8852
8853 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8854 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8855 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8856 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8857
8858 @table @code
8859 @kindex show convenience
8860 @cindex show all user variables
8861 @item show convenience
8862 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8863 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8864
8865 @kindex init-if-undefined
8866 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8867 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8868 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8869 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8870 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8871 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8872 override default values used in a command script.
8873
8874 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8875 any side-effects do not occur.
8876 @end table
8877
8878 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8879 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8880 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8881
8882 @smallexample
8883 set $i = 0
8884 print bar[$i++]->contents
8885 @end smallexample
8886
8887 @noindent
8888 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8889
8890 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8891 values likely to be useful.
8892
8893 @table @code
8894 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8895 @item $_
8896 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8897 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8898 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8899 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8900 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8901 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8902 to the type of @code{$__}.
8903
8904 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8905 @item $__
8906 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8907 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8908 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8909
8910 @item $_exitcode
8911 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8912 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8913 the program being debugged terminates.
8914
8915 @item $_sdata
8916 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8917 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8918 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8919 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8920 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8921
8922 @item $_siginfo
8923 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8924 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8925 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8926 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8927 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8928
8929 @item $_tlb
8930 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8931 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8932 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8933 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8934 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8935 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8936
8937 @end table
8938
8939 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8940 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8941 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8942
8943 @cindex convenience functions
8944 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8945 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8946 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8947 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8948 @value{GDBN}.
8949
8950 @table @code
8951 @item help function
8952 @kindex help function
8953 @cindex show all convenience functions
8954 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8955 @end table
8956
8957 @node Registers
8958 @section Registers
8959
8960 @cindex registers
8961 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8962 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8963 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8964 your machine.
8965
8966 @table @code
8967 @kindex info registers
8968 @item info registers
8969 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8970 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8971
8972 @kindex info all-registers
8973 @cindex floating point registers
8974 @item info all-registers
8975 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8976 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8977
8978 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8979 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8980 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8981 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8982 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8983 @end table
8984
8985 @cindex stack pointer register
8986 @cindex program counter register
8987 @cindex process status register
8988 @cindex frame pointer register
8989 @cindex standard registers
8990 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8991 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8992 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8993 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8994 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8995 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8996 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8997 you could print the program counter in hex with
8998
8999 @smallexample
9000 p/x $pc
9001 @end smallexample
9002
9003 @noindent
9004 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9005
9006 @smallexample
9007 x/i $pc
9008 @end smallexample
9009
9010 @noindent
9011 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9012 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9013 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9014 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9015 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9016 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9017 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9018
9019 @smallexample
9020 set $sp += 4
9021 @end smallexample
9022
9023 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9024 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9025 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9026 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9027 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9028 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9029 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9030
9031 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9032 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9033 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9034 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9035 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9036 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9037 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9038
9039 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9040 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9041 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9042 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9043 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9044 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9045 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9046 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9047 prints the data in both formats.
9048
9049 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9050 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9051 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9052 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9053 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9054 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9055 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9056
9057 @smallexample
9058 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9059 $1 = @{
9060 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9061 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9062 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9063 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9064 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9065 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9066 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9067 @}
9068 @end smallexample
9069
9070 @noindent
9071 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9072 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9073 value to a @code{struct} member:
9074
9075 @smallexample
9076 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9077 @end smallexample
9078
9079 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9080 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9081 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9082 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9083 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9084 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9085
9086 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9087 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9088 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9089 frame makes no difference.
9090
9091 @node Floating Point Hardware
9092 @section Floating Point Hardware
9093 @cindex floating point
9094
9095 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9096 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9097
9098 @table @code
9099 @kindex info float
9100 @item info float
9101 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9102 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9103 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9104 the ARM and x86 machines.
9105 @end table
9106
9107 @node Vector Unit
9108 @section Vector Unit
9109 @cindex vector unit
9110
9111 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9112 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9113
9114 @table @code
9115 @kindex info vector
9116 @item info vector
9117 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9118 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9119 @end table
9120
9121 @node OS Information
9122 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9123 @cindex OS information
9124
9125 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9126 you debug your program.
9127
9128 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
9129 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
9130 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
9131 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
9132 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
9133 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
9134 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
9135 structure.
9136
9137 @table @code
9138 @item info udot
9139 @kindex info udot
9140 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
9141 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
9142 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
9143 the @code{examine} command.
9144 @end table
9145
9146 @cindex auxiliary vector
9147 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9148 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9149 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9150 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9151 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9152 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9153 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9154 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9155 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9156 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9157 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9158 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9159
9160 @table @code
9161 @kindex info auxv
9162 @item info auxv
9163 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9164 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9165 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9166 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9167 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9168 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9169 an unrecognized tag.
9170 @end table
9171
9172 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
9173 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
9174 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9175 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9176
9177 @table @code
9178 @kindex info os
9179 @item info os
9180 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
9181 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
9182 report an error.
9183
9184 @kindex info os processes
9185 @item info os processes
9186 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9187 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
9188 the command corresponding to the process.
9189 @end table
9190
9191 @node Memory Region Attributes
9192 @section Memory Region Attributes
9193 @cindex memory region attributes
9194
9195 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9196 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9197 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9198 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9199 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9200 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9201 user can override the fetched regions.
9202
9203 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9204 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9205 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9206 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9207 all memory.
9208
9209 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9210 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9211
9212 @table @code
9213 @kindex mem
9214 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9215 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9216 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9217 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9218 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9219 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9220
9221 @item mem auto
9222 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9223 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9224
9225 @kindex delete mem
9226 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9227 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9228 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9229
9230 @kindex disable mem
9231 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9232 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9233 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9234 It may be enabled again later.
9235
9236 @kindex enable mem
9237 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9238 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9239
9240 @kindex info mem
9241 @item info mem
9242 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9243 for each region:
9244
9245 @table @emph
9246 @item Memory Region Number
9247 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9248 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9249 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9250
9251 @item Lo Address
9252 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9253
9254 @item Hi Address
9255 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9256
9257 @item Attributes
9258 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9259 @end table
9260 @end table
9261
9262
9263 @subsection Attributes
9264
9265 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9266 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9267 write accesses to a memory region.
9268
9269 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9270 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9271 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9272
9273 @table @code
9274 @item ro
9275 Memory is read only.
9276 @item wo
9277 Memory is write only.
9278 @item rw
9279 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9280 @end table
9281
9282 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9283 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9284 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9285 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9286 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9287
9288 @table @code
9289 @item 8
9290 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9291 @item 16
9292 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9293 @item 32
9294 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9295 @item 64
9296 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9297 @end table
9298
9299 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9300 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9301 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9302 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9303 @c
9304 @c @table @code
9305 @c @item hwbreak
9306 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9307 @c @item swbreak (default)
9308 @c @end table
9309
9310 @subsubsection Data Cache
9311 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9312 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9313 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9314 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9315 registers.
9316
9317 @table @code
9318 @item cache
9319 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9320 @item nocache
9321 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9322 @end table
9323
9324 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9325 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9326 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9327 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9328 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9329
9330 @table @code
9331 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9332 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9333 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9334 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9335 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9336 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9337 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9338 The default value is @code{on}.
9339 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9340 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9341 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9342 @end table
9343
9344
9345 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9346 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9347 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9348 @c
9349 @c @table @code
9350 @c @item verify
9351 @c @item noverify (default)
9352 @c @end table
9353
9354 @node Dump/Restore Files
9355 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9356 @cindex dump/restore files
9357 @cindex append data to a file
9358 @cindex dump data to a file
9359 @cindex restore data from a file
9360
9361 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9362 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9363 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9364 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9365 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9366 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9367 files.
9368
9369 @table @code
9370
9371 @kindex dump
9372 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9373 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9374 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9375 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9376
9377 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9378 @table @code
9379 @item binary
9380 Raw binary form.
9381 @item ihex
9382 Intel hex format.
9383 @item srec
9384 Motorola S-record format.
9385 @item tekhex
9386 Tektronix Hex format.
9387 @end table
9388
9389 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9390 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9391 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9392 form.
9393
9394 @kindex append
9395 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9396 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9397 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9398 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9399 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9400
9401 @kindex restore
9402 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9403 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9404 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9405 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9406 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9407
9408 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9409 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9410 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9411 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9412 from that location.
9413
9414 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9415 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9416 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9417 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9418
9419 @end table
9420
9421 @node Core File Generation
9422 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9423 @cindex dump core from inferior
9424
9425 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9426 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9427 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9428 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9429 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9430 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9431 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9432
9433 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9434 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9435 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9436
9437 @table @code
9438 @kindex gcore
9439 @kindex generate-core-file
9440 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9441 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9442 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9443 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9444 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9445 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9446
9447 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9448 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9449 @end table
9450
9451 @node Character Sets
9452 @section Character Sets
9453 @cindex character sets
9454 @cindex charset
9455 @cindex translating between character sets
9456 @cindex host character set
9457 @cindex target character set
9458
9459 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9460 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9461 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9462 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9463 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9464 @dfn{target character set}.
9465
9466 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9467 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9468 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9469 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9470 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9471 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9472 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9473 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9474 character and string literals in expressions.
9475
9476 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9477 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9478 target-charset} command, described below.
9479
9480 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9481 support:
9482
9483 @table @code
9484 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9485 @kindex set target-charset
9486 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9487 list of supported target character sets, type
9488 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9489
9490 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9491 @kindex set host-charset
9492 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9493
9494 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9495 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9496 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9497 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9498 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9499
9500 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9501 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9502 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9503
9504 @item set charset @var{charset}
9505 @kindex set charset
9506 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9507 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9508 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9509 for both host and target.
9510
9511 @item show charset
9512 @kindex show charset
9513 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9514
9515 @item show host-charset
9516 @kindex show host-charset
9517 Show the name of the current host character set.
9518
9519 @item show target-charset
9520 @kindex show target-charset
9521 Show the name of the current target character set.
9522
9523 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9524 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9525 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9526 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9527 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9528 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9529
9530 @item show target-wide-charset
9531 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9532 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9533 @end table
9534
9535 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9536 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9537 @file{charset-test.c}:
9538
9539 @smallexample
9540 #include <stdio.h>
9541
9542 char ascii_hello[]
9543 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9544 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9545 char ibm1047_hello[]
9546 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9547 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9548
9549 main ()
9550 @{
9551 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9552 @}
9553 @end smallexample
9554
9555 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9556 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9557 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9558
9559 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9560
9561 @smallexample
9562 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9563 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9564 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9565 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9566 @dots{}
9567 (@value{GDBP})
9568 @end smallexample
9569
9570 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9571 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9572 strings:
9573
9574 @smallexample
9575 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9576 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9577 (@value{GDBP})
9578 @end smallexample
9579
9580 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9581 initial character set:
9582 @smallexample
9583 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9584 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9585 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9586 (@value{GDBP})
9587 @end smallexample
9588
9589 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9590 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9591 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9592 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9593 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9594
9595 @smallexample
9596 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9597 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9598 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9599 $2 = 72 'H'
9600 (@value{GDBP})
9601 @end smallexample
9602
9603 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9604 literals you use in expressions:
9605
9606 @smallexample
9607 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9608 $3 = 43 '+'
9609 (@value{GDBP})
9610 @end smallexample
9611
9612 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9613 character.
9614
9615 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9616 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9617 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9618
9619 @smallexample
9620 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9621 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9622 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9623 $5 = 200 '\310'
9624 (@value{GDBP})
9625 @end smallexample
9626
9627 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9628 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9629
9630 @smallexample
9631 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9632 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9633 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9634 @end smallexample
9635
9636 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9637 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9638 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9639 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9640 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9641
9642 @smallexample
9643 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9644 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9645 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9646 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9647 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9648 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9649 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9650 $7 = 72 '\110'
9651 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9652 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9653 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9654 $9 = 200 'H'
9655 (@value{GDBP})
9656 @end smallexample
9657
9658 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9659 string literals you use in expressions:
9660
9661 @smallexample
9662 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9663 $10 = 78 '+'
9664 (@value{GDBP})
9665 @end smallexample
9666
9667 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9668 character.
9669
9670 @node Caching Remote Data
9671 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9672 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9673
9674 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9675 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9676 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9677 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9678 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9679 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9680 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9681 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9682 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9683 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9684 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9685 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9686 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9687 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9688 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9689
9690 @table @code
9691 @kindex set remotecache
9692 @item set remotecache on
9693 @itemx set remotecache off
9694 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9695 with old scripts.
9696
9697 @kindex show remotecache
9698 @item show remotecache
9699 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9700
9701 @kindex set stack-cache
9702 @item set stack-cache on
9703 @itemx set stack-cache off
9704 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9705 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9706
9707 @kindex show stack-cache
9708 @item show stack-cache
9709 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9710
9711 @kindex info dcache
9712 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9713 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9714 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9715 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9716 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9717 operation.
9718
9719 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9720 printed in hex.
9721
9722 @item set dcache size @var{size}
9723 @cindex dcache size
9724 @kindex set dcache size
9725 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
9726
9727 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
9728 @cindex dcache line-size
9729 @kindex set dcache line-size
9730 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
9731 Must be a power of 2.
9732
9733 @item show dcache size
9734 @kindex show dcache size
9735 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9736
9737 @item show dcache line-size
9738 @kindex show dcache line-size
9739 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9740
9741 @end table
9742
9743 @node Searching Memory
9744 @section Search Memory
9745 @cindex searching memory
9746
9747 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9748 @code{find} command.
9749
9750 @table @code
9751 @kindex find
9752 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9753 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9754 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9755 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9756 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9757 @end table
9758
9759 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9760 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9761
9762 @table @r
9763 @item @var{s}, search query size
9764 The size of each search query value.
9765
9766 @table @code
9767 @item b
9768 bytes
9769 @item h
9770 halfwords (two bytes)
9771 @item w
9772 words (four bytes)
9773 @item g
9774 giant words (eight bytes)
9775 @end table
9776
9777 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9778 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9779 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9780
9781 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9782 value's type in the current language.
9783 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9784 pattern as a mixture of types.
9785 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9786 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9787 which is typically four bytes.
9788
9789 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9790 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9791 @end table
9792
9793 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9794 (@code{"}).
9795 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9796 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9797
9798 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9799 number of matches found.
9800
9801 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9802 @samp{$_}.
9803 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9804
9805 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9806
9807 @smallexample
9808 void
9809 hello ()
9810 @{
9811 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9812 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9813 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9814 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9815 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9816 @}
9817 @end smallexample
9818
9819 @noindent
9820 you get during debugging:
9821
9822 @smallexample
9823 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9824 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9825 1 pattern found
9826 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9827 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9828 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9829 2 patterns found
9830 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9831 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9832 1 pattern found
9833 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9834 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9835 1 pattern found
9836 (gdb) print $numfound
9837 $1 = 1
9838 (gdb) print $_
9839 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9840 @end smallexample
9841
9842 @node Optimized Code
9843 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9844 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9845 @cindex debugging optimized code
9846
9847 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9848 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9849 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9850 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9851 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9852 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9853 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9854
9855 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9856 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9857 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9858 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9859
9860 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9861 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9862 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9863 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9864 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9865 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9866
9867 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9868 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9869 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9870 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9871 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9872
9873 @menu
9874 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9875 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
9876 @end menu
9877
9878 @node Inline Functions
9879 @section Inline Functions
9880 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9881
9882 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9883 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9884 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9885 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9886 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9887 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9888 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9889 @code{info frame} command.
9890
9891 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9892 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9893 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9894 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9895 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9896 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9897 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9898 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9899 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9900 local variables in the caller.
9901
9902 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9903 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9904 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9905 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9906 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9907 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9908 instructions are executed.
9909
9910 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9911 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9912 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9913 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9914
9915 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9916 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9917
9918 @itemize @bullet
9919 @item
9920 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9921 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9922 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9923 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9924 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9925 or inside the inlined function instead.
9926
9927 @item
9928 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9929 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9930 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9931 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9932
9933 @end itemize
9934
9935 @node Tail Call Frames
9936 @section Tail Call Frames
9937 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
9938
9939 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
9940 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
9941 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
9942 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
9943 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
9944
9945 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
9946 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
9947 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
9948 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
9949 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
9950 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
9951 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
9952
9953 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9954 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9955 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9956 this information.
9957
9958 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
9959 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
9960
9961 @smallexample
9962 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
9963 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
9964 (gdb) info frame
9965 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
9966 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
9967 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
9968 source language c++.
9969 Arglist at unknown address.
9970 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
9971 @end smallexample
9972
9973 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
9974 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
9975 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
9976 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
9977 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
9978 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
9979
9980 @table @code
9981 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
9982 @item set debug entry-values
9983 @kindex set debug entry-values
9984 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
9985 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
9986 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
9987 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
9988 result.
9989
9990 @item show debug entry-values
9991 @kindex show debug entry-values
9992 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
9993 values at function entry and tail calls.
9994 @end table
9995
9996 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
9997 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
9998 reference by variable @code{x}):
9999
10000 @smallexample
10001 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10002 void (*x) (void) = c;
10003 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10004 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10005 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10006
10007 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10008 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10009 a () at t.c:3
10010 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10011 (gdb) bt
10012 #0 a () at t.c:3
10013 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10014 @end smallexample
10015
10016 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10017
10018 @smallexample
10019 int i;
10020 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10021 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10022 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10023 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10024 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10025 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10026 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10027 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10028
10029 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10030 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10031 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10032 (gdb) bt
10033 #0 f () at t.c:2
10034 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10035 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10036 @end smallexample
10037
10038 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10039 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10040
10041 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10042 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10043 @set ARROW @click{}
10044 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10045 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10046 @end ifset
10047 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10048 @set ARROW ->
10049 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10050 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10051 @end ifclear
10052
10053 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10054 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10055 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10056
10057 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10058 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10059 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10060 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10061 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10062 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10063
10064 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10065 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10066 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10067 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10068 omitted.
10069
10070 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10071 entry may fail:
10072
10073 @smallexample
10074 int v;
10075 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10076 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10077 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10078 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10079 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10080 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10081
10082 (gdb) bt
10083 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10084 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10085 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10086 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10087 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10088 @end smallexample
10089
10090 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10091 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10092 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10093 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10094 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10095
10096 @node Macros
10097 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10098
10099 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10100 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10101 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10102 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10103 where it was defined.
10104
10105 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10106 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10107 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10108 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10109
10110 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10111 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10112 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10113 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10114 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10115 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10116 see @ref{List}.
10117
10118 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10119 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10120 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10121
10122 @table @code
10123
10124 @kindex macro expand
10125 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10126 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10127 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10128 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10129 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10130 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10131 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10132 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10133 it can be any string of tokens.
10134
10135 @kindex macro exp1
10136 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10137 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10138 @cindex expand macro once
10139 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10140 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10141 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10142 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10143 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10144 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10145 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10146 can be any string of tokens.
10147
10148 @kindex info macro
10149 @cindex macro definition, showing
10150 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10151 @cindex macros, from debug info
10152 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10153 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10154 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10155 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10156 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10157 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10158
10159 @kindex info macros
10160 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10161 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10162 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10163 command-line where those definitions were established.
10164
10165 @kindex macro define
10166 @cindex user-defined macros
10167 @cindex defining macros interactively
10168 @cindex macros, user-defined
10169 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10170 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10171 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10172 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10173 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10174 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10175 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10176 @var{arglist}.
10177
10178 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10179 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10180 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10181 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10182 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10183
10184 @kindex macro undef
10185 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10186 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10187 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10188 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10189 in the program being debugged.
10190
10191 @kindex macro list
10192 @item macro list
10193 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10194 @end table
10195
10196 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10197 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10198 show our source files:
10199
10200 @smallexample
10201 $ cat sample.c
10202 #include <stdio.h>
10203 #include "sample.h"
10204
10205 #define M 42
10206 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10207
10208 main ()
10209 @{
10210 #define N 28
10211 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10212 #undef N
10213 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10214 #define N 1729
10215 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10216 @}
10217 $ cat sample.h
10218 #define Q <
10219 $
10220 @end smallexample
10221
10222 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10223 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10224 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10225 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10226 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10227 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10228 information.
10229
10230 @smallexample
10231 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10232 $
10233 @end smallexample
10234
10235 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10236
10237 @smallexample
10238 $ gdb -nw sample
10239 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10240 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10241 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10242 (@value{GDBP})
10243 @end smallexample
10244
10245 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10246 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10247 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10248
10249 @smallexample
10250 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10251 3
10252 4 #define M 42
10253 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10254 6
10255 7 main ()
10256 8 @{
10257 9 #define N 28
10258 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10259 11 #undef N
10260 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10261 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10262 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10263 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10264 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10265 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10266 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10267 #define Q <
10268 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10269 expands to: (42 + 1)
10270 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10271 expands to: once (M + 1)
10272 (@value{GDBP})
10273 @end smallexample
10274
10275 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10276 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10277 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10278 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10279
10280 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10281 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10282
10283 @smallexample
10284 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10285 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10286 (@value{GDBP}) run
10287 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10288
10289 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10290 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10291 (@value{GDBP})
10292 @end smallexample
10293
10294 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10295
10296 @smallexample
10297 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10298 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10299 #define N 28
10300 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10301 expands to: 28 < 42
10302 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10303 $1 = 1
10304 (@value{GDBP})
10305 @end smallexample
10306
10307 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10308 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10309 thereof) in force at each point:
10310
10311 @smallexample
10312 (@value{GDBP}) next
10313 Hello, world!
10314 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10315 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10316 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10317 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10318 (@value{GDBP}) next
10319 We're so creative.
10320 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10321 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10322 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10323 #define N 1729
10324 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10325 expands to: 1729 < 42
10326 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10327 $2 = 0
10328 (@value{GDBP})
10329 @end smallexample
10330
10331 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10332 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10333 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10334 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10335
10336 @smallexample
10337 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10338 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10339 -D__STDC__=1
10340 (@value{GDBP})
10341 @end smallexample
10342
10343
10344 @node Tracepoints
10345 @chapter Tracepoints
10346 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10347 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10348
10349 @cindex tracepoints
10350 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10351 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10352 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10353 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10354 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10355 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10356 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10357
10358 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10359 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10360 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10361 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10362 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10363 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10364 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10365 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10366 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10367 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10368 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10369
10370 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10371 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10372 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10373 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10374 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10375 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10376 Packets}.
10377
10378 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10379 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10380 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10381
10382 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10383
10384 @menu
10385 * Set Tracepoints::
10386 * Analyze Collected Data::
10387 * Tracepoint Variables::
10388 * Trace Files::
10389 @end menu
10390
10391 @node Set Tracepoints
10392 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10393
10394 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10395 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10396 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10397 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10398 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10399 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10400 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10401
10402 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10403 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10404 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10405 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10406 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10407 tracepoint was hit.
10408
10409 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10410 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10411 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10412 either.
10413
10414 @cindex fast tracepoints
10415 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10416 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10417 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10418
10419 @cindex static tracepoints
10420 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10421 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10422 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10423 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10424 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10425 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10426 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10427 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10428 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10429 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10430 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10431 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10432 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10433 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10434 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10435 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10436 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10437 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10438 static tracepoint marker.
10439
10440 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10441 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10442
10443 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10444 conditions and actions.
10445
10446 @menu
10447 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10448 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10449 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10450 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10451 * Trace State Variables::
10452 * Tracepoint Actions::
10453 * Listing Tracepoints::
10454 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10455 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10456 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10457 @end menu
10458
10459 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10460 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10461
10462 @table @code
10463 @cindex set tracepoint
10464 @kindex trace
10465 @item trace @var{location}
10466 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10467 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10468 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10469 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10470 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10471 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10472 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
10473 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
10474 in tracing}).
10475 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
10476 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10477 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10478 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
10479 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
10480 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
10481 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
10482 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
10483 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
10484 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
10485 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
10486 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
10487
10488 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10489
10490 @smallexample
10491 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10492
10493 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10494
10495 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10496
10497 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10498
10499 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10500 @end smallexample
10501
10502 @noindent
10503 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
10504
10505 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
10506 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
10507 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
10508 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
10509 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
10510 information on tracepoint conditions.
10511
10512 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10513 @cindex set fast tracepoint
10514 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
10515 @kindex ftrace
10516 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
10517 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
10518 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
10519 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
10520 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
10521 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
10522 message.
10523
10524 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
10525 @code{trace}.
10526
10527 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
10528 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
10529 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
10530 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
10531 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
10532 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
10533 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
10534 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
10535
10536 @example
10537 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
10538 @end example
10539
10540 @noindent
10541 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
10542 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
10543
10544 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10545 @cindex set static tracepoint
10546 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
10547 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
10548 @kindex strace
10549 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
10550 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
10551 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
10552 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
10553 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
10554
10555 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
10556 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
10557 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
10558 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
10559 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
10560 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
10561 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
10562 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
10563 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
10564 tracing engine:
10565
10566 @smallexample
10567 main ()
10568 @{
10569 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
10570 @}
10571 @end smallexample
10572
10573 @noindent
10574 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
10575 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
10576
10577 @smallexample
10578 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10579 Cnt Enb ID Address What
10580 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
10581 Data: "str %s"
10582 [etc...]
10583 @end smallexample
10584
10585 @noindent
10586 so you may probe the marker above with:
10587
10588 @smallexample
10589 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
10590 @end smallexample
10591
10592 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
10593 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
10594 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
10595 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
10596 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
10597 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
10598 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
10599 the @samp{Data:} field.
10600
10601 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
10602 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
10603 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
10604
10605 @vindex $tpnum
10606 @cindex last tracepoint number
10607 @cindex recent tracepoint number
10608 @cindex tracepoint number
10609 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10610 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10611
10612 @kindex delete tracepoint
10613 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10614 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10615 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10616 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10617 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10618
10619 Examples:
10620
10621 @smallexample
10622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10623
10624 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10625 @end smallexample
10626
10627 @noindent
10628 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10629 @end table
10630
10631 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10632 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10633
10634 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10635
10636 @table @code
10637 @kindex disable tracepoint
10638 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10639 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10640 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10641 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10642 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10643 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10644 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10645 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10646 next trace experiment.
10647
10648 @kindex enable tracepoint
10649 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10650 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10651 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10652 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10653 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10654 next time a trace experiment is run.
10655 @end table
10656
10657 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10658 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10659
10660 @table @code
10661 @kindex passcount
10662 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10663 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10664 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10665 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10666 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10667 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10668 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10669 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10670 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10671 user.
10672
10673 Examples:
10674
10675 @smallexample
10676 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10677 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10678
10679 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10680 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10681 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10687 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10688 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10689 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10690 @end smallexample
10691 @end table
10692
10693 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10694 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10695 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10696 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10697
10698 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10699 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10700 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10701 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10702 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10703 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10704 is true.
10705
10706 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10707 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10708 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10709 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10710 just as with breakpoints.
10711
10712 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10713 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10714 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10715 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10716 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10717 accesses, and so forth.
10718
10719 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10720 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10721 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10722 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10723 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10724 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10725 search through.
10726
10727 @smallexample
10728 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10729 @end smallexample
10730
10731 @node Trace State Variables
10732 @subsection Trace State Variables
10733 @cindex trace state variables
10734
10735 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10736 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10737 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10738 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10739 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10740 integers.
10741
10742 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10743 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10744 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10745 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10746
10747 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10748 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10749 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10750 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10751 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10752 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10753 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10754 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10755 variable with the same name.
10756
10757 @table @code
10758
10759 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10760 @kindex tvariable
10761 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10762 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10763 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10764 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10765 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10766 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10767 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10768 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10769 value. The default initial value is 0.
10770
10771 @item info tvariables
10772 @kindex info tvariables
10773 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10774 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10775 currently running.
10776
10777 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10778 @kindex delete tvariable
10779 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10780 are specified.
10781
10782 @end table
10783
10784 @node Tracepoint Actions
10785 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10786
10787 @table @code
10788 @kindex actions
10789 @cindex tracepoint actions
10790 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10791 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10792 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10793 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10794 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10795 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10796 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10797 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10798 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10799 @code{while-stepping}.
10800
10801 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10802 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10803 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10804
10805 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10806 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10807 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10808
10809 @smallexample
10810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10811
10812 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10813
10814 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10815 @end smallexample
10816
10817 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10818 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10819 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10820 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10821 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10822 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10823 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10824 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10825
10826 @smallexample
10827 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10828 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10829 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10830 > collect bar,baz
10831 > collect $regs
10832 > while-stepping 12
10833 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10834 > end
10835 end
10836 @end smallexample
10837
10838 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10839 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10840 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10841 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10842 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10843 special arguments are supported:
10844
10845 @table @code
10846 @item $regs
10847 Collect all registers.
10848
10849 @item $args
10850 Collect all function arguments.
10851
10852 @item $locals
10853 Collect all local variables.
10854
10855 @item $_ret
10856 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
10857 of a backtrace.
10858
10859 @item $_sdata
10860 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10861 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10862 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10863 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10864 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10865 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10866 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10867 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10868 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10869
10870 @smallexample
10871 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10872 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10873 @end smallexample
10874
10875 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10876 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10877 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10878 @value{GDBN}.
10879 @end table
10880
10881 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10882 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10883 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10884
10885 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
10886 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
10887 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
10888 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
10889 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
10890 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
10891 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
10892 @samp{mystr}.
10893
10894 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10895 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10896
10897 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10898 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10899 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10900 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10901 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10902 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10903 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10904 action were used.
10905
10906 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10907 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10908 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10909 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10910 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10911 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10912
10913 @smallexample
10914 > while-stepping 12
10915 > collect $regs, myglobal
10916 > end
10917 >
10918 @end smallexample
10919
10920 @noindent
10921 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10922 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10923 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10924 @code{stepping}.
10925
10926 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10927 @kindex set default-collect
10928 @cindex default collection action
10929 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10930 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10931 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10932 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10933 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10934 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10935
10936 @item show default-collect
10937 @kindex show default-collect
10938 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10939 tracepoint hit.
10940
10941 @end table
10942
10943 @node Listing Tracepoints
10944 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10945
10946 @table @code
10947 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10948 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10949 @cindex information about tracepoints
10950 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10951 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10952 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10953 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10954 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10955 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10956
10957 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10958 tracing:
10959
10960 @itemize @bullet
10961 @item
10962 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10963 @end itemize
10964
10965 @smallexample
10966 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10967 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10968 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10969 while-stepping 20
10970 collect globfoo, $regs
10971 end
10972 collect globfoo2
10973 end
10974 pass count 1200
10975 (@value{GDBP})
10976 @end smallexample
10977
10978 @noindent
10979 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10980 @end table
10981
10982 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10983 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10984
10985 @table @code
10986 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10987 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10988 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10989 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10990 program.
10991
10992 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10993
10994 @table @emph
10995 @item Count
10996 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10997 stable identifier.
10998 @item ID
10999 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11000 @item Enabled or Disabled
11001 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11002 that are not enabled.
11003 @item Address
11004 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11005 @item What
11006 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11007 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11008 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11009 will be left blank.
11010 @end table
11011
11012 @noindent
11013 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11014
11015 @table @emph
11016 @item Data
11017 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11018 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11019 marker call.
11020 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11021 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11022 @end table
11023
11024 @smallexample
11025 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11026 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11027 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11028 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11029 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11030 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11031 Data: str %s
11032 (@value{GDBP})
11033 @end smallexample
11034 @end table
11035
11036 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11037 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11038
11039 @table @code
11040 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11041 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11042 @cindex collected data discarded
11043 @item tstart
11044 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11045 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11046 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11047 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11048 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11049 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11050 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11051 information, and so forth.
11052
11053 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11054 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11055 @item tstop
11056 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11057 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11058 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11059 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11060 needs to be stopped quickly.
11061
11062 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11063 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11064 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11065
11066 @kindex tstatus
11067 @cindex status of trace data collection
11068 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11069 @item tstatus
11070 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11071 collection.
11072 @end table
11073
11074 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11075
11076 @smallexample
11077 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11078 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11079 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11080 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11081 > while-stepping 11
11082 > collect $regs
11083 > end
11084 > end
11085 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11086 [time passes @dots{}]
11087 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11088 @end smallexample
11089
11090 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11091 @cindex disconnected tracing
11092 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11093 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11094 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11095 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11096 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11097 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11098 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11099 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11100
11101 @table @code
11102 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11103 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11104 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11105 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11106 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11107 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11108 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11109 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11110
11111 @item show disconnected-tracing
11112 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11113 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11114
11115 @end table
11116
11117 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11118 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11119 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11120 it will continue after reconnection.
11121
11122 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11123 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11124 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11125 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11126 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11127 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11128 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11129 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11130 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11131 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11132
11133 @cindex circular trace buffer
11134 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11135 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11136 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11137 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11138 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11139 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11140 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11141 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11142 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11143 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11144 the next run.
11145
11146 @table @code
11147 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11148 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11149 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11150 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11151 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11152 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11153 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11154
11155 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11156 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11157 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11158 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11159 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11160 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11161
11162 @end table
11163
11164 @table @code
11165 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11166 @kindex set trace-user
11167
11168 @item show trace-user
11169 @kindex show trace-user
11170
11171 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11172 @kindex set trace-notes
11173 Set the trace run's notes.
11174
11175 @item show trace-notes
11176 @kindex show trace-notes
11177 Show the trace run's notes.
11178
11179 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11180 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11181 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11182 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11183 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11184
11185 @item show trace-stop-notes
11186 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11187 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11188
11189 @end table
11190
11191 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11192 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11193
11194 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11195 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11196 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11197 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11198 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11199 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11200 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11201 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11202 mentioned here.
11203
11204 @itemize @bullet
11205
11206 @item
11207 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11208 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11209 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11210 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11211 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11212 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11213 cannot be collected either.
11214
11215 @item
11216 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11217 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11218 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11219 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11220 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11221 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11222 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11223 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11224 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11225 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11226
11227 @item
11228 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11229 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11230 in a misleading way.
11231
11232 @item
11233 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11234 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11235 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11236 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11237 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11238 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11239 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11240 by @code{ptr}.
11241
11242 @item
11243 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11244 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11245 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11246 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11247 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11248 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11249 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11250 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11251 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11252 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11253 invalid address.
11254
11255 @item
11256 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11257 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11258 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11259 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11260 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11261 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11262 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11263 it to zero.
11264
11265 @end itemize
11266
11267 @node Analyze Collected Data
11268 @section Using the Collected Data
11269
11270 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11271 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11272 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11273 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11274 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11275 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11276 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11277 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11278 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11279 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11280 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11281 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11282 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11283 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11284 the buffer will fail.
11285
11286 @menu
11287 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11288 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11289 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11290 @end menu
11291
11292 @node tfind
11293 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11294
11295 @kindex tfind
11296 @cindex select trace snapshot
11297 @cindex find trace snapshot
11298 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11299 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11300 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11301 snapshot is selected.
11302
11303 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11304
11305 @table @code
11306 @item tfind start
11307 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11308 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11309
11310 @item tfind none
11311 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11312
11313 @item tfind end
11314 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11315
11316 @item tfind
11317 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11318
11319 @item tfind -
11320 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11321 retracing earlier steps.
11322
11323 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11324 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11325 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11326 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11327 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11328
11329 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11330 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11331 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11332 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11333 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11334
11335 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11336 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11337 addresses (exclusive).
11338
11339 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11340 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11341 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11342
11343 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11344 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11345 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11346 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11347 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11348 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11349 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11350 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11351 @end table
11352
11353 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11354 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11355 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11356 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11357 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11358 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11359 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11360 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11361 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11362 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11363 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11364 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11365 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11366 tracepoint as the current one.
11367
11368 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11369 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11370 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11371 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11372 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11373
11374 @smallexample
11375 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11376 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11377 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11378 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11379 > tfind
11380 > end
11381
11382 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11383 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11384 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11385 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11386 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11387 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11388 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11389 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11390 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11391 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11392 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11393 @end smallexample
11394
11395 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11396 the buffer:
11397
11398 @smallexample
11399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11400 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11401 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11402 > tfind line
11403 > end
11404
11405 Frame 0, X = 1
11406 Frame 7, X = 2
11407 Frame 13, X = 255
11408 @end smallexample
11409
11410 @node tdump
11411 @subsection @code{tdump}
11412 @kindex tdump
11413 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11414 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11415
11416 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11417 the current trace snapshot.
11418
11419 @smallexample
11420 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11421 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11422 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11423 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11424 > end
11425
11426 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11427
11428 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11429 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11430 at gdb_test.c:444
11431 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11432
11433 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11434 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11435 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11436 d1 0x18 24
11437 d2 0x80 128
11438 d3 0x33 51
11439 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11440 d5 0x22 34
11441 d6 0xe0 224
11442 d7 0x380035 3670069
11443 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11444 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11445 a2 0x100 256
11446 a3 0x322000 3284992
11447 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11448 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11449 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11450 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11451 ps 0x0 0
11452 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11453 fpcontrol 0x0 0
11454 fpstatus 0x0 0
11455 fpiaddr 0x0 0
11456 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11457 p1 = (void *) 0x11
11458 p2 = (void *) 0x22
11459 p3 = (void *) 0x33
11460 p4 = (void *) 0x44
11461 p5 = (void *) 0x55
11462 p6 = (void *) 0x66
11463 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11464
11465 (@value{GDBP})
11466 @end smallexample
11467
11468 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11469 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11470 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11471 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11472
11473 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11474 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11475 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11476 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11477 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11478 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11479 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11480 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11481 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11482 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11483
11484 @node save tracepoints
11485 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11486 @kindex save tracepoints
11487 @kindex save-tracepoints
11488 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11489
11490 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11491 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11492 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11493 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
11494 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
11495 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
11496
11497 @node Tracepoint Variables
11498 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
11499 @cindex tracepoint variables
11500 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
11501
11502 @table @code
11503 @vindex $trace_frame
11504 @item (int) $trace_frame
11505 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
11506 snapshot is selected.
11507
11508 @vindex $tracepoint
11509 @item (int) $tracepoint
11510 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
11511
11512 @vindex $trace_line
11513 @item (int) $trace_line
11514 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
11515
11516 @vindex $trace_file
11517 @item (char []) $trace_file
11518 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
11519
11520 @vindex $trace_func
11521 @item (char []) $trace_func
11522 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
11523 @end table
11524
11525 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
11526 use @code{output} instead.
11527
11528 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
11529 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
11530 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
11531 which are managed by the target.
11532
11533 @smallexample
11534 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11535
11536 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
11537 > output $trace_file
11538 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
11539 > tfind
11540 > end
11541 @end smallexample
11542
11543 @node Trace Files
11544 @section Using Trace Files
11545 @cindex trace files
11546
11547 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
11548 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
11549 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
11550 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
11551 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
11552
11553 @table @code
11554
11555 @kindex tsave
11556 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
11557 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
11558 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
11559 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
11560 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
11561 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
11562 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
11563 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
11564 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
11565
11566 @kindex target tfile
11567 @kindex tfile
11568 @item target tfile @var{filename}
11569 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
11570 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
11571 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
11572 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
11573 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
11574 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
11575
11576 @end table
11577
11578 @node Overlays
11579 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
11580 @cindex overlays
11581
11582 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
11583 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
11584 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
11585 use overlays.
11586
11587 @menu
11588 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
11589 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
11590 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
11591 mapped by asking the inferior.
11592 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
11593 @end menu
11594
11595 @node How Overlays Work
11596 @section How Overlays Work
11597 @cindex mapped overlays
11598 @cindex unmapped overlays
11599 @cindex load address, overlay's
11600 @cindex mapped address
11601 @cindex overlay area
11602
11603 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
11604 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
11605 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
11606 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
11607 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
11608
11609 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
11610 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
11611 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
11612 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
11613 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
11614 largest overlay as well.
11615
11616 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
11617 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
11618 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
11619 there.
11620
11621 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
11622 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
11623 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
11624
11625 @smallexample
11626 @group
11627 Data Instruction Larger
11628 Address Space Address Space Address Space
11629 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
11630 | | | | | |
11631 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
11632 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
11633 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
11634 | and heap | | | | | |
11635 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
11636 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
11637 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
11638 | | | | | |
11639 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
11640 address | | | | | |
11641 | overlay | <-' | | |
11642 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
11643 | | <---. | | load address
11644 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
11645 | | | |
11646 +-----------+ | |
11647 +-----------+
11648 | |
11649 +-----------+
11650
11651 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
11652 @end group
11653 @end smallexample
11654
11655 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11656 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11657 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11658 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11659 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11660 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11661 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11662 program and the overlay area.
11663
11664 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11665 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11666 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11667 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11668 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11669 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11670 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11671
11672 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11673 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11674 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11675
11676 @itemize @bullet
11677
11678 @item
11679 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11680 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11681 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11682 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11683
11684 @item
11685 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11686 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11687 your program's performance.
11688
11689 @item
11690 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11691 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11692 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11693 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11694 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11695 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11696 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11697
11698 @item
11699 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11700 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11701 instruction and data spaces.
11702
11703 @end itemize
11704
11705 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11706 improved in many ways:
11707
11708 @itemize @bullet
11709
11710 @item
11711 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11712 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11713 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11714 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11715 area in the usual way.
11716
11717 @item
11718 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11719 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11720
11721 @item
11722 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11723 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11724 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11725 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11726 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11727 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11728 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11729
11730 @end itemize
11731
11732
11733 @node Overlay Commands
11734 @section Overlay Commands
11735
11736 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11737 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11738 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11739 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11740 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11741 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11742
11743 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11744 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11745
11746 @table @code
11747 @item overlay off
11748 @kindex overlay
11749 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11750 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11751 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11752 overlay support is disabled.
11753
11754 @item overlay manual
11755 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11756 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11757 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11758 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11759 commands described below.
11760
11761 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11762 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11763 @cindex map an overlay
11764 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11765 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11766 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11767 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11768 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11769 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11770
11771 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11772 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11773 @cindex unmap an overlay
11774 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11775 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11776 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11777 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11778
11779 @item overlay auto
11780 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11781 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11782 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11783 Overlay Debugging}.
11784
11785 @item overlay load-target
11786 @itemx overlay load
11787 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11788 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11789 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11790 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11791 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11792 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11793
11794 @item overlay list-overlays
11795 @itemx overlay list
11796 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11797 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11798 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11799
11800 @end table
11801
11802 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11803 of the function the address falls in:
11804
11805 @smallexample
11806 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11807 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11808 @end smallexample
11809 @noindent
11810 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11811 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11812 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11813 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11814
11815 @smallexample
11816 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11817 No sections are mapped.
11818 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11819 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11820 @end smallexample
11821 @noindent
11822 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11823 name normally:
11824
11825 @smallexample
11826 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11827 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11828 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11829 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11830 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11831 @end smallexample
11832
11833 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11834 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11835 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11836 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11837 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11838
11839 @itemize @bullet
11840 @item
11841 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11842 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11843 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11844 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11845 @item
11846 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11847 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11848 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11849 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11850 breakpoints properly.
11851 @end itemize
11852
11853
11854 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11855 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11856 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11857
11858 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11859 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11860 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11861 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11862 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11863 current state of the overlays.
11864
11865 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11866 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11867
11868 @table @asis
11869
11870 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11871 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11872
11873 @smallexample
11874 struct
11875 @{
11876 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11877 unsigned long vma;
11878
11879 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11880 unsigned long size;
11881
11882 /* The overlay's load address. */
11883 unsigned long lma;
11884
11885 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11886 zero otherwise. */
11887 unsigned long mapped;
11888 @}
11889 @end smallexample
11890
11891 @item @code{_novlys}:
11892 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11893 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11894
11895 @end table
11896
11897 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11898 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11899 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11900 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11901 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11902 currently mapped.
11903
11904 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11905 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11906 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11907 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11908 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11909 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11910 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11911 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11912 are not being executed.
11913
11914 @node Overlay Sample Program
11915 @section Overlay Sample Program
11916 @cindex overlay example program
11917
11918 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11919 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11920 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11921 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11922 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11923 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11924 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11925
11926 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11927 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11928 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11929 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11930
11931 @table @file
11932 @item overlays.c
11933 The main program file.
11934 @item ovlymgr.c
11935 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11936 @item foo.c
11937 @itemx bar.c
11938 @itemx baz.c
11939 @itemx grbx.c
11940 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11941 @item d10v.ld
11942 @itemx m32r.ld
11943 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11944 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11945 @end table
11946
11947 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11948 cross-compiler like this:
11949
11950 @smallexample
11951 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11952 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11953 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11954 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11955 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11956 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11957 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11958 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11959 @end smallexample
11960
11961 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11962 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11963 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11964
11965
11966 @node Languages
11967 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11968 @cindex languages
11969
11970 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11971 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11972 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11973 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11974 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11975 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11976
11977 @cindex working language
11978 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11979 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11980 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11981 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11982 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11983 language}.
11984
11985 @menu
11986 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11987 * Show:: Displaying the language
11988 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11989 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11990 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11991 @end menu
11992
11993 @node Setting
11994 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11995
11996 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11997 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11998 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11999 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12000 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12001 are printed, etc.
12002
12003 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12004 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12005 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12006 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12007 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12008 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12009 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12010 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12011 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12012 Displaying the Language}.
12013
12014 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12015 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12016 another language. In that case, make the
12017 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12018 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12019 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12020
12021 @menu
12022 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12023 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12024 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12025 @end menu
12026
12027 @node Filenames
12028 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12029
12030 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12031 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12032
12033 @table @file
12034 @item .ada
12035 @itemx .ads
12036 @itemx .adb
12037 @itemx .a
12038 Ada source file.
12039
12040 @item .c
12041 C source file
12042
12043 @item .C
12044 @itemx .cc
12045 @itemx .cp
12046 @itemx .cpp
12047 @itemx .cxx
12048 @itemx .c++
12049 C@t{++} source file
12050
12051 @item .d
12052 D source file
12053
12054 @item .m
12055 Objective-C source file
12056
12057 @item .f
12058 @itemx .F
12059 Fortran source file
12060
12061 @item .mod
12062 Modula-2 source file
12063
12064 @item .s
12065 @itemx .S
12066 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12067 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12068 @end table
12069
12070 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12071 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12072
12073 @node Manually
12074 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12075
12076 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12077 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12078 your program.
12079
12080 @kindex set language
12081 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12082 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12083 a language, such as
12084 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12085 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12086
12087 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12088 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12089 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12090 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12091 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12092 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12093 command such as:
12094
12095 @smallexample
12096 print a = b + c
12097 @end smallexample
12098
12099 @noindent
12100 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12101 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12102 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12103 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12104
12105 @node Automatically
12106 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12107
12108 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12109 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12110 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12111 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12112 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12113 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12114 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12115 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12116 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12117
12118 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12119 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12120 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12121 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12122 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12123
12124 @node Show
12125 @section Displaying the Language
12126
12127 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12128 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12129
12130 @table @code
12131 @item show language
12132 @kindex show language
12133 Display the current working language. This is the
12134 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12135 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12136
12137 @item info frame
12138 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12139 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12140 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12141 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12142 information listed here.
12143
12144 @item info source
12145 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12146 Display the source language of this source file.
12147 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12148 information listed here.
12149 @end table
12150
12151 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12152 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12153 with a language explicitly:
12154
12155 @table @code
12156 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12157 @kindex set extension-language
12158 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12159 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12160
12161 @item info extensions
12162 @kindex info extensions
12163 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12164 @end table
12165
12166 @node Checks
12167 @section Type and Range Checking
12168
12169 @quotation
12170 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
12171 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
12172 section documents the intended facilities.
12173 @end quotation
12174 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
12175
12176 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12177 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12178 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
12179 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12180 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12181 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
12182 errors when your program is running.
12183
12184 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
12185 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
12186 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
12187 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
12188 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
12189 automatically based on your program's source language.
12190 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
12191 settings of supported languages.
12192
12193 @menu
12194 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12195 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12196 @end menu
12197
12198 @cindex type checking
12199 @cindex checks, type
12200 @node Type Checking
12201 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12202
12203 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12204 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12205 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12206 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12207
12208 @smallexample
12209 1 + 2 @result{} 3
12210 @exdent but
12211 @error{} 1 + 2.3
12212 @end smallexample
12213
12214 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
12215 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
12216
12217 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
12218 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
12219 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12220 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
12221 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
12222 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
12223 also issues a warning.
12224
12225 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
12226 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12227 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12228 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12229 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
12230 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
12231
12232 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
12233 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
12234 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
12235 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
12236 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
12237 details on specific languages.
12238
12239 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
12240
12241 @kindex set check type
12242 @kindex show check type
12243 @table @code
12244 @item set check type auto
12245 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
12246 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12247 each language.
12248
12249 @item set check type on
12250 @itemx set check type off
12251 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12252 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
12253 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
12254 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12255 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12256
12257 @item set check type warn
12258 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
12259 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
12260 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
12261 numbers and structures.
12262
12263 @item show type
12264 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
12265 is setting it automatically.
12266 @end table
12267
12268 @cindex range checking
12269 @cindex checks, range
12270 @node Range Checking
12271 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12272
12273 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12274 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12275 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12276 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12277 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12278
12279 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12280 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12281 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12282 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12283
12284 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12285 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12286 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12287 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12288 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12289 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12290
12291 @smallexample
12292 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12293 @end smallexample
12294
12295 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12296 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12297 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12298
12299 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12300
12301 @kindex set check range
12302 @kindex show check range
12303 @table @code
12304 @item set check range auto
12305 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12306 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12307 each language.
12308
12309 @item set check range on
12310 @itemx set check range off
12311 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12312 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12313 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12314 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12315
12316 @item set check range warn
12317 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12318 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12319 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12320 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12321 systems).
12322
12323 @item show range
12324 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12325 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12326 @end table
12327
12328 @node Supported Languages
12329 @section Supported Languages
12330
12331 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
12332 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12333 @c This is false ...
12334 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12335 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12336 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12337 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12338 language.
12339
12340 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12341 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12342 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12343 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12344 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12345 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12346 language reference or tutorial.
12347
12348 @menu
12349 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12350 * D:: D
12351 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12352 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12353 * Fortran:: Fortran
12354 * Pascal:: Pascal
12355 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12356 * Ada:: Ada
12357 @end menu
12358
12359 @node C
12360 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12361
12362 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12363 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12364
12365 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12366 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12367 together.
12368
12369 @cindex C@t{++}
12370 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12371 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12372 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12373 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12374 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12375 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12376 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12377
12378 @menu
12379 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12380 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12381 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12382 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12383 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12384 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12385 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12386 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12387 @end menu
12388
12389 @node C Operators
12390 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12391
12392 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12393
12394 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12395 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12396 often defined on groups of types.
12397
12398 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12399
12400 @itemize @bullet
12401
12402 @item
12403 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12404 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12405
12406 @item
12407 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12408 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12409
12410 @item
12411 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12412
12413 @item
12414 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12415
12416 @end itemize
12417
12418 @noindent
12419 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12420 in order of increasing precedence:
12421
12422 @table @code
12423 @item ,
12424 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12425 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12426 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12427
12428 @item =
12429 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12430 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12431
12432 @item @var{op}=
12433 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12434 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12435 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12436 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12437 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12438
12439 @item ?:
12440 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12441 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12442 integral type.
12443
12444 @item ||
12445 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12446
12447 @item &&
12448 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12449
12450 @item |
12451 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12452
12453 @item ^
12454 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12455
12456 @item &
12457 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12458
12459 @item ==@r{, }!=
12460 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12461 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12462
12463 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12464 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12465 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12466 and non-zero for true.
12467
12468 @item <<@r{, }>>
12469 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12470
12471 @item @@
12472 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12473
12474 @item +@r{, }-
12475 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12476 pointer types.
12477
12478 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12479 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12480 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12481 integral types.
12482
12483 @item ++@r{, }--
12484 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12485 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12486 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12487 operation takes place.
12488
12489 @item *
12490 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12491 @code{++}.
12492
12493 @item &
12494 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12495
12496 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12497 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12498 to examine the address
12499 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12500 stored.
12501
12502 @item -
12503 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12504 precedence as @code{++}.
12505
12506 @item !
12507 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12508 @code{++}.
12509
12510 @item ~
12511 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12512 @code{++}.
12513
12514
12515 @item .@r{, }->
12516 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12517 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12518 pointer based on the stored type information.
12519 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12520
12521 @item .*@r{, }->*
12522 Dereferences of pointers to members.
12523
12524 @item []
12525 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
12526 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12527
12528 @item ()
12529 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12530
12531 @item ::
12532 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
12533 and @code{class} types.
12534
12535 @item ::
12536 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
12537 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
12538 above.
12539 @end table
12540
12541 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
12542 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
12543 predefined meaning.
12544
12545 @node C Constants
12546 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
12547
12548 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
12549
12550 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
12551 following ways:
12552
12553 @itemize @bullet
12554 @item
12555 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
12556 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
12557 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
12558 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
12559 @code{long} value.
12560
12561 @item
12562 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
12563 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
12564 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
12565 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
12566 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
12567 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
12568 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
12569 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
12570 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
12571 constant.
12572
12573 @item
12574 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
12575 integral equivalents.
12576
12577 @item
12578 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
12579 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
12580 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
12581 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
12582 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
12583 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
12584 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
12585 @samp{\n} for newline.
12586
12587 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
12588 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
12589 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
12590 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
12591
12592 @item
12593 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
12594 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
12595 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
12596 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
12597 characters.
12598
12599 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
12600 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
12601 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
12602
12603 @item
12604 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
12605 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
12606
12607 @item
12608 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
12609 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
12610 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
12611 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
12612 @end itemize
12613
12614 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
12615 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
12616
12617 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
12618 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
12619
12620 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
12621 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
12622 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
12623 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
12624 @quotation
12625 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
12626 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
12627 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
12628 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
12629 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
12630 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
12631 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
12632 code. @xref{Compilation}.
12633 @end quotation
12634
12635 @enumerate
12636
12637 @cindex member functions
12638 @item
12639 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
12640
12641 @smallexample
12642 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
12643 @end smallexample
12644
12645 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
12646 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
12647 @item
12648 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
12649 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
12650 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
12651 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
12652 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
12653
12654 @cindex call overloaded functions
12655 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
12656 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12657 @item
12658 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12659 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12660 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12661 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12662 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12663 default arguments.
12664
12665 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12666 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12667 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12668 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12669 number of function arguments.
12670
12671 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12672 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12673 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12674
12675 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12676 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12677 @smallexample
12678 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12679 @end smallexample
12680
12681 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12682 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12683
12684 @cindex reference declarations
12685 @item
12686 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12687 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12688 dereferenced.
12689
12690 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12691 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12692 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12693 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12694 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12695
12696 @item
12697 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12698 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12699 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12700 necessary, for example in an expression like
12701 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12702 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12703 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12704
12705 @item
12706 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
12707 specification.
12708 @end enumerate
12709
12710 @node C Defaults
12711 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12712
12713 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12714
12715 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12716 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12717 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12718 selects the working language.
12719
12720 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12721 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12722 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12723 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12724 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12725 for further details.
12726
12727 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12728 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12729 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12730
12731 @node C Checks
12732 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12733
12734 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12735
12736 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12737 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12738 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12739
12740 @itemize @bullet
12741 @item
12742 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12743 enumerated tag.
12744
12745 @item
12746 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12747 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12748
12749 @ignore
12750 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12751 @c FIXME--beers?
12752 @item
12753 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12754 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12755 compilers.)
12756 @end ignore
12757 @end itemize
12758
12759 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12760 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12761 that is not itself an array.
12762
12763 @node Debugging C
12764 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12765
12766 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12767 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12768 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12769 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12770
12771 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12772 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12773 ,Expressions}.
12774
12775 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12776 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12777
12778 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12779
12780 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12781 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12782
12783 @table @code
12784 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12785 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12786 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12787 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12788 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12789 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12790
12791 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12792 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12793 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12794 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12795 classes.
12796 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12797
12798 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12799 @item catch throw
12800 @itemx catch catch
12801 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12802 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12803
12804 @cindex inheritance
12805 @item ptype @var{typename}
12806 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12807 @var{typename}.
12808 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12809
12810 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
12811 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
12812 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
12813 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
12814 multiple inheritance is in use.
12815
12816 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12817 @item set print demangle
12818 @itemx show print demangle
12819 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12820 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12821 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12822 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12823 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12824
12825 @item set print object
12826 @itemx show print object
12827 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12828 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12829
12830 @item set print vtbl
12831 @itemx show print vtbl
12832 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12833 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12834 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12835 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12836
12837 @kindex set overload-resolution
12838 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12839 @item set overload-resolution on
12840 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12841 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12842 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12843 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12844 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12845 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12846
12847 @item set overload-resolution off
12848 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12849 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12850 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12851 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12852 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12853 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12854 argument types.
12855
12856 @kindex show overload-resolution
12857 @item show overload-resolution
12858 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12859
12860 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12861 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12862 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12863 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12864 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12865 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12866 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12867 @end table
12868
12869 @node Decimal Floating Point
12870 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12871 @cindex decimal floating point format
12872
12873 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12874 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12875 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12876 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12877
12878 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12879 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12880 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12881 target.
12882
12883 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12884 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12885 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12886
12887 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12888 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12889 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12890
12891 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12892 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12893 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12894
12895 @node D
12896 @subsection D
12897
12898 @cindex D
12899 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12900 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12901 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12902
12903 @node Objective-C
12904 @subsection Objective-C
12905
12906 @cindex Objective-C
12907 This section provides information about some commands and command
12908 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12909 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12910 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12911
12912 @menu
12913 * Method Names in Commands::
12914 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12915 @end menu
12916
12917 @node Method Names in Commands
12918 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12919
12920 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12921 names as line specifications:
12922
12923 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12924 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12925 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12926 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12927 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12928 @itemize
12929 @item @code{clear}
12930 @item @code{break}
12931 @item @code{info line}
12932 @item @code{jump}
12933 @item @code{list}
12934 @end itemize
12935
12936 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12937
12938 @smallexample
12939 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12940 @end smallexample
12941
12942 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12943 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12944 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12945 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12946 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12947 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12948 debugged, enter:
12949
12950 @smallexample
12951 break -[Fruit create]
12952 @end smallexample
12953
12954 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12955 enter:
12956
12957 @smallexample
12958 list +[NSText initialize]
12959 @end smallexample
12960
12961 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12962 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12963 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12964 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12965
12966 @smallexample
12967 break create
12968 @end smallexample
12969
12970 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12971 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12972 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12973 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12974 none apply.
12975
12976 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12977 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12978
12979 @smallexample
12980 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12981 @end smallexample
12982
12983 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12984 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12985 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12986 @kindex print-object
12987 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12988
12989 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12990
12991 @smallexample
12992 print -[@var{object} hash]
12993 @end smallexample
12994
12995 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12996 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12997 @noindent
12998 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12999 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13000 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13001 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13002 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13003 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13004
13005 @node OpenCL C
13006 @subsection OpenCL C
13007
13008 @cindex OpenCL C
13009 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13010
13011 @menu
13012 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13013 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13014 * OpenCL C Operators::
13015 @end menu
13016
13017 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13018 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13019
13020 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13021 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13022 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13023 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13024 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13025
13026 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13027 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13028
13029 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13030 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13031 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13032 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13033
13034 @node OpenCL C Operators
13035 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13036
13037 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13038 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13039 vector data types.
13040
13041 @node Fortran
13042 @subsection Fortran
13043 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13044
13045 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13046 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13047
13048 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13049 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13050 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13051 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13052 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13053 underscore.
13054
13055 @menu
13056 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13057 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13058 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13059 @end menu
13060
13061 @node Fortran Operators
13062 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13063
13064 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13065
13066 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13067 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13068 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13069
13070 @table @code
13071 @item **
13072 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13073 of the second one.
13074
13075 @item :
13076 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13077 represent a section of array.
13078
13079 @item %
13080 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13081 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13082 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13083 union type.
13084 @end table
13085
13086 @node Fortran Defaults
13087 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13088
13089 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13090
13091 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13092 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13093 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13094 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13095
13096 @node Special Fortran Commands
13097 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13098
13099 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13100
13101 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13102 such as displaying common blocks.
13103
13104 @table @code
13105 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13106 @kindex info common
13107 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13108 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13109 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13110 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13111 printed.
13112 @end table
13113
13114 @node Pascal
13115 @subsection Pascal
13116
13117 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13118 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13119 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13120 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13121 syntax.
13122
13123 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13124 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13125 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13126
13127 @node Modula-2
13128 @subsection Modula-2
13129
13130 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13131
13132 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13133 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13134 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13135 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13136 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13137 table.
13138
13139 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13140 @menu
13141 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13142 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13143 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13144 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13145 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13146 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13147 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13148 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13149 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13150 @end menu
13151
13152 @node M2 Operators
13153 @subsubsection Operators
13154 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13155
13156 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13157 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13158 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13159 following definitions hold:
13160
13161 @itemize @bullet
13162
13163 @item
13164 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13165 their subranges.
13166
13167 @item
13168 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13169
13170 @item
13171 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13172
13173 @item
13174 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13175 @var{type}}.
13176
13177 @item
13178 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13179
13180 @item
13181 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13182
13183 @item
13184 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13185 @end itemize
13186
13187 @noindent
13188 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13189 increasing precedence:
13190
13191 @table @code
13192 @item ,
13193 Function argument or array index separator.
13194
13195 @item :=
13196 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13197 @var{value}.
13198
13199 @item <@r{, }>
13200 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13201 types.
13202
13203 @item <=@r{, }>=
13204 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13205 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13206 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13207
13208 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13209 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13210 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13211 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13212 comment character.
13213
13214 @item IN
13215 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13216 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13217
13218 @item OR
13219 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13220
13221 @item AND@r{, }&
13222 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13223
13224 @item @@
13225 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13226
13227 @item +@r{, }-
13228 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13229 and difference on set types.
13230
13231 @item *
13232 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13233 on set types.
13234
13235 @item /
13236 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13237 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13238
13239 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
13240 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13241 precedence as @code{*}.
13242
13243 @item -
13244 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13245
13246 @item ^
13247 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13248
13249 @item NOT
13250 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13251 @code{^}.
13252
13253 @item .
13254 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13255 precedence as @code{^}.
13256
13257 @item []
13258 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13259
13260 @item ()
13261 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13262 as @code{^}.
13263
13264 @item ::@r{, }.
13265 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13266 @end table
13267
13268 @quotation
13269 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13270 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13271 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13272 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13273 @end quotation
13274
13275
13276 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13277 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13278 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13279
13280 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13281 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13282
13283 @table @var
13284
13285 @item a
13286 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13287
13288 @item c
13289 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13290
13291 @item i
13292 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13293
13294 @item m
13295 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13296 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13297 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13298
13299 @item n
13300 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13301
13302 @item r
13303 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13304
13305 @item t
13306 represents a type.
13307
13308 @item v
13309 represents a variable.
13310
13311 @item x
13312 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13313 explanation of the function for details.
13314 @end table
13315
13316 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13317
13318 @table @code
13319 @item ABS(@var{n})
13320 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13321
13322 @item CAP(@var{c})
13323 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13324 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13325
13326 @item CHR(@var{i})
13327 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13328
13329 @item DEC(@var{v})
13330 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13331
13332 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13333 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13334 new value.
13335
13336 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13337 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13338 set.
13339
13340 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13341 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13342
13343 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13344 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13345
13346 @item INC(@var{v})
13347 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13348
13349 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13350 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13351 new value.
13352
13353 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13354 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13355 there. Returns the new set.
13356
13357 @item MAX(@var{t})
13358 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13359
13360 @item MIN(@var{t})
13361 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13362
13363 @item ODD(@var{i})
13364 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13365
13366 @item ORD(@var{x})
13367 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13368 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13369 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13370 integral, character and enumerated types.
13371
13372 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13373 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13374
13375 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13376 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13377
13378 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13379 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13380
13381 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13382 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13383 @end table
13384
13385 @quotation
13386 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13387 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13388 an error.
13389 @end quotation
13390
13391 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13392 @node M2 Constants
13393 @subsubsection Constants
13394
13395 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13396 ways:
13397
13398 @itemize @bullet
13399
13400 @item
13401 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13402 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13403 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13404 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13405
13406 @item
13407 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13408 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13409 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13410 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13411 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13412 digits.
13413
13414 @item
13415 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13416 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13417 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13418 followed by a @samp{C}.
13419
13420 @item
13421 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13422 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13423 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13424 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13425 sequences.
13426
13427 @item
13428 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13429
13430 @item
13431 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13432 @code{FALSE}.
13433
13434 @item
13435 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13436
13437 @item
13438 Set constants are not yet supported.
13439 @end itemize
13440
13441 @node M2 Types
13442 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13443 @cindex Modula-2 types
13444
13445 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13446 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13447 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13448 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13449 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13450 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13451
13452 The first example contains the following section of code:
13453
13454 @smallexample
13455 VAR
13456 s: SET OF CHAR ;
13457 r: [20..40] ;
13458 @end smallexample
13459
13460 @noindent
13461 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13462 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13463
13464 @smallexample
13465 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13466 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
13467 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13468 SET OF CHAR
13469 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13470 21
13471 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13472 [20..40]
13473 @end smallexample
13474
13475 @noindent
13476 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13477
13478 @smallexample
13479 VAR
13480 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
13481 @end smallexample
13482
13483 @noindent
13484 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
13485
13486 @smallexample
13487 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13488 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
13489 @end smallexample
13490
13491 @noindent
13492 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
13493 expressions using the debugger.
13494
13495 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
13496 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
13497
13498 @smallexample
13499 VAR
13500 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
13501 @end smallexample
13502
13503 @smallexample
13504 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13505 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
13506 @end smallexample
13507
13508 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
13509 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
13510 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
13511 above.
13512
13513 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
13514
13515 @smallexample
13516 TYPE
13517 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
13518 t = [blue..yellow] ;
13519 VAR
13520 s: t ;
13521 BEGIN
13522 s := blue ;
13523 @end smallexample
13524
13525 @noindent
13526 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
13527 and value of a variable.
13528
13529 @smallexample
13530 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13531 $1 = blue
13532 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
13533 type = [blue..yellow]
13534 @end smallexample
13535
13536 @noindent
13537 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
13538 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
13539 their @code{C} counterparts.
13540
13541 @smallexample
13542 VAR
13543 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
13544 BEGIN
13545 s[1] := 1 ;
13546 @end smallexample
13547
13548 @smallexample
13549 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13550 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
13551 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13552 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
13553 @end smallexample
13554
13555 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
13556 pointer types as shown in this example:
13557
13558 @smallexample
13559 VAR
13560 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
13561 BEGIN
13562 NEW(s) ;
13563 s^[1] := 1 ;
13564 @end smallexample
13565
13566 @noindent
13567 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
13568
13569 @smallexample
13570 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13571 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
13572 @end smallexample
13573
13574 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
13575 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
13576 types:
13577
13578 @smallexample
13579 TYPE
13580 foo = RECORD
13581 f1: CARDINAL ;
13582 f2: CHAR ;
13583 f3: myarray ;
13584 END ;
13585
13586 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
13587 myrange = [-2..2] ;
13588 VAR
13589 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
13590 @end smallexample
13591
13592 @noindent
13593 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
13594 below.
13595
13596 @smallexample
13597 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13598 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
13599 f1 : CARDINAL;
13600 f2 : CHAR;
13601 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
13602 END
13603 @end smallexample
13604
13605 @node M2 Defaults
13606 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
13607 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
13608
13609 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
13610 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
13611 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13612 selected the working language.
13613
13614 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
13615 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
13616 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
13617 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
13618
13619 @node Deviations
13620 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
13621 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
13622
13623 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
13624 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
13625
13626 @itemize @bullet
13627 @item
13628 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
13629 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
13630 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
13631 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
13632 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
13633 returned a pointer.)
13634
13635 @item
13636 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
13637 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
13638 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
13639 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
13640
13641 @item
13642 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
13643 argument.
13644
13645 @item
13646 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
13647 @end itemize
13648
13649 @node M2 Checks
13650 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
13651 @cindex Modula-2 checks
13652
13653 @quotation
13654 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
13655 range checking.
13656 @end quotation
13657 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
13658
13659 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
13660
13661 @itemize @bullet
13662 @item
13663 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13664 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13665
13666 @item
13667 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13668 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13669 @end itemize
13670
13671 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13672 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13673
13674 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13675 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13676
13677 @node M2 Scope
13678 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13679 @cindex scope
13680 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13681 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13682 @ifinfo
13683 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13684 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13685 @end ifinfo
13686 @ifnotinfo
13687 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13688 @end ifnotinfo
13689
13690 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13691 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13692 similar syntax:
13693
13694 @smallexample
13695
13696 @var{module} . @var{id}
13697 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13698 @end smallexample
13699
13700 @noindent
13701 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13702 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13703 identifier within your program, except another module.
13704
13705 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13706 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13707 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13708 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13709
13710 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13711 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13712 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13713 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13714 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13715 @var{module}.
13716
13717 @node GDB/M2
13718 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13719
13720 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13721 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13722 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13723 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13724 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13725 analogue in Modula-2.
13726
13727 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13728 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13729 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13730 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13731 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13732 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13733
13734 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13735 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13736 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13737
13738 @node Ada
13739 @subsection Ada
13740 @cindex Ada
13741
13742 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13743 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13744 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13745 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13746 to be difficult.
13747
13748
13749 @cindex expressions in Ada
13750 @menu
13751 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13752 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13753 in @value{GDBN}.
13754 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13755 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13756 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13757 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13758 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13759 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13760 Profile
13761 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13762 @end menu
13763
13764 @node Ada Mode Intro
13765 @subsubsection Introduction
13766 @cindex Ada mode, general
13767
13768 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13769 syntax, with some extensions.
13770 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13771
13772 @itemize @bullet
13773 @item
13774 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13775 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13776 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13777 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13778
13779 @item
13780 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13781 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13782
13783 @item
13784 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13785 @end itemize
13786
13787 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13788 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13789 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13790 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13791 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13792
13793 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13794 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13795 was translated from an Ada source file.
13796
13797 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13798 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13799 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13800 middle (to allow based literals).
13801
13802 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13803 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13804 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13805 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13806 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13807 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13808
13809 @node Omissions from Ada
13810 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13811 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13812
13813 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13814
13815 @itemize @bullet
13816 @item
13817 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13818
13819 @itemize @minus
13820 @item
13821 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13822 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13823
13824 @item
13825 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13826
13827 @item
13828 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13829
13830 @item
13831 @t{'Tag}.
13832
13833 @item
13834 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13835 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13836
13837 @item
13838 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13839 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13840
13841 @item
13842 @t{'Address}.
13843 @end itemize
13844
13845 @item
13846 The names in
13847 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13848 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13849 not currently available.
13850
13851 @item
13852 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13853 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13854 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13855 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13856 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13857 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13858 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13859 indeterminate values.
13860
13861 @item
13862 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13863 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13864 are not implemented.
13865
13866 @item
13867 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13868 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13869 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13870 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13871 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13872
13873 @smallexample
13874 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13875 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13876 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13877 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13878 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13879 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13880 @end smallexample
13881
13882 Changing a
13883 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13884 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13885 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13886 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13887 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13888 declared to have a type such as:
13889
13890 @smallexample
13891 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13892 Id : Integer;
13893 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13894 end record;
13895 @end smallexample
13896
13897 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13898 assignments:
13899
13900 @smallexample
13901 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13902 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13903 @end smallexample
13904
13905 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13906 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13907 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13908 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13909 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13910 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13911 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13912 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13913
13914 @item
13915 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13916
13917 @item
13918 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13919 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13920 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13921 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13922 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13923 the proper resolution.
13924
13925 @item
13926 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13927
13928 @item
13929 Entry calls are not implemented.
13930
13931 @item
13932 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13933 formats are not supported.
13934
13935 @item
13936 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13937
13938 @item
13939 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13940 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13941 context.
13942 Should your program
13943 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13944 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13945 @end itemize
13946
13947 @node Additions to Ada
13948 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13949 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13950
13951 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13952 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13953
13954 @itemize @bullet
13955 @item
13956 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13957 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13958 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13959 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13960 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13961 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13962 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13963 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13964
13965 @item
13966 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13967 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13968 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13969
13970 @item
13971 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13972 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13973
13974 @item
13975 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13976 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13977 @end itemize
13978
13979 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13980 additions specific to Ada:
13981
13982 @itemize @bullet
13983 @item
13984 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13985 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13986
13987 @smallexample
13988 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13989 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13990 @end smallexample
13991
13992 @item
13993 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13994 the value of its right-hand operand.
13995 This allows, for example,
13996 complex conditional breaks:
13997
13998 @smallexample
13999 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14000 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14001 @end smallexample
14002
14003 @item
14004 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14005 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14006 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14007 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14008 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14009 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14010 in strings. For example,
14011 @smallexample
14012 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14013 @end smallexample
14014 @noindent
14015 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14016 after each period.
14017
14018 @item
14019 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14020 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14021 to write
14022
14023 @smallexample
14024 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14025 @end smallexample
14026
14027 @item
14028 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14029 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14030 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14031 of 3 might print as
14032
14033 @smallexample
14034 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14035 @end smallexample
14036
14037 @noindent
14038 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14039 clause.
14040
14041 @item
14042 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14043 multi-character subsequence of
14044 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14045 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14046 in place of @t{a'length}.
14047
14048 @item
14049 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14050 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14051 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14052 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14053 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14054 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14055 For example,
14056 @smallexample
14057 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14058 @end smallexample
14059
14060 @item
14061 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14062 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14063 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14064 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14065 object.
14066
14067 @end itemize
14068
14069 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14070 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14071
14072 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14073 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14074 before reaching the main procedure.
14075 As defined in the Ada Reference
14076 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14077 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14078 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14079 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14080
14081 @node Ada Tasks
14082 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14083 @cindex Ada, tasking
14084
14085 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14086 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14087
14088 @table @code
14089 @kindex info tasks
14090 @item info tasks
14091 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14092
14093
14094 @smallexample
14095 @iftex
14096 @leftskip=0.5cm
14097 @end iftex
14098 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14099 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14100 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14101 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14102 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14103 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14104
14105 @end smallexample
14106
14107 @noindent
14108 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14109 task currently being inspected.
14110
14111 @table @asis
14112 @item ID
14113 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14114
14115 @item TID
14116 The Ada task ID.
14117
14118 @item P-ID
14119 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14120
14121 @item Pri
14122 The base priority of the task.
14123
14124 @item State
14125 Current state of the task.
14126
14127 @table @code
14128 @item Unactivated
14129 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14130 executing.
14131
14132 @item Runnable
14133 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14134 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14135
14136 @item Terminated
14137 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14138 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14139 terminated themselves.
14140
14141 @item Child Activation Wait
14142 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14143
14144 @item Accept Statement
14145 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14146
14147 @item Waiting on entry call
14148 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14149
14150 @item Async Select Wait
14151 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14152 select statement.
14153
14154 @item Delay Sleep
14155 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14156 alternative open.
14157
14158 @item Child Termination Wait
14159 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14160 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14161 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14162
14163 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14164 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14165 finish terminating.
14166
14167 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14168 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14169 @end table
14170
14171 @item Name
14172 Name of the task in the program.
14173
14174 @end table
14175
14176 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14177 @item info task @var{taskno}
14178 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14179 the following example:
14180 @smallexample
14181 @iftex
14182 @leftskip=0.5cm
14183 @end iftex
14184 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14185 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14186 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14187 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14188 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14189 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14190 Name: task_1
14191 Thread: 0x807f378
14192 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14193 Base Priority: 15
14194 State: Runnable
14195 @end smallexample
14196
14197 @item task
14198 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14199 @cindex current Ada task ID
14200 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14201
14202 @smallexample
14203 @iftex
14204 @leftskip=0.5cm
14205 @end iftex
14206 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14207 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14208 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14209 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14210 (@value{GDBP}) task
14211 [Current task is 2]
14212 @end smallexample
14213
14214 @item task @var{taskno}
14215 @cindex Ada task switching
14216 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14217 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14218 from the current task to the given task.
14219
14220 @smallexample
14221 @iftex
14222 @leftskip=0.5cm
14223 @end iftex
14224 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14225 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14226 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14227 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14228 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14229 [Switching to task 1]
14230 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14231 (@value{GDBP}) bt
14232 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14233 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14234 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14235 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14236 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14237 @end smallexample
14238
14239 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14240 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14241 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14242 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14243 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14244 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14245 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14246 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14247 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14248
14249 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14250 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14251 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14252 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14253 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14254
14255 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14256 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14257 program.
14258
14259 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14260 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14261 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14262
14263 For example,
14264
14265 @smallexample
14266 @iftex
14267 @leftskip=0.5cm
14268 @end iftex
14269 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14270 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14271 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14272 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14273 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14274 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14275 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14276 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14277 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14278 Continuing.
14279 task # 1 running
14280 task # 2 running
14281
14282 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14283 15 flush;
14284 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14285 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14286 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14287 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14288 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14289 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14290 @end smallexample
14291 @end table
14292
14293 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14294 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14295 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14296
14297 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14298 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14299 the platform being used.
14300 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14301 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14302 as usual.
14303
14304 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14305 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14306 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14307 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14308 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14309 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14310
14311 @node Ravenscar Profile
14312 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14313 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14314
14315 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14316 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14317 requirements.
14318
14319 @table @code
14320 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14321 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14322 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14323 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14324 Profile. This is the default.
14325
14326 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14327 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14328 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14329 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14330 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14331 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14332 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14333
14334 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14335 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14336 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14337 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14338
14339 @end table
14340
14341 @node Ada Glitches
14342 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14343 @cindex Ada, problems
14344
14345 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14346 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14347 @value{GDBN},
14348 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14349 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14350
14351 @itemize @bullet
14352 @item
14353 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14354 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14355
14356 @item
14357 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14358 argument lists are treated as positional).
14359
14360 @item
14361 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14362
14363 @item
14364 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14365 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14366 the host machine.
14367
14368 @item
14369 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14370 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14371 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14372 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14373 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14374 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14375 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14376 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14377 you can usually resolve the confusion
14378 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14379 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14380 @end itemize
14381
14382 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14383 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14384 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14385 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14386 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14387 enabled.
14388
14389 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14390 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14391 @table @code
14392
14393 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14394 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14395 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14396 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14397 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14398 This is the default.
14399
14400 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14401 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14402 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14403 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14404 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14405 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14406 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14407
14408 @end table
14409
14410 @node Unsupported Languages
14411 @section Unsupported Languages
14412
14413 @cindex unsupported languages
14414 @cindex minimal language
14415 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14416 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14417 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14418 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14419 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14420 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14421
14422 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14423 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14424 language.
14425
14426 @node Symbols
14427 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14428
14429 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14430 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14431 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14432 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14433 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14434 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14435 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14436
14437 @cindex symbol names
14438 @cindex names of symbols
14439 @cindex quoting names
14440 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14441 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14442 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14443 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14444 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14445 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14446 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14447 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14448
14449 @smallexample
14450 p 'foo.c'::x
14451 @end smallexample
14452
14453 @noindent
14454 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14455
14456 @table @code
14457 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14458 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14459 @kindex set case-sensitive
14460 @item set case-sensitive on
14461 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14462 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14463 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14464 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14465 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14466 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14467 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14468 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14469 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14470 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14471 case-insensitive matches.
14472
14473 @kindex show case-sensitive
14474 @item show case-sensitive
14475 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14476 lookups.
14477
14478 @kindex info address
14479 @cindex address of a symbol
14480 @item info address @var{symbol}
14481 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14482 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
14483 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
14484 is always stored.
14485
14486 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
14487 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
14488 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
14489
14490 @kindex info symbol
14491 @cindex symbol from address
14492 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
14493 @item info symbol @var{addr}
14494 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
14495 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
14496 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
14497
14498 @smallexample
14499 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
14500 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
14501 @end smallexample
14502
14503 @noindent
14504 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
14505 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
14506
14507 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
14508 library containing the symbol is also printed:
14509
14510 @smallexample
14511 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
14512 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
14513 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
14514 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
14515 @end smallexample
14516
14517 @kindex whatis
14518 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
14519 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
14520 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
14521 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
14522
14523 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
14524 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
14525 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
14526
14527 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
14528 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
14529 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
14530 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
14531 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
14532 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
14533 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
14534 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
14535 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
14536
14537 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
14538 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
14539 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
14540 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
14541 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
14542 unroll it.
14543
14544 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
14545 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
14546 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
14547
14548 @kindex ptype
14549 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
14550 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
14551 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
14552 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
14553
14554 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
14555 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
14556 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
14557 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
14558 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
14559 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
14560 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
14561 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
14562
14563 For example, for this variable declaration:
14564
14565 @smallexample
14566 typedef double real_t;
14567 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
14568 typedef struct complex complex_t;
14569 complex_t var;
14570 real_t *real_pointer_var;
14571 @end smallexample
14572
14573 @noindent
14574 the two commands give this output:
14575
14576 @smallexample
14577 @group
14578 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
14579 type = complex_t
14580 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
14581 type = struct complex @{
14582 real_t real;
14583 double imag;
14584 @}
14585 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
14586 type = struct complex
14587 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
14588 type = struct complex
14589 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
14590 type = struct complex @{
14591 real_t real;
14592 double imag;
14593 @}
14594 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
14595 type = real_t *
14596 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
14597 type = double *
14598 @end group
14599 @end smallexample
14600
14601 @noindent
14602 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
14603 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
14604
14605 @cindex incomplete type
14606 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
14607 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
14608 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
14609 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
14610 given these declarations:
14611
14612 @smallexample
14613 struct foo;
14614 struct foo *fooptr;
14615 @end smallexample
14616
14617 @noindent
14618 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
14619
14620 @smallexample
14621 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
14622 $1 = <incomplete type>
14623 @end smallexample
14624
14625 @noindent
14626 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
14627 completely specified.
14628
14629 @kindex info types
14630 @item info types @var{regexp}
14631 @itemx info types
14632 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
14633 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
14634 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
14635 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
14636 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
14637 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
14638 name is @code{value}.
14639
14640 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
14641 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
14642 lists all source files where a type is defined.
14643
14644 @kindex info scope
14645 @cindex local variables
14646 @item info scope @var{location}
14647 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
14648 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
14649 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
14650 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
14651 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
14652
14653 @smallexample
14654 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
14655 Scope for command_line_handler:
14656 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
14657 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
14658 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
14659 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
14660 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
14661 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
14662 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
14663 @end smallexample
14664
14665 @noindent
14666 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
14667 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
14668 collect}.
14669
14670 @kindex info source
14671 @item info source
14672 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
14673 the function containing the current point of execution:
14674 @itemize @bullet
14675 @item
14676 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
14677 @item
14678 the directory it was compiled in,
14679 @item
14680 its length, in lines,
14681 @item
14682 which programming language it is written in,
14683 @item
14684 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
14685 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
14686 @item
14687 whether the debugging information includes information about
14688 preprocessor macros.
14689 @end itemize
14690
14691
14692 @kindex info sources
14693 @item info sources
14694 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
14695 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
14696 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
14697
14698 @kindex info functions
14699 @item info functions
14700 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
14701
14702 @item info functions @var{regexp}
14703 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
14704 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
14705 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14706 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14707 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14708 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14709 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14710
14711 @kindex info variables
14712 @item info variables
14713 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14714 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14715
14716 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14717 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14718 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14719 @var{regexp}.
14720
14721 @kindex info classes
14722 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14723 @item info classes
14724 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14725 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14726 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14727 expression.
14728
14729 @kindex info selectors
14730 @item info selectors
14731 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14732 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14733 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14734 expression.
14735
14736 @ignore
14737 This was never implemented.
14738 @kindex info methods
14739 @item info methods
14740 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14741 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14742 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14743 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14744 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14745 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14746 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14747 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14748 @end ignore
14749
14750 @cindex opaque data types
14751 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14752 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14753 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14754 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14755 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14756 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14757 another source file. The default is on.
14758
14759 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14760 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14761
14762 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14763 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14764 is printed as follows:
14765 @smallexample
14766 @{<no data fields>@}
14767 @end smallexample
14768
14769 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14770 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14771 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14772
14773 @kindex maint print symbols
14774 @cindex symbol dump
14775 @kindex maint print psymbols
14776 @cindex partial symbol dump
14777 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14778 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14779 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14780 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14781 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14782 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14783 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14784 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14785 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14786 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14787 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14788 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14789 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14790 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14791 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14792 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14793 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14794
14795 @kindex maint info symtabs
14796 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14797 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14798 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14799 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14800 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14801 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14802 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14803
14804 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14805 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14806 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14807 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14808 structure in more detail. For example:
14809
14810 @smallexample
14811 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14812 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14813 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14814 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14815 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14816 readin no
14817 fullname (null)
14818 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14819 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14820 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14821 dependencies (none)
14822 @}
14823 @}
14824 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14825 (@value{GDBP})
14826 @end smallexample
14827 @noindent
14828 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14829 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14830 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14831 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14832 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14833
14834 @smallexample
14835 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14836 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14837 line 1574.
14838 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14839 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14840 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14841 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14842 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14843 dirname (null)
14844 fullname (null)
14845 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14846 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14847 debugformat DWARF 2
14848 @}
14849 @}
14850 (@value{GDBP})
14851 @end smallexample
14852 @end table
14853
14854
14855 @node Altering
14856 @chapter Altering Execution
14857
14858 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14859 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14860 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14861 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14862 program.
14863
14864 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14865 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14866 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14867
14868 @menu
14869 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14870 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14871 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14872 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14873 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14874 * Patching:: Patching your program
14875 @end menu
14876
14877 @node Assignment
14878 @section Assignment to Variables
14879
14880 @cindex assignment
14881 @cindex setting variables
14882 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14883 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14884
14885 @smallexample
14886 print x=4
14887 @end smallexample
14888
14889 @noindent
14890 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14891 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14892 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14893 information on operators in supported languages.
14894
14895 @kindex set variable
14896 @cindex variables, setting
14897 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14898 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14899 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14900 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14901 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14902
14903 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14904 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14905 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14906 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14907 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14908 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14909 command @code{set width}:
14910
14911 @smallexample
14912 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14913 type = double
14914 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14915 $4 = 13
14916 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14917 Invalid syntax in expression.
14918 @end smallexample
14919
14920 @noindent
14921 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14922 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14923
14924 @smallexample
14925 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14926 @end smallexample
14927
14928 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14929 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14930 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14931 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14932 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14933 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14934
14935 @smallexample
14936 @group
14937 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14938 type = double
14939 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14940 $1 = 1
14941 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14942 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14943 $2 = 1
14944 (@value{GDBP}) r
14945 The program being debugged has been started already.
14946 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14947 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14948 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14949 Invalid bfd target.
14950 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14951 The current BFD target is "=4".
14952 @end group
14953 @end smallexample
14954
14955 @noindent
14956 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14957 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14958 @code{g}, use
14959
14960 @smallexample
14961 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14962 @end smallexample
14963
14964 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14965 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14966 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14967 same length or shorter.
14968 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14969 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14970
14971 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14972 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14973 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14974 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14975 and representation in memory), and
14976
14977 @smallexample
14978 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14979 @end smallexample
14980
14981 @noindent
14982 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14983
14984 @node Jumping
14985 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14986
14987 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14988 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14989 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14990
14991 @table @code
14992 @kindex jump
14993 @item jump @var{linespec}
14994 @itemx jump @var{location}
14995 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14996 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14997 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14998 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14999 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15000 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15001
15002 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15003 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15004 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15005 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15006 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15007 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15008 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15009 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15010 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15011 @end table
15012
15013 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15014 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15015 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15016 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15017 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15018 example,
15019
15020 @smallexample
15021 set $pc = 0x485
15022 @end smallexample
15023
15024 @noindent
15025 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15026 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15027 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15028
15029 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15030 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15031 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15032 detail.
15033
15034 @c @group
15035 @node Signaling
15036 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15037 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15038
15039 @table @code
15040 @kindex signal
15041 @item signal @var{signal}
15042 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15043 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15044 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15045 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15046
15047 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15048 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15049 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
15050 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15051 signal.
15052
15053 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15054 after executing the command.
15055 @end table
15056 @c @end group
15057
15058 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15059 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15060 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15061 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15062 passes the signal directly to your program.
15063
15064
15065 @node Returning
15066 @section Returning from a Function
15067
15068 @table @code
15069 @cindex returning from a function
15070 @kindex return
15071 @item return
15072 @itemx return @var{expression}
15073 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15074 command. If you give an
15075 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15076 value.
15077 @end table
15078
15079 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15080 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15081 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15082 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15083
15084 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15085 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15086 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15087 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15088 of functions.
15089
15090 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15091 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15092 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15093 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15094 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15095
15096 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15097 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15098 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15099 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15100 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15101 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15102 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15103 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15104 assignment into the right register(s).
15105
15106 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15107 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15108 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15109 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15110 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15111 into a @code{long long int}:
15112
15113 @smallexample
15114 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15115 29 return 31;
15116 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15117 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15118 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15119 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15120 (@value{GDBP})
15121 @end smallexample
15122
15123 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15124 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15125 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15126 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15127 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15128 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15129 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15130 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15131
15132 @smallexample
15133 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15134 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15135 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15136 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15137 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15138 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15139 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15140 (@value{GDBP})
15141 @end smallexample
15142
15143 @node Calling
15144 @section Calling Program Functions
15145
15146 @table @code
15147 @cindex calling functions
15148 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15149 @item print @var{expr}
15150 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15151 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15152 debugged.
15153
15154 @kindex call
15155 @item call @var{expr}
15156 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15157 returned values.
15158
15159 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15160 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15161 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15162 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15163 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15164 value history.
15165 @end table
15166
15167 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15168 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15169 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15170 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15171
15172 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15173 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15174 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15175 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15176 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15177 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15178 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15179 in that case is controlled by the
15180 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15181
15182 @table @code
15183 @item set unwindonsignal
15184 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15185 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15186 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15187 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15188 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15189 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15190 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15191 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15192 received.
15193
15194 @item show unwindonsignal
15195 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15196 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15197 @value{GDBN}.
15198
15199 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15200 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15201 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15202 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15203 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15204 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15205 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15206 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15207 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15208 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15209
15210 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15211 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15212 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15213 @value{GDBN}.
15214
15215 @end table
15216
15217 @cindex weak alias functions
15218 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15219 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15220 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15221 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15222 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15223 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15224 function instead.
15225
15226 @node Patching
15227 @section Patching Programs
15228
15229 @cindex patching binaries
15230 @cindex writing into executables
15231 @cindex writing into corefiles
15232
15233 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15234 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15235 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15236 patching your program's binary.
15237
15238 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15239 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15240 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15241 repairs.
15242
15243 @table @code
15244 @kindex set write
15245 @item set write on
15246 @itemx set write off
15247 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15248 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15249 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15250
15251 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15252 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15253 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15254
15255 @item show write
15256 @kindex show write
15257 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15258 as well as reading.
15259 @end table
15260
15261 @node GDB Files
15262 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15263
15264 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15265 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15266 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15267 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15268
15269 @menu
15270 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15271 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15272 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15273 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15274 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15275 @end menu
15276
15277 @node Files
15278 @section Commands to Specify Files
15279
15280 @cindex symbol table
15281 @cindex core dump file
15282
15283 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15284 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15285 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15286 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15287
15288 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15289 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15290 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15291 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15292 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15293 new files are useful.
15294
15295 @table @code
15296 @cindex executable file
15297 @kindex file
15298 @item file @var{filename}
15299 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15300 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15301 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15302 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15303 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15304 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15305 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15306 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15307
15308 @cindex unlinked object files
15309 @cindex patching object files
15310 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15311 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15312 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15313 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15314 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15315 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15316 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15317 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15318
15319 @item file
15320 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15321 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15322
15323 @kindex exec-file
15324 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15325 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15326 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15327 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15328 discard information on the executable file.
15329
15330 @kindex symbol-file
15331 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15332 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15333 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15334 table and program to run from the same file.
15335
15336 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15337 program's symbol table.
15338
15339 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15340 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15341 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15342 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15343 @value{GDBN}.
15344
15345 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15346 executing it once.
15347
15348 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15349 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15350 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15351 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15352 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15353 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15354 optimized code.
15355
15356 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15357 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15358 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15359 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15360 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15361
15362 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15363 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15364 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15365 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15366 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15367 Warnings and Messages}.)
15368
15369 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15370 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15371 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15372 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15373 in stabs format.
15374
15375 @kindex readnow
15376 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15377 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15378 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15379 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15380 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15381 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15382 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15383 entire symbol table available.
15384
15385 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15386 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15387 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15388 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15389 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15390 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15391 @c files.
15392
15393 @kindex core-file
15394 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15395 @itemx core
15396 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15397 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15398 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15399 executable file itself for other parts.
15400
15401 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15402 to be used.
15403
15404 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15405 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15406 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15407 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15408 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15409
15410 @kindex add-symbol-file
15411 @cindex dynamic linking
15412 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15413 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15414 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15415 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15416 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15417 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15418 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15419 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15420 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15421 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15422 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15423 @var{address} as an expression.
15424
15425 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15426 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15427 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15428 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15429 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15430
15431 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15432 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15433 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15434 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15435 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15436 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15437 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15438 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15439 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15440
15441 @itemize @bullet
15442 @item
15443 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15444 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15445 @item
15446 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15447 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15448 @item
15449 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15450 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15451 @end itemize
15452
15453 @noindent
15454 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15455 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15456 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15457 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15458 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15459 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15460 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15461 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15462 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15463 way.
15464
15465 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15466
15467 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15468 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15469 @cindex load symbols from memory
15470 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15471 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15472 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15473 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15474 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15475 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15476 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15477 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15478 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15479
15480 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15481 @kindex assf
15482 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
15483 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
15484 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
15485 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
15486 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
15487 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
15488 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
15489 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
15490 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
15491 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
15492
15493 @kindex section
15494 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
15495 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
15496 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
15497 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
15498 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
15499 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
15500 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
15501 their addresses.
15502
15503 @kindex info files
15504 @kindex info target
15505 @item info files
15506 @itemx info target
15507 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
15508 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
15509 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
15510 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
15511 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
15512 current ones.
15513
15514 @kindex maint info sections
15515 @item maint info sections
15516 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
15517 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
15518 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
15519 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
15520 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
15521 may be arbitrarily combined):
15522
15523 @table @code
15524 @item ALLOBJ
15525 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
15526 @item @var{sections}
15527 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
15528 @item @var{section-flags}
15529 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
15530 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
15531 @table @code
15532 @item ALLOC
15533 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
15534 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
15535 @item LOAD
15536 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
15537 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
15538 @item RELOC
15539 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
15540 @item READONLY
15541 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
15542 @item CODE
15543 Section contains executable code only.
15544 @item DATA
15545 Section contains data only (no executable code).
15546 @item ROM
15547 Section will reside in ROM.
15548 @item CONSTRUCTOR
15549 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
15550 @item HAS_CONTENTS
15551 Section is not empty.
15552 @item NEVER_LOAD
15553 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
15554 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
15555 A notification to the linker that the section contains
15556 COFF shared library information.
15557 @item IS_COMMON
15558 Section contains common symbols.
15559 @end table
15560 @end table
15561 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
15562 @cindex read-only sections
15563 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
15564 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
15565 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
15566 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
15567 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
15568 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
15569 enhancement to debugging performance.
15570
15571 The default is off.
15572
15573 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
15574 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
15575 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
15576 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
15577
15578 @item show trust-readonly-sections
15579 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
15580 @end table
15581
15582 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
15583 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
15584 name and remembers it that way.
15585
15586 @cindex shared libraries
15587 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
15588 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
15589 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
15590
15591 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
15592 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
15593
15594 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
15595 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
15596 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
15597 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
15598 debugging a core file).
15599
15600 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
15601 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
15602
15603 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
15604 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
15605 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
15606
15607 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
15608 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
15609 particularly large or there are many of them.
15610
15611 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
15612 commands:
15613
15614 @table @code
15615 @kindex set auto-solib-add
15616 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
15617 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
15618 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
15619 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
15620 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
15621 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
15622 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
15623
15624 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
15625 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
15626 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
15627 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
15628 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
15629 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
15630 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
15631 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
15632 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
15633
15634 @kindex show auto-solib-add
15635 @item show auto-solib-add
15636 Display the current autoloading mode.
15637 @end table
15638
15639 @cindex load shared library
15640 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
15641 command:
15642
15643 @table @code
15644 @kindex info sharedlibrary
15645 @kindex info share
15646 @item info share @var{regex}
15647 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15648 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
15649 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
15650 all shared libraries that are loaded.
15651
15652 @kindex sharedlibrary
15653 @kindex share
15654 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15655 @itemx share @var{regex}
15656 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
15657 Unix regular expression.
15658 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
15659 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
15660 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
15661 loaded.
15662
15663 @item nosharedlibrary
15664 @kindex nosharedlibrary
15665 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
15666 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
15667 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
15668 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
15669 discarded.
15670 @end table
15671
15672 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
15673 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
15674 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
15675 Catchpoints}).
15676
15677 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
15678 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
15679 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
15680 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
15681
15682 @table @code
15683 @item set stop-on-solib-events
15684 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15685 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15686 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15687 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15688 shared library.
15689
15690 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15691 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15692 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15693 library events happen.
15694 @end table
15695
15696 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15697 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15698 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15699 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15700 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15701 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15702 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15703 not.
15704
15705 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15706 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15707 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15708 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15709 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15710
15711 @table @code
15712 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15713 @cindex system root, alternate
15714 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15715 @kindex set sysroot
15716 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15717 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15718 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15719 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15720 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15721 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15722 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15723 under @var{path}.
15724
15725 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15726 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15727 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15728 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15729 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15730 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15731 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15732 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15733 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15734
15735 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15736 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15737 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15738 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15739 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15740
15741 @smallexample
15742 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15743 @end smallexample
15744
15745 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15746 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15747 system:
15748
15749 @smallexample
15750 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15751 @end smallexample
15752
15753 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15754 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15755 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15756 colons:
15757
15758 @smallexample
15759 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15760 @end smallexample
15761
15762 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15763 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15764 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15765 @samp{z}):
15766
15767 @smallexample
15768 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15769 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15770 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15771 @end smallexample
15772
15773 @noindent
15774 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15775 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15776 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15777
15778 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15779 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15780
15781 @smallexample
15782 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15783 @end smallexample
15784
15785 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15786 if you don't want or need to.
15787
15788 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15789 sysroot}.
15790
15791 @cindex default system root
15792 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15793 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15794 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15795 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15796 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15797 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15798 location.
15799
15800 @kindex show sysroot
15801 @item show sysroot
15802 Display the current shared library prefix.
15803
15804 @kindex set solib-search-path
15805 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15806 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15807 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15808 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15809 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15810 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15811 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15812 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15813 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15814 of shared library symbols.
15815
15816 @kindex show solib-search-path
15817 @item show solib-search-path
15818 Display the current shared library search path.
15819
15820 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15821 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15822 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15823 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15824 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15825
15826 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15827 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15828 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15829 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15830 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15831 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15832 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15833 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15834 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15835 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15836 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15837 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15838 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15839 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15840 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15841 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15842 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15843 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15844 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15845 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15846 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15847 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15848
15849 @table @code
15850 @item unix
15851 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15852 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15853 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15854 the forward slash.
15855
15856 @item dos-based
15857 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15858 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15859 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15860 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15861 considered directory separators.
15862
15863 @item auto
15864 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15865 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15866 This is the default.
15867 @end table
15868 @end table
15869
15870 @cindex file name canonicalization
15871 @cindex base name differences
15872 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
15873 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
15874 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
15875 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
15876 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
15877 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
15878 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
15879 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
15880 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
15881 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
15882 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
15883 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
15884 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
15885 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
15886 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
15887
15888 @table @code
15889 @item set basenames-may-differ
15890 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
15891 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
15892
15893 @item show basenames-may-differ
15894 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
15895 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
15896 @end table
15897
15898 @node Separate Debug Files
15899 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15900 @cindex separate debugging information files
15901 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15902 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15903 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15904 @cindex global debugging information directory
15905 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15906 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15907
15908 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15909 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15910 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15911 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15912 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15913 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15914 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15915
15916 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15917 file:
15918
15919 @itemize @bullet
15920 @item
15921 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15922 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15923 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15924 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15925 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15926 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15927 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15928 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15929
15930 @item
15931 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15932 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15933 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15934 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15935 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15936 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15937 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15938 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15939 below.
15940 @end itemize
15941
15942 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15943 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15944
15945 @itemize @bullet
15946 @item
15947 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15948 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15949 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15950 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15951 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15952
15953 @item
15954 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15955 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15956 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15957 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15958 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15959 hex characters, not 10.)
15960 @end itemize
15961
15962 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15963 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15964 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15965 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15966 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15967 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15968
15969 @itemize @minus
15970 @item
15971 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15972 @item
15973 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15974 @item
15975 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15976 @item
15977 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15978 @end itemize
15979
15980 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15981 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15982
15983 @table @code
15984
15985 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15986 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15987 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15988 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15989 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15990
15991 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15992 @item show debug-file-directory
15993 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15994 information files.
15995
15996 @end table
15997
15998 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15999 @cindex debug link sections
16000 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16001 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16002
16003 @itemize
16004 @item
16005 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16006 a zero byte,
16007 @item
16008 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16009 boundary within the section, and
16010 @item
16011 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16012 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16013 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16014 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16015 @end itemize
16016
16017 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16018 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16019 described above.
16020
16021 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16022 @cindex build ID sections
16023 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16024 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16025 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16026 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16027 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16028 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16029 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16030 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16031 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16032
16033 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16034 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16035 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16036 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16037 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16038 in an ordinary executable.
16039
16040 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16041 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16042 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16043 following commands:
16044
16045 @smallexample
16046 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16047 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16048 @end smallexample
16049
16050 @noindent
16051 These commands remove the debugging
16052 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16053 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16054 two files:
16055
16056 @itemize @bullet
16057 @item
16058 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16059 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16060
16061 @smallexample
16062 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16063 @end smallexample
16064
16065 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16066 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16067 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16068 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16069
16070 @item
16071 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16072 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16073 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16074 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16075 @end itemize
16076
16077 @noindent
16078
16079 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16080 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16081 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16082
16083 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16084 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16085 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16086 @c different ways!
16087 @ifhtml
16088 @display
16089 @html
16090 <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>
16091 + <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
16092 @end html
16093 @end display
16094 @end ifhtml
16095 @ifnothtml
16096 @display
16097 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16098 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16099 @end display
16100 @end ifnothtml
16101
16102 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16103 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16104 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16105 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16106 CRC.
16107
16108 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16109 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16110 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16111 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16112 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16113 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16114
16115 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16116 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16117 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16118 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16119 @code{0xffffffff}.
16120
16121 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16122 @smallexample
16123 unsigned long
16124 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16125 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16126 @{
16127 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16128 @{
16129 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16130 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16131 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16132 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16133 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16134 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16135 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16136 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16137 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16138 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16139 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16140 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16141 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16142 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16143 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16144 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16145 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16146 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16147 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16148 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16149 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16150 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16151 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16152 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16153 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16154 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16155 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16156 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16157 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16158 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16159 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16160 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16161 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16162 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16163 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16164 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16165 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16166 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16167 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16168 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16169 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16170 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16171 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16172 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16173 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16174 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16175 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16176 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16177 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16178 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16179 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16180 0x2d02ef8d
16181 @};
16182 unsigned char *end;
16183
16184 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16185 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16186 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16187 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16188 @}
16189 @end smallexample
16190
16191 @noindent
16192 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16193
16194
16195 @node Index Files
16196 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16197 @cindex index files
16198 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16199
16200 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16201 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16202 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16203 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16204 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16205 startup.
16206
16207 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16208 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16209 using @command{objcopy}.
16210
16211 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16212
16213 @table @code
16214 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16215 @kindex save gdb-index
16216 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16217 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16218 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16219 @var{directory}.
16220 @end table
16221
16222 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16223 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16224
16225 @smallexample
16226 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16227 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16228 @end smallexample
16229
16230 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16231 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16232 currently work for programs using Ada.
16233
16234 @node Symbol Errors
16235 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16236
16237 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16238 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16239 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16240 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16241 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16242 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16243 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16244 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16245 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16246 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16247 Messages}).
16248
16249 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16250
16251 @table @code
16252 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16253
16254 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16255 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16256 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16257 in its outer scope blocks.
16258
16259 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16260 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16261 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16262 function.
16263
16264 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16265
16266 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16267 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16268 do so.
16269
16270 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16271 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16272 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16273 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16274 Messages}.)
16275
16276 @item bad block start address patched
16277
16278 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16279 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16280 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16281
16282 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
16283 starting on the previous source line.
16284
16285 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
16286
16287 @cindex foo
16288 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
16289 larger than the size of the string table.
16290
16291 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
16292 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
16293 with this name.
16294
16295 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
16296
16297 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
16298 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
16299 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
16300
16301 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
16302 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
16303 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
16304 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
16305 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
16306 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
16307
16308 @item stub type has NULL name
16309
16310 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
16311
16312 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
16313 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
16314 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
16315 it.
16316
16317 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
16318
16319 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
16320
16321 @end table
16322
16323 @node Data Files
16324 @section GDB Data Files
16325
16326 @cindex prefix for data files
16327 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
16328 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
16329
16330 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16331 is currently using.
16332
16333 @table @code
16334 @kindex set data-directory
16335 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16336 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16337 to @var{directory}.
16338
16339 @kindex show data-directory
16340 @item show data-directory
16341 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16342 @end table
16343
16344 @cindex default data directory
16345 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16346 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16347 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16348 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16349 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16350 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16351 location.
16352
16353 The data directory may also be specified with the
16354 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16355 @xref{Mode Options}.
16356
16357 @node Targets
16358 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16359
16360 @cindex debugging target
16361 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16362
16363 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16364 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16365 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16366 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16367 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16368 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16369 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16370 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16371
16372 @cindex target architecture
16373 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16374 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16375 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16376 command.
16377
16378 @table @code
16379 @kindex set architecture
16380 @kindex show architecture
16381 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16382 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16383 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16384 supported architectures.
16385
16386 @item show architecture
16387 Show the current target architecture.
16388
16389 @item set processor
16390 @itemx processor
16391 @kindex set processor
16392 @kindex show processor
16393 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16394 and @code{show architecture}.
16395 @end table
16396
16397 @menu
16398 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16399 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16400 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16401 @end menu
16402
16403 @node Active Targets
16404 @section Active Targets
16405
16406 @cindex stacking targets
16407 @cindex active targets
16408 @cindex multiple targets
16409
16410 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16411 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16412 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16413 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16414 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16415 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16416 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16417 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16418 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16419
16420 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16421 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16422 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16423 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16424
16425 @node Target Commands
16426 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16427
16428 @table @code
16429 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16430 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16431 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16432 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16433 protocol of the target machine.
16434
16435 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16436 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16437 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16438
16439 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16440 after executing the command.
16441
16442 @kindex help target
16443 @item help target
16444 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16445 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16446 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16447
16448 @item help target @var{name}
16449 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16450 select it.
16451
16452 @kindex set gnutarget
16453 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16454 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16455 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16456 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16457 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
16458 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
16459
16460 @quotation
16461 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
16462 you must know the actual BFD name.
16463 @end quotation
16464
16465 @noindent
16466 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
16467
16468 @kindex show gnutarget
16469 @item show gnutarget
16470 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
16471 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
16472 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
16473 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
16474 @end table
16475
16476 @cindex common targets
16477 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
16478 configuration):
16479
16480 @table @code
16481 @kindex target
16482 @item target exec @var{program}
16483 @cindex executable file target
16484 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
16485 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
16486
16487 @item target core @var{filename}
16488 @cindex core dump file target
16489 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
16490 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
16491
16492 @item target remote @var{medium}
16493 @cindex remote target
16494 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
16495 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
16496 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
16497
16498 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
16499 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
16500
16501 @smallexample
16502 target remote /dev/ttya
16503 @end smallexample
16504
16505 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
16506 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
16507 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
16508 clobbered by the download.
16509
16510 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
16511 @cindex built-in simulator target
16512 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
16513 In general,
16514 @smallexample
16515 target sim
16516 load
16517 run
16518 @end smallexample
16519 @noindent
16520 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
16521 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
16522 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
16523 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
16524 Processors}.
16525
16526 @end table
16527
16528 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
16529
16530 @table @code
16531
16532 @item target nrom @var{dev}
16533 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
16534 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
16535
16536 @end table
16537
16538 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
16539 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
16540
16541 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
16542 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
16543 various aspects of this process.
16544
16545 @table @code
16546
16547 @item set hash
16548 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
16549 @cindex hash mark while downloading
16550 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
16551 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
16552 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
16553 monitor.
16554
16555 @item show hash
16556 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
16557 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
16558
16559 @item set debug monitor
16560 @kindex set debug monitor
16561 @cindex display remote monitor communications
16562 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
16563 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
16564
16565 @item show debug monitor
16566 @kindex show debug monitor
16567 Show the current status of displaying communications between
16568 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
16569 @end table
16570
16571 @table @code
16572
16573 @kindex load @var{filename}
16574 @item load @var{filename}
16575 @anchor{load}
16576 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
16577 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
16578 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
16579 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
16580 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
16581 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16582
16583 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
16584 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
16585 target is @dots{}}''
16586
16587 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
16588 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
16589 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
16590 specifies a fixed address.
16591 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
16592
16593 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
16594 load programs into flash memory.
16595
16596 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
16597 @end table
16598
16599 @node Byte Order
16600 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
16601
16602 @cindex choosing target byte order
16603 @cindex target byte order
16604
16605 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
16606 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
16607 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
16608 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
16609 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
16610 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
16611
16612 @table @code
16613 @kindex set endian
16614 @item set endian big
16615 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
16616
16617 @item set endian little
16618 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
16619
16620 @item set endian auto
16621 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
16622 executable.
16623
16624 @item show endian
16625 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
16626
16627 @end table
16628
16629 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
16630 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
16631 target system.
16632
16633
16634 @node Remote Debugging
16635 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
16636 @cindex remote debugging
16637
16638 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
16639 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
16640 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
16641 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
16642 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
16643
16644 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
16645 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
16646 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
16647 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
16648 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
16649 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
16650
16651 Other remote targets may be available in your
16652 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
16653
16654 @menu
16655 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
16656 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
16657 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
16658 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
16659 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
16660 @end menu
16661
16662 @node Connecting
16663 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
16664
16665 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
16666 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
16667 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
16668 program as the first argument.
16669
16670 @cindex @code{target remote}
16671 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
16672 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
16673 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
16674 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
16675 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
16676 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
16677
16678 @table @code
16679
16680 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
16681 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
16682 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
16683 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
16684
16685 @smallexample
16686 target remote /dev/ttyb
16687 @end smallexample
16688
16689 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
16690 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
16691 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
16692 @code{target} command.
16693
16694 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
16695 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16696 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
16697 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
16698 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
16699 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
16700 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
16701 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
16702 target.
16703
16704 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
16705 @code{manyfarms}:
16706
16707 @smallexample
16708 target remote manyfarms:2828
16709 @end smallexample
16710
16711 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16712 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16713 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16714 port 1234 on your local machine:
16715
16716 @smallexample
16717 target remote :1234
16718 @end smallexample
16719 @noindent
16720
16721 Note that the colon is still required here.
16722
16723 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16724 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16725 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16726 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16727
16728 @smallexample
16729 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16730 @end smallexample
16731
16732 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16733 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16734 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16735 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16736
16737 @item target remote | @var{command}
16738 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16739 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16740 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16741 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16742 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16743 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16744 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16745 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16746
16747 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16748 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16749 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16750
16751 @end table
16752
16753 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16754 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16755 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16756 need to use @kbd{run}.
16757
16758 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16759 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16760 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16761 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16762 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16763 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16764 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16765
16766 @smallexample
16767 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16768 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16769 @end smallexample
16770
16771 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16772 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16773 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16774 goes back to waiting.
16775
16776 @table @code
16777 @kindex detach (remote)
16778 @item detach
16779 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16780 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16781 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16782 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16783 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16784
16785 @kindex disconnect
16786 @item disconnect
16787 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16788 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16789 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16790 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16791 another target.
16792
16793 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16794 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16795 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16796 @kindex monitor
16797 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16798 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16799 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16800 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16801 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16802 and implement.
16803 @end table
16804
16805 @node File Transfer
16806 @section Sending files to a remote system
16807 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16808 @cindex file transfer
16809 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16810
16811 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16812 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16813 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16814 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16815 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16816 the only way to upload or download files.
16817
16818 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16819
16820 @table @code
16821 @kindex remote put
16822 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16823 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16824 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16825
16826 @kindex remote get
16827 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16828 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16829 on the host system.
16830
16831 @kindex remote delete
16832 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16833 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16834
16835 @end table
16836
16837 @node Server
16838 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16839
16840 @kindex gdbserver
16841 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16842 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16843 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16844 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16845
16846 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16847 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16848 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16849 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16850 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16851 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16852 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16853 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16854 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16855 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16856 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16857 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16858 choice for debugging.
16859
16860 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16861 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16862 protocol.
16863
16864 @quotation
16865 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16866 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16867 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16868 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16869 @code{gdbserver}.
16870 @end quotation
16871
16872 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16873 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16874 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16875
16876 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16877 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16878 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16879 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16880 system does all the symbol handling.
16881
16882 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16883 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16884 syntax is:
16885
16886 @smallexample
16887 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16888 @end smallexample
16889
16890 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
16891 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
16892 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
16893 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16894 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16895 @file{/dev/com1}:
16896
16897 @smallexample
16898 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16899 @end smallexample
16900
16901 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16902 with it.
16903
16904 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16905
16906 @smallexample
16907 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16908 @end smallexample
16909
16910 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16911 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16912 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16913 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16914 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16915 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16916 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16917 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16918 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16919 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16920 @code{target remote} command.
16921
16922 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
16923 with ssh:
16924
16925 @smallexample
16926 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
16927 @end smallexample
16928
16929 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
16930 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
16931 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
16932 You could elide it if you want to.
16933
16934 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
16935 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
16936 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
16937 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
16938
16939 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16940 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16941 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16942
16943 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16944 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16945
16946 @smallexample
16947 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16948 @end smallexample
16949
16950 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16951 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16952
16953 @pindex pidof
16954 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16955 @code{pidof} utility:
16956
16957 @smallexample
16958 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16959 @end smallexample
16960
16961 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16962 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16963 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16964
16965 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16966 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16967 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16968
16969 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16970 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16971 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16972 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16973
16974 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16975 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16976 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16977 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16978 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16979 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16980 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16981 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16982 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16983
16984 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16985 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16986 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16987 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16988 the program you want to debug.
16989
16990 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16991 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16992 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16993 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16994 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16995 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16996
16997 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16998
16999 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17000
17001 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17002 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17003 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17004 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17005 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17006 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17007 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17008 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17009
17010 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17011 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17012 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17013
17014 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17015 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17016 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17017 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17018 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17019 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17020 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17021 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17022 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17023 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17024 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17025 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17026
17027 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17028
17029 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17030 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17031 status information about the debugging process.
17032 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17033 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17034 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17035 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17036
17037 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17038 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17039 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17040 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17041 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17042
17043 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17044 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17045 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17046 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17047
17048 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17049 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17050 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17051 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17052
17053 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17054 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17055 environment:
17056
17057 @smallexample
17058 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17059 @end smallexample
17060
17061 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17062
17063 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17064
17065 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17066 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17067 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17068 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17069
17070 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17071 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17072 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17073 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17074 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17075 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17076 programs.
17077
17078 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17079 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17080 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17081 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17082 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17083 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17084 already on the target.
17085
17086 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17087 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17088 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17089
17090 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17091 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17092 Here are the available commands.
17093
17094 @table @code
17095 @item monitor help
17096 List the available monitor commands.
17097
17098 @item monitor set debug 0
17099 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17100 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17101
17102 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17103 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17104 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17105 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17106
17107 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17108 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17109 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17110 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17111 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17112 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17113
17114 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17115 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17116
17117 @item monitor exit
17118 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17119 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17120 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17121 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17122 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17123
17124 @end table
17125
17126 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17127 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17128
17129 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17130 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17131
17132 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17133 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17134 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17135 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17136 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17137 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17138 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17139 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17140 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17141 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17142 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17143 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17144
17145 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17146
17147 @table @code
17148 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17149
17150 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17151 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17152 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17153
17154 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17155
17156 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17157 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17158 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17159 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17160 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17161 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17162
17163 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17164
17165 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17166 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17167 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17168 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17169 command for that. For example:
17170
17171 @smallexample
17172 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17173 @end smallexample
17174
17175 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17176 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17177 @end table
17178
17179 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17180 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17181 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17182 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17183 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17184 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17185 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17186 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17187 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17188 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17189
17190 @smallexample
17191 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17192 @end smallexample
17193
17194 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17195
17196 @smallexample
17197 $ gdb myprogram
17198 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17199 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17200 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17201 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17202 @end smallexample
17203
17204 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17205 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17206 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17207 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17208 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17209 tracing.
17210
17211 @node Remote Configuration
17212 @section Remote Configuration
17213
17214 @kindex set remote
17215 @kindex show remote
17216 This section documents the configuration options available when
17217 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17218 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17219 system-call-allowed}.
17220
17221 @table @code
17222 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17223 @cindex address size for remote targets
17224 @cindex bits in remote address
17225 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17226 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17227 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17228 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17229
17230 @item show remoteaddresssize
17231 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17232
17233 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17234 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17235 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17236 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17237 remote targets.
17238
17239 @item show remotebaud
17240 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17241
17242 @item set remotebreak
17243 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17244 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17245 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17246 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17247 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17248 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17249 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17250 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17251
17252 @item show remotebreak
17253 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17254 interrupt the remote program.
17255
17256 @item set remoteflow on
17257 @itemx set remoteflow off
17258 @kindex set remoteflow
17259 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17260 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17261
17262 @item show remoteflow
17263 @kindex show remoteflow
17264 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17265
17266 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17267 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17268 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17269 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17270 @code{ascii}.
17271
17272 @item show remotelogbase
17273 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17274 protocol.
17275
17276 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17277 @cindex record serial communications on file
17278 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17279 default is not to record at all.
17280
17281 @item show remotelogfile.
17282 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
17283 serial communications.
17284
17285 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
17286 @cindex timeout for serial communications
17287 @cindex remote timeout
17288 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
17289 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
17290
17291 @item show remotetimeout
17292 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
17293 responses.
17294
17295 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
17296 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
17297 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
17298 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
17299 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
17300 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
17301 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
17302 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
17303
17304 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
17305 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
17306 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
17307 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
17308 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
17309 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
17310 as unlimited.
17311
17312 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
17313 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
17314 a remote hardware watchpoint.
17315
17316 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
17317 @itemx show remote exec-file
17318 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
17319 @cindex executable file, for remote target
17320 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
17321 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
17322 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
17323 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
17324
17325 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
17326 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17327 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
17328 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
17329 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
17330 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
17331 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
17332 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
17333 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
17334 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
17335
17336 @item show interrupt-sequence
17337 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
17338 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
17339 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
17340 also known as Magic SysRq g.
17341
17342 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
17343 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
17344 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
17345 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
17346 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
17347 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
17348
17349 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17350 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17351 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17352
17353 @kindex set tcp
17354 @kindex show tcp
17355 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17356 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17357 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17358 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17359 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17360 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17361 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17362 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17363 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17364
17365 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17366 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17367
17368 @item show tcp auto-retry
17369 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17370
17371 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17372 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17373 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17374 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17375 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17376 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17377 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17378 value.
17379
17380 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17381 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17382 @end table
17383
17384 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17385 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17386 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17387 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17388 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17389 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17390 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17391 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17392 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17393
17394 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17395 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17396 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17397 @value{GDBN} developers.
17398
17399 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17400 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17401 are:
17402
17403 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17404 @item Command Name
17405 @tab Remote Packet
17406 @tab Related Features
17407
17408 @item @code{fetch-register}
17409 @tab @code{p}
17410 @tab @code{info registers}
17411
17412 @item @code{set-register}
17413 @tab @code{P}
17414 @tab @code{set}
17415
17416 @item @code{binary-download}
17417 @tab @code{X}
17418 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17419
17420 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17421 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17422 @tab @code{info auxv}
17423
17424 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17425 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17426 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17427
17428 @item @code{attach}
17429 @tab @code{vAttach}
17430 @tab @code{attach}
17431
17432 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17433 @tab @code{vCont}
17434 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17435
17436 @item @code{run}
17437 @tab @code{vRun}
17438 @tab @code{run}
17439
17440 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17441 @tab @code{Z0}
17442 @tab @code{break}
17443
17444 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17445 @tab @code{Z1}
17446 @tab @code{hbreak}
17447
17448 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17449 @tab @code{Z2}
17450 @tab @code{watch}
17451
17452 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17453 @tab @code{Z3}
17454 @tab @code{rwatch}
17455
17456 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
17457 @tab @code{Z4}
17458 @tab @code{awatch}
17459
17460 @item @code{target-features}
17461 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
17462 @tab @code{set architecture}
17463
17464 @item @code{library-info}
17465 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
17466 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
17467
17468 @item @code{memory-map}
17469 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
17470 @tab @code{info mem}
17471
17472 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
17473 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
17474 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
17475
17476 @item @code{read-spu-object}
17477 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
17478 @tab @code{info spu}
17479
17480 @item @code{write-spu-object}
17481 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
17482 @tab @code{info spu}
17483
17484 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
17485 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
17486 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
17487
17488 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
17489 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
17490 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
17491
17492 @item @code{threads}
17493 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
17494 @tab @code{info threads}
17495
17496 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
17497 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
17498 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
17499
17500 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
17501 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
17502 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
17503
17504 @item @code{search-memory}
17505 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
17506 @tab @code{find}
17507
17508 @item @code{supported-packets}
17509 @tab @code{qSupported}
17510 @tab Remote communications parameters
17511
17512 @item @code{pass-signals}
17513 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
17514 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
17515
17516 @item @code{program-signals}
17517 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
17518 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
17519
17520 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
17521 @tab @code{vFile:close}
17522 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17523
17524 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
17525 @tab @code{vFile:open}
17526 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17527
17528 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
17529 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
17530 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17531
17532 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
17533 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
17534 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17535
17536 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
17537 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
17538 @tab @code{remote delete}
17539
17540 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
17541 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
17542 @tab Host I/O
17543
17544 @item @code{noack-packet}
17545 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
17546 @tab Packet acknowledgment
17547
17548 @item @code{osdata}
17549 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
17550 @tab @code{info os}
17551
17552 @item @code{query-attached}
17553 @tab @code{qAttached}
17554 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
17555
17556 @item @code{traceframe-info}
17557 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
17558 @tab Traceframe info
17559
17560 @item @code{install-in-trace}
17561 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
17562 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
17563
17564 @item @code{disable-randomization}
17565 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
17566 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
17567
17568 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
17569 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
17570 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
17571 @end multitable
17572
17573 @node Remote Stub
17574 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
17575
17576 @cindex debugging stub, example
17577 @cindex remote stub, example
17578 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
17579 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
17580 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
17581 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
17582 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
17583 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
17584 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
17585 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
17586
17587 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
17588 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
17589 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
17590 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
17591 program, you need:
17592
17593 @enumerate
17594 @item
17595 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
17596 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
17597 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
17598
17599 @item
17600 A C subroutine library to support your program's
17601 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
17602
17603 @item
17604 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
17605 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
17606 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
17607 documentation.
17608 @end enumerate
17609
17610 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
17611 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
17612 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
17613
17614 @table @emph
17615 @item On the host,
17616 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
17617 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
17618 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
17619
17620 @item On the target,
17621 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
17622 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
17623 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
17624
17625 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
17626 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
17627 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
17628 @end table
17629
17630 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
17631 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
17632 @sc{sparc} boards.
17633
17634 @cindex remote serial stub list
17635 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
17636
17637 @table @code
17638
17639 @item i386-stub.c
17640 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
17641 @cindex Intel
17642 @cindex i386
17643 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
17644
17645 @item m68k-stub.c
17646 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
17647 @cindex Motorola 680x0
17648 @cindex m680x0
17649 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
17650
17651 @item sh-stub.c
17652 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
17653 @cindex Renesas
17654 @cindex SH
17655 For Renesas SH architectures.
17656
17657 @item sparc-stub.c
17658 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
17659 @cindex Sparc
17660 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
17661
17662 @item sparcl-stub.c
17663 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
17664 @cindex Fujitsu
17665 @cindex SparcLite
17666 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
17667
17668 @end table
17669
17670 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
17671 recently added stubs.
17672
17673 @menu
17674 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
17675 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
17676 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
17677 @end menu
17678
17679 @node Stub Contents
17680 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
17681
17682 @cindex remote serial stub
17683 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
17684 subroutines:
17685
17686 @table @code
17687 @item set_debug_traps
17688 @findex set_debug_traps
17689 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
17690 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
17691 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
17692 program's startup code.
17693
17694 @item handle_exception
17695 @findex handle_exception
17696 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
17697 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
17698 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
17699 run when a trap is triggered.
17700
17701 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
17702 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
17703 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
17704 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
17705 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
17706 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
17707 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
17708 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
17709 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
17710 machine.
17711
17712 @item breakpoint
17713 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
17714 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
17715 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
17716 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
17717 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
17718 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
17719 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
17720 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
17721 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
17722 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
17723 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
17724
17725 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
17726 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
17727 start of your debugging session.
17728 @end table
17729
17730 @node Bootstrapping
17731 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
17732
17733 @cindex remote stub, support routines
17734 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
17735 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
17736 debugging target machine.
17737
17738 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
17739 serial port.
17740
17741 @table @code
17742 @item int getDebugChar()
17743 @findex getDebugChar
17744 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
17745 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
17746 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17747
17748 @item void putDebugChar(int)
17749 @findex putDebugChar
17750 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
17751 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
17752 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17753 @end table
17754
17755 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
17756 @cindex interrupting remote targets
17757 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
17758 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
17759 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
17760 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
17761 remote system to stop.
17762
17763 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
17764 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
17765 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17766 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17767
17768 Other routines you need to supply are:
17769
17770 @table @code
17771 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17772 @findex exceptionHandler
17773 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17774 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17775 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17776 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17777 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17778 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17779 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17780 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17781 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17782 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17783 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17784 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17785 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17786
17787 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17788 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17789 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17790 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17791 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17792
17793 @item void flush_i_cache()
17794 @findex flush_i_cache
17795 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17796 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17797 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17798
17799 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17800 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17801 @end table
17802
17803 @noindent
17804 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17805
17806 @table @code
17807 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17808 @findex memset
17809 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17810 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17811 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17812 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17813 @end table
17814
17815 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17816 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17817 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17818 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17819
17820
17821 @node Debug Session
17822 @subsection Putting it All Together
17823
17824 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17825 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17826 steps.
17827
17828 @enumerate
17829 @item
17830 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17831 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17832 @display
17833 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17834 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17835 @end display
17836
17837 @item
17838 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
17839 procedure is called:
17840
17841 @smallexample
17842 set_debug_traps();
17843 breakpoint();
17844 @end smallexample
17845
17846 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
17847 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
17848 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
17849 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
17850 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
17851 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
17852 progress.
17853
17854 @item
17855 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17856 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17857
17858 @smallexample
17859 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17860 @end smallexample
17861
17862 @noindent
17863 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17864 function in your program, that function is called when
17865 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17866 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17867 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17868
17869 @item
17870 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17871 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17872
17873 @item
17874 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17875 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17876
17877 @item
17878 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17879 @c document that. FIXME.
17880 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17881 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17882
17883 @item
17884 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17885 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17886
17887 @end enumerate
17888
17889 @node Configurations
17890 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17891
17892 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17893 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17894 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17895
17896 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17897 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17898 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17899 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17900 are quite different from each other.
17901
17902 @menu
17903 * Native::
17904 * Embedded OS::
17905 * Embedded Processors::
17906 * Architectures::
17907 @end menu
17908
17909 @node Native
17910 @section Native
17911
17912 This section describes details specific to particular native
17913 configurations.
17914
17915 @menu
17916 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17917 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17918 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17919 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17920 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17921 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17922 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17923 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17924 @end menu
17925
17926 @node HP-UX
17927 @subsection HP-UX
17928
17929 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17930 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17931 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17932
17933
17934 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17935 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17936
17937 @cindex libkvm
17938 @cindex kernel memory image
17939 @cindex kernel crash dump
17940
17941 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17942 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17943 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17944 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17945 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17946 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17947 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17948 @code{kvm} target:
17949
17950 @smallexample
17951 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17952 @end smallexample
17953
17954 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17955 argument:
17956
17957 @smallexample
17958 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17959 @end smallexample
17960
17961 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17962 available:
17963
17964 @table @code
17965 @kindex kvm
17966 @item kvm pcb
17967 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17968
17969 @item kvm proc
17970 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17971 modern FreeBSD systems.
17972 @end table
17973
17974 @node SVR4 Process Information
17975 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17976 @cindex /proc
17977 @cindex examine process image
17978 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17979
17980 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17981 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17982 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17983 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17984 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17985 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17986 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17987 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17988 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17989
17990 @table @code
17991 @kindex info proc
17992 @cindex process ID
17993 @item info proc
17994 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17995 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17996 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17997 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17998 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17999 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18000 executable file's absolute file name.
18001
18002 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18003 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18004 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18005 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18006 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18007 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18008
18009 @item info proc mappings
18010 @cindex memory address space mappings
18011 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18012 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18013 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18014 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18015 memory access rights to that range.
18016
18017 @item info proc stat
18018 @itemx info proc status
18019 @cindex process detailed status information
18020 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18021 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18022 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18023 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18024 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18025 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18026 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18027
18028 @item info proc all
18029 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18030 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18031
18032 @ignore
18033 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18034 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18035 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18036 @kindex info proc times
18037 @item info proc times
18038 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18039 its children.
18040
18041 @kindex info proc id
18042 @item info proc id
18043 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18044 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18045 @end ignore
18046
18047 @item set procfs-trace
18048 @kindex set procfs-trace
18049 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18050 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18051
18052 @item show procfs-trace
18053 @kindex show procfs-trace
18054 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18055
18056 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18057 @kindex set procfs-file
18058 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18059 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18060 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18061 standard output.
18062
18063 @item show procfs-file
18064 @kindex show procfs-file
18065 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18066
18067 @item proc-trace-entry
18068 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18069 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18070 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18071 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18072 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18073 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18074 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18075 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18076 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18077
18078 @item info pidlist
18079 @kindex info pidlist
18080 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18081 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18082 processes and all the threads within each process.
18083
18084 @item info meminfo
18085 @kindex info meminfo
18086 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18087 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18088 @end table
18089
18090 @node DJGPP Native
18091 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18092 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18093 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18094 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18095
18096 @cindex DPMI
18097 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18098 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18099 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18100 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18101
18102 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18103 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18104 subsection describes those commands.
18105
18106 @table @code
18107 @kindex info dos
18108 @item info dos
18109 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18110 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18111
18112 @kindex sysinfo
18113 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18114 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18115 @item info dos sysinfo
18116 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18117 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18118 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18119
18120 @cindex GDT
18121 @cindex LDT
18122 @cindex IDT
18123 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18124 @cindex descriptor tables display
18125 @item info dos gdt
18126 @itemx info dos ldt
18127 @itemx info dos idt
18128 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18129 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18130 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18131 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18132 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18133 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18134 rights.
18135
18136 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18137 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18138 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18139 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18140 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18141
18142 @cindex garbled pointers
18143 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18144 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18145 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18146 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18147 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18148 debugged program's data segment:
18149
18150 @smallexample
18151 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18152 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18153 @end smallexample
18154
18155 @noindent
18156 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18157 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18158
18159 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18160 @item info dos pde
18161 @itemx info dos pte
18162 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18163 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18164 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18165 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18166 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18167 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18168 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18169 that is currently in use.
18170
18171 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18172 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18173 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18174 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18175 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18176 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18177 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18178
18179 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18180 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18181 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18182 controller.
18183
18184 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18185
18186 @cindex physical address from linear address
18187 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18188 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18189 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18190 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18191 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18192 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18193 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18194
18195 @smallexample
18196 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18197 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18198 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18199 @end smallexample
18200
18201 @noindent
18202 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18203 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18204 attributes of that page.
18205
18206 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18207 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18208 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18209 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18210 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18211 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18212
18213 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18214 transfer buffer:
18215
18216 @smallexample
18217 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18218 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18219 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18220 @end smallexample
18221
18222 @noindent
18223 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18224 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18225 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18226 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18227 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18228
18229 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18230 @end table
18231
18232 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18233 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18234 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18235 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18236
18237 @table @code
18238 @kindex set com1base
18239 @kindex set com1irq
18240 @kindex set com2base
18241 @kindex set com2irq
18242 @kindex set com3base
18243 @kindex set com3irq
18244 @kindex set com4base
18245 @kindex set com4irq
18246 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18247 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18248 port.
18249
18250 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18251 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18252 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18253
18254 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18255 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18256 other 3 COM ports.
18257
18258 @kindex show com1base
18259 @kindex show com1irq
18260 @kindex show com2base
18261 @kindex show com2irq
18262 @kindex show com3base
18263 @kindex show com3irq
18264 @kindex show com4base
18265 @kindex show com4irq
18266 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
18267 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
18268 lines used by the COM ports.
18269
18270 @item info serial
18271 @kindex info serial
18272 @cindex DOS serial port status
18273 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
18274 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
18275 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
18276 counts of various errors encountered so far.
18277 @end table
18278
18279
18280 @node Cygwin Native
18281 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
18282 @cindex MS Windows debugging
18283 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
18284 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
18285
18286 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
18287 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
18288
18289 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
18290 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
18291 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
18292 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
18293 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
18294 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
18295 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
18296 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
18297
18298 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
18299 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
18300 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
18301
18302 @table @code
18303 @kindex info w32
18304 @item info w32
18305 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
18306 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18307
18308 @item info w32 selector
18309 This command displays information returned by
18310 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
18311 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
18312 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
18313 Without argument, this command displays information
18314 about the six segment registers.
18315
18316 @item info w32 thread-information-block
18317 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
18318 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
18319 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
18320
18321 @kindex info dll
18322 @item info dll
18323 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
18324
18325 @kindex dll-symbols
18326 @item dll-symbols
18327 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
18328 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
18329
18330 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
18331 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
18332 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
18333 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
18334 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
18335 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
18336 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
18337 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
18338 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
18339 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
18340 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
18341
18342 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
18343 @item show cygwin-exceptions
18344 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
18345 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
18346
18347 @kindex set new-console
18348 @item set new-console @var{mode}
18349 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
18350 be started in a new console on next start.
18351 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
18352 be started in the same console as the debugger.
18353
18354 @kindex show new-console
18355 @item show new-console
18356 Displays whether a new console is used
18357 when the debuggee is started.
18358
18359 @kindex set new-group
18360 @item set new-group @var{mode}
18361 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
18362 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
18363 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
18364 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
18365
18366 @kindex show new-group
18367 @item show new-group
18368 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
18369
18370 @kindex set debugevents
18371 @item set debugevents
18372 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
18373 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18374 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18375 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18376 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18377
18378 @kindex set debugexec
18379 @item set debugexec
18380 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18381 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18382
18383 @kindex set debugexceptions
18384 @item set debugexceptions
18385 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18386 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18387
18388 @kindex set debugmemory
18389 @item set debugmemory
18390 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18391 and writes by the debugger.
18392
18393 @kindex set shell
18394 @item set shell
18395 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18396 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18397
18398 @kindex show shell
18399 @item show shell
18400 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18401
18402 @end table
18403
18404 @menu
18405 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18406 @end menu
18407
18408 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18409 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18410 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18411 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18412
18413 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18414 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18415 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18416 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18417 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18418 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18419 ``minimal symbols''.
18420
18421 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18422 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18423 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18424 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18425 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18426 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18427 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18428 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18429 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18430 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18431
18432 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18433
18434 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18435 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18436 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18437 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18438 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18439 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18440 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18441 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18442 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18443
18444 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18445 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18446 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18447 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18448 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18449 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18450
18451 @smallexample
18452 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18453 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18454
18455 Non-debugging symbols:
18456 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18457 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
18458 @end smallexample
18459
18460 @smallexample
18461 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
18462 All functions matching regular expression "!":
18463
18464 Non-debugging symbols:
18465 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
18466 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
18467 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
18468 [etc...]
18469 @end smallexample
18470
18471 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
18472
18473 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
18474 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
18475 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
18476 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
18477 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
18478 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
18479 a function within a DLL without a running program.
18480
18481 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
18482 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
18483 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
18484 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
18485 problem:
18486
18487 @smallexample
18488 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
18489 $1 = 268572168
18490 @end smallexample
18491
18492 @smallexample
18493 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
18494 0x10021610: "\230y\""
18495 @end smallexample
18496
18497 And two possible solutions:
18498
18499 @smallexample
18500 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
18501 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
18502 @end smallexample
18503
18504 @smallexample
18505 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
18506 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
18507 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
18508 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
18509 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
18510 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
18511 @end smallexample
18512
18513 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
18514 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
18515 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
18516 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
18517 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
18518
18519 @smallexample
18520 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
18521 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
18522 @end smallexample
18523
18524 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
18525 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
18526 safe.
18527
18528 @node Hurd Native
18529 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
18530 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
18531
18532 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
18533 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
18534
18535 @table @code
18536 @item set signals
18537 @itemx set sigs
18538 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
18539 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
18540 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
18541 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
18542 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
18543 @code{signals}.
18544
18545 @item show signals
18546 @itemx show sigs
18547 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
18548 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
18549 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
18550
18551 @item set signal-thread
18552 @itemx set sigthread
18553 @kindex set signal-thread
18554 @kindex set sigthread
18555 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
18556 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
18557 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
18558 signal-thread}.
18559
18560 @item show signal-thread
18561 @itemx show sigthread
18562 @kindex show signal-thread
18563 @kindex show sigthread
18564 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
18565 delivered a signal.
18566
18567 @item set stopped
18568 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
18569 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
18570 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
18571 continued by delivering a signal to it.
18572
18573 @item show stopped
18574 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
18575 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
18576 stopped.
18577
18578 @item set exceptions
18579 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
18580 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
18581 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
18582 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
18583 trapping on.
18584
18585 @item show exceptions
18586 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
18587 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
18588
18589 @item set task pause
18590 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
18591 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18592 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18593 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
18594 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
18595 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
18596 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
18597 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
18598 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
18599
18600 @item show task pause
18601 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
18602 Show the current state of task suspension.
18603
18604 @item set task detach-suspend-count
18605 @cindex task suspend count
18606 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18607 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
18608 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
18609
18610 @item show task detach-suspend-count
18611 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
18612
18613 @item set task exception-port
18614 @itemx set task excp
18615 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18616 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
18617 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
18618 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
18619
18620 @item set noninvasive
18621 @cindex noninvasive task options
18622 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
18623 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
18624 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
18625 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
18626
18627 @item info send-rights
18628 @itemx info receive-rights
18629 @itemx info port-rights
18630 @itemx info port-sets
18631 @itemx info dead-names
18632 @itemx info ports
18633 @itemx info psets
18634 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18635 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18636 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18637 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18638 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18639 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
18640 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
18641 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
18642 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
18643
18644 @item set thread pause
18645 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
18646 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18647 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18648 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
18649 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
18650 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
18651 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
18652 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
18653 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
18654 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
18655 only the current thread.
18656
18657 @item show thread pause
18658 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
18659 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
18660
18661 @item set thread run
18662 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
18663
18664 @item show thread run
18665 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
18666
18667 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
18668 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18669 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18670 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
18671 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
18672 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
18673 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
18674
18675 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
18676 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
18677 detaching.
18678
18679 @item set thread exception-port
18680 @itemx set thread excp
18681 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
18682 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
18683 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
18684
18685 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
18686 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
18687 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
18688 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
18689
18690 @item set thread default
18691 @itemx show thread default
18692 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18693 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
18694 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
18695 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
18696 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
18697 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
18698 the non-default commands.
18699 @end table
18700
18701
18702 @node Neutrino
18703 @subsection QNX Neutrino
18704 @cindex QNX Neutrino
18705
18706 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
18707 Neutrino target:
18708
18709 @table @code
18710 @item set debug nto-debug
18711 @kindex set debug nto-debug
18712 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
18713 Neutrino support.
18714
18715 @item show debug nto-debug
18716 @kindex show debug nto-debug
18717 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
18718 @end table
18719
18720 @node Darwin
18721 @subsection Darwin
18722 @cindex Darwin
18723
18724 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
18725
18726 @table @code
18727 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
18728 @kindex set debug darwin
18729 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
18730 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
18731
18732 @item show debug darwin
18733 @kindex show debug darwin
18734 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
18735
18736 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
18737 @kindex set debug mach-o
18738 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
18739 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
18740 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
18741 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
18742 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
18743 usage.
18744
18745 @item show debug mach-o
18746 @kindex show debug mach-o
18747 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
18748
18749 @item set mach-exceptions on
18750 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
18751 @kindex set mach-exceptions
18752 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
18753 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
18754 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
18755 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
18756
18757 @item show mach-exceptions
18758 @kindex show mach-exceptions
18759 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
18760 @end table
18761
18762
18763 @node Embedded OS
18764 @section Embedded Operating Systems
18765
18766 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
18767 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
18768 architectures.
18769
18770 @menu
18771 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18772 @end menu
18773
18774 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18775 various real-time operating systems.
18776
18777 @node VxWorks
18778 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18779
18780 @cindex VxWorks
18781
18782 @table @code
18783
18784 @kindex target vxworks
18785 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18786 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18787 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18788
18789 @end table
18790
18791 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18792 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18793
18794 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18795 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18796 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18797 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18798 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18799 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18800 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18801
18802 @table @code
18803 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18804 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18805 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18806 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18807 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18808 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18809 of a thin network line.
18810 @end table
18811
18812 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18813 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18814 procedures.
18815
18816 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18817 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18818 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18819 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18820 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18821 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18822 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18823 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18824 manual.
18825 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18826
18827 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18828 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18829 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18830 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18831
18832 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18833
18834 @smallexample
18835 (vxgdb)
18836 @end smallexample
18837
18838 @menu
18839 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18840 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18841 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18842 @end menu
18843
18844 @node VxWorks Connection
18845 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18846
18847 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18848 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18849
18850 @smallexample
18851 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18852 @end smallexample
18853
18854 @need 750
18855 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18856
18857 @smallexample
18858 Attaching remote machine across net...
18859 Connected to tt.
18860 @end smallexample
18861
18862 @need 1000
18863 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18864 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18865 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18866 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18867 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18868
18869 @smallexample
18870 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18871 @end smallexample
18872
18873 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18874 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18875 command again.
18876
18877 @node VxWorks Download
18878 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18879
18880 @cindex download to VxWorks
18881 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18882 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18883 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18884 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18885 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18886 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18887 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18888 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18889 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18890 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18891 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18892 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18893 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18894 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18895 program, type this on VxWorks:
18896
18897 @smallexample
18898 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18899 @end smallexample
18900
18901 @noindent
18902 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18903
18904 @smallexample
18905 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18906 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18907 @end smallexample
18908
18909 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18910
18911 @smallexample
18912 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18913 @end smallexample
18914
18915 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18916 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18917 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18918 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18919 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18920 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18921 table.)
18922
18923 @node VxWorks Attach
18924 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18925
18926 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18927 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18928 follows:
18929
18930 @smallexample
18931 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18932 @end smallexample
18933
18934 @noindent
18935 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18936 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18937 the time of attachment.
18938
18939 @node Embedded Processors
18940 @section Embedded Processors
18941
18942 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18943 configurations.
18944
18945 @cindex send command to simulator
18946 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18947 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18948
18949 @table @code
18950 @item sim @var{command}
18951 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18952 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18953 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18954 acceptable commands.
18955 @end table
18956
18957
18958 @menu
18959 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18960 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18961 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18962 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18963 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18964 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18965 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18966 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18967 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18968 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18969 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18970 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18971 * CRIS:: CRIS
18972 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18973 @end menu
18974
18975 @node ARM
18976 @subsection ARM
18977 @cindex ARM RDI
18978
18979 @table @code
18980 @kindex target rdi
18981 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18982 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18983 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18984 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18985
18986 @kindex target rdp
18987 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18988 ARM Demon monitor.
18989
18990 @end table
18991
18992 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18993
18994 @table @code
18995 @item set arm disassembler
18996 @kindex set arm
18997 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18998 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18999
19000 @item show arm disassembler
19001 @kindex show arm
19002 Show the current disassembly style.
19003
19004 @item set arm apcs32
19005 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19006 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19007
19008 @item show arm apcs32
19009 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19010
19011 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19012 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19013 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19014
19015 @table @code
19016 @item auto
19017 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19018 @item softfpa
19019 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19020 processors.
19021 @item fpa
19022 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19023 @item softvfp
19024 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19025 @item vfp
19026 VFP co-processor.
19027 @end table
19028
19029 @item show arm fpu
19030 Show the current type of the FPU.
19031
19032 @item set arm abi
19033 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19034
19035 @item show arm abi
19036 Show the currently used ABI.
19037
19038 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19039 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19040 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19041 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19042 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19043 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19044 register).
19045
19046 @item show arm fallback-mode
19047 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19048
19049 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19050 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19051 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19052 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19053 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19054
19055 @item show arm force-mode
19056 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19057
19058 @item set debug arm
19059 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19060 target support subsystem.
19061
19062 @item show debug arm
19063 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19064 @end table
19065
19066 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19067 using the RDI interface:
19068
19069 @table @code
19070 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19071 @kindex rdilogfile
19072 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19073 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19074 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19075 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19076 @file{rdi.log}.
19077
19078 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19079 @kindex rdilogenable
19080 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19081 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19082 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19083 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19084 are logged to a file.
19085
19086 @item set rdiromatzero
19087 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19088 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19089 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19090 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19091 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19092 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19093
19094 @item show rdiromatzero
19095 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19096 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19097
19098 @item set rdiheartbeat
19099 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19100 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19101 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19102 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19103 well as the Angel monitor.
19104
19105 @item show rdiheartbeat
19106 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19107 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19108 @end table
19109
19110 @table @code
19111 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19112 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19113
19114 @table @code
19115 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19116 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19117 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19118 The default value is @code{all}.
19119
19120 @table @code
19121 @item none
19122 @item demon
19123 @item angel
19124 @item redboot
19125 @item all
19126 @end table
19127 @end table
19128 @end table
19129
19130 @node M32R/D
19131 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19132
19133 @table @code
19134 @kindex target m32r
19135 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19136 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19137
19138 @kindex target m32rsdi
19139 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19140 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19141 @end table
19142
19143 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19144
19145 @table @code
19146 @item set download-path @var{path}
19147 @kindex set download-path
19148 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19149 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19150
19151 @item show download-path
19152 @kindex show download-path
19153 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19154
19155 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19156 @kindex set board-address
19157 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19158 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19159
19160 @item show board-address
19161 @kindex show board-address
19162 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19163
19164 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19165 @kindex set server-address
19166 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19167 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19168 host machine.
19169
19170 @item show server-address
19171 @kindex show server-address
19172 Display the IP address of the download server.
19173
19174 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19175 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19176 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19177 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19178 executable file is uploaded.
19179
19180 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19181 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19182 Test the @code{upload} command.
19183 @end table
19184
19185 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19186
19187 @table @code
19188 @item sdireset
19189 @kindex sdireset
19190 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19191 This command resets the SDI connection.
19192
19193 @item sdistatus
19194 @kindex sdistatus
19195 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19196
19197 @item debug_chaos
19198 @kindex debug_chaos
19199 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19200 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19201
19202 @item use_debug_dma
19203 @kindex use_debug_dma
19204 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19205
19206 @item use_mon_code
19207 @kindex use_mon_code
19208 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19209
19210 @item use_ib_break
19211 @kindex use_ib_break
19212 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19213
19214 @item use_dbt_break
19215 @kindex use_dbt_break
19216 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19217 @end table
19218
19219 @node M68K
19220 @subsection M68k
19221
19222 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19223 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19224
19225 @table @code
19226
19227 @kindex target dbug
19228 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19229 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19230
19231 @end table
19232
19233 @node MicroBlaze
19234 @subsection MicroBlaze
19235 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19236 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19237
19238 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19239 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19240 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19241 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19242 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19243 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19244 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19245 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19246 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19247 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19248 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19249
19250 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19251
19252 @table @code
19253 @item target remote :1234
19254 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19255 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19256
19257 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19258 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19259 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19260
19261 @item load
19262 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19263
19264 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19265 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19266
19267 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19268 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19269 @end table
19270
19271 @node MIPS Embedded
19272 @subsection MIPS Embedded
19273
19274 @cindex MIPS boards
19275 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19276 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19277 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19278
19279 @need 1000
19280 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19281
19282 @table @code
19283 @item target mips @var{port}
19284 @kindex target mips @var{port}
19285 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
19286 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
19287 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
19288 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
19289 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
19290 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
19291
19292 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
19293 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
19294 debugger:
19295
19296 @smallexample
19297 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
19298 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
19299 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
19300 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
19301 (@value{GDBP}) run
19302 @end smallexample
19303
19304 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
19305 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
19306 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
19307 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
19308 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
19309
19310 @item target pmon @var{port}
19311 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
19312 PMON ROM monitor.
19313
19314 @item target ddb @var{port}
19315 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
19316 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
19317
19318 @item target lsi @var{port}
19319 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
19320 LSI variant of PMON.
19321
19322 @kindex target r3900
19323 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
19324 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
19325
19326 @kindex target array
19327 @item target array @var{dev}
19328 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
19329
19330 @end table
19331
19332
19333 @noindent
19334 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
19335
19336 @table @code
19337 @item set mipsfpu double
19338 @itemx set mipsfpu single
19339 @itemx set mipsfpu none
19340 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
19341 @itemx show mipsfpu
19342 @kindex set mipsfpu
19343 @kindex show mipsfpu
19344 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
19345 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
19346 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
19347 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
19348 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
19349 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
19350 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
19351 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
19352 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
19353 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
19354 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
19355 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
19356 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
19357
19358 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
19359 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
19360 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
19361
19362 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
19363 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
19364
19365 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
19366 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
19367 @itemx show timeout
19368 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
19369 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
19370 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
19371 @kindex set timeout
19372 @kindex show timeout
19373 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19374 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19375 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
19376 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19377 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19378 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19379 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19380 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19381 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19382 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
19383
19384 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19385 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19386 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19387 to run before stopping.
19388
19389 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19390 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
19391 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
19392 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19393 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19394 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19395
19396 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19397 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
19398 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19399 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19400
19401 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19402 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
19403 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19404 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19405 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19406 @table @asis
19407 @item pmon target
19408 @samp{PMON}
19409 @item ddb target
19410 @samp{NEC010}
19411 @item lsi target
19412 @samp{PMON>}
19413 @end table
19414
19415 @item show monitor-prompt
19416 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
19417 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19418 remote monitor.
19419
19420 @item set monitor-warnings
19421 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
19422 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19423 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19424 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19425 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19426
19427 @item show monitor-warnings
19428 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
19429 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19430
19431 @item pmon @var{command}
19432 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
19433 @cindex send PMON command
19434 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19435 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19436 @end table
19437
19438 @node OpenRISC 1000
19439 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19440 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19441
19442 @cindex or1k boards
19443 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19444 about platform and commands.
19445
19446 @table @code
19447
19448 @kindex target jtag
19449 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19450
19451 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19452 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19453 connected via parallel port to the board.
19454
19455 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19456
19457 @kindex or1ksim
19458 @item or1ksim @var{command}
19459 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
19460 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
19461
19462 @kindex info or1k spr
19463 @item info or1k spr
19464 Displays spr groups.
19465
19466 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
19467 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
19468 Displays register names in selected group.
19469
19470 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
19471 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
19472 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
19473 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
19474 Shows information about specified spr register.
19475
19476 @kindex spr
19477 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
19478 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
19479 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
19480 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
19481 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
19482 @end table
19483
19484 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
19485 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
19486 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
19487 triggers can be set using:
19488 @table @code
19489 @item $LEA/$LDATA
19490 Load effective address/data
19491 @item $SEA/$SDATA
19492 Store effective address/data
19493 @item $AEA/$ADATA
19494 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
19495 @item $FETCH
19496 Fetch data
19497 @end table
19498
19499 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
19500 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
19501
19502 @code{htrace} commands:
19503 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
19504 @table @code
19505 @kindex hwatch
19506 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
19507 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
19508 or Data. For example:
19509
19510 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
19511
19512 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
19513
19514 @kindex htrace
19515 @item htrace info
19516 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
19517
19518 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
19519 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
19520
19521 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
19522 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
19523
19524 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
19525 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
19526
19527 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
19528 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
19529 triggered.
19530
19531 @item htrace enable
19532 @itemx htrace disable
19533 Enables/disables the HW trace.
19534
19535 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
19536 Clears currently recorded trace data.
19537
19538 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
19539 will be written there.
19540
19541 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
19542 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
19543
19544 @item htrace mode continuous
19545 Set continuous trace mode.
19546
19547 @item htrace mode suspend
19548 Set suspend trace mode.
19549
19550 @end table
19551
19552 @node PowerPC Embedded
19553 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
19554
19555 @cindex DVC register
19556 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
19557 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
19558
19559 @smallexample
19560 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
19561 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
19562 @end smallexample
19563
19564 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
19565 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
19566 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
19567 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
19568 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
19569 or newer.
19570
19571 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
19572 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
19573 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
19574 watching variables of scalar types.
19575
19576 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
19577 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
19578
19579 @smallexample
19580 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
19581 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
19582 @end smallexample
19583
19584 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
19585 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
19586
19587 @cindex ranged breakpoint
19588 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
19589 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
19590 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
19591 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
19592 use the @code{break-range} command.
19593
19594 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
19595
19596 @table @code
19597 @kindex break-range
19598 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
19599 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
19600 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
19601 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
19602 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
19603 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
19604 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
19605 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
19606 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
19607
19608 @kindex set powerpc
19609 @item set powerpc soft-float
19610 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
19611 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
19612 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
19613 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
19614
19615 @item set powerpc vector-abi
19616 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
19617 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
19618 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
19619 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
19620 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
19621 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
19622 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
19623
19624 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
19625 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
19626 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
19627 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
19628 address of its first byte.
19629
19630 @kindex target dink32
19631 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
19632 DINK32 ROM monitor.
19633
19634 @kindex target ppcbug
19635 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
19636 @kindex target ppcbug1
19637 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
19638 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
19639
19640 @kindex target sds
19641 @item target sds @var{dev}
19642 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
19643 @end table
19644
19645 @cindex SDS protocol
19646 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
19647 by @value{GDBN}:
19648
19649 @table @code
19650 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
19651 @kindex set sdstimeout
19652 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
19653 default is 2 seconds.
19654
19655 @item show sdstimeout
19656 @kindex show sdstimeout
19657 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
19658
19659 @item sds @var{command}
19660 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
19661 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
19662 @end table
19663
19664
19665 @node PA
19666 @subsection HP PA Embedded
19667
19668 @table @code
19669
19670 @kindex target op50n
19671 @item target op50n @var{dev}
19672 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
19673
19674 @kindex target w89k
19675 @item target w89k @var{dev}
19676 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
19677
19678 @end table
19679
19680 @node Sparclet
19681 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
19682
19683 @cindex Sparclet
19684
19685 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
19686 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
19687 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19688 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
19689 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
19690
19691 @table @code
19692 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
19693 @kindex remotetimeout
19694 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
19695 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19696 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
19697 @end table
19698
19699 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
19700 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
19701 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
19702 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
19703 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
19704
19705 @smallexample
19706 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
19707 @end smallexample
19708
19709 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
19710
19711 @smallexample
19712 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
19713 @end smallexample
19714
19715 @cindex running, on Sparclet
19716 Once you have set
19717 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19718 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
19719 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
19720
19721 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19722
19723 @smallexample
19724 (gdbslet)
19725 @end smallexample
19726
19727 @menu
19728 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
19729 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
19730 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
19731 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
19732 @end menu
19733
19734 @node Sparclet File
19735 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
19736
19737 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
19738
19739 @smallexample
19740 (gdbslet) file prog
19741 @end smallexample
19742
19743 @need 1000
19744 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
19745 @value{GDBN} locates
19746 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
19747 path.
19748 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
19749 files will be searched as well.
19750 @value{GDBN} locates
19751 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
19752 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
19753 If it fails
19754 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
19755
19756 @smallexample
19757 prog: No such file or directory.
19758 @end smallexample
19759
19760 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
19761 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
19762 @code{target} command again.
19763
19764 @node Sparclet Connection
19765 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
19766
19767 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
19768 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
19769
19770 @smallexample
19771 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
19772 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
19773 main () at ../prog.c:3
19774 @end smallexample
19775
19776 @need 750
19777 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19778
19779 @smallexample
19780 Connected to ttya.
19781 @end smallexample
19782
19783 @node Sparclet Download
19784 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19785
19786 @cindex download to Sparclet
19787 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19788 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19789 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19790 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19791 command.
19792 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19793 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19794 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19795 of each of the file's sections.
19796 For instance, if the program
19797 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19798 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19799
19800 @smallexample
19801 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19802 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19803 @end smallexample
19804
19805 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19806 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19807 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19808
19809 @node Sparclet Execution
19810 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19811
19812 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19813 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19814 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19815 manual for the list of commands.
19816
19817 @smallexample
19818 (gdbslet) b main
19819 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19820 (gdbslet) run
19821 Starting program: prog
19822 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19823 3 char *symarg = 0;
19824 (gdbslet) step
19825 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19826 (gdbslet)
19827 @end smallexample
19828
19829 @node Sparclite
19830 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19831
19832 @table @code
19833
19834 @kindex target sparclite
19835 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19836 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19837 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19838 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19839 remote protocol.
19840
19841 @end table
19842
19843 @node Z8000
19844 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19845
19846 @cindex Z8000
19847 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19848 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19849
19850 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19851 a Z8000 simulator.
19852
19853 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19854 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19855 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19856 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19857
19858 @table @code
19859 @item target sim @var{args}
19860 @kindex sim
19861 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19862 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19863 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19864 @end table
19865
19866 @noindent
19867 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19868 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19869 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19870 to run your program, and so on.
19871
19872 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19873 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19874 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19875
19876 @table @code
19877
19878 @item cycles
19879 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19880
19881 @item insts
19882 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19883
19884 @item time
19885 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19886
19887 @end table
19888
19889 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19890 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19891 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19892 simulated clock ticks.
19893
19894 @node AVR
19895 @subsection Atmel AVR
19896 @cindex AVR
19897
19898 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19899 following AVR-specific commands:
19900
19901 @table @code
19902 @item info io_registers
19903 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19904 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19905 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19906 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19907 @end table
19908
19909 @node CRIS
19910 @subsection CRIS
19911 @cindex CRIS
19912
19913 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19914 following CRIS-specific commands:
19915
19916 @table @code
19917 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19918 @cindex CRIS version
19919 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19920 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19921 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19922
19923 @item show cris-version
19924 Show the current CRIS version.
19925
19926 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19927 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19928 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19929 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19930 @code{R59}.
19931
19932 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19933 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19934
19935 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19936 @cindex CRIS mode
19937 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19938 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19939 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19940
19941 @item show cris-mode
19942 Show the current CRIS mode.
19943 @end table
19944
19945 @node Super-H
19946 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19947 @cindex Super-H
19948
19949 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19950 commands:
19951
19952 @table @code
19953 @item regs
19954 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19955 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19956
19957 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19958 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19959 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19960 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19961 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19962 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19963 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19964 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19965 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19966 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19967 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19968 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19969
19970 @item show sh calling-convention
19971 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19972 Show the current calling convention setting.
19973
19974 @end table
19975
19976
19977 @node Architectures
19978 @section Architectures
19979
19980 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19981 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19982
19983 @menu
19984 * i386::
19985 * A29K::
19986 * Alpha::
19987 * MIPS::
19988 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19989 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19990 * PowerPC::
19991 @end menu
19992
19993 @node i386
19994 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19995
19996 @table @code
19997 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19998 @kindex set struct-convention
19999 @cindex struct return convention
20000 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20001 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20002 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20003 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20004 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20005 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20006 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20007 be returned in a register.
20008
20009 @item show struct-convention
20010 @kindex show struct-convention
20011 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20012 from functions.
20013 @end table
20014
20015 @node A29K
20016 @subsection A29K
20017
20018 @table @code
20019
20020 @kindex set rstack_high_address
20021 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
20022 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
20023 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
20024 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
20025 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
20026 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
20027 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
20028 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
20029 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
20030 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
20031 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
20032 hexadecimal.
20033
20034 @kindex show rstack_high_address
20035 @item show rstack_high_address
20036 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
20037 processors.
20038
20039 @end table
20040
20041 @node Alpha
20042 @subsection Alpha
20043
20044 See the following section.
20045
20046 @node MIPS
20047 @subsection MIPS
20048
20049 @cindex stack on Alpha
20050 @cindex stack on MIPS
20051 @cindex Alpha stack
20052 @cindex MIPS stack
20053 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20054 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20055 find the beginning of a function.
20056
20057 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
20058 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20059 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20060 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20061 commands:
20062
20063 @table @code
20064 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
20065 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20066 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20067 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20068 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20069 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20070 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20071 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20072
20073 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20074 Display the current limit.
20075 @end table
20076
20077 @noindent
20078 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20079 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
20080
20081 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
20082 programs:
20083
20084 @table @code
20085 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20086 @kindex set mips abi
20087 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
20088 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20089 values of @var{arg} are:
20090
20091 @table @samp
20092 @item auto
20093 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20094 default).
20095 @item o32
20096 @item o64
20097 @item n32
20098 @item n64
20099 @item eabi32
20100 @item eabi64
20101 @end table
20102
20103 @item show mips abi
20104 @kindex show mips abi
20105 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20106
20107 @item set mipsfpu
20108 @itemx show mipsfpu
20109 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20110
20111 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20112 @kindex set mips mask-address
20113 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
20114 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20115 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20116 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20117 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20118
20119 @item show mips mask-address
20120 @kindex show mips mask-address
20121 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
20122 not.
20123
20124 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20125 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20126 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
20127 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
20128 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20129 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20130
20131 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20132 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20133 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
20134
20135 @item set debug mips
20136 @kindex set debug mips
20137 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
20138 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20139
20140 @item show debug mips
20141 @kindex show debug mips
20142 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
20143 @end table
20144
20145
20146 @node HPPA
20147 @subsection HPPA
20148 @cindex HPPA support
20149
20150 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20151 following special commands:
20152
20153 @table @code
20154 @item set debug hppa
20155 @kindex set debug hppa
20156 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20157 messages are to be displayed.
20158
20159 @item show debug hppa
20160 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20161
20162 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20163 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20164 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20165 given @var{address}.
20166
20167 @end table
20168
20169
20170 @node SPU
20171 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20172 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20173 @cindex SPU
20174
20175 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20176 it provides the following special commands:
20177
20178 @table @code
20179 @item info spu event
20180 @kindex info spu
20181 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20182 and pending event status.
20183
20184 @item info spu signal
20185 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20186 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20187 notification channels.
20188
20189 @item info spu mailbox
20190 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20191 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20192 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20193
20194 @item info spu dma
20195 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20196 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20197 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20198
20199 @item info spu proxydma
20200 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20201 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20202 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20203
20204 @end table
20205
20206 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20207 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20208 special commands:
20209
20210 @table @code
20211 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20212 @kindex set spu
20213 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20214 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20215 function. The default is @code{off}.
20216
20217 @item show spu stop-on-load
20218 @kindex show spu
20219 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20220
20221 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20222 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20223 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20224 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20225 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20226 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20227
20228 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20229 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20230
20231 @end table
20232
20233 @node PowerPC
20234 @subsection PowerPC
20235 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20236
20237 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20238 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20239 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20240 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20241 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20242
20243 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20244 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20245 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20246
20247 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20248 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20249
20250
20251 @node Controlling GDB
20252 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20253
20254 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20255 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20256 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20257 described here.
20258
20259 @menu
20260 * Prompt:: Prompt
20261 * Editing:: Command editing
20262 * Command History:: Command history
20263 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20264 * Numbers:: Numbers
20265 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20266 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20267 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20268 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20269 @end menu
20270
20271 @node Prompt
20272 @section Prompt
20273
20274 @cindex prompt
20275
20276 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20277 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20278 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20279 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20280 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20281 which one you are talking to.
20282
20283 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
20284 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
20285 or a prompt that does not.
20286
20287 @table @code
20288 @kindex set prompt
20289 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
20290 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
20291
20292 @kindex show prompt
20293 @item show prompt
20294 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
20295 @end table
20296
20297 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
20298 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
20299 are:
20300
20301 @table @code
20302 @kindex set extended-prompt
20303 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
20304 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
20305 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
20306 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
20307 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
20308 is displayed.
20309
20310 For example:
20311
20312 @smallexample
20313 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
20314 @end smallexample
20315
20316 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
20317 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
20318
20319 @kindex show extended-prompt
20320 @item show extended-prompt
20321 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
20322 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
20323 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
20324 @end table
20325
20326 @node Editing
20327 @section Command Editing
20328 @cindex readline
20329 @cindex command line editing
20330
20331 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
20332 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
20333 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
20334 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
20335 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
20336 debugging sessions.
20337
20338 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
20339 command @code{set}.
20340
20341 @table @code
20342 @kindex set editing
20343 @cindex editing
20344 @item set editing
20345 @itemx set editing on
20346 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
20347
20348 @item set editing off
20349 Disable command line editing.
20350
20351 @kindex show editing
20352 @item show editing
20353 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
20354 @end table
20355
20356 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20357 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
20358 @end ifset
20359 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20360 @xref{Command Line Editing},
20361 @end ifclear
20362 for more details about the Readline
20363 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
20364 encouraged to read that chapter.
20365
20366 @node Command History
20367 @section Command History
20368 @cindex command history
20369
20370 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
20371 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
20372 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20373 history facility.
20374
20375 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20376 package, to provide the history facility.
20377 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20378 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20379 @end ifset
20380 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20381 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20382 @end ifclear
20383 for the detailed description of the History library.
20384
20385 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20386 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20387 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20388 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20389 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20390 pressed on a line by itself.
20391
20392 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20393 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20394 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20395 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20396
20397 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20398 history.
20399
20400 @table @code
20401 @cindex history substitution
20402 @cindex history file
20403 @kindex set history filename
20404 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20405 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20406 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20407 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20408 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20409 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20410 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20411 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20412 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20413 is not set.
20414
20415 @cindex save command history
20416 @kindex set history save
20417 @item set history save
20418 @itemx set history save on
20419 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20420 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20421
20422 @item set history save off
20423 Stop recording command history in a file.
20424
20425 @cindex history size
20426 @kindex set history size
20427 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20428 @item set history size @var{size}
20429 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20430 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20431 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20432 @end table
20433
20434 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20435 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20436 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20437 @end ifset
20438 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20439 @xref{Event Designators},
20440 @end ifclear
20441 for more details.
20442
20443 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20444 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20445 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20446 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20447 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20448 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20449 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
20450 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
20451
20452 The commands to control history expansion are:
20453
20454 @table @code
20455 @item set history expansion on
20456 @itemx set history expansion
20457 @kindex set history expansion
20458 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
20459
20460 @item set history expansion off
20461 Disable history expansion.
20462
20463 @c @group
20464 @kindex show history
20465 @item show history
20466 @itemx show history filename
20467 @itemx show history save
20468 @itemx show history size
20469 @itemx show history expansion
20470 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
20471 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
20472 @c @end group
20473 @end table
20474
20475 @table @code
20476 @kindex show commands
20477 @cindex show last commands
20478 @cindex display command history
20479 @item show commands
20480 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
20481
20482 @item show commands @var{n}
20483 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
20484
20485 @item show commands +
20486 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
20487 @end table
20488
20489 @node Screen Size
20490 @section Screen Size
20491 @cindex size of screen
20492 @cindex pauses in output
20493
20494 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
20495 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
20496 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
20497 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
20498 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
20499 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
20500 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
20501 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
20502
20503 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
20504 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
20505 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
20506 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
20507 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
20508 width} commands:
20509
20510 @table @code
20511 @kindex set height
20512 @kindex set width
20513 @kindex show width
20514 @kindex show height
20515 @item set height @var{lpp}
20516 @itemx show height
20517 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
20518 @itemx show width
20519 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
20520 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
20521 commands display the current settings.
20522
20523 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
20524 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
20525 file or to an editor buffer.
20526
20527 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
20528 from wrapping its output.
20529
20530 @item set pagination on
20531 @itemx set pagination off
20532 @kindex set pagination
20533 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
20534 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
20535 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
20536 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
20537
20538 @item show pagination
20539 @kindex show pagination
20540 Show the current pagination mode.
20541 @end table
20542
20543 @node Numbers
20544 @section Numbers
20545 @cindex number representation
20546 @cindex entering numbers
20547
20548 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
20549 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
20550 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
20551 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
20552 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
20553 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
20554 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
20555 both input and output with the commands described below.
20556
20557 @table @code
20558 @kindex set input-radix
20559 @item set input-radix @var{base}
20560 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
20561 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
20562 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
20563 example, any of
20564
20565 @smallexample
20566 set input-radix 012
20567 set input-radix 10.
20568 set input-radix 0xa
20569 @end smallexample
20570
20571 @noindent
20572 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
20573 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
20574 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
20575 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
20576 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
20577 change the radix.
20578
20579 @kindex set output-radix
20580 @item set output-radix @var{base}
20581 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
20582 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
20583 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
20584
20585 @kindex show input-radix
20586 @item show input-radix
20587 Display the current default base for numeric input.
20588
20589 @kindex show output-radix
20590 @item show output-radix
20591 Display the current default base for numeric display.
20592
20593 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
20594 @itemx show radix
20595 @kindex set radix
20596 @kindex show radix
20597 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
20598 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
20599 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
20600 default value of 10.
20601
20602 @end table
20603
20604 @node ABI
20605 @section Configuring the Current ABI
20606
20607 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
20608 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
20609 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
20610 current ABI.
20611
20612 @cindex OS ABI
20613 @kindex set osabi
20614 @kindex show osabi
20615
20616 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
20617 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
20618 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
20619 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
20620 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
20621 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
20622 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
20623 platform provides.
20624
20625 @table @code
20626 @item show osabi
20627 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
20628
20629 @item set osabi
20630 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
20631
20632 @item set osabi @var{abi}
20633 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
20634 @end table
20635
20636 @cindex float promotion
20637
20638 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
20639 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
20640 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
20641 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
20642 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
20643 @code{double} and then passed.
20644
20645 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
20646 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
20647 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
20648
20649 @table @code
20650 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
20651 @item set coerce-float-to-double
20652 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
20653 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
20654 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
20655
20656 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
20657 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
20658 functions.
20659
20660 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
20661 @item show coerce-float-to-double
20662 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
20663 @end table
20664
20665 @kindex set cp-abi
20666 @kindex show cp-abi
20667 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
20668 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
20669 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
20670 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
20671 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
20672 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
20673 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
20674 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
20675 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
20676 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
20677 ``auto''.
20678
20679 @table @code
20680 @item show cp-abi
20681 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
20682
20683 @item set cp-abi
20684 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
20685
20686 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
20687 @itemx set cp-abi auto
20688 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
20689 @end table
20690
20691 @node Messages/Warnings
20692 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
20693
20694 @cindex verbose operation
20695 @cindex optional warnings
20696 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
20697 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
20698 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
20699 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
20700
20701 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
20702 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
20703 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20704
20705 @table @code
20706 @kindex set verbose
20707 @item set verbose on
20708 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20709
20710 @item set verbose off
20711 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20712
20713 @kindex show verbose
20714 @item show verbose
20715 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
20716 @end table
20717
20718 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
20719 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
20720 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
20721 Symbol Files}).
20722
20723 @table @code
20724
20725 @kindex set complaints
20726 @item set complaints @var{limit}
20727 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
20728 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
20729 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
20730 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
20731
20732 @kindex show complaints
20733 @item show complaints
20734 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
20735
20736 @end table
20737
20738 @anchor{confirmation requests}
20739 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
20740 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
20741 you try to run a program which is already running:
20742
20743 @smallexample
20744 (@value{GDBP}) run
20745 The program being debugged has been started already.
20746 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
20747 @end smallexample
20748
20749 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
20750 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
20751
20752 @table @code
20753
20754 @kindex set confirm
20755 @cindex flinching
20756 @cindex confirmation
20757 @cindex stupid questions
20758 @item set confirm off
20759 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
20760 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
20761 automatically disables confirmation requests.
20762
20763 @item set confirm on
20764 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
20765
20766 @kindex show confirm
20767 @item show confirm
20768 Displays state of confirmation requests.
20769
20770 @end table
20771
20772 @cindex command tracing
20773 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
20774 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
20775 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
20776 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
20777
20778 @table @code
20779 @kindex set trace-commands
20780 @cindex command scripts, debugging
20781 @item set trace-commands on
20782 Enable command tracing.
20783 @item set trace-commands off
20784 Disable command tracing.
20785 @item show trace-commands
20786 Display the current state of command tracing.
20787 @end table
20788
20789 @node Debugging Output
20790 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
20791 @cindex optional debugging messages
20792
20793 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
20794 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
20795 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
20796 section documents those commands.
20797
20798 @table @code
20799 @kindex set exec-done-display
20800 @item set exec-done-display
20801 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
20802 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20803 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20804 @kindex show exec-done-display
20805 @item show exec-done-display
20806 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20807 notification.
20808 @kindex set debug
20809 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20810 @cindex architecture debugging info
20811 @item set debug arch
20812 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20813 @kindex show debug
20814 @item show debug arch
20815 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20816 @item set debug aix-thread
20817 @cindex AIX threads
20818 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20819 module.
20820 @item show debug aix-thread
20821 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20822 @item set debug check-physname
20823 @cindex physname
20824 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
20825 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
20826 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
20827 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
20828 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
20829 both ways and display any discrepancies.
20830 @item show debug check-physname
20831 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
20832 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20833 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20834 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20835 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20836 A value of zero turns off the display.
20837 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20838 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20839 @item set debug displaced
20840 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20841 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20842 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20843 @item show debug displaced
20844 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20845 related to displaced stepping.
20846 @item set debug event
20847 @cindex event debugging info
20848 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20849 default is off.
20850 @item show debug event
20851 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20852 info.
20853 @item set debug expression
20854 @cindex expression debugging info
20855 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20856 expression parsing. The default is off.
20857 @item show debug expression
20858 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20859 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20860 @item set debug frame
20861 @cindex frame debugging info
20862 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20863 default is off.
20864 @item show debug frame
20865 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20866 info.
20867 @item set debug gnu-nat
20868 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20869 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20870 @item show debug gnu-nat
20871 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20872 @item set debug infrun
20873 @cindex inferior debugging info
20874 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20875 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20876 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20877 @item show debug infrun
20878 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20879 @item set debug jit
20880 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20881 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20882 @item show debug jit
20883 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20884 @item set debug lin-lwp
20885 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20886 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20887 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20888 @item show debug lin-lwp
20889 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20890 @item set debug observer
20891 @cindex observer debugging info
20892 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20893 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20894 @item show debug observer
20895 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20896 @item set debug overload
20897 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20898 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20899 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20900 is off.
20901 @item show debug overload
20902 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20903 debugging info.
20904 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20905 @cindex debug expression parser
20906 @item set debug parser
20907 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20908 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20909 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20910 details. The default is off.
20911 @item show debug parser
20912 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20913 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20914 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20915 @cindex debug remote protocol
20916 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20917 @cindex display remote packets
20918 @item set debug remote
20919 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20920 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20921 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20922 @item show debug remote
20923 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20924 @item set debug serial
20925 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20926 default is off.
20927 @item show debug serial
20928 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20929 info.
20930 @item set debug solib-frv
20931 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20932 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20933 @item show debug solib-frv
20934 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20935 messages.
20936 @item set debug target
20937 @cindex target debugging info
20938 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20939 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20940 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20941 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20942 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20943 @item show debug target
20944 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20945 info.
20946 @item set debug timestamp
20947 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20948 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20949 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20950 message.
20951 @item show debug timestamp
20952 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20953 debugging info.
20954 @item set debugvarobj
20955 @cindex variable object debugging info
20956 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20957 info. The default is off.
20958 @item show debugvarobj
20959 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20960 debugging info.
20961 @item set debug xml
20962 @cindex XML parser debugging
20963 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20964 @item show debug xml
20965 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20966 @end table
20967
20968 @node Other Misc Settings
20969 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20970 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20971
20972 @table @code
20973 @kindex set interactive-mode
20974 @item set interactive-mode
20975 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20976 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20977 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20978 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20979 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20980 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20981 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20982 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20983
20984 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20985 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20986 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20987 inside a cygwin window.
20988
20989 @kindex show interactive-mode
20990 @item show interactive-mode
20991 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20992 @end table
20993
20994 @node Extending GDB
20995 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20996 @cindex extending GDB
20997
20998 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20999 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
21000 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
21001 existing commands.
21002
21003 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
21004 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
21005 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
21006 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
21007 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21008 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
21009
21010 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
21011 setting:
21012
21013 @table @code
21014 @kindex set script-extension
21015 @kindex show script-extension
21016 @item set script-extension off
21017 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21018
21019 @item set script-extension soft
21020 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21021 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
21022 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
21023 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
21024
21025 @item set script-extension strict
21026 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21027 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
21028 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
21029
21030 @item show script-extension
21031 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
21032
21033 @end table
21034
21035 @menu
21036 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
21037 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21038 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
21039 @end menu
21040
21041 @node Sequences
21042 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
21043
21044 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
21045 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
21046 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
21047 files.
21048
21049 @menu
21050 * Define:: How to define your own commands
21051 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
21052 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
21053 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
21054 @end menu
21055
21056 @node Define
21057 @subsection User-defined Commands
21058
21059 @cindex user-defined command
21060 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
21061 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
21062 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
21063 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
21064 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
21065 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
21066
21067 @smallexample
21068 define adder
21069 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
21070 end
21071 @end smallexample
21072
21073 @noindent
21074 To execute the command use:
21075
21076 @smallexample
21077 adder 1 2 3
21078 @end smallexample
21079
21080 @noindent
21081 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
21082 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
21083 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
21084 functions calls.
21085
21086 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
21087 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
21088 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
21089 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
21090
21091 @smallexample
21092 define adder
21093 if $argc == 2
21094 print $arg0 + $arg1
21095 end
21096 if $argc == 3
21097 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
21098 end
21099 end
21100 @end smallexample
21101
21102 @table @code
21103
21104 @kindex define
21105 @item define @var{commandname}
21106 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
21107 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
21108 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
21109 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
21110 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
21111 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
21112
21113 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
21114 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
21115 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
21116
21117 @kindex document
21118 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
21119 @item document @var{commandname}
21120 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
21121 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
21122 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
21123 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
21124 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
21125 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
21126
21127 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
21128 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
21129 does not change the documentation.
21130
21131 @kindex dont-repeat
21132 @cindex don't repeat command
21133 @item dont-repeat
21134 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
21135 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
21136 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
21137
21138 @kindex help user-defined
21139 @item help user-defined
21140 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
21141 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
21142 included (if any).
21143
21144 @kindex show user
21145 @item show user
21146 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
21147 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
21148 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
21149 definitions for all user-defined commands.
21150 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
21151
21152 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
21153 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
21154 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
21155 @item show max-user-call-depth
21156 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
21157 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
21158 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
21159 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
21160 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
21161 @end table
21162
21163 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
21164 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
21165
21166 When user-defined commands are executed, the
21167 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
21168 stops execution of the user-defined command.
21169
21170 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
21171 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
21172 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
21173 messages when used in a user-defined command.
21174
21175 @node Hooks
21176 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
21177 @cindex command hooks
21178 @cindex hooks, for commands
21179 @cindex hooks, pre-command
21180
21181 @kindex hook
21182 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
21183 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
21184 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
21185 before that command.
21186
21187 @cindex hooks, post-command
21188 @kindex hookpost
21189 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
21190 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
21191 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
21192 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
21193 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
21194
21195 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
21196 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
21197
21198 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
21199 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
21200
21201 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
21202 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
21203 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
21204 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
21205 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
21206
21207 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
21208 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
21209 you could define:
21210
21211 @smallexample
21212 define hook-stop
21213 handle SIGALRM nopass
21214 end
21215
21216 define hook-run
21217 handle SIGALRM pass
21218 end
21219
21220 define hook-continue
21221 handle SIGALRM pass
21222 end
21223 @end smallexample
21224
21225 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
21226 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
21227 you could define:
21228
21229 @smallexample
21230 define hook-echo
21231 echo <<<---
21232 end
21233
21234 define hookpost-echo
21235 echo --->>>\n
21236 end
21237
21238 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
21239 <<<---Hello World--->>>
21240 (@value{GDBP})
21241
21242 @end smallexample
21243
21244 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
21245 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
21246 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
21247 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
21248 @c or not?
21249 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
21250 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
21251 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
21252
21253 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
21254 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
21255 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
21256
21257 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
21258 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
21259
21260 @node Command Files
21261 @subsection Command Files
21262
21263 @cindex command files
21264 @cindex scripting commands
21265 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
21266 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
21267 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
21268 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
21269 terminal.
21270
21271 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
21272 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
21273 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
21274 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
21275 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
21276
21277 @table @code
21278 @kindex source
21279 @cindex execute commands from a file
21280 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
21281 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
21282 @end table
21283
21284 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
21285 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
21286 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
21287 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
21288 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
21289
21290 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
21291 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
21292 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
21293 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
21294 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
21295 is not relevant to scripts.
21296
21297 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
21298 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
21299 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
21300 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
21301 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
21302 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
21303 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
21304 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
21305 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
21306 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
21307 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
21308 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
21309 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
21310 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
21311
21312 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
21313 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
21314 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
21315
21316 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
21317 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
21318 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
21319 when called from command files.
21320
21321 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
21322 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
21323 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
21324 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
21325 the next command.
21326
21327 @smallexample
21328 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
21329 @end smallexample
21330
21331 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
21332 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
21333 would be directed to @file{log}.
21334
21335 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
21336 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
21337 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
21338 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
21339 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
21340 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
21341 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
21342 conditionally, etc.
21343
21344 @table @code
21345 @kindex if
21346 @kindex else
21347 @item if
21348 @itemx else
21349 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
21350 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
21351 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
21352 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
21353 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
21354 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
21355 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
21356
21357 @kindex while
21358 @item while
21359 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
21360 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
21361 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
21362 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
21363 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
21364 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
21365
21366 @kindex loop_break
21367 @item loop_break
21368 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
21369 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
21370 line.
21371
21372 @kindex loop_continue
21373 @item loop_continue
21374 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
21375 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
21376 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
21377 the controlling expression.
21378
21379 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
21380 @item end
21381 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
21382 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
21383 @end table
21384
21385
21386 @node Output
21387 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
21388
21389 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
21390 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
21391 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
21392 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
21393 want.
21394
21395 @table @code
21396 @kindex echo
21397 @item echo @var{text}
21398 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
21399 @c because it is not in ANSI.
21400 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
21401 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
21402 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
21403 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
21404 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
21405 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
21406 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
21407 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
21408 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
21409
21410 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
21411 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
21412
21413 @smallexample
21414 echo This is some text\n\
21415 which is continued\n\
21416 onto several lines.\n
21417 @end smallexample
21418
21419 produces the same output as
21420
21421 @smallexample
21422 echo This is some text\n
21423 echo which is continued\n
21424 echo onto several lines.\n
21425 @end smallexample
21426
21427 @kindex output
21428 @item output @var{expression}
21429 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
21430 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
21431 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
21432 on expressions.
21433
21434 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
21435 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
21436 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
21437 Formats}, for more information.
21438
21439 @kindex printf
21440 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
21441 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
21442 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
21443 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
21444 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
21445 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
21446 executing the code below:
21447
21448 @smallexample
21449 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
21450 @end smallexample
21451
21452 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
21453 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
21454 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
21455 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
21456 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
21457 printed.
21458
21459 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
21460
21461 @smallexample
21462 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
21463 @end smallexample
21464
21465 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
21466 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
21467 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
21468
21469 @itemize @bullet
21470 @item
21471 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
21472
21473 @item
21474 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
21475 width.
21476
21477 @item
21478 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
21479 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
21480
21481 @item
21482 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
21483 supported.
21484
21485 @item
21486 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
21487
21488 @item
21489 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
21490 @end itemize
21491
21492 @noindent
21493 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
21494 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
21495 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
21496 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
21497
21498 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
21499 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
21500 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
21501 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
21502 supported.
21503
21504 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
21505 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
21506 together with a floating point specifier.
21507 letters:
21508
21509 @itemize @bullet
21510 @item
21511 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
21512
21513 @item
21514 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
21515
21516 @item
21517 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
21518 @end itemize
21519
21520 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
21521 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
21522 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
21523
21524 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
21525 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
21526
21527 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
21528 @smallexample
21529 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
21530 @end smallexample
21531
21532 @kindex eval
21533 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
21534 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
21535 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
21536
21537 @end table
21538
21539 @node Python
21540 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21541 @cindex python scripting
21542 @cindex scripting with python
21543
21544 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
21545 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
21546 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
21547
21548 @cindex python directory
21549 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
21550 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
21551 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
21552 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
21553 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
21554 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
21555
21556 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
21557 are written in Python and are located in the
21558 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
21559 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
21560 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
21561
21562 @menu
21563 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
21564 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
21565 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
21566 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
21567 @end menu
21568
21569 @node Python Commands
21570 @subsection Python Commands
21571 @cindex python commands
21572 @cindex commands to access python
21573
21574 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
21575 and one related setting:
21576
21577 @table @code
21578 @kindex python
21579 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
21580 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
21581
21582 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
21583 argument as a Python command. For example:
21584
21585 @smallexample
21586 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
21587 23
21588 @end smallexample
21589
21590 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
21591 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
21592 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
21593 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
21594 containing @code{end}. For example:
21595
21596 @smallexample
21597 (@value{GDBP}) python
21598 Type python script
21599 End with a line saying just "end".
21600 >print 23
21601 >end
21602 23
21603 @end smallexample
21604
21605 @kindex set python print-stack
21606 @item set python print-stack
21607 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
21608 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
21609 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
21610 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
21611 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
21612 the message component of the error is printed.
21613 @end table
21614
21615 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
21616 interpreter:
21617
21618 @table @code
21619 @item source @file{script-name}
21620 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
21621 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
21622 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
21623
21624 @item python execfile ("script-name")
21625 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
21626 and thus is always available.
21627 @end table
21628
21629 @node Python API
21630 @subsection Python API
21631 @cindex python api
21632 @cindex programming in python
21633
21634 @cindex python stdout
21635 @cindex python pagination
21636 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
21637 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
21638 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
21639 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
21640 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
21641
21642 @menu
21643 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
21644 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
21645 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
21646 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
21647 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
21648 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
21649 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
21650 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
21651 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
21652 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
21653 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
21654 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
21655 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
21656 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
21657 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
21658 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
21659 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21660 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
21661 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
21662 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
21663 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
21664 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
21665 using Python.
21666 @end menu
21667
21668 @node Basic Python
21669 @subsubsection Basic Python
21670
21671 @cindex python functions
21672 @cindex python module
21673 @cindex gdb module
21674 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
21675 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
21676 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
21677 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
21678
21679 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
21680 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
21681 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
21682 @end defvar
21683
21684 @findex gdb.execute
21685 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
21686 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21687 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
21688 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
21689
21690 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
21691 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
21692 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
21693
21694 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
21695 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
21696 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
21697 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
21698 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
21699 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
21700 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
21701 @end defun
21702
21703 @findex gdb.breakpoints
21704 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
21705 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
21706 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
21707 @end defun
21708
21709 @findex gdb.parameter
21710 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
21711 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
21712 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
21713 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
21714 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
21715
21716 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
21717 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
21718 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
21719 type, and returned.
21720 @end defun
21721
21722 @findex gdb.history
21723 @defun gdb.history (number)
21724 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
21725 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
21726 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
21727 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
21728 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
21729 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
21730 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
21731 raised.
21732
21733 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
21734 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
21735 @end defun
21736
21737 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
21738 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
21739 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
21740 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21741 @var{expression} must be a string.
21742
21743 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
21744 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
21745 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
21746 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
21747 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21748 @end defun
21749
21750 @findex gdb.post_event
21751 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
21752 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
21753 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
21754 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
21755 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
21756 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
21757 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
21758
21759 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
21760 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
21761 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
21762 this. For example:
21763
21764 @smallexample
21765 (@value{GDBP}) python
21766 >import threading
21767 >
21768 >class Writer():
21769 > def __init__(self, message):
21770 > self.message = message;
21771 > def __call__(self):
21772 > gdb.write(self.message)
21773 >
21774 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
21775 > def run (self):
21776 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
21777 >
21778 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
21779 > def run (self):
21780 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
21781 >
21782 >MyThread1().start()
21783 >MyThread2().start()
21784 >end
21785 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
21786 @end smallexample
21787 @end defun
21788
21789 @findex gdb.write
21790 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
21791 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
21792 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
21793 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
21794 values are:
21795
21796 @table @code
21797 @findex STDOUT
21798 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21799 @item gdb.STDOUT
21800 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21801
21802 @findex STDERR
21803 @findex gdb.STDERR
21804 @item gdb.STDERR
21805 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21806
21807 @findex STDLOG
21808 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21809 @item gdb.STDLOG
21810 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21811 @end table
21812
21813 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21814 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
21815 relevant stream.
21816 @end defun
21817
21818 @findex gdb.flush
21819 @defun gdb.flush ()
21820 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
21821 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
21822 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
21823 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
21824 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
21825 stream values are:
21826
21827 @table @code
21828 @findex STDOUT
21829 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21830 @item gdb.STDOUT
21831 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21832
21833 @findex STDERR
21834 @findex gdb.STDERR
21835 @item gdb.STDERR
21836 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21837
21838 @findex STDLOG
21839 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21840 @item gdb.STDLOG
21841 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21842
21843 @end table
21844
21845 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21846 call this function for the relevant stream.
21847 @end defun
21848
21849 @findex gdb.target_charset
21850 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
21851 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21852 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21853 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21854 @end defun
21855
21856 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21857 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
21858 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21859 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21860 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21861 never returned.
21862 @end defun
21863
21864 @findex gdb.solib_name
21865 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
21866 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21867 as a string, or @code{None}.
21868 @end defun
21869
21870 @findex gdb.decode_line
21871 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21872 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21873 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21874 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21875 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21876 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21877 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21878 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21879 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21880 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21881 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21882 @end defun
21883
21884 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
21885 @anchor{prompt_hook}
21886
21887 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
21888 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
21889 @value{GDBN}.
21890
21891 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
21892 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
21893 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
21894 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
21895 the current prompt.
21896
21897 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
21898 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
21899 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
21900 @end defun
21901
21902 @node Exception Handling
21903 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21904 @cindex python exceptions
21905 @cindex exceptions, python
21906
21907 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21908 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21909 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21910 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21911 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21912 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21913 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21914
21915 @smallexample
21916 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21917 Traceback (most recent call last):
21918 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21919 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21920 @end smallexample
21921
21922 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21923 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21924 Python exception depends on the error.
21925
21926 @ftable @code
21927 @item gdb.error
21928 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21929 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21930 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21931
21932 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21933 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21934
21935 @item gdb.MemoryError
21936 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21937 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21938
21939 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21940 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21941 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21942 @end ftable
21943
21944 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21945 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21946 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21947 traceback.
21948
21949 @findex gdb.GdbError
21950 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21951 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21952 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21953 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21954 to handle this case. Example:
21955
21956 @smallexample
21957 (gdb) python
21958 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21959 > """Greet the whole world."""
21960 > def __init__ (self):
21961 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
21962 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21963 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21964 > if len (argv) != 0:
21965 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21966 > print "Hello, World!"
21967 >HelloWorld ()
21968 >end
21969 (gdb) hello-world 42
21970 hello-world takes no arguments
21971 @end smallexample
21972
21973 @node Values From Inferior
21974 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21975 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21976 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21977
21978 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21979 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21980 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21981 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21982 fetching values when necessary.
21983
21984 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21985 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21986 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21987
21988 @smallexample
21989 bar = some_val + 2
21990 @end smallexample
21991
21992 @noindent
21993 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21994 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21995
21996 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21997 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21998 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21999 can access its @code{foo} element with:
22000
22001 @smallexample
22002 bar = some_val['foo']
22003 @end smallexample
22004
22005 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
22006
22007 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
22008 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
22009 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
22010 by that prototype.
22011
22012 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
22013 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
22014 execute this function, call it like so:
22015
22016 @smallexample
22017 result = some_val (10,20)
22018 @end smallexample
22019
22020 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
22021 @code{gdb.Value}.
22022
22023 The following attributes are provided:
22024
22025 @table @code
22026 @defvar Value.address
22027 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
22028 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
22029 this attribute holds @code{None}.
22030 @end defvar
22031
22032 @cindex optimized out value in Python
22033 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
22034 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
22035 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
22036 @end defvar
22037
22038 @defvar Value.type
22039 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
22040 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
22041 @end defvar
22042
22043 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
22044 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
22045 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
22046 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
22047 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
22048 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
22049 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
22050 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
22051 type.
22052
22053 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
22054 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
22055 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
22056 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
22057 @end defvar
22058
22059 @defvar Value.is_lazy
22060 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
22061 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
22062 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
22063 For example:
22064
22065 @smallexample
22066 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
22067 @end smallexample
22068
22069 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
22070 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
22071 method is invoked.
22072 @end defvar
22073 @end table
22074
22075 The following methods are provided:
22076
22077 @table @code
22078 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
22079 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
22080 this object initializer. Specifically:
22081
22082 @table @asis
22083 @item Python boolean
22084 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
22085 language.
22086
22087 @item Python integer
22088 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
22089 current architecture.
22090
22091 @item Python long
22092 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
22093 current architecture.
22094
22095 @item Python float
22096 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
22097 current architecture.
22098
22099 @item Python string
22100 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
22101 target encoding.
22102
22103 @item @code{gdb.Value}
22104 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
22105
22106 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
22107 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
22108 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
22109 its result is used.
22110 @end table
22111 @end defun
22112
22113 @defun Value.cast (type)
22114 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
22115 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
22116 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
22117 reason, this method throws an exception.
22118 @end defun
22119
22120 @defun Value.dereference ()
22121 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
22122 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
22123 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
22124
22125 @smallexample
22126 int *foo;
22127 @end smallexample
22128
22129 @noindent
22130 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
22131 @code{foo} points to like this:
22132
22133 @smallexample
22134 bar = foo.dereference ()
22135 @end smallexample
22136
22137 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
22138 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
22139
22140 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
22141 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
22142 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
22143 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
22144 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
22145 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
22146 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
22147 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
22148 as
22149
22150 @smallexample
22151 typedef int *intptr;
22152 ...
22153 int val = 10;
22154 intptr ptr = &val;
22155 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
22156 @end smallexample
22157
22158 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
22159 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
22160 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
22161 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
22162 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
22163 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
22164
22165 @smallexample
22166 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
22167 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
22168 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
22169 @end smallexample
22170
22171 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
22172 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
22173 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
22174 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
22175 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
22176 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
22177 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
22178 example). The results are however identical when applied on
22179 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
22180 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
22181 @end defun
22182
22183 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
22184 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
22185 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
22186 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
22187 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
22188 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
22189 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
22190 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
22191 in your C@t{++} program as
22192
22193 @smallexample
22194 int val = 10;
22195 int &ref = val;
22196 @end smallexample
22197
22198 @noindent
22199 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
22200 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
22201 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
22202 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
22203
22204 @smallexample
22205 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
22206 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
22207 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
22208 @end smallexample
22209
22210 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
22211 corresponding to @code{val}.
22212 @end defun
22213
22214 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
22215 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
22216 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
22217 @end defun
22218
22219 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
22220 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
22221 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
22222 @end defun
22223
22224 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
22225 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
22226 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
22227 throw an exception.
22228
22229 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
22230 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
22231 language.
22232
22233 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
22234 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
22235 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
22236 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
22237 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
22238
22239 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
22240 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
22241 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
22242 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
22243 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
22244 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
22245 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
22246 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
22247 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
22248
22249 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
22250 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
22251
22252 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
22253 fetched and converted to the given length.
22254 @end defun
22255
22256 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
22257 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
22258 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
22259 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
22260
22261 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
22262 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
22263 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
22264 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
22265 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
22266
22267 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
22268 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
22269 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
22270 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
22271 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
22272 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
22273
22274 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
22275 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
22276 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
22277 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
22278 @end defun
22279
22280 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
22281 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
22282 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
22283 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
22284 will produce a Python exception.
22285
22286 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
22287 has no effect.
22288
22289 This method does not return a value.
22290 @end defun
22291
22292 @end table
22293
22294 @node Types In Python
22295 @subsubsection Types In Python
22296 @cindex types in Python
22297 @cindex Python, working with types
22298
22299 @tindex gdb.Type
22300 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
22301 @code{gdb.Type}.
22302
22303 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22304 module:
22305
22306 @findex gdb.lookup_type
22307 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
22308 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
22309 type to look up. It must be a string.
22310
22311 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
22312 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
22313
22314 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
22315 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
22316 @end defun
22317
22318 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
22319 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
22320 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
22321 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
22322
22323 @smallexample
22324 bar = some_type['foo']
22325 @end smallexample
22326
22327 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
22328 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
22329 @code{gdb.Field} class.
22330
22331 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
22332
22333 @table @code
22334 @defvar Type.code
22335 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
22336 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
22337 @end defvar
22338
22339 @defvar Type.sizeof
22340 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
22341 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
22342 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
22343 @end defvar
22344
22345 @defvar Type.tag
22346 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
22347 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
22348 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
22349 @code{None} is returned.
22350 @end defvar
22351 @end table
22352
22353 The following methods are provided:
22354
22355 @table @code
22356 @defun Type.fields ()
22357 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
22358 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
22359 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
22360 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
22361 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
22362 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
22363
22364 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
22365 @table @code
22366 @item bitpos
22367 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
22368 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
22369 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
22370 enumeration member's integer representation.
22371
22372 @item name
22373 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
22374
22375 @item artificial
22376 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
22377 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
22378 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
22379
22380 @item is_base_class
22381 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
22382 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
22383 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
22384 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
22385
22386 @item bitsize
22387 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
22388 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
22389 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
22390
22391 @item type
22392 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
22393 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
22394 @end table
22395 @end defun
22396
22397 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
22398 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
22399 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
22400 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
22401 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
22402 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
22403 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
22404 @end defun
22405
22406 @defun Type.const ()
22407 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
22408 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
22409 @end defun
22410
22411 @defun Type.volatile ()
22412 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
22413 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
22414 @end defun
22415
22416 @defun Type.unqualified ()
22417 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
22418 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
22419 @code{volatile}.
22420 @end defun
22421
22422 @defun Type.range ()
22423 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
22424 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
22425 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
22426 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22427 @end defun
22428
22429 @defun Type.reference ()
22430 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
22431 type.
22432 @end defun
22433
22434 @defun Type.pointer ()
22435 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
22436 type.
22437 @end defun
22438
22439 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
22440 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
22441 after removing all layers of typedefs.
22442 @end defun
22443
22444 @defun Type.target ()
22445 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
22446 of this type.
22447
22448 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
22449 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
22450 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
22451 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
22452 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
22453 target type is the aliased type.
22454
22455 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
22456 exception.
22457 @end defun
22458
22459 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
22460 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
22461 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
22462 @var{n}th template argument.
22463
22464 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
22465 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
22466
22467 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
22468 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
22469 @end defun
22470 @end table
22471
22472
22473 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
22474 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
22475 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22476
22477 @table @code
22478 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
22479 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
22480 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
22481 The type is a pointer.
22482
22483 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22484 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22485 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22486 The type is an array.
22487
22488 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22489 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22490 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22491 The type is a structure.
22492
22493 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
22494 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
22495 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
22496 The type is a union.
22497
22498 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22499 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22500 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22501 The type is an enum.
22502
22503 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22504 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22505 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22506 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
22507
22508 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22509 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22510 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22511 The type is a function.
22512
22513 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
22514 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
22515 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
22516 The type is an integer type.
22517
22518 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
22519 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
22520 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
22521 A floating point type.
22522
22523 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
22524 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
22525 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
22526 The special type @code{void}.
22527
22528 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
22529 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
22530 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
22531 A Pascal set type.
22532
22533 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22534 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22535 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22536 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
22537
22538 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
22539 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
22540 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
22541 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
22542 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
22543
22544 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22545 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22546 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22547 A string of bits.
22548
22549 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22550 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22551 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22552 An unknown or erroneous type.
22553
22554 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22555 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22556 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22557 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
22558
22559 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22560 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22561 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22562 A pointer-to-member-function.
22563
22564 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22565 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22566 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22567 A pointer-to-member.
22568
22569 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
22570 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
22571 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
22572 A reference type.
22573
22574 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22575 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22576 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22577 A character type.
22578
22579 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22580 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22581 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22582 A boolean type.
22583
22584 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22585 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22586 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22587 A complex float type.
22588
22589 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22590 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22591 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22592 A typedef to some other type.
22593
22594 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22595 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22596 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22597 A C@t{++} namespace.
22598
22599 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22600 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22601 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22602 A decimal floating point type.
22603
22604 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22605 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22606 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22607 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
22608 convenience functions.
22609 @end table
22610
22611 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
22612 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
22613
22614 @node Pretty Printing API
22615 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
22616
22617 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
22618
22619 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
22620 specific interface, defined here.
22621
22622 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
22623 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
22624 children of the pretty-printer's value.
22625
22626 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
22627 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
22628 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
22629 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
22630 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
22631
22632 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
22633 as though the value has no children.
22634 @end defun
22635
22636 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
22637 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
22638 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
22639 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
22640 printed.
22641
22642 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
22643 string.
22644
22645 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
22646
22647 @table @samp
22648 @item array
22649 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
22650 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
22651 @code{set print array}.
22652
22653 @item map
22654 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
22655 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
22656 values.
22657
22658 @item string
22659 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
22660 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
22661 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
22662 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
22663 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
22664 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
22665 @end table
22666 @end defun
22667
22668 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
22669 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
22670 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
22671
22672 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
22673 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
22674 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
22675 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
22676 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
22677 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
22678 the result of @code{children}.
22679
22680 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
22681
22682 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
22683 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
22684 another pretty-printer.
22685
22686 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
22687 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
22688 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
22689 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
22690 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
22691
22692 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
22693 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
22694
22695 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
22696 @end defun
22697
22698 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
22699 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
22700
22701 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
22702 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
22703 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
22704 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
22705 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
22706 @end defun
22707
22708 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
22709 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
22710
22711 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
22712 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
22713 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
22714 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
22715 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
22716 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
22717 attribute.
22718
22719 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
22720 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
22721 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
22722 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
22723 @code{None}.
22724
22725 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
22726 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
22727 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
22728 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
22729 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
22730 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
22731 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
22732 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
22733 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
22734 object is returned.
22735
22736 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
22737 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
22738 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
22739 object is returned.
22740
22741 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
22742 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
22743 the pretty-printer is out of date.
22744
22745 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
22746 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
22747 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
22748 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
22749 with a broken printer.
22750
22751 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
22752 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
22753 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
22754 the printer is enabled.
22755
22756 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
22757 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
22758 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
22759
22760 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
22761 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
22762
22763 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
22764 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
22765 must provide.
22766
22767 @smallexample
22768 class StdStringPrinter(object):
22769 "Print a std::string"
22770
22771 def __init__(self, val):
22772 self.val = val
22773
22774 def to_string(self):
22775 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
22776
22777 def display_hint(self):
22778 return 'string'
22779 @end smallexample
22780
22781 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
22782 example above might be written.
22783
22784 @smallexample
22785 def str_lookup_function(val):
22786 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
22787 if lookup_tag == None:
22788 return None
22789 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
22790 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
22791 return StdStringPrinter(val)
22792 return None
22793 @end smallexample
22794
22795 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
22796 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
22797 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
22798 returns @code{None}.
22799
22800 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
22801 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
22802 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
22803 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
22804 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
22805 different names.
22806
22807 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
22808 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
22809 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
22810 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
22811 the current objfile.
22812
22813 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
22814 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
22815 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
22816 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
22817 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
22818 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
22819 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
22820 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
22821 inferior.
22822
22823 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
22824 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
22825
22826 @smallexample
22827 def register_printers(objfile):
22828 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
22829 @end smallexample
22830
22831 @noindent
22832 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
22833
22834 @smallexample
22835 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
22836 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
22837 @end smallexample
22838
22839 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
22840 There are a few things that can be improved on.
22841 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
22842 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
22843 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
22844
22845 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
22846 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
22847 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
22848 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
22849 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
22850 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
22851
22852 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
22853 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
22854 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
22855
22856 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
22857
22858 @smallexample
22859 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
22860 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
22861 @end smallexample
22862
22863 Here are the printers:
22864
22865 @smallexample
22866 class fooPrinter:
22867 """Print a foo object."""
22868
22869 def __init__(self, val):
22870 self.val = val
22871
22872 def to_string(self):
22873 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
22874 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
22875
22876 class barPrinter:
22877 """Print a bar object."""
22878
22879 def __init__(self, val):
22880 self.val = val
22881
22882 def to_string(self):
22883 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
22884 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
22885 @end smallexample
22886
22887 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
22888 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
22889 the object that handles the lookup.
22890
22891 @smallexample
22892 import gdb.printing
22893
22894 def build_pretty_printer():
22895 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
22896 "my_library")
22897 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
22898 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
22899 return pp
22900 @end smallexample
22901
22902 And here is the autoload support:
22903
22904 @smallexample
22905 import gdb.printing
22906 import my_library
22907 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
22908 gdb.current_objfile(),
22909 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
22910 @end smallexample
22911
22912 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
22913 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
22914
22915 @smallexample
22916 (gdb) info pretty-printer
22917 my_library.so:
22918 my_library
22919 foo
22920 bar
22921 @end smallexample
22922
22923 @node Inferiors In Python
22924 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
22925 @cindex inferiors in Python
22926
22927 @findex gdb.Inferior
22928 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
22929 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
22930 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
22931 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
22932
22933 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22934 module:
22935
22936 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
22937 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
22938 @end defun
22939
22940 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
22941 Return an object representing the current inferior.
22942 @end defun
22943
22944 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
22945
22946 @table @code
22947 @defvar Inferior.num
22948 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
22949 @end defvar
22950
22951 @defvar Inferior.pid
22952 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
22953 system.
22954 @end defvar
22955
22956 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
22957 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
22958 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
22959 @end defvar
22960 @end table
22961
22962 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
22963
22964 @table @code
22965 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
22966 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22967 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22968 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22969 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22970 at the time the method is called.
22971 @end defun
22972
22973 @defun Inferior.threads ()
22974 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22975 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22976 return an empty tuple.
22977 @end defun
22978
22979 @findex gdb.read_memory
22980 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
22981 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22982 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22983 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22984 function.
22985 @end defun
22986
22987 @findex gdb.write_memory
22988 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
22989 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22990 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22991 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22992 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22993 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22994 @end defun
22995
22996 @findex gdb.search_memory
22997 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
22998 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22999 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
23000 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
23001 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23002 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
23003 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
23004 the pattern could not be found.
23005 @end defun
23006 @end table
23007
23008 @node Events In Python
23009 @subsubsection Events In Python
23010 @cindex inferior events in Python
23011
23012 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
23013 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
23014 the inferior.
23015
23016 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
23017 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
23018 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
23019
23020 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
23021 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
23022 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
23023 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
23024
23025 @table @code
23026 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
23027 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
23028 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
23029 @end defun
23030
23031 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
23032 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
23033 will no longer receive notifications of events.
23034 @end defun
23035 @end table
23036
23037 Here is an example:
23038
23039 @smallexample
23040 def exit_handler (event):
23041 print "event type: exit"
23042 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
23043
23044 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
23045 @end smallexample
23046
23047 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
23048 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
23049 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
23050 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
23051 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
23052 the inferior.
23053
23054 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
23055 details of the events they emit:
23056
23057 @table @code
23058
23059 @item events.cont
23060 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
23061
23062 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
23063 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
23064 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
23065 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
23066 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
23067 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
23068
23069 @table @code
23070 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
23071 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
23072 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
23073 @end defvar
23074 @end table
23075
23076 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
23077
23078 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
23079 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
23080
23081 @item events.exited
23082 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
23083 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
23084 @table @code
23085 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
23086 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
23087 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
23088 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
23089 the attribute does not exist.
23090 @end defvar
23091 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
23092 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
23093 @end defvar
23094 @end table
23095
23096 @item events.stop
23097 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
23098
23099 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
23100 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
23101 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
23102 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
23103
23104 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
23105
23106 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
23107 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
23108
23109 @table @code
23110 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
23111 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
23112 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
23113 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
23114 @end defvar
23115 @end table
23116
23117 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
23118
23119 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
23120 been hit, and has the following attributes:
23121
23122 @table @code
23123 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
23124 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
23125 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
23126 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
23127 @end defvar
23128 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
23129 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
23130 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
23131 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
23132 @end defvar
23133 @end table
23134
23135 @item events.new_objfile
23136 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
23137 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
23138
23139 @table @code
23140 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
23141 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
23142 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
23143 @end defvar
23144 @end table
23145
23146 @end table
23147
23148 @node Threads In Python
23149 @subsubsection Threads In Python
23150 @cindex threads in python
23151
23152 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
23153 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
23154 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
23155
23156 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23157 module:
23158
23159 @findex gdb.selected_thread
23160 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
23161 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
23162 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
23163 @end defun
23164
23165 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
23166
23167 @table @code
23168 @defvar InferiorThread.name
23169 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
23170 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
23171 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
23172 returns @code{None}.
23173
23174 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
23175 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
23176 user-specified thread name.
23177 @end defvar
23178
23179 @defvar InferiorThread.num
23180 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
23181 @end defvar
23182
23183 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
23184 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
23185 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
23186 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
23187 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
23188 does not use that identifier.
23189 @end defvar
23190 @end table
23191
23192 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
23193
23194 @table @code
23195 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
23196 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
23197 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
23198 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
23199 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
23200 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23201 @end defun
23202
23203 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
23204 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
23205 by this object.
23206 @end defun
23207
23208 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
23209 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
23210 @end defun
23211
23212 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
23213 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
23214 @end defun
23215
23216 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
23217 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
23218 @end defun
23219 @end table
23220
23221 @node Commands In Python
23222 @subsubsection Commands In Python
23223
23224 @cindex commands in python
23225 @cindex python commands
23226 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
23227 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
23228 class, most commonly using a subclass.
23229
23230 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
23231 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
23232 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
23233 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
23234
23235 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
23236 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
23237 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
23238 an exception is raised.
23239
23240 There is no support for multi-line commands.
23241
23242 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
23243 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
23244 new command in the help system.
23245
23246 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
23247 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
23248 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
23249 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
23250 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
23251 error will occur when completion is attempted.
23252
23253 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
23254 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
23255 registered.
23256
23257 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
23258 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
23259 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
23260 not documented.'' is used.
23261 @end defun
23262
23263 @cindex don't repeat Python command
23264 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
23265 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
23266 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
23267 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
23268 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
23269 @end defun
23270
23271 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
23272 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
23273
23274 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
23275 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
23276
23277 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
23278 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
23279 that the command came from elsewhere.
23280
23281 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
23282 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
23283
23284 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
23285 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
23286 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
23287 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
23288 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
23289 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
23290 Example:
23291
23292 @smallexample
23293 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
23294 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
23295 @end smallexample
23296
23297 @end defun
23298
23299 @cindex completion of Python commands
23300 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
23301 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
23302 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
23303 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
23304 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
23305 complete}).
23306
23307 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
23308 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
23309 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
23310 using a word-breaking heuristic.
23311
23312 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
23313 @itemize @bullet
23314 @item
23315 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
23316 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
23317 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
23318 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
23319 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
23320 sequence are ignored.
23321
23322 @item
23323 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
23324 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
23325 function is invoked, and its result is used.
23326
23327 @item
23328 All other results are treated as though there were no available
23329 completions.
23330 @end itemize
23331 @end defun
23332
23333 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
23334 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
23335 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
23336 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
23337 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
23338 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23339
23340 @table @code
23341 @findex COMMAND_NONE
23342 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
23343 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
23344 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
23345 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
23346
23347 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
23348 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
23349 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
23350 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
23351 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
23352 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
23353 commands in this category.
23354
23355 @findex COMMAND_DATA
23356 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
23357 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
23358 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
23359 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
23360 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
23361 in this category.
23362
23363 @findex COMMAND_STACK
23364 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
23365 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
23366 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
23367 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
23368 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
23369 list of commands in this category.
23370
23371 @findex COMMAND_FILES
23372 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
23373 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
23374 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
23375 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
23376 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
23377 commands in this category.
23378
23379 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
23380 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
23381 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
23382 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
23383 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
23384 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
23385 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
23386 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
23387 commands in this category.
23388
23389 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
23390 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
23391 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
23392 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
23393 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
23394 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
23395 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
23396
23397 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
23398 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
23399 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
23400 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
23401 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
23402 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
23403 this category.
23404
23405 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
23406 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
23407 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
23408 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
23409 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
23410 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
23411 commands in this category.
23412
23413 @findex COMMAND_USER
23414 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
23415 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
23416 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
23417 does not fit in one of the other categories.
23418 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
23419 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
23420 (@pxref{Sequences}).
23421
23422 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
23423 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
23424 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
23425 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
23426 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
23427 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
23428 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
23429 category.
23430
23431 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
23432 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
23433 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
23434 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
23435 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
23436 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
23437 commands in this category.
23438 @end table
23439
23440 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
23441 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
23442 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
23443 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23444
23445 @table @code
23446 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
23447 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
23448 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
23449 This constant means that no completion should be done.
23450
23451 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
23452 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
23453 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
23454 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
23455
23456 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
23457 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
23458 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
23459 This constant means that location completion should be done.
23460 @xref{Specify Location}.
23461
23462 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
23463 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
23464 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
23465 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
23466 command names.
23467
23468 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
23469 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
23470 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
23471 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
23472 as the source.
23473 @end table
23474
23475 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
23476 implemented in Python:
23477
23478 @smallexample
23479 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23480 """Greet the whole world."""
23481
23482 def __init__ (self):
23483 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23484
23485 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
23486 print "Hello, World!"
23487
23488 HelloWorld ()
23489 @end smallexample
23490
23491 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
23492 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
23493 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
23494 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
23495
23496 @node Parameters In Python
23497 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
23498
23499 @cindex parameters in python
23500 @cindex python parameters
23501 @tindex gdb.Parameter
23502 @tindex Parameter
23503 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
23504 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
23505 class.
23506
23507 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
23508 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
23509
23510 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
23511 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
23512 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
23513 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
23514 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
23515
23516 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
23517 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
23518 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
23519 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
23520
23521 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
23522 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
23523 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
23524 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
23525 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
23526 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
23527 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
23528
23529 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
23530 can be found, an exception is raised.
23531
23532 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
23533 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
23534 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
23535
23536 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
23537 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
23538 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
23539 completion.
23540
23541 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
23542 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
23543 represent the possible values for the parameter.
23544
23545 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
23546 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
23547
23548 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
23549 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
23550 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
23551 @end defun
23552
23553 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
23554 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
23555 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
23556 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
23557 have no effect.
23558 @end defvar
23559
23560 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
23561 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
23562 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
23563 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
23564 have no effect.
23565 @end defvar
23566
23567 @defvar Parameter.value
23568 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
23569 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
23570 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
23571 @end defvar
23572
23573 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
23574 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
23575
23576 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
23577 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
23578 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
23579 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
23580 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
23581 @end defun
23582
23583 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
23584 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
23585 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
23586 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
23587 current value. This method must return a string.
23588 @end defun
23589
23590 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
23591 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23592 module:
23593
23594 @table @code
23595 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
23596 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
23597 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
23598 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
23599 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
23600
23601 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23602 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23603 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23604 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
23605 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
23606 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
23607
23608 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
23609 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
23610 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
23611 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
23612 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
23613
23614 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
23615 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
23616 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
23617 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
23618 to mean ``unlimited''.
23619
23620 @findex PARAM_STRING
23621 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
23622 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
23623 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
23624 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
23625 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
23626 host charset.
23627
23628 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23629 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23630 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23631 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
23632 passed through untranslated.
23633
23634 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23635 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23636 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23637 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
23638
23639 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
23640 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
23641 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
23642 The value is a filename. This is just like
23643 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
23644
23645 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
23646 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
23647 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
23648 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
23649 is interpreted as itself.
23650
23651 @findex PARAM_ENUM
23652 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
23653 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
23654 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
23655 constants provided when the parameter is created.
23656 @end table
23657
23658 @node Functions In Python
23659 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
23660
23661 @cindex writing convenience functions
23662 @cindex convenience functions in python
23663 @cindex python convenience functions
23664 @tindex gdb.Function
23665 @tindex Function
23666 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
23667 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
23668 class @code{gdb.Function}.
23669
23670 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
23671 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
23672 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
23673 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
23674 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
23675 the given @var{name}.
23676
23677 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
23678 string for the new class.
23679 @end defun
23680
23681 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
23682 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
23683 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
23684 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
23685 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
23686 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
23687 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
23688 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
23689
23690 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
23691 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
23692 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
23693 @end defun
23694
23695 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
23696 be implemented in Python:
23697
23698 @smallexample
23699 class Greet (gdb.Function):
23700 """Return string to greet someone.
23701 Takes a name as argument."""
23702
23703 def __init__ (self):
23704 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
23705
23706 def invoke (self, name):
23707 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
23708
23709 Greet ()
23710 @end smallexample
23711
23712 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
23713 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
23714 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
23715 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
23716
23717 @node Progspaces In Python
23718 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
23719
23720 @cindex progspaces in python
23721 @tindex gdb.Progspace
23722 @tindex Progspace
23723 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
23724 of an address space.
23725 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
23726 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23727 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
23728 about program spaces.
23729
23730 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
23731 @code{gdb} module:
23732
23733 @findex gdb.current_progspace
23734 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
23735 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
23736 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
23737 @end defun
23738
23739 @findex gdb.progspaces
23740 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
23741 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
23742 @end defun
23743
23744 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
23745 class.
23746
23747 @defvar Progspace.filename
23748 The file name of the progspace as a string.
23749 @end defvar
23750
23751 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
23752 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
23753 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
23754 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
23755 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
23756 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
23757 information.
23758 @end defvar
23759
23760 @node Objfiles In Python
23761 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
23762
23763 @cindex objfiles in python
23764 @tindex gdb.Objfile
23765 @tindex Objfile
23766 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
23767 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
23768 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
23769 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
23770 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
23771
23772 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
23773 @code{gdb} module:
23774
23775 @findex gdb.current_objfile
23776 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
23777 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
23778 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
23779 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
23780 this function returns @code{None}.
23781 @end defun
23782
23783 @findex gdb.objfiles
23784 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
23785 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
23786 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23787 @end defun
23788
23789 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
23790 class.
23791
23792 @defvar Objfile.filename
23793 The file name of the objfile as a string.
23794 @end defvar
23795
23796 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
23797 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
23798 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
23799 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
23800 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
23801 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
23802 information.
23803 @end defvar
23804
23805 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
23806
23807 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
23808 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
23809 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
23810 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
23811 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
23812 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23813 @end defun
23814
23815 @node Frames In Python
23816 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23817
23818 @cindex frames in python
23819 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
23820 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
23821 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
23822 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
23823 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
23824 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23825
23826 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
23827 operator, like:
23828
23829 @smallexample
23830 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
23831 True
23832 @end smallexample
23833
23834 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
23835
23836 @findex gdb.selected_frame
23837 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
23838 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
23839 @end defun
23840
23841 @findex gdb.newest_frame
23842 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
23843 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
23844 @end defun
23845
23846 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
23847 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
23848 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
23849 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
23850 @end defun
23851
23852 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
23853
23854 @table @code
23855 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
23856 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
23857 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
23858 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
23859 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23860 @end defun
23861
23862 @defun Frame.name ()
23863 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
23864 obtained.
23865 @end defun
23866
23867 @defun Frame.type ()
23868 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
23869 @table @code
23870 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
23871 An ordinary stack frame.
23872
23873 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
23874 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
23875 inferior function call.
23876
23877 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
23878 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
23879 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
23880
23881 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
23882 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
23883
23884 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
23885 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
23886 it calls into a signal handler.
23887
23888 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
23889 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
23890
23891 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
23892 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
23893 newest frame.
23894 @end table
23895 @end defun
23896
23897 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
23898 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
23899 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
23900 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
23901 function to a string. The value can be one of:
23902
23903 @table @code
23904 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
23905 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
23906
23907 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
23908 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
23909
23910 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
23911 This frame is the outermost.
23912
23913 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
23914 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
23915 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
23916
23917 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
23918 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
23919 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
23920 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
23921
23922 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
23923 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
23924 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
23925 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
23926 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
23927 stack corruption.
23928
23929 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
23930 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
23931 one to unwind further.
23932
23933 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
23934 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
23935 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
23936 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
23937 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
23938 versions. Using it, you could write:
23939 @smallexample
23940 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
23941 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
23942 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
23943 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
23944 @end smallexample
23945 @end table
23946
23947 @end defun
23948
23949 @defun Frame.pc ()
23950 Returns the frame's resume address.
23951 @end defun
23952
23953 @defun Frame.block ()
23954 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
23955 @end defun
23956
23957 @defun Frame.function ()
23958 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
23959 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
23960 @end defun
23961
23962 @defun Frame.older ()
23963 Return the frame that called this frame.
23964 @end defun
23965
23966 @defun Frame.newer ()
23967 Return the frame called by this frame.
23968 @end defun
23969
23970 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
23971 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
23972 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
23973 @end defun
23974
23975 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
23976 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
23977 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
23978 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
23979 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
23980 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
23981 @code{gdb.Block} object.
23982 @end defun
23983
23984 @defun Frame.select ()
23985 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
23986 Stack}.
23987 @end defun
23988 @end table
23989
23990 @node Blocks In Python
23991 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
23992
23993 @cindex blocks in python
23994 @tindex gdb.Block
23995
23996 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
23997 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
23998 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
23999 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
24000 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
24001 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
24002 stack.
24003
24004 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
24005 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block.
24006
24007 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24008 module:
24009
24010 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
24011 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
24012 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
24013 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
24014 will return @code{None}.
24015 @end defun
24016
24017 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
24018
24019 @table @code
24020 @defun Block.is_valid ()
24021 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
24022 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
24023 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
24024 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
24025 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
24026 during iteration over symbols of the block.
24027 @end defun
24028 @end table
24029
24030 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
24031
24032 @table @code
24033 @defvar Block.start
24034 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
24035 @end defvar
24036
24037 @defvar Block.end
24038 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
24039 @end defvar
24040
24041 @defvar Block.function
24042 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
24043 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
24044 attribute is not writable.
24045 @end defvar
24046
24047 @defvar Block.superblock
24048 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
24049 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
24050 @end defvar
24051
24052 @defvar Block.global_block
24053 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
24054 writable.
24055 @end defvar
24056
24057 @defvar Block.static_block
24058 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
24059 writable.
24060 @end defvar
24061
24062 @defvar Block.is_global
24063 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
24064 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
24065 writable.
24066 @end defvar
24067
24068 @defvar Block.is_static
24069 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
24070 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
24071 @end defvar
24072 @end table
24073
24074 @node Symbols In Python
24075 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
24076
24077 @cindex symbols in python
24078 @tindex gdb.Symbol
24079
24080 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
24081 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
24082 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
24083 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
24084
24085 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24086 module:
24087
24088 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
24089 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
24090 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
24091 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
24092 arguments.
24093
24094 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
24095 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
24096 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
24097 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
24098 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
24099 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
24100 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
24101 in this chapter.
24102
24103 The result is a tuple of two elements.
24104 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
24105 is not found.
24106 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
24107 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
24108 otherwise it is @code{False}.
24109 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
24110 @end defun
24111
24112 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
24113 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
24114 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
24115 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
24116
24117 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
24118 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
24119 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
24120 module and described later in this chapter.
24121
24122 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
24123 is not found.
24124 @end defun
24125
24126 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
24127
24128 @table @code
24129 @defvar Symbol.type
24130 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
24131 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
24132 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
24133 @end defvar
24134
24135 @defvar Symbol.symtab
24136 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
24137 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
24138 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
24139 @end defvar
24140
24141 @defvar Symbol.line
24142 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
24143 This is an integer.
24144 @end defvar
24145
24146 @defvar Symbol.name
24147 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
24148 @end defvar
24149
24150 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
24151 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
24152 This attribute is not writable.
24153 @end defvar
24154
24155 @defvar Symbol.print_name
24156 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
24157 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
24158 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
24159 @end defvar
24160
24161 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
24162 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
24163 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
24164 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
24165 @end defvar
24166
24167 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
24168 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
24169 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
24170 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
24171 @end defvar
24172
24173 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
24174 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
24175 @end defvar
24176
24177 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
24178 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
24179 @end defvar
24180
24181 @defvar Symbol.is_function
24182 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
24183 @end defvar
24184
24185 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
24186 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
24187 @end defvar
24188 @end table
24189
24190 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
24191
24192 @table @code
24193 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
24194 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
24195 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
24196 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
24197 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
24198 invalid at the time the method is called.
24199 @end defun
24200
24201 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
24202 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
24203 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
24204 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
24205 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
24206 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
24207 exception.
24208 @end defun
24209 @end table
24210
24211 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
24212 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
24213
24214 @table @code
24215 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
24216 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
24217 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
24218 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
24219 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
24220 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
24221 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
24222 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
24223 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
24224 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
24225 type values.
24226 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
24227 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
24228 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
24229 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
24230 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
24231 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
24232 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
24233 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
24234 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
24235 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
24236 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
24237 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
24238 contains everything minus functions and types.
24239 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
24240 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
24241 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
24242 This domain contains all functions.
24243 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
24244 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
24245 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
24246 This domain contains all types.
24247 @end table
24248
24249 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
24250 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
24251
24252 @table @code
24253 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
24254 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
24255 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
24256 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
24257 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
24258 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
24259 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
24260 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
24261 Value is constant int.
24262 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
24263 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
24264 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
24265 Value is at a fixed address.
24266 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
24267 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
24268 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
24269 Value is in a register.
24270 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
24271 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
24272 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
24273 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
24274 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
24275 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
24276 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
24277 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
24278 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
24279 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
24280 offset, not the value itself.
24281 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
24282 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
24283 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
24284 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
24285 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
24286 itself.
24287 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
24288 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
24289 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
24290 Value is a local variable.
24291 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
24292 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
24293 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
24294 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
24295 have this class.
24296 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
24297 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
24298 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
24299 Value is a block.
24300 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
24301 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
24302 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
24303 Value is a byte-sequence.
24304 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
24305 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
24306 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
24307 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
24308 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
24309 referenced.
24310 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
24311 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
24312 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
24313 The value does not actually exist in the program.
24314 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
24315 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
24316 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
24317 The value's address is a computed location.
24318 @end table
24319
24320 @node Symbol Tables In Python
24321 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
24322
24323 @cindex symbol tables in python
24324 @tindex gdb.Symtab
24325 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
24326
24327 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
24328 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
24329 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
24330 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
24331 @xref{Frames In Python}.
24332
24333 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
24334 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
24335
24336 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
24337
24338 @table @code
24339 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
24340 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
24341 This attribute is not writable.
24342 @end defvar
24343
24344 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
24345 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
24346 writable.
24347 @end defvar
24348
24349 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
24350 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
24351 attribute is not writable.
24352 @end defvar
24353 @end table
24354
24355 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
24356
24357 @table @code
24358 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
24359 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
24360 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
24361 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
24362 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
24363 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
24364 invalid at the time the method is called.
24365 @end defun
24366 @end table
24367
24368 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
24369
24370 @table @code
24371 @defvar Symtab.filename
24372 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
24373 @end defvar
24374
24375 @defvar Symtab.objfile
24376 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24377 This attribute is not writable.
24378 @end defvar
24379 @end table
24380
24381 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
24382
24383 @table @code
24384 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
24385 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
24386 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
24387 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
24388 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
24389 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24390 @end defun
24391
24392 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
24393 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
24394 @end defun
24395 @end table
24396
24397 @node Breakpoints In Python
24398 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
24399
24400 @cindex breakpoints in python
24401 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
24402
24403 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
24404 class.
24405
24406 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
24407 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
24408 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
24409 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
24410 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
24411 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
24412 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
24413 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
24414 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
24415 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
24416 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
24417 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
24418 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
24419 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
24420 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
24421 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
24422 @end defun
24423
24424 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
24425 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
24426 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
24427 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
24428 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
24429 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
24430 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
24431 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
24432
24433 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
24434 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
24435 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
24436 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
24437 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
24438 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
24439
24440 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
24441 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
24442 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
24443 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
24444 at this time.
24445
24446 Example @code{stop} implementation:
24447
24448 @smallexample
24449 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
24450 def stop (self):
24451 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
24452 if inf_val == 3:
24453 return True
24454 return False
24455 @end smallexample
24456 @end defun
24457
24458 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
24459 @code{gdb} module:
24460
24461 @table @code
24462 @findex WP_READ
24463 @findex gdb.WP_READ
24464 @item gdb.WP_READ
24465 Read only watchpoint.
24466
24467 @findex WP_WRITE
24468 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
24469 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
24470 Write only watchpoint.
24471
24472 @findex WP_ACCESS
24473 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
24474 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
24475 Read/Write watchpoint.
24476 @end table
24477
24478 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
24479 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
24480 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
24481 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
24482 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
24483 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
24484 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
24485 @end defun
24486
24487 @defun Breakpoint.delete
24488 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
24489 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
24490 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
24491 @end defun
24492
24493 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
24494 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
24495 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
24496 @end defvar
24497
24498 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
24499 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
24500 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
24501
24502 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
24503 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
24504 @code{silent} attribute.
24505 @end defvar
24506
24507 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
24508 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
24509 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
24510 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
24511 @end defvar
24512
24513 @defvar Breakpoint.task
24514 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
24515 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
24516 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
24517 is writable.
24518 @end defvar
24519
24520 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
24521 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
24522 This attribute is writable.
24523 @end defvar
24524
24525 @defvar Breakpoint.number
24526 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
24527 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
24528 @end defvar
24529
24530 @defvar Breakpoint.type
24531 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
24532 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
24533 writable.
24534 @end defvar
24535
24536 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
24537 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
24538 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
24539 attribute is not writable.
24540 @end defvar
24541
24542 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24543 module:
24544
24545 @table @code
24546 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
24547 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
24548 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
24549 Normal code breakpoint.
24550
24551 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
24552 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
24553 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
24554 Watchpoint breakpoint.
24555
24556 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24557 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24558 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24559 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
24560
24561 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24562 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24563 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24564 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
24565
24566 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24567 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24568 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24569 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
24570 @end table
24571
24572 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
24573 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
24574 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
24575 @end defvar
24576
24577 @defvar Breakpoint.location
24578 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
24579 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
24580 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
24581 attribute is not writable.
24582 @end defvar
24583
24584 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
24585 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
24586 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
24587 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
24588 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
24589 @end defvar
24590
24591 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
24592 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
24593 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
24594 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
24595 @end defvar
24596
24597 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
24598 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
24599 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
24600 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
24601 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
24602 @end defvar
24603
24604 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
24605 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
24606
24607 @cindex python finish breakpoints
24608 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
24609
24610 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
24611 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
24612 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
24613 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
24614 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
24615 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
24616 thread selected.
24617
24618 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
24619 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
24620 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
24621 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
24622 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
24623 details about this argument.
24624 @end defun
24625
24626 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
24627 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
24628 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
24629 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
24630 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
24631
24632 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
24633 method:
24634
24635 @smallexample
24636 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
24637 def stop (self):
24638 print "normal finish"
24639 return True
24640
24641 def out_of_scope ():
24642 print "abnormal finish"
24643 @end smallexample
24644 @end defun
24645
24646 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
24647 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
24648 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
24649 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
24650 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
24651 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
24652 is not writable.
24653 @end defvar
24654
24655 @node Lazy Strings In Python
24656 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
24657
24658 @cindex lazy strings in python
24659 @tindex gdb.LazyString
24660
24661 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
24662 encoded until it is needed.
24663
24664 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
24665 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
24666 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
24667 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
24668 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
24669 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
24670 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
24671 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
24672 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
24673
24674 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
24675
24676 @defun LazyString.value ()
24677 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
24678 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
24679 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
24680 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
24681 @end defun
24682
24683 @defvar LazyString.address
24684 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
24685 writable.
24686 @end defvar
24687
24688 @defvar LazyString.length
24689 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
24690 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
24691 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
24692 @end defvar
24693
24694 @defvar LazyString.encoding
24695 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
24696 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
24697 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
24698 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
24699 is not writable.
24700 @end defvar
24701
24702 @defvar LazyString.type
24703 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
24704 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
24705 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
24706 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
24707 writable.
24708 @end defvar
24709
24710 @node Auto-loading
24711 @subsection Auto-loading
24712 @cindex auto-loading, Python
24713
24714 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24715 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
24716 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
24717 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
24718
24719 @menu
24720 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
24721 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24722 * Which flavor to choose?::
24723 @end menu
24724
24725 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
24726 debugging commands and scripts.
24727
24728 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24729 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24730
24731 @table @code
24732 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
24733 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
24734 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
24735
24736 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
24737 @item show auto-load-scripts
24738 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
24739
24740 @kindex info auto-load-scripts
24741 @cindex print list of auto-loaded scripts
24742 @item info auto-load-scripts [@var{regexp}]
24743 Print the list of all scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
24744
24745 Also printed is the list of scripts that were mentioned in
24746 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
24747 (@pxref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}).
24748 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
24749 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
24750 an error message for each one is problematic.
24751
24752 If @var{regexp} is supplied only scripts with matching names are printed.
24753
24754 Example:
24755
24756 @smallexample
24757 (gdb) info auto-load-scripts
24758 Loaded Script
24759 Yes py-section-script.py
24760 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
24761 Missing my-foo-pretty-printers.py
24762 @end smallexample
24763 @end table
24764
24765 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
24766 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
24767 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
24768 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
24769
24770 @node objfile-gdb.py file
24771 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
24772 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24773
24774 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
24775 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
24776 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
24777 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
24778 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
24779 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
24780
24781 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
24782 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
24783 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
24784 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
24785
24786 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
24787 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
24788 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
24789 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
24790 is the object file's real name, as described above.
24791
24792 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
24793 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
24794 @var{objfile} is opened.
24795 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
24796 is evaluated more than once.
24797
24798 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
24799 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24800 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24801
24802 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
24803 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
24804 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24805 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
24806
24807 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
24808 current directory and then along the source search path
24809 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
24810 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
24811 directory is not relevant to scripts.
24812
24813 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
24814 for example, this GCC macro:
24815
24816 @example
24817 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
24818 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
24819 asm("\
24820 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
24821 .byte 1\n\
24822 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
24823 .popsection \n\
24824 ");
24825 @end example
24826
24827 @noindent
24828 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
24829
24830 @example
24831 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
24832 @end example
24833
24834 The script name may include directories if desired.
24835
24836 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
24837 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
24838
24839 @node Which flavor to choose?
24840 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
24841
24842 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
24843 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
24844
24845 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
24846
24847 @itemize @bullet
24848 @item
24849 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
24850
24851 @item
24852 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
24853
24854 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
24855 in the source search path.
24856 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
24857 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
24858
24859 @item
24860 Doesn't require source code additions.
24861 @end itemize
24862
24863 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
24864
24865 @itemize @bullet
24866 @item
24867 Works with static linking.
24868
24869 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
24870 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
24871 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
24872 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
24873
24874 @item
24875 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
24876
24877 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
24878 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
24879
24880 @item
24881 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
24882
24883 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
24884 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
24885 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
24886 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
24887 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
24888 top of the source tree to the source search path.
24889 @end itemize
24890
24891 @node Python modules
24892 @subsection Python modules
24893 @cindex python modules
24894
24895 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
24896
24897 @menu
24898 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
24899 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
24900 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
24901 @end menu
24902
24903 @node gdb.printing
24904 @subsubsection gdb.printing
24905 @cindex gdb.printing
24906
24907 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
24908 pretty-printers.
24909
24910 @table @code
24911 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
24912 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
24913 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
24914 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
24915
24916 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
24917 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
24918 corresponding API for the subprinters.
24919
24920 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
24921 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
24922 regular expressions.
24923 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
24924
24925 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
24926 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
24927 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
24928 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
24929 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
24930 the @code{enum} type to look up.
24931
24932 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
24933 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
24934 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
24935 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
24936 if a printer with the same name already exists.
24937 @end table
24938
24939 @node gdb.types
24940 @subsubsection gdb.types
24941 @cindex gdb.types
24942
24943 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
24944 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
24945
24946 @table @code
24947 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
24948 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
24949 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
24950
24951 C@t{++} example:
24952
24953 @smallexample
24954 typedef const int const_int;
24955 const_int foo (3);
24956 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
24957 int main () @{ return 0; @}
24958 @end smallexample
24959
24960 Then in gdb:
24961
24962 @smallexample
24963 (gdb) start
24964 (gdb) python import gdb.types
24965 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
24966 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
24967 int
24968 @end smallexample
24969
24970 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
24971 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
24972 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
24973
24974 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
24975 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
24976
24977 @item deep_items (@var{type})
24978 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
24979 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
24980 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
24981 union fields. For example:
24982
24983 @smallexample
24984 struct A
24985 @{
24986 int a;
24987 union @{
24988 int b0;
24989 int b1;
24990 @};
24991 @};
24992 @end smallexample
24993
24994 @noindent
24995 Then in @value{GDBN}:
24996 @smallexample
24997 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
24998 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
24999 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
25000 @{['a', '']@}
25001 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
25002 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
25003 @end smallexample
25004
25005 @end table
25006
25007 @node gdb.prompt
25008 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
25009 @cindex gdb.prompt
25010
25011 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
25012
25013 @table @code
25014 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
25015 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
25016 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
25017 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
25018
25019 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
25020
25021 @table @code
25022 @item \\
25023 Substitute a backslash.
25024 @item \e
25025 Substitute an ESC character.
25026 @item \f
25027 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
25028 @item \n
25029 Substitute a newline.
25030 @item \p
25031 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
25032 @item \r
25033 Substitute a carriage return.
25034 @item \t
25035 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
25036 @item \v
25037 Substitute the version of GDB.
25038 @item \w
25039 Substitute the current working directory.
25040 @item \[
25041 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
25042 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
25043 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
25044 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
25045 @item \]
25046 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
25047 @end table
25048
25049 For example:
25050
25051 @smallexample
25052 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
25053 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
25054 @end smallexample
25055
25056 @exdent will return the string:
25057
25058 @smallexample
25059 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
25060 @end smallexample
25061 @end table
25062
25063 @node Aliases
25064 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
25065 @cindex aliases for commands
25066
25067 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
25068 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
25069 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
25070 that involves less typing.
25071
25072 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
25073 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
25074 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
25075
25076 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
25077 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
25078 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
25079
25080 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
25081
25082 @table @code
25083
25084 @kindex alias
25085 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
25086
25087 @end table
25088
25089 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
25090 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
25091 underscores.
25092
25093 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
25094 that is being aliased.
25095
25096 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
25097 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
25098 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
25099
25100 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
25101 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
25102
25103 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
25104 of a command so that there is less to type.
25105 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
25106 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
25107 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
25108 The following will accomplish this.
25109
25110 @smallexample
25111 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
25112 @end smallexample
25113
25114 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
25115 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
25116 for it with the @samp{document} command.
25117 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
25118
25119 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
25120 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
25121 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
25122 of a command.
25123
25124 @smallexample
25125 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
25126 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
25127 (gdb) set p elms 20
25128 (gdb) show p elms
25129 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
25130 @end smallexample
25131
25132 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
25133 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
25134 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
25135
25136 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
25137 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
25138
25139 @smallexample
25140 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
25141 @end smallexample
25142
25143 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
25144 alias for a more complex command.
25145 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
25146
25147 @smallexample
25148 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
25149 (gdb) spe 20
25150 @end smallexample
25151
25152 @node Interpreters
25153 @chapter Command Interpreters
25154 @cindex command interpreters
25155
25156 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
25157 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
25158 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
25159
25160 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
25161 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
25162 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
25163 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
25164
25165 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
25166 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
25167 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
25168 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
25169
25170 @table @code
25171 @item console
25172 @cindex console interpreter
25173 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
25174 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
25175 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
25176
25177 @item mi
25178 @cindex mi interpreter
25179 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
25180 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
25181 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
25182 Interface}.
25183
25184 @item mi2
25185 @cindex mi2 interpreter
25186 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
25187
25188 @item mi1
25189 @cindex mi1 interpreter
25190 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
25191
25192 @end table
25193
25194 @cindex invoke another interpreter
25195 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
25196 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
25197 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
25198 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
25199 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
25200 the IDE inoperable!
25201
25202 @kindex interpreter-exec
25203 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
25204 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
25205 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
25206 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
25207
25208 @smallexample
25209 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
25210 @end smallexample
25211
25212 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
25213 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
25214
25215 @node TUI
25216 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
25217 @cindex TUI
25218 @cindex Text User Interface
25219
25220 @menu
25221 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
25222 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
25223 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
25224 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
25225 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
25226 @end menu
25227
25228 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
25229 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
25230 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
25231 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
25232 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
25233 is available.
25234
25235 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
25236 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
25237 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
25238 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
25239 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
25240
25241 @node TUI Overview
25242 @section TUI Overview
25243
25244 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
25245
25246 @table @emph
25247 @item command
25248 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
25249 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
25250 managed using readline.
25251
25252 @item source
25253 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
25254 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
25255
25256 @item assembly
25257 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
25258
25259 @item register
25260 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
25261 when their values change.
25262 @end table
25263
25264 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
25265 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
25266 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
25267 indicates the breakpoint type:
25268
25269 @table @code
25270 @item B
25271 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
25272
25273 @item b
25274 Breakpoint which was never hit.
25275
25276 @item H
25277 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
25278
25279 @item h
25280 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
25281 @end table
25282
25283 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
25284
25285 @table @code
25286 @item +
25287 Breakpoint is enabled.
25288
25289 @item -
25290 Breakpoint is disabled.
25291 @end table
25292
25293 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
25294 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
25295 changes.
25296
25297 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
25298 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
25299 layouts:
25300
25301 @itemize @bullet
25302 @item
25303 source only,
25304
25305 @item
25306 assembly only,
25307
25308 @item
25309 source and assembly,
25310
25311 @item
25312 source and registers, or
25313
25314 @item
25315 assembly and registers.
25316 @end itemize
25317
25318 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
25319
25320 @table @emph
25321 @item target
25322 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
25323 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
25324
25325 @item process
25326 Gives the current process or thread number.
25327 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
25328
25329 @item function
25330 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
25331 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
25332 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
25333 the string @code{??} is displayed.
25334
25335 @item line
25336 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
25337 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
25338
25339 @item pc
25340 Indicates the current program counter address.
25341 @end table
25342
25343 @node TUI Keys
25344 @section TUI Key Bindings
25345 @cindex TUI key bindings
25346
25347 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
25348 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
25349 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
25350 @end ifset
25351 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
25352 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
25353 @end ifclear
25354 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
25355 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
25356
25357 @table @kbd
25358 @kindex C-x C-a
25359 @item C-x C-a
25360 @kindex C-x a
25361 @itemx C-x a
25362 @kindex C-x A
25363 @itemx C-x A
25364 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
25365 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
25366 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
25367 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
25368 The screen is then refreshed.
25369
25370 @kindex C-x 1
25371 @item C-x 1
25372 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
25373 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
25374 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
25375
25376 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
25377
25378 @kindex C-x 2
25379 @item C-x 2
25380 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
25381 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
25382 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
25383 previous layout and the new one.
25384
25385 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
25386
25387 @kindex C-x o
25388 @item C-x o
25389 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
25390 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
25391 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
25392
25393 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
25394
25395 @kindex C-x s
25396 @item C-x s
25397 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
25398 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
25399 @end table
25400
25401 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
25402
25403 @table @asis
25404 @kindex PgUp
25405 @item @key{PgUp}
25406 Scroll the active window one page up.
25407
25408 @kindex PgDn
25409 @item @key{PgDn}
25410 Scroll the active window one page down.
25411
25412 @kindex Up
25413 @item @key{Up}
25414 Scroll the active window one line up.
25415
25416 @kindex Down
25417 @item @key{Down}
25418 Scroll the active window one line down.
25419
25420 @kindex Left
25421 @item @key{Left}
25422 Scroll the active window one column left.
25423
25424 @kindex Right
25425 @item @key{Right}
25426 Scroll the active window one column right.
25427
25428 @kindex C-L
25429 @item @kbd{C-L}
25430 Refresh the screen.
25431 @end table
25432
25433 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
25434 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
25435 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
25436 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
25437 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
25438
25439 @node TUI Single Key Mode
25440 @section TUI Single Key Mode
25441 @cindex TUI single key mode
25442
25443 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
25444 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
25445 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
25446
25447 @table @kbd
25448 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25449 @item c
25450 continue
25451
25452 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25453 @item d
25454 down
25455
25456 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25457 @item f
25458 finish
25459
25460 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25461 @item n
25462 next
25463
25464 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25465 @item q
25466 exit the SingleKey mode.
25467
25468 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25469 @item r
25470 run
25471
25472 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25473 @item s
25474 step
25475
25476 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25477 @item u
25478 up
25479
25480 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25481 @item v
25482 info locals
25483
25484 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
25485 @item w
25486 where
25487 @end table
25488
25489 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
25490 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
25491 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
25492 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
25493 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
25494 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
25495
25496
25497 @node TUI Commands
25498 @section TUI-specific Commands
25499 @cindex TUI commands
25500
25501 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
25502 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
25503 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
25504 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
25505
25506 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
25507 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
25508 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
25509 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
25510 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
25511
25512 @table @code
25513 @item info win
25514 @kindex info win
25515 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
25516
25517 @item layout next
25518 @kindex layout
25519 Display the next layout.
25520
25521 @item layout prev
25522 Display the previous layout.
25523
25524 @item layout src
25525 Display the source window only.
25526
25527 @item layout asm
25528 Display the assembly window only.
25529
25530 @item layout split
25531 Display the source and assembly window.
25532
25533 @item layout regs
25534 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
25535
25536 @item focus next
25537 @kindex focus
25538 Make the next window active for scrolling.
25539
25540 @item focus prev
25541 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
25542
25543 @item focus src
25544 Make the source window active for scrolling.
25545
25546 @item focus asm
25547 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
25548
25549 @item focus regs
25550 Make the register window active for scrolling.
25551
25552 @item focus cmd
25553 Make the command window active for scrolling.
25554
25555 @item refresh
25556 @kindex refresh
25557 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
25558
25559 @item tui reg float
25560 @kindex tui reg
25561 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
25562
25563 @item tui reg general
25564 Show the general registers in the register window.
25565
25566 @item tui reg next
25567 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
25568 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
25569 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
25570 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
25571
25572 @item tui reg system
25573 Show the system registers in the register window.
25574
25575 @item update
25576 @kindex update
25577 Update the source window and the current execution point.
25578
25579 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
25580 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
25581 @kindex winheight
25582 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
25583 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
25584 decrease it.
25585
25586 @item tabset @var{nchars}
25587 @kindex tabset
25588 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
25589 @end table
25590
25591 @node TUI Configuration
25592 @section TUI Configuration Variables
25593 @cindex TUI configuration variables
25594
25595 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
25596
25597 @table @code
25598 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
25599 @kindex set tui border-kind
25600 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
25601 The possible values are the following:
25602 @table @code
25603 @item space
25604 Use a space character to draw the border.
25605
25606 @item ascii
25607 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
25608
25609 @item acs
25610 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
25611 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
25612 @end table
25613
25614 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
25615 @kindex set tui border-mode
25616 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
25617 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
25618 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
25619 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
25620 @table @code
25621 @item normal
25622 Use normal attributes to display the border.
25623
25624 @item standout
25625 Use standout mode.
25626
25627 @item reverse
25628 Use reverse video mode.
25629
25630 @item half
25631 Use half bright mode.
25632
25633 @item half-standout
25634 Use half bright and standout mode.
25635
25636 @item bold
25637 Use extra bright or bold mode.
25638
25639 @item bold-standout
25640 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
25641 @end table
25642 @end table
25643
25644 @node Emacs
25645 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
25646
25647 @cindex Emacs
25648 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
25649 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
25650 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
25651 @value{GDBN}.
25652
25653 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
25654 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
25655 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
25656 created Emacs buffer.
25657 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
25658
25659 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
25660 things:
25661
25662 @itemize @bullet
25663 @item
25664 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
25665 the GUD buffer.
25666
25667 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
25668 and output done by the program you are debugging.
25669
25670 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
25671 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
25672 in this way.
25673
25674 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
25675 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
25676 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
25677 stop.
25678
25679 @item
25680 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
25681
25682 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
25683 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
25684 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
25685 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
25686 and the source.
25687
25688 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
25689 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
25690 @end itemize
25691
25692 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
25693 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
25694 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
25695 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
25696
25697 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
25698 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
25699 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
25700 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
25701 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
25702 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
25703 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
25704 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
25705 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
25706
25707 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
25708 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
25709 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
25710 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25711
25712 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
25713 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
25714 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
25715 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
25716 one you want.
25717
25718 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
25719 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
25720
25721 @table @kbd
25722 @item C-h m
25723 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
25724
25725 @item C-c C-s
25726 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
25727 update the display window to show the current file and location.
25728
25729 @item C-c C-n
25730 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
25731 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
25732 to show the current file and location.
25733
25734 @item C-c C-i
25735 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
25736 display window accordingly.
25737
25738 @item C-c C-f
25739 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
25740 @code{finish} command.
25741
25742 @item C-c C-r
25743 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
25744 command.
25745
25746 @item C-c <
25747 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
25748 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
25749 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
25750
25751 @item C-c >
25752 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
25753 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
25754 @end table
25755
25756 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
25757 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
25758
25759 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
25760 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
25761 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
25762 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
25763 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
25764 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
25765 speedbar displays watch expressions.
25766
25767 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
25768 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
25769 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
25770 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
25771 frame.
25772
25773 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
25774 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
25775 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
25776 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
25777 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
25778 to correspond properly with the code.
25779
25780 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
25781 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
25782 Emacs Manual}).
25783
25784 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
25785 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
25786 @ignore
25787 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
25788 @kindex Epoch
25789 @kindex inspect
25790
25791 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
25792 called the @code{epoch}
25793 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
25794 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
25795 each value is printed in its own window.
25796 @end ignore
25797
25798
25799 @node GDB/MI
25800 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
25801
25802 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
25803
25804 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
25805 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
25806 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
25807 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
25808 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
25809 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
25810
25811 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
25812 in the form of a reference manual.
25813
25814 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
25815 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
25816 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
25817
25818 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
25819
25820 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
25821 This chapter uses the following notation:
25822
25823 @itemize @bullet
25824 @item
25825 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
25826
25827 @item
25828 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
25829 it may or may not be given.
25830
25831 @item
25832 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25833 may repeat zero or more times.
25834
25835 @item
25836 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25837 may repeat one or more times.
25838
25839 @item
25840 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
25841 @end itemize
25842
25843 @ignore
25844 @heading Dependencies
25845 @end ignore
25846
25847 @menu
25848 * GDB/MI General Design::
25849 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
25850 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
25851 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
25852 * GDB/MI Output Records::
25853 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
25854 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
25855 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
25856 * GDB/MI Program Context::
25857 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
25858 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
25859 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
25860 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
25861 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
25862 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
25863 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
25864 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
25865 * GDB/MI File Commands::
25866 @ignore
25867 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
25868 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
25869 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
25870 @end ignore
25871 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
25872 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
25873 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
25874 @end menu
25875
25876 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25877 @node GDB/MI General Design
25878 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
25879 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
25880
25881 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
25882 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
25883 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
25884 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
25885 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
25886 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
25887 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
25888 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
25889 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
25890 a command and reported as part of that command response.
25891
25892 The important examples of notifications are:
25893 @itemize @bullet
25894
25895 @item
25896 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
25897 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
25898 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
25899 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
25900 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
25901 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
25902 command itself was successfully executed.
25903
25904 @item
25905 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
25906 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
25907 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
25908 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
25909 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
25910 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
25911
25912 @item
25913 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
25914 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
25915 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
25916 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
25917 orthogonal frontend design.
25918
25919 @end itemize
25920
25921 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
25922 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
25923 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
25924 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
25925 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
25926 the user interface.
25927
25928
25929 @menu
25930 * Context management::
25931 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
25932 * Thread groups::
25933 @end menu
25934
25935 @node Context management
25936 @subsection Context management
25937
25938 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
25939 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
25940 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
25941 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
25942 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
25943 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
25944 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
25945 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
25946 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
25947
25948 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
25949 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
25950 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
25951 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
25952 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
25953 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
25954 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
25955 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
25956 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
25957 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
25958 for thread and frame to operate on.
25959
25960 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
25961 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
25962 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
25963 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
25964 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
25965 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
25966 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
25967 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
25968 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
25969 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
25970
25971 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
25972 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
25973 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
25974 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
25975 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
25976 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
25977 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
25978 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
25979 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
25980 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
25981 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
25982 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
25983 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
25984 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
25985 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
25986 @samp{--frame} options.
25987
25988 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
25989 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
25990
25991 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
25992 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
25993 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
25994 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
25995 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
25996 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
25997 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
25998 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
25999 @code{-list-target-features} command.
26000
26001 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
26002 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
26003 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
26004 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
26005 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
26006 are running.
26007
26008 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
26009 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
26010 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
26011 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
26012 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
26013 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
26014 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
26015 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
26016 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
26017 @samp{--thread} option).
26018
26019 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
26020 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
26021 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
26022 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
26023
26024 @node Thread groups
26025 @subsection Thread groups
26026 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
26027 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
26028 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
26029 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
26030 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
26031
26032 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
26033 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
26034 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
26035 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
26036 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
26037 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
26038 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
26039 into processes.
26040
26041 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
26042 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
26043 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
26044 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
26045 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
26046 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
26047 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
26048 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
26049 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
26050 the members of specific thread group.
26051
26052 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
26053 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
26054 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
26055 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
26056 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
26057 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
26058 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
26059 after attaching to that thread group.
26060
26061 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
26062 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
26063 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
26064 such thread groups.
26065
26066 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26067 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
26068 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
26069
26070 @menu
26071 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
26072 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
26073 @end menu
26074
26075 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
26076 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
26077
26078 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
26079 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
26080 @table @code
26081 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
26082 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
26083
26084 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
26085 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
26086 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
26087
26088 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
26089 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
26090 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
26091
26092 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
26093 "any sequence of digits"
26094
26095 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
26096 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
26097
26098 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
26099 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
26100
26101 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
26102 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
26103
26104 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
26105 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
26106 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
26107
26108 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
26109 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
26110
26111 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
26112 @code{CR | CR-LF}
26113 @end table
26114
26115 @noindent
26116 Notes:
26117
26118 @itemize @bullet
26119 @item
26120 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
26121 output is described below.
26122
26123 @item
26124 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
26125 finishes.
26126
26127 @item
26128 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
26129 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
26130 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
26131 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
26132 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
26133 @end itemize
26134
26135 Pragmatics:
26136
26137 @itemize @bullet
26138 @item
26139 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
26140
26141 @item
26142 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
26143 @end itemize
26144
26145 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
26146 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
26147
26148 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
26149 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
26150 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
26151 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
26152 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
26153 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
26154
26155 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
26156 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
26157 @var{token}.
26158
26159 @table @code
26160 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
26161 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
26162
26163 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
26164 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
26165
26166 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
26167 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
26168
26169 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
26170 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
26171
26172 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
26173 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
26174
26175 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
26176 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
26177
26178 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
26179 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
26180
26181 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
26182 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
26183
26184 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
26185 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
26186
26187 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
26188 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
26189 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
26190
26191 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
26192 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
26193
26194 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
26195 @code{ @var{string} }
26196
26197 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
26198 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
26199
26200 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
26201 @code{@var{c-string}}
26202
26203 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
26204 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
26205
26206 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
26207 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
26208 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
26209
26210 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
26211 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
26212
26213 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
26214 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
26215
26216 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
26217 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
26218
26219 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
26220 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
26221
26222 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
26223 @code{CR | CR-LF}
26224
26225 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
26226 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
26227 @end table
26228
26229 @noindent
26230 Notes:
26231
26232 @itemize @bullet
26233 @item
26234 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
26235
26236 @item
26237 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
26238 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
26239 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
26240 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
26241 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
26242 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
26243 prior command.
26244
26245 @item
26246 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26247 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
26248 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
26249 prefixed by @samp{+}.
26250
26251 @item
26252 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26253 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
26254 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
26255 @samp{*}.
26256
26257 @item
26258 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26259 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
26260 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
26261 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
26262
26263 @item
26264 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26265 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
26266 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
26267 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
26268
26269 @item
26270 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26271 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
26272 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
26273
26274 @item
26275 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26276 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
26277 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
26278 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
26279
26280 @item
26281 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
26282 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
26283 @var{values}.
26284
26285
26286 @end itemize
26287
26288 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
26289 details about the various output records.
26290
26291 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26292 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
26293 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
26294
26295 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
26296 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
26297
26298 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
26299 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
26300 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
26301 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
26302 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
26303 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
26304
26305 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
26306 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
26307 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
26308
26309 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26310 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
26311 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
26312 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
26313
26314 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
26315 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
26316
26317 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
26318 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
26319 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
26320 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
26321 might change.
26322
26323 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
26324 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
26325 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
26326 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
26327
26328 @itemize @bullet
26329 @item
26330 New MI commands may be added.
26331
26332 @item
26333 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
26334
26335 @item
26336 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
26337 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
26338
26339 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
26340 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
26341
26342 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
26343 @c resolve inconsistencies.
26344 @end itemize
26345
26346 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
26347 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
26348 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
26349 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
26350 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
26351
26352 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
26353 @c version?
26354
26355 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
26356 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
26357 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
26358 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
26359 @cindex mailing lists
26360
26361 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26362 @node GDB/MI Output Records
26363 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
26364
26365 @menu
26366 * GDB/MI Result Records::
26367 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
26368 * GDB/MI Async Records::
26369 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
26370 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
26371 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
26372 @end menu
26373
26374 @node GDB/MI Result Records
26375 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
26376
26377 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
26378 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
26379 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
26380 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
26381
26382 @table @code
26383 @findex ^done
26384 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
26385 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
26386 values.
26387
26388 @item "^running"
26389 @findex ^running
26390 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
26391 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
26392 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
26393 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
26394 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
26395 which threads are resumed.
26396
26397 @item "^connected"
26398 @findex ^connected
26399 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
26400
26401 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
26402 @findex ^error
26403 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
26404 error message.
26405
26406 @item "^exit"
26407 @findex ^exit
26408 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
26409
26410 @end table
26411
26412 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
26413 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
26414
26415 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
26416 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
26417 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
26418 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
26419 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
26420
26421 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
26422 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
26423 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
26424 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
26425 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
26426
26427 @table @code
26428 @item "~" @var{string-output}
26429 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
26430 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
26431
26432 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
26433 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
26434 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
26435 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
26436
26437 @item "&" @var{string-output}
26438 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
26439 internals.
26440 @end table
26441
26442 @node GDB/MI Async Records
26443 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
26444
26445 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
26446 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
26447 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
26448 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
26449 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
26450 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
26451
26452 The following is the list of possible async records:
26453
26454 @table @code
26455
26456 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
26457 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
26458 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
26459 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
26460 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
26461 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
26462 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
26463 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
26464 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
26465 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
26466
26467 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
26468 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
26469 following values:
26470
26471 @table @code
26472 @item breakpoint-hit
26473 A breakpoint was reached.
26474 @item watchpoint-trigger
26475 A watchpoint was triggered.
26476 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
26477 A read watchpoint was triggered.
26478 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
26479 An access watchpoint was triggered.
26480 @item function-finished
26481 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
26482 @item location-reached
26483 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
26484 @item watchpoint-scope
26485 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
26486 @item end-stepping-range
26487 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
26488 similar CLI command was accomplished.
26489 @item exited-signalled
26490 The inferior exited because of a signal.
26491 @item exited
26492 The inferior exited.
26493 @item exited-normally
26494 The inferior exited normally.
26495 @item signal-received
26496 A signal was received by the inferior.
26497 @item solib-event
26498 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
26499 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
26500 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
26501 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
26502 @item fork
26503 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
26504 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26505 @item vfork
26506 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
26507 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26508 @item syscall-entry
26509 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
26510 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26511 @item syscall-entry
26512 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
26513 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26514 @item exec
26515 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
26516 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
26517 @end table
26518
26519 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
26520 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
26521 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
26522 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
26523 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
26524 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
26525 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
26526 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
26527 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
26528 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
26529 if such information is not available.
26530
26531 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
26532 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
26533 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
26534 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
26535 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
26536 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
26537 cannot be used in any way.
26538
26539 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
26540 A thread group became associated with a running program,
26541 either because the program was just started or the thread group
26542 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
26543 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
26544 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
26545
26546 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
26547 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
26548 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
26549 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
26550 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
26551 only when the inferior exited with some code.
26552
26553 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26554 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
26555 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
26556 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
26557 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
26558
26559 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
26560 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
26561 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
26562 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
26563 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
26564 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
26565 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
26566
26567 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
26568 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
26569 that thread.
26570
26571 @item =library-loaded,...
26572 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
26573 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
26574 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
26575 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
26576 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
26577 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
26578 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
26579 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
26580 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
26581 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
26582 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
26583 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
26584 thread groups.
26585
26586 @item =library-unloaded,...
26587 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
26588 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
26589 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
26590 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
26591 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
26592 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
26593 thread groups.
26594
26595 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
26596 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
26597 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
26598 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
26599 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
26600 user.
26601
26602 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
26603 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
26604
26605 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
26606 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
26607
26608 @end table
26609
26610 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
26611 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
26612
26613 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
26614 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
26615 fields:
26616
26617 @table @code
26618 @item level
26619 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
26620 zero. This field is always present.
26621
26622 @item func
26623 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
26624 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
26625
26626 @item addr
26627 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
26628
26629 @item file
26630 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
26631 address. This field may be absent.
26632
26633 @item line
26634 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
26635 may be absent.
26636
26637 @item from
26638 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
26639 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
26640
26641 @end table
26642
26643 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
26644 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
26645
26646 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
26647 uses a tuple with the following fields:
26648
26649 @table @code
26650 @item id
26651 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
26652 always present.
26653
26654 @item target-id
26655 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
26656
26657 @item details
26658 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
26659 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
26660 frontend. This field is optional.
26661
26662 @item state
26663 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
26664 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
26665
26666 @item core
26667 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
26668 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
26669 @end table
26670
26671 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
26672 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
26673
26674 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
26675 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
26676 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
26677 the @code{exception-name} field.
26678
26679 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26680 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
26681 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
26682 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
26683
26684 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
26685 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
26686 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
26687 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
26688
26689 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
26690 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
26691
26692 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
26693
26694 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
26695 information of the breakpoint.
26696
26697 @smallexample
26698 -> -break-insert main
26699 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26700 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26701 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
26702 <- (gdb)
26703 @end smallexample
26704
26705 @subheading Program Execution
26706
26707 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
26708 reason that execution stopped.
26709
26710 @smallexample
26711 -> -exec-run
26712 <- ^running
26713 <- (gdb)
26714 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26715 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
26716 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
26717 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
26718 <- (gdb)
26719 -> -exec-continue
26720 <- ^running
26721 <- (gdb)
26722 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26723 <- (gdb)
26724 @end smallexample
26725
26726 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
26727
26728 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
26729
26730 @smallexample
26731 -> (gdb)
26732 <- -gdb-exit
26733 <- ^exit
26734 @end smallexample
26735
26736 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
26737 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
26738 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
26739 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
26740 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
26741 fails to exit in reasonable time.
26742
26743 @subheading A Bad Command
26744
26745 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
26746
26747 @smallexample
26748 -> -rubbish
26749 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
26750 <- (gdb)
26751 @end smallexample
26752
26753
26754 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26755 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
26756 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
26757
26758 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
26759 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
26760
26761 @subheading Motivation
26762
26763 The motivation for this collection of commands.
26764
26765 @subheading Introduction
26766
26767 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
26768
26769 @subheading Commands
26770
26771 For each command in the block, the following is described:
26772
26773 @subsubheading Synopsis
26774
26775 @smallexample
26776 -command @var{args}@dots{}
26777 @end smallexample
26778
26779 @subsubheading Result
26780
26781 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26782
26783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
26784
26785 @subsubheading Example
26786
26787 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
26788 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
26789
26790
26791 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26792 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
26793 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
26794
26795 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
26796 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
26797 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26798 breakpoints.
26799
26800 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
26801 @findex -break-after
26802
26803 @subsubheading Synopsis
26804
26805 @smallexample
26806 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
26807 @end smallexample
26808
26809 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
26810 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
26811 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
26812 @samp{-break-list} command below.
26813
26814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26815
26816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
26817
26818 @subsubheading Example
26819
26820 @smallexample
26821 (gdb)
26822 -break-insert main
26823 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26824 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26825 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
26826 (gdb)
26827 -break-after 1 3
26828 ~
26829 ^done
26830 (gdb)
26831 -break-list
26832 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26833 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26834 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26835 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26836 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26837 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26838 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26839 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26840 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26841 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26842 (gdb)
26843 @end smallexample
26844
26845 @ignore
26846 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
26847 @findex -break-catch
26848 @end ignore
26849
26850 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
26851 @findex -break-commands
26852
26853 @subsubheading Synopsis
26854
26855 @smallexample
26856 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
26857 @end smallexample
26858
26859 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
26860 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
26861 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
26862 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
26863 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
26864 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
26865
26866 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26867
26868 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
26869
26870 @subsubheading Example
26871
26872 @smallexample
26873 (gdb)
26874 -break-insert main
26875 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26876 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26877 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
26878 (gdb)
26879 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
26880 ^done
26881 (gdb)
26882 @end smallexample
26883
26884 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
26885 @findex -break-condition
26886
26887 @subsubheading Synopsis
26888
26889 @smallexample
26890 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26891 @end smallexample
26892
26893 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26894 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26895 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26896 command below).
26897
26898 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26899
26900 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26901
26902 @subsubheading Example
26903
26904 @smallexample
26905 (gdb)
26906 -break-condition 1 1
26907 ^done
26908 (gdb)
26909 -break-list
26910 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26911 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26912 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26913 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26914 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26915 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26916 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26917 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26918 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26919 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26920 (gdb)
26921 @end smallexample
26922
26923 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26924 @findex -break-delete
26925
26926 @subsubheading Synopsis
26927
26928 @smallexample
26929 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26930 @end smallexample
26931
26932 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26933 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26934
26935 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26936
26937 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26938
26939 @subsubheading Example
26940
26941 @smallexample
26942 (gdb)
26943 -break-delete 1
26944 ^done
26945 (gdb)
26946 -break-list
26947 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26948 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26949 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26950 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26951 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26952 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26953 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26954 body=[]@}
26955 (gdb)
26956 @end smallexample
26957
26958 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26959 @findex -break-disable
26960
26961 @subsubheading Synopsis
26962
26963 @smallexample
26964 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26965 @end smallexample
26966
26967 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26968 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26969
26970 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26971
26972 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26973
26974 @subsubheading Example
26975
26976 @smallexample
26977 (gdb)
26978 -break-disable 2
26979 ^done
26980 (gdb)
26981 -break-list
26982 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26983 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26984 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26985 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26986 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26987 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26988 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26989 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26990 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26991 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
26992 (gdb)
26993 @end smallexample
26994
26995 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26996 @findex -break-enable
26997
26998 @subsubheading Synopsis
26999
27000 @smallexample
27001 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27002 @end smallexample
27003
27004 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
27005
27006 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27007
27008 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
27009
27010 @subsubheading Example
27011
27012 @smallexample
27013 (gdb)
27014 -break-enable 2
27015 ^done
27016 (gdb)
27017 -break-list
27018 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27019 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27020 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27021 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27022 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27023 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27024 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27025 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27026 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27027 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
27028 (gdb)
27029 @end smallexample
27030
27031 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
27032 @findex -break-info
27033
27034 @subsubheading Synopsis
27035
27036 @smallexample
27037 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
27038 @end smallexample
27039
27040 @c REDUNDANT???
27041 Get information about a single breakpoint.
27042
27043 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27044
27045 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
27046
27047 @subsubheading Example
27048 N.A.
27049
27050 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
27051 @findex -break-insert
27052
27053 @subsubheading Synopsis
27054
27055 @smallexample
27056 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
27057 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
27058 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
27059 @end smallexample
27060
27061 @noindent
27062 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
27063
27064 @itemize @bullet
27065 @item function
27066 @c @item +offset
27067 @c @item -offset
27068 @c @item linenum
27069 @item filename:linenum
27070 @item filename:function
27071 @item *address
27072 @end itemize
27073
27074 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
27075
27076 @table @samp
27077 @item -t
27078 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
27079 @item -h
27080 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
27081 @item -c @var{condition}
27082 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
27083 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
27084 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
27085 @item -f
27086 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
27087 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
27088 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
27089 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
27090 cannot be parsed.
27091 @item -d
27092 Create a disabled breakpoint.
27093 @item -a
27094 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
27095 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
27096 @end table
27097
27098 @subsubheading Result
27099
27100 The result is in the form:
27101
27102 @smallexample
27103 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
27104 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
27105 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
27106 times="@var{times}"@}
27107 @end smallexample
27108
27109 @noindent
27110 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
27111 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
27112 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
27113 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
27114 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
27115 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
27116 which use the same output).
27117
27118 Note: this format is open to change.
27119 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
27120
27121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27122
27123 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
27124 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
27125
27126 @subsubheading Example
27127
27128 @smallexample
27129 (gdb)
27130 -break-insert main
27131 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
27132 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
27133 (gdb)
27134 -break-insert -t foo
27135 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
27136 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
27137 (gdb)
27138 -break-list
27139 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27140 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27141 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27142 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27143 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27144 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27145 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27146 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27147 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
27148 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
27149 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
27150 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
27151 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
27152 (gdb)
27153 -break-insert -r foo.*
27154 ~int foo(int, int);
27155 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
27156 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
27157 (gdb)
27158 @end smallexample
27159
27160 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
27161 @findex -break-list
27162
27163 @subsubheading Synopsis
27164
27165 @smallexample
27166 -break-list
27167 @end smallexample
27168
27169 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
27170
27171 @table @samp
27172 @item Number
27173 number of the breakpoint
27174 @item Type
27175 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
27176 @item Disposition
27177 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
27178 or @samp{nokeep}
27179 @item Enabled
27180 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
27181 @item Address
27182 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
27183 @item What
27184 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
27185 name, line number
27186 @item Times
27187 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
27188 @end table
27189
27190 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
27191 @code{body} field is an empty list.
27192
27193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27194
27195 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
27196
27197 @subsubheading Example
27198
27199 @smallexample
27200 (gdb)
27201 -break-list
27202 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27203 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27204 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27205 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27206 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27207 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27208 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27209 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27210 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
27211 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27212 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27213 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
27214 (gdb)
27215 @end smallexample
27216
27217 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
27218
27219 @smallexample
27220 (gdb)
27221 -break-list
27222 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27223 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27224 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27225 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27226 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27227 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27228 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27229 body=[]@}
27230 (gdb)
27231 @end smallexample
27232
27233 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
27234 @findex -break-passcount
27235
27236 @subsubheading Synopsis
27237
27238 @smallexample
27239 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
27240 @end smallexample
27241
27242 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
27243 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
27244 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
27245 command @samp{passcount}.
27246
27247 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
27248 @findex -break-watch
27249
27250 @subsubheading Synopsis
27251
27252 @smallexample
27253 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
27254 @end smallexample
27255
27256 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
27257 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
27258 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
27259 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
27260 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
27261 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
27262 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
27263 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
27264
27265 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
27266 breakpoints inserted.
27267
27268 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27269
27270 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
27271 @samp{rwatch}.
27272
27273 @subsubheading Example
27274
27275 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
27276
27277 @smallexample
27278 (gdb)
27279 -break-watch x
27280 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
27281 (gdb)
27282 -exec-continue
27283 ^running
27284 (gdb)
27285 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
27286 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
27287 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27288 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
27289 (gdb)
27290 @end smallexample
27291
27292 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
27293 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
27294 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
27295
27296 @smallexample
27297 (gdb)
27298 -break-watch C
27299 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
27300 (gdb)
27301 -exec-continue
27302 ^running
27303 (gdb)
27304 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
27305 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27306 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27307 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27308 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27309 (gdb)
27310 -exec-continue
27311 ^running
27312 (gdb)
27313 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
27314 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27315 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27316 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27317 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27318 (gdb)
27319 @end smallexample
27320
27321 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
27322 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
27323 deleted.
27324
27325 @smallexample
27326 (gdb)
27327 -break-watch C
27328 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
27329 (gdb)
27330 -break-list
27331 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27332 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27333 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27334 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27335 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27336 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27337 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27338 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27339 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27340 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27341 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
27342 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27343 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
27344 (gdb)
27345 -exec-continue
27346 ^running
27347 (gdb)
27348 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
27349 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
27350 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27351 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27352 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
27353 (gdb)
27354 -break-list
27355 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
27356 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27357 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27358 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27359 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27360 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27361 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27362 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27363 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27364 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27365 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
27366 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
27367 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
27368 (gdb)
27369 -exec-continue
27370 ^running
27371 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
27372 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
27373 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27374 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27375 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27376 (gdb)
27377 -break-list
27378 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27379 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27380 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27381 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27382 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27383 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27384 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27385 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27386 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27387 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27388 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
27389 times="1"@}]@}
27390 (gdb)
27391 @end smallexample
27392
27393 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27394 @node GDB/MI Program Context
27395 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
27396
27397 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
27398 @findex -exec-arguments
27399
27400
27401 @subsubheading Synopsis
27402
27403 @smallexample
27404 -exec-arguments @var{args}
27405 @end smallexample
27406
27407 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
27408 @samp{-exec-run}.
27409
27410 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27411
27412 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
27413
27414 @subsubheading Example
27415
27416 @smallexample
27417 (gdb)
27418 -exec-arguments -v word
27419 ^done
27420 (gdb)
27421 @end smallexample
27422
27423
27424 @ignore
27425 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
27426 @findex -exec-show-arguments
27427
27428 @subsubheading Synopsis
27429
27430 @smallexample
27431 -exec-show-arguments
27432 @end smallexample
27433
27434 Print the arguments of the program.
27435
27436 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27437
27438 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
27439
27440 @subsubheading Example
27441 N.A.
27442 @end ignore
27443
27444
27445 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
27446 @findex -environment-cd
27447
27448 @subsubheading Synopsis
27449
27450 @smallexample
27451 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
27452 @end smallexample
27453
27454 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
27455
27456 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27457
27458 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
27459
27460 @subsubheading Example
27461
27462 @smallexample
27463 (gdb)
27464 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27465 ^done
27466 (gdb)
27467 @end smallexample
27468
27469
27470 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
27471 @findex -environment-directory
27472
27473 @subsubheading Synopsis
27474
27475 @smallexample
27476 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27477 @end smallexample
27478
27479 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
27480 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
27481 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
27482 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27483 occurs as normal.
27484 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27485 multiple directories in a single command
27486 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27487 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27488 If blanks are needed as
27489 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27490 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27491 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27492 character must not be used
27493 in any directory name.
27494 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
27495
27496 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27497
27498 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
27499
27500 @subsubheading Example
27501
27502 @smallexample
27503 (gdb)
27504 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
27505 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27506 (gdb)
27507 -environment-directory ""
27508 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
27509 (gdb)
27510 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
27511 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
27512 (gdb)
27513 -environment-directory -r
27514 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
27515 (gdb)
27516 @end smallexample
27517
27518
27519 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
27520 @findex -environment-path
27521
27522 @subsubheading Synopsis
27523
27524 @smallexample
27525 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
27526 @end smallexample
27527
27528 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
27529 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
27530 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
27531 supplied in addition to the
27532 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
27533 occurs as normal.
27534 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
27535 multiple directories in a single command
27536 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
27537 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
27538 If blanks are needed as
27539 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
27540 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
27541 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
27542 character must not be used
27543 in any directory name.
27544 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
27545
27546
27547 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27548
27549 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
27550
27551 @subsubheading Example
27552
27553 @smallexample
27554 (gdb)
27555 -environment-path
27556 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
27557 (gdb)
27558 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
27559 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
27560 (gdb)
27561 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
27562 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
27563 (gdb)
27564 @end smallexample
27565
27566
27567 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
27568 @findex -environment-pwd
27569
27570 @subsubheading Synopsis
27571
27572 @smallexample
27573 -environment-pwd
27574 @end smallexample
27575
27576 Show the current working directory.
27577
27578 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27579
27580 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
27581
27582 @subsubheading Example
27583
27584 @smallexample
27585 (gdb)
27586 -environment-pwd
27587 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
27588 (gdb)
27589 @end smallexample
27590
27591 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27592 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
27593 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
27594
27595
27596 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
27597 @findex -thread-info
27598
27599 @subsubheading Synopsis
27600
27601 @smallexample
27602 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
27603 @end smallexample
27604
27605 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
27606 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
27607 threads. When printing information about all threads,
27608 also reports the current thread.
27609
27610 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27611
27612 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
27613 about all threads.
27614
27615 @subsubheading Result
27616
27617 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
27618 defined for a given thread:
27619
27620 @table @samp
27621 @item current
27622 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27623
27624 @item id
27625 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
27626
27627 @item target-id
27628 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
27629
27630 @item details
27631 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
27632 field is optional.
27633
27634 @item name
27635 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
27636 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
27637 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
27638 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
27639 field is omitted.
27640
27641 @item frame
27642 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
27643
27644 @item state
27645 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27646 values:
27647
27648 @table @code
27649 @item stopped
27650 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27651 threads.
27652
27653 @item running
27654 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27655 threads.
27656
27657 @end table
27658
27659 @item core
27660 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27661 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27662
27663 @end table
27664
27665 @subsubheading Example
27666
27667 @smallexample
27668 -thread-info
27669 ^done,threads=[
27670 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27671 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27672 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27673 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27674 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27675 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27676 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27677 state="running"@}],
27678 current-thread-id="1"
27679 (gdb)
27680 @end smallexample
27681
27682 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27683 @findex -thread-list-ids
27684
27685 @subsubheading Synopsis
27686
27687 @smallexample
27688 -thread-list-ids
27689 @end smallexample
27690
27691 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27692 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27693
27694 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27695 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27696
27697 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27698
27699 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27700
27701 @subsubheading Example
27702
27703 @smallexample
27704 (gdb)
27705 -thread-list-ids
27706 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27707 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27708 (gdb)
27709 @end smallexample
27710
27711
27712 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27713 @findex -thread-select
27714
27715 @subsubheading Synopsis
27716
27717 @smallexample
27718 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27719 @end smallexample
27720
27721 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27722 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27723
27724 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27725 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
27726
27727 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27728
27729 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27730
27731 @subsubheading Example
27732
27733 @smallexample
27734 (gdb)
27735 -exec-next
27736 ^running
27737 (gdb)
27738 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27739 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27740 (gdb)
27741 -thread-list-ids
27742 ^done,
27743 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27744 number-of-threads="3"
27745 (gdb)
27746 -thread-select 3
27747 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
27748 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27749 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27750 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27751 (gdb)
27752 @end smallexample
27753
27754 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27755 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27756 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27757
27758 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27759 @findex -ada-task-info
27760
27761 @subsubheading Synopsis
27762
27763 @smallexample
27764 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27765 @end smallexample
27766
27767 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27768 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27769
27770 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27771
27772 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27773 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27774
27775 @subsubheading Result
27776
27777 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27778 defined for each Ada task:
27779
27780 @table @samp
27781 @item current
27782 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27783
27784 @item id
27785 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27786
27787 @item task-id
27788 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27789
27790 @item thread-id
27791 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27792
27793 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27794 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27795 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27796
27797 @item parent-id
27798 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27799 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27800
27801 @item priority
27802 The base priority of the task.
27803
27804 @item state
27805 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27806 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27807
27808 @item name
27809 The name of the task.
27810
27811 @end table
27812
27813 @subsubheading Example
27814
27815 @smallexample
27816 -ada-task-info
27817 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27818 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27819 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27820 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27821 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27822 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27823 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27824 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27825 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27826 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27827 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27828 (gdb)
27829 @end smallexample
27830
27831 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27832 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
27833 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27834
27835 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27836 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27837 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27838 other cases.
27839
27840 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27841 @findex -exec-continue
27842
27843 @subsubheading Synopsis
27844
27845 @smallexample
27846 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27847 @end smallexample
27848
27849 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27850 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27851 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27852 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27853 @itemize @bullet
27854 @item
27855 breakpoints or watchpoints
27856 @item
27857 signals or exceptions
27858 @item
27859 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27860 @item
27861 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27862 @end itemize
27863 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27864 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27865 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27866 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27867 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27868 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27869
27870 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27871
27872 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27873
27874 @subsubheading Example
27875
27876 @smallexample
27877 -exec-continue
27878 ^running
27879 (gdb)
27880 @@Hello world
27881 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27882 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27883 line="13"@}
27884 (gdb)
27885 @end smallexample
27886
27887
27888 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27889 @findex -exec-finish
27890
27891 @subsubheading Synopsis
27892
27893 @smallexample
27894 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27895 @end smallexample
27896
27897 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27898 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27899 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27900 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27901 function was called.
27902
27903 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27904
27905 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27906
27907 @subsubheading Example
27908
27909 Function returning @code{void}.
27910
27911 @smallexample
27912 -exec-finish
27913 ^running
27914 (gdb)
27915 @@hello from foo
27916 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27917 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27918 (gdb)
27919 @end smallexample
27920
27921 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27922 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27923 value itself.
27924
27925 @smallexample
27926 -exec-finish
27927 ^running
27928 (gdb)
27929 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27930 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27931 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27932 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27933 (gdb)
27934 @end smallexample
27935
27936
27937 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27938 @findex -exec-interrupt
27939
27940 @subsubheading Synopsis
27941
27942 @smallexample
27943 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27944 @end smallexample
27945
27946 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27947 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27948 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27949 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27950 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27951
27952 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27953 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27954 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27955 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27956
27957 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27958 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27959 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27960 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27961
27962 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27963
27964 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27965
27966 @subsubheading Example
27967
27968 @smallexample
27969 (gdb)
27970 111-exec-continue
27971 111^running
27972
27973 (gdb)
27974 222-exec-interrupt
27975 222^done
27976 (gdb)
27977 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27978 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27979 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27980 (gdb)
27981
27982 (gdb)
27983 -exec-interrupt
27984 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27985 (gdb)
27986 @end smallexample
27987
27988 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27989 @findex -exec-jump
27990
27991 @subsubheading Synopsis
27992
27993 @smallexample
27994 -exec-jump @var{location}
27995 @end smallexample
27996
27997 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
27998 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
27999 different forms of @var{location}.
28000
28001 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28002
28003 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
28004
28005 @subsubheading Example
28006
28007 @smallexample
28008 -exec-jump foo.c:10
28009 *running,thread-id="all"
28010 ^running
28011 @end smallexample
28012
28013
28014 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
28015 @findex -exec-next
28016
28017 @subsubheading Synopsis
28018
28019 @smallexample
28020 -exec-next [--reverse]
28021 @end smallexample
28022
28023 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
28024 of the next source line is reached.
28025
28026 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
28027 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
28028 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
28029 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
28030 source line where the function was called.
28031
28032
28033 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28034
28035 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
28036
28037 @subsubheading Example
28038
28039 @smallexample
28040 -exec-next
28041 ^running
28042 (gdb)
28043 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
28044 (gdb)
28045 @end smallexample
28046
28047
28048 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
28049 @findex -exec-next-instruction
28050
28051 @subsubheading Synopsis
28052
28053 @smallexample
28054 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
28055 @end smallexample
28056
28057 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
28058 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
28059 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
28060 printed as well.
28061
28062 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
28063 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
28064 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
28065 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
28066 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
28067
28068 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28069
28070 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
28071
28072 @subsubheading Example
28073
28074 @smallexample
28075 (gdb)
28076 -exec-next-instruction
28077 ^running
28078
28079 (gdb)
28080 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28081 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
28082 (gdb)
28083 @end smallexample
28084
28085
28086 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
28087 @findex -exec-return
28088
28089 @subsubheading Synopsis
28090
28091 @smallexample
28092 -exec-return
28093 @end smallexample
28094
28095 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
28096 Displays the new current frame.
28097
28098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28099
28100 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
28101
28102 @subsubheading Example
28103
28104 @smallexample
28105 (gdb)
28106 200-break-insert callee4
28107 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
28108 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
28109 (gdb)
28110 000-exec-run
28111 000^running
28112 (gdb)
28113 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
28114 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28115 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28116 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
28117 (gdb)
28118 205-break-delete
28119 205^done
28120 (gdb)
28121 111-exec-return
28122 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
28123 args=[@{name="strarg",
28124 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28125 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28126 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28127 (gdb)
28128 @end smallexample
28129
28130
28131 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
28132 @findex -exec-run
28133
28134 @subsubheading Synopsis
28135
28136 @smallexample
28137 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
28138 @end smallexample
28139
28140 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
28141 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
28142 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
28143 the program has exited exceptionally.
28144
28145 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
28146 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
28147 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
28148 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
28149
28150 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28151
28152 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
28153
28154 @subsubheading Examples
28155
28156 @smallexample
28157 (gdb)
28158 -break-insert main
28159 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28160 (gdb)
28161 -exec-run
28162 ^running
28163 (gdb)
28164 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
28165 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28166 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
28167 (gdb)
28168 @end smallexample
28169
28170 @noindent
28171 Program exited normally:
28172
28173 @smallexample
28174 (gdb)
28175 -exec-run
28176 ^running
28177 (gdb)
28178 x = 55
28179 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28180 (gdb)
28181 @end smallexample
28182
28183 @noindent
28184 Program exited exceptionally:
28185
28186 @smallexample
28187 (gdb)
28188 -exec-run
28189 ^running
28190 (gdb)
28191 x = 55
28192 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
28193 (gdb)
28194 @end smallexample
28195
28196 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
28197 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
28198
28199 @smallexample
28200 (gdb)
28201 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
28202 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
28203 @end smallexample
28204
28205
28206 @c @subheading -exec-signal
28207
28208
28209 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
28210 @findex -exec-step
28211
28212 @subsubheading Synopsis
28213
28214 @smallexample
28215 -exec-step [--reverse]
28216 @end smallexample
28217
28218 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
28219 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
28220 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
28221 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
28222 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
28223 previously executed source line.
28224
28225 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28226
28227 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
28228
28229 @subsubheading Example
28230
28231 Stepping into a function:
28232
28233 @smallexample
28234 -exec-step
28235 ^running
28236 (gdb)
28237 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28238 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
28239 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
28240 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
28241 (gdb)
28242 @end smallexample
28243
28244 Regular stepping:
28245
28246 @smallexample
28247 -exec-step
28248 ^running
28249 (gdb)
28250 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
28251 (gdb)
28252 @end smallexample
28253
28254
28255 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
28256 @findex -exec-step-instruction
28257
28258 @subsubheading Synopsis
28259
28260 @smallexample
28261 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
28262 @end smallexample
28263
28264 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
28265 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
28266 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
28267 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
28268 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
28269 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
28270 as well.
28271
28272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28273
28274 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
28275
28276 @subsubheading Example
28277
28278 @smallexample
28279 (gdb)
28280 -exec-step-instruction
28281 ^running
28282
28283 (gdb)
28284 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28285 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28286 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28287 (gdb)
28288 -exec-step-instruction
28289 ^running
28290
28291 (gdb)
28292 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
28293 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28294 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
28295 (gdb)
28296 @end smallexample
28297
28298
28299 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
28300 @findex -exec-until
28301
28302 @subsubheading Synopsis
28303
28304 @smallexample
28305 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
28306 @end smallexample
28307
28308 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
28309 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
28310 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
28311 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
28312
28313 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28314
28315 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
28316
28317 @subsubheading Example
28318
28319 @smallexample
28320 (gdb)
28321 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
28322 ^running
28323 (gdb)
28324 x = 55
28325 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28326 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
28327 (gdb)
28328 @end smallexample
28329
28330 @ignore
28331 @subheading -file-clear
28332 Is this going away????
28333 @end ignore
28334
28335 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28336 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
28337 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
28338
28339
28340 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
28341 @findex -stack-info-frame
28342
28343 @subsubheading Synopsis
28344
28345 @smallexample
28346 -stack-info-frame
28347 @end smallexample
28348
28349 Get info on the selected frame.
28350
28351 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28352
28353 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
28354 (without arguments).
28355
28356 @subsubheading Example
28357
28358 @smallexample
28359 (gdb)
28360 -stack-info-frame
28361 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28362 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28363 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
28364 (gdb)
28365 @end smallexample
28366
28367 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
28368 @findex -stack-info-depth
28369
28370 @subsubheading Synopsis
28371
28372 @smallexample
28373 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
28374 @end smallexample
28375
28376 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
28377 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
28378
28379 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28380
28381 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
28382
28383 @subsubheading Example
28384
28385 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
28386
28387 @smallexample
28388 (gdb)
28389 -stack-info-depth
28390 ^done,depth="12"
28391 (gdb)
28392 -stack-info-depth 4
28393 ^done,depth="4"
28394 (gdb)
28395 -stack-info-depth 12
28396 ^done,depth="12"
28397 (gdb)
28398 -stack-info-depth 11
28399 ^done,depth="11"
28400 (gdb)
28401 -stack-info-depth 13
28402 ^done,depth="12"
28403 (gdb)
28404 @end smallexample
28405
28406 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
28407 @findex -stack-list-arguments
28408
28409 @subsubheading Synopsis
28410
28411 @smallexample
28412 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
28413 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28414 @end smallexample
28415
28416 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
28417 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
28418 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
28419 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
28420 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
28421 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
28422 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
28423 which case only existing frames will be returned.
28424
28425 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28426 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28427 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28428 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28429 structures and unions.
28430
28431 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
28432 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28433
28434 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28435
28436 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
28437 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
28438 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
28439
28440 @subsubheading Example
28441
28442 @smallexample
28443 (gdb)
28444 -stack-list-frames
28445 ^done,
28446 stack=[
28447 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28448 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28449 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
28450 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
28451 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28452 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
28453 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
28454 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28455 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
28456 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
28457 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28458 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
28459 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
28460 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28461 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
28462 (gdb)
28463 -stack-list-arguments 0
28464 ^done,
28465 stack-args=[
28466 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28467 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
28468 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
28469 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
28470 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28471 (gdb)
28472 -stack-list-arguments 1
28473 ^done,
28474 stack-args=[
28475 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
28476 frame=@{level="1",
28477 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28478 frame=@{level="2",args=[
28479 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28480 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
28481 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
28482 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28483 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
28484 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
28485 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
28486 (gdb)
28487 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
28488 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
28489 (gdb)
28490 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
28491 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
28492 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
28493 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
28494 (gdb)
28495 @end smallexample
28496
28497 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
28498
28499
28500 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
28501 @findex -stack-list-frames
28502
28503 @subsubheading Synopsis
28504
28505 @smallexample
28506 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
28507 @end smallexample
28508
28509 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
28510 following info:
28511
28512 @table @samp
28513 @item @var{level}
28514 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
28515 @item @var{addr}
28516 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
28517 @item @var{func}
28518 Function name.
28519 @item @var{file}
28520 File name of the source file where the function lives.
28521 @item @var{fullname}
28522 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
28523 @item @var{line}
28524 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
28525 @item @var{from}
28526 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
28527 if the frame's function is not known.
28528 @end table
28529
28530 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
28531 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
28532 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
28533 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
28534 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
28535 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
28536 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
28537
28538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28539
28540 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
28541
28542 @subsubheading Example
28543
28544 Full stack backtrace:
28545
28546 @smallexample
28547 (gdb)
28548 -stack-list-frames
28549 ^done,stack=
28550 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
28551 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
28552 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28553 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28554 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28555 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28556 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28557 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28558 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28559 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28560 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28561 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28562 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28563 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28564 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28565 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28566 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28567 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28568 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28569 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28570 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28571 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28572 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
28573 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
28574 (gdb)
28575 @end smallexample
28576
28577 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
28578
28579 @smallexample
28580 (gdb)
28581 -stack-list-frames 3 5
28582 ^done,stack=
28583 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28584 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28585 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28586 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28587 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28588 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28589 (gdb)
28590 @end smallexample
28591
28592 Show a single frame:
28593
28594 @smallexample
28595 (gdb)
28596 -stack-list-frames 3 3
28597 ^done,stack=
28598 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
28599 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
28600 (gdb)
28601 @end smallexample
28602
28603
28604 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
28605 @findex -stack-list-locals
28606
28607 @subsubheading Synopsis
28608
28609 @smallexample
28610 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
28611 @end smallexample
28612
28613 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
28614 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28615 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28616 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28617 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28618 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
28619 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
28620 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
28621 more detail.
28622
28623 This command is deprecated in favor of the
28624 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28625
28626 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28627
28628 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
28629
28630 @subsubheading Example
28631
28632 @smallexample
28633 (gdb)
28634 -stack-list-locals 0
28635 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
28636 (gdb)
28637 -stack-list-locals --all-values
28638 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
28639 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
28640 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
28641 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
28642 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
28643 (gdb)
28644 @end smallexample
28645
28646 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28647 @findex -stack-list-variables
28648
28649 @subsubheading Synopsis
28650
28651 @smallexample
28652 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
28653 @end smallexample
28654
28655 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28656 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28657 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28658 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28659 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28660 structures and unions.
28661
28662 @subsubheading Example
28663
28664 @smallexample
28665 (gdb)
28666 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28667 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28668 (gdb)
28669 @end smallexample
28670
28671
28672 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28673 @findex -stack-select-frame
28674
28675 @subsubheading Synopsis
28676
28677 @smallexample
28678 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28679 @end smallexample
28680
28681 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28682 the stack.
28683
28684 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28685 option to every command.
28686
28687 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28688
28689 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28690 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28691
28692 @subsubheading Example
28693
28694 @smallexample
28695 (gdb)
28696 -stack-select-frame 2
28697 ^done
28698 (gdb)
28699 @end smallexample
28700
28701 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28702 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28703 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28704
28705 @ignore
28706
28707 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28708
28709 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28710 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28711 used by @code{Insight}.
28712
28713 The two main reasons for that are:
28714
28715 @enumerate 1
28716 @item
28717 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28718
28719 @item
28720 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28721 now).
28722 @end enumerate
28723
28724 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28725 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28726 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28727 hints about their use.
28728
28729 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28730 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28731 least, the following operations:
28732
28733 @itemize @bullet
28734 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28735 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28736 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28737 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28738 @end itemize
28739
28740 @end ignore
28741
28742 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28743
28744 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28745
28746 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28747 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28748 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28749 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28750 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28751 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28752 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28753 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28754 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28755 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28756 object, or to change display format.
28757
28758 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28759 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28760 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28761 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28762 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28763 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28764 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28765 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28766 child will be created.
28767
28768 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28769 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28770 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28771 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28772 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28773
28774 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28775 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28776 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28777 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28778 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28779 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28780 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28781 variables that frontend has created.
28782
28783 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28784 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28785 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28786 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28787 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28788 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28789 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28790 implicitly updated.
28791
28792 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28793 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28794 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28795 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28796 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28797 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28798 frame. Consider this example:
28799
28800 @smallexample
28801 void do_work(...)
28802 @{
28803 struct work_state state;
28804
28805 if (...)
28806 do_work(...);
28807 @}
28808 @end smallexample
28809
28810 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28811 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28812 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28813 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28814 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28815
28816 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28817 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28818 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28819 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28820 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28821 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28822
28823 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28824 access this functionality:
28825
28826 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28827 @item @strong{Operation}
28828 @tab @strong{Description}
28829
28830 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28831 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28832 @item @code{-var-create}
28833 @tab create a variable object
28834 @item @code{-var-delete}
28835 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28836 @item @code{-var-set-format}
28837 @tab set the display format of this variable
28838 @item @code{-var-show-format}
28839 @tab show the display format of this variable
28840 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28841 @tab tells how many children this object has
28842 @item @code{-var-list-children}
28843 @tab return a list of the object's children
28844 @item @code{-var-info-type}
28845 @tab show the type of this variable object
28846 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
28847 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28848 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28849 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28850 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28851 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28852 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28853 @tab get the value of this variable
28854 @item @code{-var-assign}
28855 @tab set the value of this variable
28856 @item @code{-var-update}
28857 @tab update the variable and its children
28858 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28859 @tab set frozeness attribute
28860 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28861 @tab set range of children to display on update
28862 @end multitable
28863
28864 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28865 how it can be used.
28866
28867 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28868
28869 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28870 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
28871
28872 @smallexample
28873 -enable-pretty-printing
28874 @end smallexample
28875
28876 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28877 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28878 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28879 request that this functionality be enabled.
28880
28881 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28882
28883 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28884 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28885
28886 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28887 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28888
28889 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28890 @findex -var-create
28891
28892 @subsubheading Synopsis
28893
28894 @smallexample
28895 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28896 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28897 @end smallexample
28898
28899 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28900 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28901 register.
28902
28903 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28904 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28905 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28906 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28907 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28908
28909 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28910 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28911 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28912 object must be created.
28913
28914 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28915 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28916
28917 @itemize @bullet
28918 @item
28919 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28920
28921 @item
28922 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28923
28924 @item
28925 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28926 @end itemize
28927
28928 @cindex dynamic varobj
28929 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28930 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28931 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28932 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28933 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28934 compatibility for existing clients.
28935
28936 @subsubheading Result
28937
28938 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28939 are:
28940
28941 @table @samp
28942 @item name
28943 The name of the varobj.
28944
28945 @item numchild
28946 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28947 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28948 @samp{has_more} attribute.
28949
28950 @item value
28951 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
28952 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
28953 will not be interesting.
28954
28955 @item type
28956 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
28957 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
28958
28959 @item thread-id
28960 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
28961 thread's identifier.
28962
28963 @item has_more
28964 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
28965 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
28966
28967 @item dynamic
28968 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28969 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28970 then this attribute will not be present.
28971
28972 @item displayhint
28973 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28974 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28975 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28976 @end table
28977
28978 Typical output will look like this:
28979
28980 @smallexample
28981 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
28982 has_more="@var{has_more}"
28983 @end smallexample
28984
28985
28986 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
28987 @findex -var-delete
28988
28989 @subsubheading Synopsis
28990
28991 @smallexample
28992 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
28993 @end smallexample
28994
28995 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
28996 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
28997
28998 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
28999
29000
29001 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
29002 @findex -var-set-format
29003
29004 @subsubheading Synopsis
29005
29006 @smallexample
29007 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
29008 @end smallexample
29009
29010 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
29011 @var{format-spec}.
29012
29013 @anchor{-var-set-format}
29014 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
29015
29016 @smallexample
29017 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
29018 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
29019 @end smallexample
29020
29021 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
29022 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
29023 for pointers, etc.).
29024
29025 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
29026 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
29027
29028 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
29029 @findex -var-show-format
29030
29031 @subsubheading Synopsis
29032
29033 @smallexample
29034 -var-show-format @var{name}
29035 @end smallexample
29036
29037 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
29038
29039 @smallexample
29040 @var{format} @expansion{}
29041 @var{format-spec}
29042 @end smallexample
29043
29044
29045 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
29046 @findex -var-info-num-children
29047
29048 @subsubheading Synopsis
29049
29050 @smallexample
29051 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
29052 @end smallexample
29053
29054 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
29055
29056 @smallexample
29057 numchild=@var{n}
29058 @end smallexample
29059
29060 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
29061 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
29062 be available.
29063
29064
29065 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
29066 @findex -var-list-children
29067
29068 @subsubheading Synopsis
29069
29070 @smallexample
29071 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
29072 @end smallexample
29073 @anchor{-var-list-children}
29074
29075 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
29076 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
29077 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
29078 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
29079 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
29080 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
29081 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
29082 and unions.
29083
29084 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
29085 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
29086 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
29087 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
29088 reported.
29089
29090 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
29091 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
29092 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
29093 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
29094 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
29095 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
29096 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
29097 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
29098 the visible items.
29099
29100 For each child the following results are returned:
29101
29102 @table @var
29103
29104 @item name
29105 Name of the variable object created for this child.
29106
29107 @item exp
29108 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
29109 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
29110
29111 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
29112 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
29113
29114 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
29115 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
29116 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
29117 type and value are not present.
29118
29119 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
29120 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
29121 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
29122
29123 @item numchild
29124 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
29125 0.
29126
29127 @item type
29128 The type of the child.
29129
29130 @item value
29131 If values were requested, this is the value.
29132
29133 @item thread-id
29134 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
29135 Otherwise this result is not present.
29136
29137 @item frozen
29138 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
29139 @end table
29140
29141 The result may have its own attributes:
29142
29143 @table @samp
29144 @item displayhint
29145 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29146 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29147 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29148
29149 @item has_more
29150 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
29151 remaining after the end of the selected range.
29152 @end table
29153
29154 @subsubheading Example
29155
29156 @smallexample
29157 (gdb)
29158 -var-list-children n
29159 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29160 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29161 (gdb)
29162 -var-list-children --all-values n
29163 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
29164 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
29165 @end smallexample
29166
29167
29168 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
29169 @findex -var-info-type
29170
29171 @subsubheading Synopsis
29172
29173 @smallexample
29174 -var-info-type @var{name}
29175 @end smallexample
29176
29177 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
29178 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
29179 @value{GDBN} CLI:
29180
29181 @smallexample
29182 type=@var{typename}
29183 @end smallexample
29184
29185
29186 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
29187 @findex -var-info-expression
29188
29189 @subsubheading Synopsis
29190
29191 @smallexample
29192 -var-info-expression @var{name}
29193 @end smallexample
29194
29195 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
29196 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
29197 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
29198
29199 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
29200 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
29201
29202 @smallexample
29203 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
29204 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
29205 @end smallexample
29206
29207 @noindent
29208 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
29209
29210 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
29211 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
29212 is of limited use.
29213
29214 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
29215 @findex -var-info-path-expression
29216
29217 @subsubheading Synopsis
29218
29219 @smallexample
29220 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
29221 @end smallexample
29222
29223 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
29224 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
29225 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
29226 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
29227 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
29228 watchpoint from a variable object.
29229
29230 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
29231 and will give an error when invoked on one.
29232
29233 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
29234 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
29235 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
29236 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
29237 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
29238 @smallexample
29239 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
29240 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
29241 @end smallexample
29242
29243 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
29244 @findex -var-show-attributes
29245
29246 @subsubheading Synopsis
29247
29248 @smallexample
29249 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
29250 @end smallexample
29251
29252 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
29253
29254 @smallexample
29255 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
29256 @end smallexample
29257
29258 @noindent
29259 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
29260
29261 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
29262 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
29263
29264 @subsubheading Synopsis
29265
29266 @smallexample
29267 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
29268 @end smallexample
29269
29270 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
29271 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
29272 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
29273 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
29274 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
29275 the current display format will be used. The current display format
29276 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
29277
29278 @smallexample
29279 value=@var{value}
29280 @end smallexample
29281
29282 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
29283 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
29284
29285 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
29286 @findex -var-assign
29287
29288 @subsubheading Synopsis
29289
29290 @smallexample
29291 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
29292 @end smallexample
29293
29294 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
29295 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
29296 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
29297 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
29298
29299 @subsubheading Example
29300
29301 @smallexample
29302 (gdb)
29303 -var-assign var1 3
29304 ^done,value="3"
29305 (gdb)
29306 -var-update *
29307 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
29308 (gdb)
29309 @end smallexample
29310
29311 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
29312 @findex -var-update
29313
29314 @subsubheading Synopsis
29315
29316 @smallexample
29317 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
29318 @end smallexample
29319
29320 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
29321 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
29322 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
29323 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
29324 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
29325 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
29326 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
29327 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
29328 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
29329 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
29330 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
29331 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
29332 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
29333
29334 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
29335 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
29336 diagnostic.
29337
29338 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
29339 only the selected range of children will be reported.
29340
29341 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
29342 @samp{changelist}.
29343
29344 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
29345
29346 @table @samp
29347 @item name
29348 The name of the varobj.
29349
29350 @item value
29351 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
29352 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
29353
29354 @item in_scope
29355 @anchor{-var-update}
29356 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
29357
29358 @table @code
29359 @item "true"
29360 The variable object's current value is valid.
29361
29362 @item "false"
29363 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
29364 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
29365 scope.
29366
29367 @item "invalid"
29368 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
29369 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
29370 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
29371 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
29372 objects.
29373 @end table
29374
29375 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
29376 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
29377
29378 @item type_changed
29379 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
29380 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
29381 be @samp{false}.
29382
29383 @item new_type
29384 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
29385 hold the new type.
29386
29387 @item new_num_children
29388 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
29389 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
29390
29391 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
29392 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
29393 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
29394 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
29395 children which may be available.
29396
29397 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
29398 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
29399 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
29400 only happen at the end of the update range).
29401
29402 @item displayhint
29403 The display hint, if any.
29404
29405 @item has_more
29406 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
29407 available outside the varobj's update range.
29408
29409 @item dynamic
29410 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29411 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29412 then this attribute will not be present.
29413
29414 @item new_children
29415 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
29416 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
29417 be listed in this attribute.
29418 @end table
29419
29420 @subsubheading Example
29421
29422 @smallexample
29423 (gdb)
29424 -var-assign var1 3
29425 ^done,value="3"
29426 (gdb)
29427 -var-update --all-values var1
29428 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
29429 type_changed="false"@}]
29430 (gdb)
29431 @end smallexample
29432
29433 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
29434 @findex -var-set-frozen
29435 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
29436
29437 @subsubheading Synopsis
29438
29439 @smallexample
29440 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
29441 @end smallexample
29442
29443 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
29444 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
29445 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
29446 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
29447 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
29448 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
29449 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
29450 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
29451 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
29452 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
29453 @code{-var-update} does.
29454
29455 @subsubheading Example
29456
29457 @smallexample
29458 (gdb)
29459 -var-set-frozen V 1
29460 ^done
29461 (gdb)
29462 @end smallexample
29463
29464 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
29465 @findex -var-set-update-range
29466 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
29467
29468 @subsubheading Synopsis
29469
29470 @smallexample
29471 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
29472 @end smallexample
29473
29474 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
29475 @code{-var-update}.
29476
29477 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
29478 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
29479 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
29480 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
29481
29482 @subsubheading Example
29483
29484 @smallexample
29485 (gdb)
29486 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
29487 ^done
29488 @end smallexample
29489
29490 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
29491 @findex -var-set-visualizer
29492 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
29493
29494 @subsubheading Synopsis
29495
29496 @smallexample
29497 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
29498 @end smallexample
29499
29500 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
29501
29502 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
29503 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
29504
29505 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
29506 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
29507 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
29508 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
29509 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
29510 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
29511 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
29512
29513 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
29514 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
29515 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
29516 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
29517
29518 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
29519 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
29520 can be used to check this.
29521
29522 @subsubheading Example
29523
29524 Resetting the visualizer:
29525
29526 @smallexample
29527 (gdb)
29528 -var-set-visualizer V None
29529 ^done
29530 @end smallexample
29531
29532 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
29533
29534 @smallexample
29535 (gdb)
29536 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
29537 ^done
29538 @end smallexample
29539
29540 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
29541 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
29542
29543 @smallexample
29544 (gdb)
29545 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
29546 ^done
29547 @end smallexample
29548
29549 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29550 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
29551 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
29552
29553 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
29554 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
29555 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
29556 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
29557
29558 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
29559 @c @subheading -data-assign
29560 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
29561 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
29562 @c set variable
29563 @c @subsubheading Example
29564 @c N.A.
29565
29566 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
29567 @findex -data-disassemble
29568
29569 @subsubheading Synopsis
29570
29571 @smallexample
29572 -data-disassemble
29573 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
29574 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
29575 -- @var{mode}
29576 @end smallexample
29577
29578 @noindent
29579 Where:
29580
29581 @table @samp
29582 @item @var{start-addr}
29583 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
29584 @item @var{end-addr}
29585 is the end address
29586 @item @var{filename}
29587 is the name of the file to disassemble
29588 @item @var{linenum}
29589 is the line number to disassemble around
29590 @item @var{lines}
29591 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
29592 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
29593 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
29594 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
29595 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
29596 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
29597 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
29598 are displayed.
29599 @item @var{mode}
29600 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
29601 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
29602 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
29603 @end table
29604
29605 @subsubheading Result
29606
29607 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
29608
29609 @itemize @bullet
29610 @item Address
29611 @item Func-name
29612 @item Offset
29613 @item Instruction
29614 @end itemize
29615
29616 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
29617 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
29618
29619 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29620
29621 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
29622
29623 @subsubheading Example
29624
29625 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
29626
29627 @smallexample
29628 (gdb)
29629 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
29630 ^done,
29631 asm_insns=[
29632 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29633 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29634 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29635 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29636 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
29637 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
29638 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
29639 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29640 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
29641 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
29642 (gdb)
29643 @end smallexample
29644
29645 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29646 @code{main}.
29647
29648 @smallexample
29649 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29650 ^done,asm_insns=[
29651 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29652 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29653 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29654 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29655 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29656 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29657 [@dots{}]
29658 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29659 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29660 (gdb)
29661 @end smallexample
29662
29663 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29664
29665 @smallexample
29666 (gdb)
29667 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29668 ^done,asm_insns=[
29669 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29670 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29671 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29672 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29673 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29674 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29675 (gdb)
29676 @end smallexample
29677
29678 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29679
29680 @smallexample
29681 (gdb)
29682 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29683 ^done,asm_insns=[
29684 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29685 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
29686 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
29687 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29688 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29689 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29690 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
29691 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
29692 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29693 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29694 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29695 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29696 (gdb)
29697 @end smallexample
29698
29699
29700 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29701 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
29702
29703 @subsubheading Synopsis
29704
29705 @smallexample
29706 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29707 @end smallexample
29708
29709 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29710 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29711 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29712
29713 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29714
29715 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29716 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29717 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
29718
29719 @subsubheading Example
29720
29721 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29722 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29723 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29724 output.
29725
29726 @smallexample
29727 211-data-evaluate-expression A
29728 211^done,value="1"
29729 (gdb)
29730 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29731 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29732 (gdb)
29733 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29734 411^done,value="4"
29735 (gdb)
29736 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29737 511^done,value="4"
29738 (gdb)
29739 @end smallexample
29740
29741
29742 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29743 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
29744
29745 @subsubheading Synopsis
29746
29747 @smallexample
29748 -data-list-changed-registers
29749 @end smallexample
29750
29751 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29752
29753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29754
29755 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29756 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29757
29758 @subsubheading Example
29759
29760 On a PPC MBX board:
29761
29762 @smallexample
29763 (gdb)
29764 -exec-continue
29765 ^running
29766
29767 (gdb)
29768 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29769 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29770 line="5"@}
29771 (gdb)
29772 -data-list-changed-registers
29773 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29774 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29775 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29776 (gdb)
29777 @end smallexample
29778
29779
29780 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29781 @findex -data-list-register-names
29782
29783 @subsubheading Synopsis
29784
29785 @smallexample
29786 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29787 @end smallexample
29788
29789 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29790 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29791 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29792 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29793 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29794 include empty register names.
29795
29796 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29797
29798 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29799 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29800 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29801
29802 @subsubheading Example
29803
29804 For the PPC MBX board:
29805 @smallexample
29806 (gdb)
29807 -data-list-register-names
29808 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29809 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29810 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29811 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29812 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29813 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29814 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29815 (gdb)
29816 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29817 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29818 (gdb)
29819 @end smallexample
29820
29821 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29822 @findex -data-list-register-values
29823
29824 @subsubheading Synopsis
29825
29826 @smallexample
29827 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29828 @end smallexample
29829
29830 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
29831 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
29832 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
29833 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
29834
29835 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29836
29837 @table @code
29838 @item x
29839 Hexadecimal
29840 @item o
29841 Octal
29842 @item t
29843 Binary
29844 @item d
29845 Decimal
29846 @item r
29847 Raw
29848 @item N
29849 Natural
29850 @end table
29851
29852 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29853
29854 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
29855 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
29856
29857 @subsubheading Example
29858
29859 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
29860 don't appear in the actual output):
29861
29862 @smallexample
29863 (gdb)
29864 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
29865 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29866 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
29867 (gdb)
29868 -data-list-register-values x
29869 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
29870 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29871 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
29872 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
29873 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
29874 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
29875 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
29876 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
29877 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
29878 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29879 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
29880 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
29881 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
29882 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
29883 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
29884 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
29885 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
29886 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
29887 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
29888 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
29889 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
29890 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
29891 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
29892 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
29893 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
29894 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
29895 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
29896 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
29897 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
29898 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
29899 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
29900 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
29901 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29902 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
29903 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
29904 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
29905 (gdb)
29906 @end smallexample
29907
29908
29909 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
29910 @findex -data-read-memory
29911
29912 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
29913
29914 @subsubheading Synopsis
29915
29916 @smallexample
29917 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29918 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
29919 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
29920 @end smallexample
29921
29922 @noindent
29923 where:
29924
29925 @table @samp
29926 @item @var{address}
29927 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29928 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29929 quoted using the C convention.
29930
29931 @item @var{word-format}
29932 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
29933 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
29934 ,Output Formats}).
29935
29936 @item @var{word-size}
29937 The size of each memory word in bytes.
29938
29939 @item @var{nr-rows}
29940 The number of rows in the output table.
29941
29942 @item @var{nr-cols}
29943 The number of columns in the output table.
29944
29945 @item @var{aschar}
29946 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
29947 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
29948 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
29949 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
29950
29951 @item @var{byte-offset}
29952 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
29953 @end table
29954
29955 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
29956 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
29957 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
29958 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
29959 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
29960 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
29961 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
29962 @samp{addr}.
29963
29964 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
29965 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
29966 @samp{prev-page}.
29967
29968 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29969
29970 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
29971 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
29972
29973 @subsubheading Example
29974
29975 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
29976 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
29977 word. Display each word in hex.
29978
29979 @smallexample
29980 (gdb)
29981 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
29982 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
29983 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
29984 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
29985 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
29986 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
29987 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
29988 (gdb)
29989 @end smallexample
29990
29991 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
29992 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
29993
29994 @smallexample
29995 (gdb)
29996 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
29997 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
29998 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
29999 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
30000 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
30001 (gdb)
30002 @end smallexample
30003
30004 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
30005 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
30006 used as the non-printable character.
30007
30008 @smallexample
30009 (gdb)
30010 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
30011 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
30012 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
30013 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
30014 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30015 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30016 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30017 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
30018 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
30019 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
30020 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
30021 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
30022 (gdb)
30023 @end smallexample
30024
30025 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
30026 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
30027
30028 @subsubheading Synopsis
30029
30030 @smallexample
30031 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30032 @var{address} @var{count}
30033 @end smallexample
30034
30035 @noindent
30036 where:
30037
30038 @table @samp
30039 @item @var{address}
30040 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30041 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30042 quoted using the C convention.
30043
30044 @item @var{count}
30045 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
30046
30047 @item @var{byte-offset}
30048 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
30049 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
30050 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
30051 perform address arithmetics itself.
30052
30053 @end table
30054
30055 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
30056 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
30057 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
30058 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
30059 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
30060 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
30061
30062 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
30063 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
30064 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
30065 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
30066 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
30067 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
30068 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
30069 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
30070
30071 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
30072 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
30073 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
30074 and has the following fields:
30075
30076 @table @code
30077 @item begin
30078 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30079
30080 @item end
30081 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
30082
30083 @item offset
30084 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
30085 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
30086
30087 @item contents
30088 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
30089
30090 @end table
30091
30092
30093
30094 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30095
30096 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
30097
30098 @subsubheading Example
30099
30100 @smallexample
30101 (gdb)
30102 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
30103 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
30104 end="0xbffff15e",
30105 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
30106 (gdb)
30107 @end smallexample
30108
30109
30110 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
30111 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
30112
30113 @subsubheading Synopsis
30114
30115 @smallexample
30116 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
30117 @end smallexample
30118
30119 @noindent
30120 where:
30121
30122 @table @samp
30123 @item @var{address}
30124 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30125 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30126 quoted using the C convention.
30127
30128 @item @var{contents}
30129 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
30130
30131 @end table
30132
30133 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30134
30135 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30136
30137 @subsubheading Example
30138
30139 @smallexample
30140 (gdb)
30141 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
30142 ^done
30143 (gdb)
30144 @end smallexample
30145
30146
30147 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30148 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
30149 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
30150
30151 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
30152 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
30153
30154 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
30155 @findex -trace-find
30156
30157 @subsubheading Synopsis
30158
30159 @smallexample
30160 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
30161 @end smallexample
30162
30163 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
30164 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
30165 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
30166
30167 @table @samp
30168
30169 @item none
30170 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
30171
30172 @item frame-number
30173 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
30174 that index.
30175
30176 @item tracepoint-number
30177 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
30178 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
30179
30180 @item pc
30181 An address is required as parameter. Finds
30182 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
30183 address.
30184
30185 @item pc-inside-range
30186 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
30187 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
30188 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30189
30190 @item pc-outside-range
30191 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
30192 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
30193 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
30194
30195 @item line
30196 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
30197 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
30198 the specified location.
30199
30200 @end table
30201
30202 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
30203 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
30204
30205 @table @samp
30206 @item found
30207 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
30208 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
30209
30210 @item traceframe
30211 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
30212 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30213
30214 @item tracepoint
30215 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
30216 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
30217
30218 @item frame
30219 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
30220 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
30221 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
30222
30223 @end table
30224
30225 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30226
30227 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
30228
30229 @subheading -trace-define-variable
30230 @findex -trace-define-variable
30231
30232 @subsubheading Synopsis
30233
30234 @smallexample
30235 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
30236 @end smallexample
30237
30238 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
30239 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
30240 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
30241 with the @samp{$} character.
30242
30243 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30244
30245 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
30246
30247 @subheading -trace-list-variables
30248 @findex -trace-list-variables
30249
30250 @subsubheading Synopsis
30251
30252 @smallexample
30253 -trace-list-variables
30254 @end smallexample
30255
30256 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
30257 table has the following fields:
30258
30259 @table @samp
30260 @item name
30261 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
30262
30263 @item initial
30264 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
30265 field is always present.
30266
30267 @item current
30268 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
30269 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
30270 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
30271 presently running.
30272
30273 @end table
30274
30275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30276
30277 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
30278
30279 @subsubheading Example
30280
30281 @smallexample
30282 (gdb)
30283 -trace-list-variables
30284 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
30285 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
30286 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
30287 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
30288 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
30289 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
30290 (gdb)
30291 @end smallexample
30292
30293 @subheading -trace-save
30294 @findex -trace-save
30295
30296 @subsubheading Synopsis
30297
30298 @smallexample
30299 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
30300 @end smallexample
30301
30302 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
30303 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
30304 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
30305 to perform the save.
30306
30307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30308
30309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
30310
30311
30312 @subheading -trace-start
30313 @findex -trace-start
30314
30315 @subsubheading Synopsis
30316
30317 @smallexample
30318 -trace-start
30319 @end smallexample
30320
30321 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
30322 have any fields.
30323
30324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30325
30326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
30327
30328 @subheading -trace-status
30329 @findex -trace-status
30330
30331 @subsubheading Synopsis
30332
30333 @smallexample
30334 -trace-status
30335 @end smallexample
30336
30337 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
30338 the following fields:
30339
30340 @table @samp
30341
30342 @item supported
30343 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
30344 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
30345 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
30346 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
30347 started. This field is always present.
30348
30349 @item running
30350 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
30351 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
30352 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30353
30354 @item stop-reason
30355 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
30356 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
30357 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
30358 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
30359 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
30360 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
30361 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
30362 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
30363 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
30364
30365 @item stopping-tracepoint
30366 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
30367 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
30368 @samp{passcount}.
30369
30370 @item frames
30371 @itemx frames-created
30372 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
30373 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
30374 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
30375 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
30376
30377 @item buffer-size
30378 @itemx buffer-free
30379 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
30380 remaining space. These fields are optional.
30381
30382 @item circular
30383 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
30384 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
30385 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
30386 and may fill up.
30387
30388 @item disconnected
30389 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
30390 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
30391 that the trace run will stop.
30392
30393 @end table
30394
30395 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30396
30397 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
30398
30399 @subheading -trace-stop
30400 @findex -trace-stop
30401
30402 @subsubheading Synopsis
30403
30404 @smallexample
30405 -trace-stop
30406 @end smallexample
30407
30408 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
30409 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
30410 @samp{running} fields are not output.
30411
30412 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30413
30414 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
30415
30416
30417 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30418 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
30419 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
30420
30421
30422 @ignore
30423 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
30424 @findex -symbol-info-address
30425
30426 @subsubheading Synopsis
30427
30428 @smallexample
30429 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
30430 @end smallexample
30431
30432 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
30433
30434 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30435
30436 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
30437
30438 @subsubheading Example
30439 N.A.
30440
30441
30442 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
30443 @findex -symbol-info-file
30444
30445 @subsubheading Synopsis
30446
30447 @smallexample
30448 -symbol-info-file
30449 @end smallexample
30450
30451 Show the file for the symbol.
30452
30453 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30454
30455 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
30456 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
30457
30458 @subsubheading Example
30459 N.A.
30460
30461
30462 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
30463 @findex -symbol-info-function
30464
30465 @subsubheading Synopsis
30466
30467 @smallexample
30468 -symbol-info-function
30469 @end smallexample
30470
30471 Show which function the symbol lives in.
30472
30473 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30474
30475 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
30476
30477 @subsubheading Example
30478 N.A.
30479
30480
30481 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
30482 @findex -symbol-info-line
30483
30484 @subsubheading Synopsis
30485
30486 @smallexample
30487 -symbol-info-line
30488 @end smallexample
30489
30490 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
30491
30492 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30493
30494 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
30495 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
30496
30497 @subsubheading Example
30498 N.A.
30499
30500
30501 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
30502 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
30503
30504 @subsubheading Synopsis
30505
30506 @smallexample
30507 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
30508 @end smallexample
30509
30510 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
30511
30512 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30513
30514 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
30515
30516 @subsubheading Example
30517 N.A.
30518
30519
30520 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
30521 @findex -symbol-list-functions
30522
30523 @subsubheading Synopsis
30524
30525 @smallexample
30526 -symbol-list-functions
30527 @end smallexample
30528
30529 List the functions in the executable.
30530
30531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30532
30533 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
30534 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30535
30536 @subsubheading Example
30537 N.A.
30538 @end ignore
30539
30540
30541 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
30542 @findex -symbol-list-lines
30543
30544 @subsubheading Synopsis
30545
30546 @smallexample
30547 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
30548 @end smallexample
30549
30550 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
30551 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
30552 ascending PC order.
30553
30554 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30555
30556 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30557
30558 @subsubheading Example
30559 @smallexample
30560 (gdb)
30561 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
30562 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
30563 (gdb)
30564 @end smallexample
30565
30566
30567 @ignore
30568 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
30569 @findex -symbol-list-types
30570
30571 @subsubheading Synopsis
30572
30573 @smallexample
30574 -symbol-list-types
30575 @end smallexample
30576
30577 List all the type names.
30578
30579 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30580
30581 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
30582 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30583
30584 @subsubheading Example
30585 N.A.
30586
30587
30588 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
30589 @findex -symbol-list-variables
30590
30591 @subsubheading Synopsis
30592
30593 @smallexample
30594 -symbol-list-variables
30595 @end smallexample
30596
30597 List all the global and static variable names.
30598
30599 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30600
30601 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30602
30603 @subsubheading Example
30604 N.A.
30605
30606
30607 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
30608 @findex -symbol-locate
30609
30610 @subsubheading Synopsis
30611
30612 @smallexample
30613 -symbol-locate
30614 @end smallexample
30615
30616 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30617
30618 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
30619
30620 @subsubheading Example
30621 N.A.
30622
30623
30624 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
30625 @findex -symbol-type
30626
30627 @subsubheading Synopsis
30628
30629 @smallexample
30630 -symbol-type @var{variable}
30631 @end smallexample
30632
30633 Show type of @var{variable}.
30634
30635 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30636
30637 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
30638 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
30639
30640 @subsubheading Example
30641 N.A.
30642 @end ignore
30643
30644
30645 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30646 @node GDB/MI File Commands
30647 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30648
30649 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30650 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30651
30652 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30653 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30654
30655 @subsubheading Synopsis
30656
30657 @smallexample
30658 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30659 @end smallexample
30660
30661 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30662 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30663 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30664 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30665 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30666 notification.
30667
30668 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30669
30670 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30671
30672 @subsubheading Example
30673
30674 @smallexample
30675 (gdb)
30676 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30677 ^done
30678 (gdb)
30679 @end smallexample
30680
30681
30682 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30683 @findex -file-exec-file
30684
30685 @subsubheading Synopsis
30686
30687 @smallexample
30688 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30689 @end smallexample
30690
30691 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30692 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30693 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30694 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30695 notification.
30696
30697 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30698
30699 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30700
30701 @subsubheading Example
30702
30703 @smallexample
30704 (gdb)
30705 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30706 ^done
30707 (gdb)
30708 @end smallexample
30709
30710
30711 @ignore
30712 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30713 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
30714
30715 @subsubheading Synopsis
30716
30717 @smallexample
30718 -file-list-exec-sections
30719 @end smallexample
30720
30721 List the sections of the current executable file.
30722
30723 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30724
30725 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
30726 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
30727 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
30728
30729 @subsubheading Example
30730 N.A.
30731 @end ignore
30732
30733
30734 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
30735 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
30736
30737 @subsubheading Synopsis
30738
30739 @smallexample
30740 -file-list-exec-source-file
30741 @end smallexample
30742
30743 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
30744 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
30745 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
30746 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
30747
30748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30749
30750 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
30751
30752 @subsubheading Example
30753
30754 @smallexample
30755 (gdb)
30756 123-file-list-exec-source-file
30757 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
30758 (gdb)
30759 @end smallexample
30760
30761
30762 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
30763 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
30764
30765 @subsubheading Synopsis
30766
30767 @smallexample
30768 -file-list-exec-source-files
30769 @end smallexample
30770
30771 List the source files for the current executable.
30772
30773 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
30774 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
30775
30776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30777
30778 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
30779 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
30780
30781 @subsubheading Example
30782 @smallexample
30783 (gdb)
30784 -file-list-exec-source-files
30785 ^done,files=[
30786 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
30787 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
30788 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
30789 (gdb)
30790 @end smallexample
30791
30792 @ignore
30793 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
30794 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
30795
30796 @subsubheading Synopsis
30797
30798 @smallexample
30799 -file-list-shared-libraries
30800 @end smallexample
30801
30802 List the shared libraries in the program.
30803
30804 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30805
30806 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
30807
30808 @subsubheading Example
30809 N.A.
30810
30811
30812 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
30813 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
30814
30815 @subsubheading Synopsis
30816
30817 @smallexample
30818 -file-list-symbol-files
30819 @end smallexample
30820
30821 List symbol files.
30822
30823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30824
30825 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
30826
30827 @subsubheading Example
30828 N.A.
30829 @end ignore
30830
30831
30832 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
30833 @findex -file-symbol-file
30834
30835 @subsubheading Synopsis
30836
30837 @smallexample
30838 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
30839 @end smallexample
30840
30841 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
30842 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
30843 produced, except for a completion notification.
30844
30845 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30846
30847 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
30848
30849 @subsubheading Example
30850
30851 @smallexample
30852 (gdb)
30853 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30854 ^done
30855 (gdb)
30856 @end smallexample
30857
30858 @ignore
30859 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30860 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
30861 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
30862
30863 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
30864
30865 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
30866
30867 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
30868
30869 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
30870
30871 @c @subheading -overlay-map
30872
30873 @c @subheading -overlay-off
30874
30875 @c @subheading -overlay-on
30876
30877 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
30878
30879 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30880 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
30881 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
30882
30883 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
30884
30885 @c @subheading -signal-handle
30886
30887 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
30888
30889 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
30890 @end ignore
30891
30892
30893 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30894 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
30895 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
30896
30897
30898 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
30899 @findex -target-attach
30900
30901 @subsubheading Synopsis
30902
30903 @smallexample
30904 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
30905 @end smallexample
30906
30907 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
30908 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
30909 group, the id previously returned by
30910 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
30911
30912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30913
30914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
30915
30916 @subsubheading Example
30917 @smallexample
30918 (gdb)
30919 -target-attach 34
30920 =thread-created,id="1"
30921 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
30922 ^done
30923 (gdb)
30924 @end smallexample
30925
30926 @ignore
30927 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
30928 @findex -target-compare-sections
30929
30930 @subsubheading Synopsis
30931
30932 @smallexample
30933 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
30934 @end smallexample
30935
30936 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
30937 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
30938
30939 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30940
30941 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
30942
30943 @subsubheading Example
30944 N.A.
30945 @end ignore
30946
30947
30948 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
30949 @findex -target-detach
30950
30951 @subsubheading Synopsis
30952
30953 @smallexample
30954 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
30955 @end smallexample
30956
30957 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
30958 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
30959 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
30960
30961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30962
30963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
30964
30965 @subsubheading Example
30966
30967 @smallexample
30968 (gdb)
30969 -target-detach
30970 ^done
30971 (gdb)
30972 @end smallexample
30973
30974
30975 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
30976 @findex -target-disconnect
30977
30978 @subsubheading Synopsis
30979
30980 @smallexample
30981 -target-disconnect
30982 @end smallexample
30983
30984 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
30985 generally not resumed.
30986
30987 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30988
30989 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
30990
30991 @subsubheading Example
30992
30993 @smallexample
30994 (gdb)
30995 -target-disconnect
30996 ^done
30997 (gdb)
30998 @end smallexample
30999
31000
31001 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
31002 @findex -target-download
31003
31004 @subsubheading Synopsis
31005
31006 @smallexample
31007 -target-download
31008 @end smallexample
31009
31010 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
31011 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
31012
31013 @table @samp
31014 @item section
31015 The name of the section.
31016 @item section-sent
31017 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
31018 @item section-size
31019 The size of the section.
31020 @item total-sent
31021 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
31022 @item total-size
31023 The size of the overall executable to download.
31024 @end table
31025
31026 @noindent
31027 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
31028 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
31029
31030 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
31031 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
31032
31033 @table @samp
31034 @item section
31035 The name of the section.
31036 @item section-size
31037 The size of the section.
31038 @item total-size
31039 The size of the overall executable to download.
31040 @end table
31041
31042 @noindent
31043 At the end, a summary is printed.
31044
31045 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31046
31047 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
31048
31049 @subsubheading Example
31050
31051 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
31052 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
31053
31054 @smallexample
31055 (gdb)
31056 -target-download
31057 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
31058 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
31059 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
31060 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
31061 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
31062 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
31063 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
31064 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
31065 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
31066 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
31067 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
31068 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
31069 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
31070 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
31071 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
31072 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
31073 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
31074 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
31075 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
31076 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
31077 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
31078 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
31079 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
31080 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
31081 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
31082 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
31083 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
31084 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31085 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
31086 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
31087 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
31088 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
31089 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
31090 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
31091 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
31092 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
31093 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
31094 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
31095 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
31096 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
31097 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
31098 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
31099 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
31100 write-rate="429"
31101 (gdb)
31102 @end smallexample
31103
31104
31105 @ignore
31106 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
31107 @findex -target-exec-status
31108
31109 @subsubheading Synopsis
31110
31111 @smallexample
31112 -target-exec-status
31113 @end smallexample
31114
31115 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
31116 not, for instance).
31117
31118 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31119
31120 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31121
31122 @subsubheading Example
31123 N.A.
31124
31125
31126 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
31127 @findex -target-list-available-targets
31128
31129 @subsubheading Synopsis
31130
31131 @smallexample
31132 -target-list-available-targets
31133 @end smallexample
31134
31135 List the possible targets to connect to.
31136
31137 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31138
31139 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
31140
31141 @subsubheading Example
31142 N.A.
31143
31144
31145 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
31146 @findex -target-list-current-targets
31147
31148 @subsubheading Synopsis
31149
31150 @smallexample
31151 -target-list-current-targets
31152 @end smallexample
31153
31154 Describe the current target.
31155
31156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31157
31158 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
31159 other things).
31160
31161 @subsubheading Example
31162 N.A.
31163
31164
31165 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
31166 @findex -target-list-parameters
31167
31168 @subsubheading Synopsis
31169
31170 @smallexample
31171 -target-list-parameters
31172 @end smallexample
31173
31174 @c ????
31175 @end ignore
31176
31177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31178
31179 No equivalent.
31180
31181 @subsubheading Example
31182 N.A.
31183
31184
31185 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
31186 @findex -target-select
31187
31188 @subsubheading Synopsis
31189
31190 @smallexample
31191 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
31192 @end smallexample
31193
31194 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
31195
31196 @table @samp
31197 @item @var{type}
31198 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
31199 @item @var{parameters}
31200 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
31201 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
31202 @end table
31203
31204 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
31205 which the target program is, in the following form:
31206
31207 @smallexample
31208 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
31209 args=[@var{arg list}]
31210 @end smallexample
31211
31212 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31213
31214 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
31215
31216 @subsubheading Example
31217
31218 @smallexample
31219 (gdb)
31220 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
31221 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
31222 (gdb)
31223 @end smallexample
31224
31225 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31226 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
31227 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
31228
31229
31230 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
31231 @findex -target-file-put
31232
31233 @subsubheading Synopsis
31234
31235 @smallexample
31236 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
31237 @end smallexample
31238
31239 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
31240 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
31241
31242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31243
31244 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
31245
31246 @subsubheading Example
31247
31248 @smallexample
31249 (gdb)
31250 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
31251 ^done
31252 (gdb)
31253 @end smallexample
31254
31255
31256 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
31257 @findex -target-file-get
31258
31259 @subsubheading Synopsis
31260
31261 @smallexample
31262 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
31263 @end smallexample
31264
31265 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
31266 on the host system.
31267
31268 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31269
31270 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
31271
31272 @subsubheading Example
31273
31274 @smallexample
31275 (gdb)
31276 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
31277 ^done
31278 (gdb)
31279 @end smallexample
31280
31281
31282 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
31283 @findex -target-file-delete
31284
31285 @subsubheading Synopsis
31286
31287 @smallexample
31288 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
31289 @end smallexample
31290
31291 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
31292
31293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31294
31295 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
31296
31297 @subsubheading Example
31298
31299 @smallexample
31300 (gdb)
31301 -target-file-delete remotefile
31302 ^done
31303 (gdb)
31304 @end smallexample
31305
31306
31307 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31308 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
31309 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31310
31311 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
31312
31313 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
31314 @findex -gdb-exit
31315
31316 @subsubheading Synopsis
31317
31318 @smallexample
31319 -gdb-exit
31320 @end smallexample
31321
31322 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
31323
31324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31325
31326 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
31327
31328 @subsubheading Example
31329
31330 @smallexample
31331 (gdb)
31332 -gdb-exit
31333 ^exit
31334 @end smallexample
31335
31336
31337 @ignore
31338 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
31339 @findex -exec-abort
31340
31341 @subsubheading Synopsis
31342
31343 @smallexample
31344 -exec-abort
31345 @end smallexample
31346
31347 Kill the inferior running program.
31348
31349 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31350
31351 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
31352
31353 @subsubheading Example
31354 N.A.
31355 @end ignore
31356
31357
31358 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
31359 @findex -gdb-set
31360
31361 @subsubheading Synopsis
31362
31363 @smallexample
31364 -gdb-set
31365 @end smallexample
31366
31367 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
31368 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
31369
31370 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31371
31372 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
31373
31374 @subsubheading Example
31375
31376 @smallexample
31377 (gdb)
31378 -gdb-set $foo=3
31379 ^done
31380 (gdb)
31381 @end smallexample
31382
31383
31384 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
31385 @findex -gdb-show
31386
31387 @subsubheading Synopsis
31388
31389 @smallexample
31390 -gdb-show
31391 @end smallexample
31392
31393 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
31394
31395 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31396
31397 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
31398
31399 @subsubheading Example
31400
31401 @smallexample
31402 (gdb)
31403 -gdb-show annotate
31404 ^done,value="0"
31405 (gdb)
31406 @end smallexample
31407
31408 @c @subheading -gdb-source
31409
31410
31411 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
31412 @findex -gdb-version
31413
31414 @subsubheading Synopsis
31415
31416 @smallexample
31417 -gdb-version
31418 @end smallexample
31419
31420 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
31421
31422 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31423
31424 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
31425 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
31426
31427 @subsubheading Example
31428
31429 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
31430 @c box in TeX.
31431 @smallexample
31432 (gdb)
31433 -gdb-version
31434 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
31435 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31436 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
31437 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
31438 ~ certain conditions.
31439 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31440 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
31441 ~ details.
31442 ~This GDB was configured as
31443 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
31444 ^done
31445 (gdb)
31446 @end smallexample
31447
31448 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
31449 @findex -list-features
31450
31451 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
31452 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
31453 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
31454 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
31455 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
31456 startup.
31457
31458 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
31459 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
31460 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
31461 is given below.
31462
31463 Example output:
31464
31465 @smallexample
31466 (gdb) -list-features
31467 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
31468 @end smallexample
31469
31470 The current list of features is:
31471
31472 @table @samp
31473 @item frozen-varobjs
31474 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
31475 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
31476 of @code{-varobj-create}.
31477 @item pending-breakpoints
31478 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
31479 command.
31480 @item python
31481 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
31482 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
31483 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
31484 @item thread-info
31485 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
31486 @item data-read-memory-bytes
31487 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
31488 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
31489 @item breakpoint-notifications
31490 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
31491 CLI will be announced via async records.
31492 @item ada-task-info
31493 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
31494 @end table
31495
31496 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
31497 @findex -list-target-features
31498
31499 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
31500 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
31501 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
31502 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
31503 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
31504 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
31505 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
31506 Example output:
31507
31508 @smallexample
31509 (gdb) -list-features
31510 ^done,result=["async"]
31511 @end smallexample
31512
31513 The current list of features is:
31514
31515 @table @samp
31516 @item async
31517 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
31518 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
31519 while the target is running.
31520
31521 @item reverse
31522 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
31523 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31524
31525 @end table
31526
31527 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
31528 @findex -list-thread-groups
31529
31530 @subheading Synopsis
31531
31532 @smallexample
31533 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
31534 @end smallexample
31535
31536 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
31537 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
31538 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
31539 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
31540 top-level thread groups.
31541
31542 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
31543 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
31544 available on the target.
31545
31546 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
31547 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
31548 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
31549 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
31550 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
31551 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
31552 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
31553 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
31554
31555 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
31556 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
31557 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
31558 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
31559 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
31560 @samp{threads} field.
31561
31562 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
31563 the following caveats:
31564
31565 @itemize @bullet
31566 @item
31567 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
31568 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
31569 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
31570
31571 @item
31572 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
31573 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
31574 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
31575 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
31576 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
31577 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
31578
31579 @end itemize
31580
31581 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
31582 have the following fields:
31583
31584 @table @code
31585 @item id
31586 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
31587 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
31588 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
31589
31590 @item type
31591 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
31592 valid type.
31593
31594 @item pid
31595 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
31596 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
31597
31598 @item num_children
31599 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
31600 absent for an available thread group.
31601
31602 @item threads
31603 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
31604 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
31605 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
31606
31607 @item cores
31608 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
31609 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
31610 such information is not available.
31611
31612 @item executable
31613 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
31614 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
31615 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
31616
31617 @end table
31618
31619 @subheading Example
31620
31621 @smallexample
31622 @value{GDBP}
31623 -list-thread-groups
31624 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
31625 -list-thread-groups 17
31626 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
31627 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
31628 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
31629 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
31630 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
31631 -list-thread-groups --available
31632 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
31633 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
31634 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31635 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31636 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
31637 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
31638 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31639 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31640 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
31641 @end smallexample
31642
31643
31644 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
31645 @findex -add-inferior
31646
31647 @subheading Synopsis
31648
31649 @smallexample
31650 -add-inferior
31651 @end smallexample
31652
31653 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
31654 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
31655 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
31656 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
31657 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
31658 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
31659
31660 @subheading Example
31661
31662 @smallexample
31663 @value{GDBP}
31664 -add-inferior
31665 ^done,thread-group="i3"
31666 @end smallexample
31667
31668 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
31669 @findex -interpreter-exec
31670
31671 @subheading Synopsis
31672
31673 @smallexample
31674 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
31675 @end smallexample
31676 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
31677
31678 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
31679
31680 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31681
31682 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
31683
31684 @subheading Example
31685
31686 @smallexample
31687 (gdb)
31688 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
31689 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
31690 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
31691 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
31692 ^done
31693 (gdb)
31694 @end smallexample
31695
31696 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
31697 @findex -inferior-tty-set
31698
31699 @subheading Synopsis
31700
31701 @smallexample
31702 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31703 @end smallexample
31704
31705 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
31706
31707 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31708
31709 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
31710
31711 @subheading Example
31712
31713 @smallexample
31714 (gdb)
31715 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31716 ^done
31717 (gdb)
31718 @end smallexample
31719
31720 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
31721 @findex -inferior-tty-show
31722
31723 @subheading Synopsis
31724
31725 @smallexample
31726 -inferior-tty-show
31727 @end smallexample
31728
31729 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
31730
31731 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31732
31733 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
31734
31735 @subheading Example
31736
31737 @smallexample
31738 (gdb)
31739 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31740 ^done
31741 (gdb)
31742 -inferior-tty-show
31743 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
31744 (gdb)
31745 @end smallexample
31746
31747 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
31748 @findex -enable-timings
31749
31750 @subheading Synopsis
31751
31752 @smallexample
31753 -enable-timings [yes | no]
31754 @end smallexample
31755
31756 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
31757 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
31758 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
31759 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
31760
31761 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31762
31763 No equivalent.
31764
31765 @subheading Example
31766
31767 @smallexample
31768 (gdb)
31769 -enable-timings
31770 ^done
31771 (gdb)
31772 -break-insert main
31773 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
31774 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
31775 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
31776 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
31777 (gdb)
31778 -enable-timings no
31779 ^done
31780 (gdb)
31781 -exec-run
31782 ^running
31783 (gdb)
31784 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
31785 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
31786 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
31787 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
31788 (gdb)
31789 @end smallexample
31790
31791 @node Annotations
31792 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
31793
31794 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
31795 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
31796 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
31797 relatively high level.
31798
31799 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
31800 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
31801
31802 @ignore
31803 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
31804 @end ignore
31805
31806 @menu
31807 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
31808 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
31809 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
31810 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
31811 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
31812 * Annotations for Running::
31813 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
31814 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
31815 @end menu
31816
31817 @node Annotations Overview
31818 @section What is an Annotation?
31819 @cindex annotations
31820
31821 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
31822 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
31823 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
31824 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
31825 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
31826 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
31827 cannot contain newline characters.
31828
31829 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
31830 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
31831 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
31832 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
31833 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
31834 means those three characters as output.
31835
31836 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
31837 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
31838 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
31839 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
31840 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
31841 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
31842 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
31843 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
31844 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
31845
31846 @table @code
31847 @kindex set annotate
31848 @item set annotate @var{level}
31849 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
31850 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
31851
31852 @item show annotate
31853 @kindex show annotate
31854 Show the current annotation level.
31855 @end table
31856
31857 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
31858
31859 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
31860
31861 @smallexample
31862 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
31863 GNU gdb 6.0
31864 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31865 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
31866 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
31867 under certain conditions.
31868 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31869 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
31870 for details.
31871 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
31872
31873 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31874 (@value{GDBP})
31875 ^Z^Zprompt
31876 @kbd{quit}
31877
31878 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31879 $
31880 @end smallexample
31881
31882 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
31883 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
31884 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
31885 output from @value{GDBN}.
31886
31887 @node Server Prefix
31888 @section The Server Prefix
31889 @cindex server prefix
31890
31891 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
31892 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
31893 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
31894 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
31895 a transparent manner.
31896
31897 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
31898 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
31899 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
31900 @code{print} command.
31901
31902 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
31903 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
31904
31905 @node Prompting
31906 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
31907
31908 @cindex annotations for prompts
31909 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
31910 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
31911 over, etc.
31912
31913 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
31914 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
31915 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
31916 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
31917 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
31918 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
31919 features the following annotations:
31920
31921 @smallexample
31922 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31923 ^Z^Zprompt
31924 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31925 @end smallexample
31926
31927 The input types are
31928
31929 @table @code
31930 @findex pre-prompt annotation
31931 @findex prompt annotation
31932 @findex post-prompt annotation
31933 @item prompt
31934 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
31935
31936 @findex pre-commands annotation
31937 @findex commands annotation
31938 @findex post-commands annotation
31939 @item commands
31940 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
31941 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
31942
31943 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
31944 @findex overload-choice annotation
31945 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
31946 @item overload-choice
31947 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
31948
31949 @findex pre-query annotation
31950 @findex query annotation
31951 @findex post-query annotation
31952 @item query
31953 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
31954
31955 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
31956 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
31957 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
31958 @item prompt-for-continue
31959 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
31960 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
31961 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
31962 presence of annotations.
31963 @end table
31964
31965 @node Errors
31966 @section Errors
31967 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
31968
31969 @findex quit annotation
31970 @smallexample
31971 ^Z^Zquit
31972 @end smallexample
31973
31974 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
31975
31976 @findex error annotation
31977 @smallexample
31978 ^Z^Zerror
31979 @end smallexample
31980
31981 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
31982
31983 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
31984 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
31985 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
31986 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
31987 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
31988 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
31989 to the top level.
31990
31991 @findex error-begin annotation
31992 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
31993
31994 @smallexample
31995 ^Z^Zerror-begin
31996 @end smallexample
31997
31998 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
31999 message.
32000
32001 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
32002 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
32003 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
32004
32005 @node Invalidation
32006 @section Invalidation Notices
32007
32008 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
32009 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
32010 changed.
32011
32012 @table @code
32013 @findex frames-invalid annotation
32014 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
32015
32016 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
32017 have changed.
32018
32019 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
32020 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
32021
32022 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
32023 deleted a breakpoint.
32024 @end table
32025
32026 @node Annotations for Running
32027 @section Running the Program
32028 @cindex annotations for running programs
32029
32030 @findex starting annotation
32031 @findex stopping annotation
32032 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
32033 @code{step} or @code{continue},
32034
32035 @smallexample
32036 ^Z^Zstarting
32037 @end smallexample
32038
32039 is output. When the program stops,
32040
32041 @smallexample
32042 ^Z^Zstopped
32043 @end smallexample
32044
32045 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
32046 annotations describe how the program stopped.
32047
32048 @table @code
32049 @findex exited annotation
32050 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
32051 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
32052 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
32053
32054 @findex signalled annotation
32055 @findex signal-name annotation
32056 @findex signal-name-end annotation
32057 @findex signal-string annotation
32058 @findex signal-string-end annotation
32059 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
32060 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
32061 annotation continues:
32062
32063 @smallexample
32064 @var{intro-text}
32065 ^Z^Zsignal-name
32066 @var{name}
32067 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
32068 @var{middle-text}
32069 ^Z^Zsignal-string
32070 @var{string}
32071 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
32072 @var{end-text}
32073 @end smallexample
32074
32075 @noindent
32076 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
32077 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
32078 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
32079 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
32080 user's benefit and have no particular format.
32081
32082 @findex signal annotation
32083 @item ^Z^Zsignal
32084 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
32085 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
32086 terminated with it.
32087
32088 @findex breakpoint annotation
32089 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
32090 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
32091
32092 @findex watchpoint annotation
32093 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
32094 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
32095 @end table
32096
32097 @node Source Annotations
32098 @section Displaying Source
32099 @cindex annotations for source display
32100
32101 @findex source annotation
32102 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
32103
32104 @smallexample
32105 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
32106 @end smallexample
32107
32108 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
32109 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
32110 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
32111 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
32112 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
32113 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
32114 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
32115 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
32116 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
32117 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
32118 depend on the language).
32119
32120 @node JIT Interface
32121 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
32122 @cindex just-in-time compilation
32123 @cindex JIT compilation interface
32124
32125 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
32126 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
32127 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
32128 performance while maintaining platform independence.
32129
32130 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
32131 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
32132 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
32133 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
32134 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
32135 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
32136
32137 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
32138 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
32139 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
32140 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
32141 LLVM JIT.
32142
32143 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
32144 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
32145 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
32146 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
32147 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
32148 out about additional code.
32149
32150 @menu
32151 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
32152 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
32153 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
32154 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
32155 @end menu
32156
32157 @node Declarations
32158 @section JIT Declarations
32159
32160 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
32161 implement the interface:
32162
32163 @smallexample
32164 typedef enum
32165 @{
32166 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
32167 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
32168 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
32169 @} jit_actions_t;
32170
32171 struct jit_code_entry
32172 @{
32173 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
32174 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
32175 const char *symfile_addr;
32176 uint64_t symfile_size;
32177 @};
32178
32179 struct jit_descriptor
32180 @{
32181 uint32_t version;
32182 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
32183 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
32184 uint32_t action_flag;
32185 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
32186 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
32187 @};
32188
32189 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
32190 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
32191
32192 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
32193 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
32194 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
32195 @end smallexample
32196
32197 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
32198 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
32199 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
32200
32201 @node Registering Code
32202 @section Registering Code
32203
32204 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
32205
32206 @itemize @bullet
32207 @item
32208 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
32209 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
32210
32211 @item
32212 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
32213 file.
32214
32215 @item
32216 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
32217
32218 @item
32219 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
32220
32221 @item
32222 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
32223 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32224 @end itemize
32225
32226 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
32227 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
32228 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
32229 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
32230
32231 @node Unregistering Code
32232 @section Unregistering Code
32233
32234 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
32235
32236 @itemize @bullet
32237 @item
32238 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
32239
32240 @item
32241 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
32242
32243 @item
32244 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
32245 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32246 @end itemize
32247
32248 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
32249 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
32250
32251 @node Custom Debug Info
32252 @section Custom Debug Info
32253 @cindex custom JIT debug info
32254 @cindex JIT debug info reader
32255
32256 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
32257 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
32258 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
32259 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
32260 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
32261 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
32262 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
32263 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
32264 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
32265
32266 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
32267 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
32268 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
32269 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
32270 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
32271 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
32272 compiler.
32273
32274 @menu
32275 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
32276 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
32277 @end menu
32278
32279 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32280 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32281 @kindex jit-reader-load
32282 @kindex jit-reader-unload
32283
32284 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
32285 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
32286
32287 @table @code
32288 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader-name}
32289 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader-name}. On a UNIX system, this
32290 will usually load @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/@var{reader-name}}, where
32291 @var{libdir} is the system library directory, usually
32292 @file{/usr/local/lib}. Only one reader can be active at a time;
32293 trying to load a second reader when one is already loaded will result
32294 in @value{GDBN} reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by
32295 first unloading the current one using @code{jit-reader-load} and then
32296 invoking @code{jit-reader-load}.
32297
32298 @item jit-reader-unload
32299 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
32300
32301 @end table
32302
32303 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32304 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32305 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
32306
32307 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
32308 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
32309
32310 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
32311 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
32312 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
32313 the system include directory.
32314
32315 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
32316 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
32317 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
32318
32319 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
32320 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
32321
32322 @findex gdb_init_reader
32323 @smallexample
32324 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
32325 @end smallexample
32326
32327 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
32328
32329 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
32330 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
32331 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
32332 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
32333 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
32334 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
32335
32336 @smallexample
32337 struct gdb_reader_funcs
32338 @{
32339 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
32340 int reader_version;
32341
32342 /* For use by the reader. */
32343 void *priv_data;
32344
32345 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
32346 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
32347 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
32348 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
32349 @};
32350 @end smallexample
32351
32352 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
32353 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
32354
32355 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
32356 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
32357 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
32358 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
32359 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
32360 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
32361 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
32362 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
32363 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
32364 target's address space.
32365
32366 @node In-Process Agent
32367 @chapter In-Process Agent
32368 @cindex debugging agent
32369 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
32370 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
32371 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
32372 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
32373 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
32374 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
32375 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
32376 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
32377 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
32378 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
32379 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
32380 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
32381 behavior without interrupting it.
32382
32383 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
32384 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
32385 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
32386 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
32387 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
32388 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
32389 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
32390 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
32391 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
32392
32393 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
32394 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
32395 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
32396 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
32397
32398 @anchor{Control Agent}
32399 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
32400 debugging with the following commands:
32401
32402 @table @code
32403 @kindex set agent on
32404 @item set agent on
32405 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
32406 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
32407 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
32408 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
32409 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
32410 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
32411
32412 @kindex set agent off
32413 @item set agent off
32414 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
32415 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
32416
32417 @kindex show agent
32418 @item show agent
32419 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
32420 the in-process agent.
32421 @end table
32422
32423 @node GDB Bugs
32424 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
32425 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
32426 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
32427
32428 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
32429
32430 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
32431 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
32432 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
32433 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
32434
32435 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
32436 information that enables us to fix the bug.
32437
32438 @menu
32439 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
32440 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
32441 @end menu
32442
32443 @node Bug Criteria
32444 @section Have You Found a Bug?
32445 @cindex bug criteria
32446
32447 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
32448
32449 @itemize @bullet
32450 @cindex fatal signal
32451 @cindex debugger crash
32452 @cindex crash of debugger
32453 @item
32454 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
32455 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
32456
32457 @cindex error on valid input
32458 @item
32459 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
32460 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
32461 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
32462
32463 @cindex invalid input
32464 @item
32465 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
32466 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
32467 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
32468 for traditional practice''.
32469
32470 @item
32471 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
32472 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
32473 @end itemize
32474
32475 @node Bug Reporting
32476 @section How to Report Bugs
32477 @cindex bug reports
32478 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
32479
32480 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
32481 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
32482 contact that organization first.
32483
32484 You can find contact information for many support companies and
32485 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
32486 distribution.
32487 @c should add a web page ref...
32488
32489 @ifset BUGURL
32490 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
32491 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32492 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
32493 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
32494 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
32495 be used.
32496
32497 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
32498 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
32499 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
32500 @samp{bug-gdb}.
32501
32502 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
32503 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
32504 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
32505 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
32506 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
32507 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
32508 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
32509 bug reports to the mailing list.
32510 @end ifset
32511 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
32512 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32513 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
32514 @end ifclear
32515 @end ifset
32516
32517 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
32518 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
32519 fact or leave it out, state it!
32520
32521 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
32522 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
32523 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
32524 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
32525 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
32526 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
32527 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
32528 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
32529 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
32530
32531 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
32532 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
32533 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
32534 self-contained.
32535
32536 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
32537 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
32538 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
32539 bugs properly.
32540
32541 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
32542
32543 @itemize @bullet
32544 @item
32545 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
32546 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
32547 version}.
32548
32549 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
32550 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
32551
32552 @item
32553 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
32554 version number.
32555
32556 @item
32557 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
32558 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
32559
32560 @item
32561 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
32562 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
32563 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
32564 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
32565 those compilers.
32566
32567 @item
32568 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
32569 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
32570 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
32571 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
32572
32573 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
32574 and then we might not encounter the bug.
32575
32576 @item
32577 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
32578 reproduce the bug.
32579
32580 @item
32581 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
32582 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
32583
32584 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
32585 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
32586 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
32587 a chance to make a mistake.
32588
32589 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
32590 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
32591 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
32592 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
32593 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
32594 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
32595 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
32596 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
32597
32598 @pindex script
32599 @cindex recording a session script
32600 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
32601 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
32602 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
32603 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
32604
32605 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
32606 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
32607
32608 @item
32609 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
32610 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
32611 it by context, not by line number.
32612
32613 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
32614 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
32615
32616 @end itemize
32617
32618 Here are some things that are not necessary:
32619
32620 @itemize @bullet
32621 @item
32622 A description of the envelope of the bug.
32623
32624 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
32625 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
32626 changes will not affect it.
32627
32628 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
32629 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
32630 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
32631 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
32632
32633 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
32634 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
32635 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
32636 less time, and so on.
32637
32638 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
32639 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
32640
32641 @item
32642 A patch for the bug.
32643
32644 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
32645 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
32646 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
32647 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
32648
32649 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
32650 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
32651 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
32652 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
32653
32654 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
32655 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
32656 help us to understand.
32657
32658 @item
32659 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
32660
32661 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
32662 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
32663 @end itemize
32664
32665 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
32666 @c and consists of the two following files:
32667 @c rluser.texi
32668 @c hsuser.texi
32669 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
32670 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
32671 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
32672 @include rluser.texi
32673 @include hsuser.texi
32674 @end ifclear
32675
32676 @node In Memoriam
32677 @appendix In Memoriam
32678
32679 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
32680 contributors:
32681
32682 @table @code
32683 @item Fred Fish
32684 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
32685 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
32686 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
32687
32688 @item Michael Snyder
32689 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
32690 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
32691 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
32692 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
32693 @end table
32694
32695 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
32696 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
32697
32698 @node Formatting Documentation
32699 @appendix Formatting Documentation
32700
32701 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
32702 @cindex reference card
32703 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
32704 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
32705 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
32706 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
32707 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
32708 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
32709
32710 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
32711 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
32712
32713 @smallexample
32714 make refcard.dvi
32715 @end smallexample
32716
32717 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
32718 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
32719 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
32720 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
32721 your @sc{dvi} output program.
32722
32723 @cindex documentation
32724
32725 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
32726 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
32727 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
32728 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
32729 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
32730 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
32731
32732 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
32733 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
32734 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
32735 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
32736 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
32737 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
32738 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
32739 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
32740
32741 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
32742 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
32743 @code{makeinfo}.
32744
32745 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
32746 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
32747 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
32748
32749 @smallexample
32750 cd gdb
32751 make gdb.info
32752 @end smallexample
32753
32754 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
32755 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
32756 Texinfo definitions file.
32757
32758 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
32759 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
32760 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
32761 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
32762 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
32763 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
32764 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
32765
32766 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
32767 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
32768 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
32769 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
32770 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
32771 directory.
32772
32773 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
32774 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
32775 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
32776 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
32777
32778 @smallexample
32779 make gdb.dvi
32780 @end smallexample
32781
32782 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
32783
32784 @node Installing GDB
32785 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
32786 @cindex installation
32787
32788 @menu
32789 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
32790 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
32791 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
32792 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
32793 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
32794 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
32795 @end menu
32796
32797 @node Requirements
32798 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
32799 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
32800
32801 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
32802 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
32803
32804 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
32805 @table @asis
32806 @item ISO C90 compiler
32807 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
32808 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
32809
32810 @end table
32811
32812 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
32813 @table @asis
32814 @item Expat
32815 @anchor{Expat}
32816 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
32817 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
32818 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
32819 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
32820 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
32821 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
32822
32823 Expat is used for:
32824
32825 @itemize @bullet
32826 @item
32827 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
32828 @item
32829 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
32830 @item
32831 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
32832 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
32833 @item
32834 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
32835 @item
32836 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
32837 @end itemize
32838
32839 @item zlib
32840 @cindex compressed debug sections
32841 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
32842 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
32843 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
32844 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
32845 information in such binaries.
32846
32847 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
32848 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
32849 @url{http://zlib.net}.
32850
32851 @item iconv
32852 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
32853 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
32854 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
32855 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
32856
32857 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
32858 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
32859 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
32860 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
32861
32862 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
32863 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
32864 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
32865
32866 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
32867 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
32868 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
32869 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
32870 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
32871 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
32872 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
32873 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
32874 @end table
32875
32876 @node Running Configure
32877 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
32878 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
32879 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
32880 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
32881 build the @code{gdb} program.
32882 @iftex
32883 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
32884 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
32885 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
32886 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
32887 @end iftex
32888
32889 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
32890 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
32891 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
32892
32893 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
32894 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
32895
32896 @table @code
32897 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
32898 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
32899
32900 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
32901 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
32902
32903 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
32904 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
32905
32906 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
32907 @sc{gnu} include files
32908
32909 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
32910 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
32911
32912 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
32913 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
32914
32915 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
32916 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
32917
32918 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
32919 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
32920
32921 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
32922 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
32923 @end table
32924
32925 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
32926 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
32927 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
32928
32929 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
32930 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
32931 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
32932 argument.
32933
32934 For example:
32935
32936 @smallexample
32937 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
32938 ./configure @var{host}
32939 make
32940 @end smallexample
32941
32942 @noindent
32943 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
32944 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
32945 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
32946 correct value by examining your system.)
32947
32948 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
32949 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
32950 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
32951 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
32952
32953 @need 750
32954 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
32955 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
32956 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
32957
32958 @smallexample
32959 sh configure @var{host}
32960 @end smallexample
32961
32962 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
32963 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
32964 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
32965 @file{configure}
32966 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
32967 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
32968
32969 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
32970 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
32971 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
32972 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
32973 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
32974 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
32975 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
32976 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
32977 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
32978
32979 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
32980 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
32981 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
32982 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
32983 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
32984
32985 @node Separate Objdir
32986 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
32987
32988 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
32989 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
32990 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
32991 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
32992 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
32993 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
32994 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
32995 program specified there.
32996
32997 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
32998 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
32999 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
33000 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
33001 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
33002 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
33003
33004 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
33005 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
33006
33007 @smallexample
33008 @group
33009 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
33010 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
33011 cd ../gdb-sun4
33012 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
33013 make
33014 @end group
33015 @end smallexample
33016
33017 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
33018 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
33019 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
33020 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
33021 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
33022 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
33023
33024 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
33025 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
33026 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
33027 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
33028 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33029
33030 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
33031 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
33032 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
33033 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
33034 You specify a cross-debugging target by
33035 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
33036
33037 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
33038 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
33039 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
33040
33041 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
33042 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
33043 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
33044 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
33045 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
33046
33047 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
33048 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
33049 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
33050 with each other.
33051
33052 @node Config Names
33053 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
33054
33055 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
33056 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
33057 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
33058 of information in the following pattern:
33059
33060 @smallexample
33061 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
33062 @end smallexample
33063
33064 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
33065 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
33066 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
33067
33068 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
33069 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
33070 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
33071 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
33072 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
33073 abbreviations---for example:
33074
33075 @smallexample
33076 % sh config.sub i386-linux
33077 i386-pc-linux-gnu
33078 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
33079 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
33080 % sh config.sub hp9k700
33081 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
33082 % sh config.sub sun4
33083 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
33084 % sh config.sub sun3
33085 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
33086 % sh config.sub i986v
33087 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
33088 @end smallexample
33089
33090 @noindent
33091 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
33092 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
33093
33094 @node Configure Options
33095 @section @file{configure} Options
33096
33097 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
33098 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
33099 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
33100 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
33101
33102 @smallexample
33103 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
33104 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33105 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33106 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
33107 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
33108 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
33109 @var{host}
33110 @end smallexample
33111
33112 @noindent
33113 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
33114 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
33115 @samp{--}.
33116
33117 @table @code
33118 @item --help
33119 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
33120
33121 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
33122 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
33123 @file{@var{dir}}.
33124
33125 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
33126 Configure the source to install programs under directory
33127 @file{@var{dir}}.
33128
33129 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
33130 @need 2000
33131 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
33132 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
33133 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
33134 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
33135 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
33136 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
33137 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
33138 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
33139 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
33140 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
33141 @var{dirname}.
33142
33143 @item --norecursion
33144 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
33145 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
33146
33147 @item --target=@var{target}
33148 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
33149 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
33150 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
33151
33152 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
33153
33154 @item @var{host} @dots{}
33155 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
33156
33157 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
33158 @end table
33159
33160 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
33161 needed for special purposes only.
33162
33163 @node System-wide configuration
33164 @section System-wide configuration and settings
33165 @cindex system-wide init file
33166
33167 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
33168 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
33169 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
33170
33171 Here is the corresponding configure option:
33172
33173 @table @code
33174 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
33175 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
33176 @var{file}.
33177 @end table
33178
33179 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
33180 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
33181
33182 @itemize @bullet
33183 @item
33184 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
33185 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
33186 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
33187 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
33188 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
33189 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
33190
33191 @item
33192 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
33193 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
33194 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33195 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33196 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
33197 @end itemize
33198
33199 @node Maintenance Commands
33200 @appendix Maintenance Commands
33201 @cindex maintenance commands
33202 @cindex internal commands
33203
33204 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
33205 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
33206 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
33207 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
33208 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
33209
33210 @table @code
33211 @kindex maint agent
33212 @kindex maint agent-eval
33213 @item maint agent @var{expression}
33214 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
33215 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
33216 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
33217 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
33218 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
33219 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
33220 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
33221 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
33222 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
33223 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
33224 addition and return the sum.
33225
33226 @kindex maint info breakpoints
33227 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
33228 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
33229 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
33230 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
33231 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
33232 is shown:
33233
33234 @table @code
33235 @item breakpoint
33236 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
33237
33238 @item watchpoint
33239 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
33240
33241 @item longjmp
33242 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
33243 @code{longjmp} calls.
33244
33245 @item longjmp resume
33246 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
33247
33248 @item until
33249 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
33250
33251 @item finish
33252 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
33253
33254 @item shlib events
33255 Shared library events.
33256
33257 @end table
33258
33259 @kindex set displaced-stepping
33260 @kindex show displaced-stepping
33261 @cindex displaced stepping support
33262 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
33263 @item set displaced-stepping
33264 @itemx show displaced-stepping
33265 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
33266 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
33267 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
33268 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
33269 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
33270
33271 @table @code
33272 @item set displaced-stepping on
33273 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
33274 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
33275
33276 @item set displaced-stepping off
33277 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
33278 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
33279
33280 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
33281 @item set displaced-stepping auto
33282 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
33283 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
33284 architecture supports displaced stepping.
33285 @end table
33286
33287 @kindex maint check-symtabs
33288 @item maint check-symtabs
33289 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
33290
33291 @kindex maint cplus first_component
33292 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
33293 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
33294
33295 @kindex maint cplus namespace
33296 @item maint cplus namespace
33297 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
33298
33299 @kindex maint demangle
33300 @item maint demangle @var{name}
33301 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
33302
33303 @kindex maint deprecate
33304 @kindex maint undeprecate
33305 @cindex deprecated commands
33306 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
33307 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
33308 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
33309 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
33310 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
33311 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
33312 the replacement as part of the warning.
33313
33314 @kindex maint dump-me
33315 @item maint dump-me
33316 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
33317 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
33318 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
33319 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
33320
33321 @kindex maint internal-error
33322 @kindex maint internal-warning
33323 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33324 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33325 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
33326 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
33327 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
33328 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
33329 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
33330 @value{GDBN} session.
33331
33332 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
33333 used as the text of the error or warning message.
33334
33335 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
33336
33337 @smallexample
33338 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
33339 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
33340 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
33341 debugging may prove unreliable.
33342 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33343 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33344 (@value{GDBP})
33345 @end smallexample
33346
33347 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
33348 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
33349
33350 @kindex maint set internal-error
33351 @kindex maint show internal-error
33352 @kindex maint set internal-warning
33353 @kindex maint show internal-warning
33354 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33355 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
33356 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33357 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
33358 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
33359 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
33360 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
33361 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
33362 described in the table below.
33363
33364 @table @samp
33365 @item quit
33366 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33367 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
33368
33369 @item corefile
33370 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33371 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
33372 @end table
33373
33374 @kindex maint packet
33375 @item maint packet @var{text}
33376 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
33377 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
33378 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
33379 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
33380 checksum.
33381
33382 @kindex maint print architecture
33383 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33384 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
33385 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
33386
33387 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
33388 @item maint print c-tdesc
33389 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
33390 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
33391 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
33392
33393 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
33394 @item maint print dummy-frames
33395 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
33396
33397 @smallexample
33398 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
33399 @dots{}
33400 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
33401 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
33402 58 return (a + b);
33403 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
33404 @dots{}
33405 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
33406 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
33407 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
33408 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
33409 (@value{GDBP})
33410 @end smallexample
33411
33412 Takes an optional file parameter.
33413
33414 @kindex maint print registers
33415 @kindex maint print raw-registers
33416 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
33417 @kindex maint print register-groups
33418 @kindex maint print remote-registers
33419 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33420 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33421 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33422 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33423 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33424 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
33425
33426 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
33427 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
33428 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
33429 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
33430 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
33431 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
33432 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
33433 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
33434 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
33435
33436 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
33437 write the information.
33438
33439 @kindex maint print reggroups
33440 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33441 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
33442 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
33443 information.
33444
33445 The register groups info looks like this:
33446
33447 @smallexample
33448 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
33449 Group Type
33450 general user
33451 float user
33452 all user
33453 vector user
33454 system user
33455 save internal
33456 restore internal
33457 @end smallexample
33458
33459 @kindex flushregs
33460 @item flushregs
33461 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
33462
33463 @kindex maint print objfiles
33464 @cindex info for known object files
33465 @item maint print objfiles
33466 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
33467 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
33468 and symtabs.
33469
33470 @kindex maint print section-scripts
33471 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
33472 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
33473 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
33474 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
33475 matching @var{regexp}.
33476 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
33477 and the full path if known.
33478 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
33479
33480 @kindex maint print statistics
33481 @cindex bcache statistics
33482 @item maint print statistics
33483 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
33484 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
33485 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
33486 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
33487 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
33488 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
33489 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
33490 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
33491 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
33492 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
33493 lengths.
33494
33495 @kindex maint print target-stack
33496 @cindex target stack description
33497 @item maint print target-stack
33498 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
33499 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
33500 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
33501 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
33502 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
33503 address.
33504
33505 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
33506 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
33507
33508 @kindex maint print type
33509 @cindex type chain of a data type
33510 @item maint print type @var{expr}
33511 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
33512 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
33513 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
33514 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
33515 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
33516
33517 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33518 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33519 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33520 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33521 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
33522 information.
33523
33524 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
33525 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
33526 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
33527 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
33528 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
33529 always see the disassembly form.
33530
33531 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
33532
33533 @smallexample
33534 (gdb) info addr argc
33535 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
33536 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
33537 @end smallexample
33538
33539 For more information on these expressions, see
33540 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
33541
33542 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33543 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33544 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33545 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33546 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
33547
33548 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
33549 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
33550 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
33551 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
33552 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
33553 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
33554 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
33555 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
33556 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
33557
33558 @kindex maint set profile
33559 @kindex maint show profile
33560 @cindex profiling GDB
33561 @item maint set profile
33562 @itemx maint show profile
33563 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
33564
33565 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
33566 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
33567 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
33568 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
33569 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
33570 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
33571 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
33572
33573 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
33574 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
33575
33576 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
33577 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
33578 @cindex hardware debug registers
33579 @item maint set show-debug-regs
33580 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
33581 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
33582 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
33583 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
33584 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
33585 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
33586
33587 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
33588 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
33589 @item maint set show-all-tib
33590 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
33591 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
33592 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
33593 command.
33594
33595 @kindex maint space
33596 @cindex memory used by commands
33597 @item maint space
33598 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
33599 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
33600 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
33601 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
33602 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33603
33604 @kindex maint time
33605 @cindex time of command execution
33606 @item maint time
33607 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
33608 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
33609 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
33610 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
33611 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
33612 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
33613 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
33614 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
33615 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
33616 spent by the program been debugged.
33617 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
33618 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33619
33620 @kindex maint translate-address
33621 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
33622 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
33623 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
33624 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
33625 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
33626 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
33627 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
33628
33629 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
33630 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
33631 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
33632
33633 @end table
33634
33635 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
33636 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
33637
33638 @table @code
33639 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
33640 @kindex set watchdog
33641 @cindex watchdog timer
33642 @cindex timeout for commands
33643 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
33644 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
33645 reports and error and the command is aborted.
33646
33647 @item show watchdog
33648 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
33649 @end table
33650
33651 @node Remote Protocol
33652 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
33653
33654 @menu
33655 * Overview::
33656 * Packets::
33657 * Stop Reply Packets::
33658 * General Query Packets::
33659 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
33660 * Tracepoint Packets::
33661 * Host I/O Packets::
33662 * Interrupts::
33663 * Notification Packets::
33664 * Remote Non-Stop::
33665 * Packet Acknowledgment::
33666 * Examples::
33667 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
33668 * Library List Format::
33669 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
33670 * Memory Map Format::
33671 * Thread List Format::
33672 * Traceframe Info Format::
33673 @end menu
33674
33675 @node Overview
33676 @section Overview
33677
33678 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
33679 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
33680 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
33681 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
33682
33683 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
33684 transmitted and received data, respectively.
33685
33686 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
33687 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
33688 @cindex remote serial protocol
33689 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
33690 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
33691 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
33692 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
33693 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
33694
33695 @smallexample
33696 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33697 @end smallexample
33698 @noindent
33699
33700 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
33701 @noindent
33702 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
33703 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
33704 eight bit unsigned checksum).
33705
33706 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
33707 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
33708
33709 @smallexample
33710 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33711 @end smallexample
33712
33713 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
33714 @noindent
33715 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
33716 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
33717 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
33718
33719 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
33720 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
33721 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
33722 retransmission):
33723
33724 @smallexample
33725 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33726 <- @code{+}
33727 @end smallexample
33728 @noindent
33729
33730 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
33731 once a connection is established.
33732 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
33733
33734 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
33735 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
33736 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
33737 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
33738 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
33739 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
33740 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
33741
33742 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
33743 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
33744 exceptions).
33745
33746 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
33747 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
33748 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
33749 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
33750
33751 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
33752 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
33753 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
33754
33755 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
33756 @anchor{Binary Data}
33757 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
33758 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
33759 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
33760 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
33761 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
33762 binary data.
33763
33764 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
33765 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
33766 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
33767 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
33768 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
33769 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
33770 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
33771 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
33772 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
33773 (described next).
33774
33775 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
33776 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
33777 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
33778 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
33779 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
33780 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
33781 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
33782 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
33783 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
33784 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
33785 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
33786 3}} more times.
33787
33788 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
33789 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
33790 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
33791 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
33792 @samp{0*"00}.
33793
33794 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
33795 error number. That number is not well defined.
33796
33797 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
33798 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
33799 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
33800 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
33801 on that response.
33802
33803 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
33804 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
33805 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
33806 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
33807 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
33808 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
33809
33810 @node Packets
33811 @section Packets
33812
33813 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
33814 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
33815 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
33816 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
33817
33818 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
33819 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
33820 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
33821 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
33822 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
33823 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
33824 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
33825 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
33826 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
33827 @var{baz}.
33828
33829 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
33830 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
33831 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
33832 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
33833 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
33834 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
33835 pick any thread.
33836
33837 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
33838 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
33839 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
33840 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
33841 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
33842 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
33843 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
33844 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
33845 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
33846 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
33847 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
33848 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
33849 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
33850
33851 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
33852 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
33853 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
33854 more information.
33855
33856 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
33857 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
33858
33859 Here are the packet descriptions.
33860
33861 @table @samp
33862
33863 @item !
33864 @cindex @samp{!} packet
33865 @anchor{extended mode}
33866 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
33867 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
33868 debugged.
33869
33870 Reply:
33871 @table @samp
33872 @item OK
33873 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
33874 @end table
33875
33876 @item ?
33877 @cindex @samp{?} packet
33878 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
33879 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
33880 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
33881
33882 Reply:
33883 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33884
33885 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
33886 @cindex @samp{A} packet
33887 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
33888 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
33889 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
33890
33891 Reply:
33892 @table @samp
33893 @item OK
33894 The arguments were set.
33895 @item E @var{NN}
33896 An error occurred.
33897 @end table
33898
33899 @item b @var{baud}
33900 @cindex @samp{b} packet
33901 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
33902 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
33903
33904 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
33905 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
33906 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
33907
33908 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
33909 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
33910 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
33911 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
33912 of view, nothing actually happened.}
33913
33914 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
33915 @cindex @samp{B} packet
33916 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
33917 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
33918
33919 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
33920 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
33921
33922 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
33923 @anchor{bc}
33924 @item bc
33925 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
33926 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33927
33928 Reply:
33929 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33930
33931 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
33932 @anchor{bs}
33933 @item bs
33934 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
33935 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33936
33937 Reply:
33938 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33939
33940 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
33941 @cindex @samp{c} packet
33942 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
33943 resume at current address.
33944
33945 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33946 packet}.
33947
33948 Reply:
33949 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33950
33951 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
33952 @cindex @samp{C} packet
33953 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
33954 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
33955
33956 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33957 packet}.
33958
33959 Reply:
33960 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33961
33962 @item d
33963 @cindex @samp{d} packet
33964 Toggle debug flag.
33965
33966 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
33967 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
33968
33969 @item D
33970 @itemx D;@var{pid}
33971 @cindex @samp{D} packet
33972 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
33973 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
33974 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
33975
33976 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
33977 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
33978 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
33979 big-endian hex string.
33980
33981 Reply:
33982 @table @samp
33983 @item OK
33984 for success
33985 @item E @var{NN}
33986 for an error
33987 @end table
33988
33989 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
33990 @cindex @samp{F} packet
33991 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
33992 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
33993 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
33994
33995 @item g
33996 @anchor{read registers packet}
33997 @cindex @samp{g} packet
33998 Read general registers.
33999
34000 Reply:
34001 @table @samp
34002 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34003 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
34004 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
34005 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
34006 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
34007 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
34008 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
34009
34010 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
34011 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
34012 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
34013 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
34014 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
34015 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
34016 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
34017 have been collected, and both have zero value:
34018
34019 @smallexample
34020 -> @code{g}
34021 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
34022 @end smallexample
34023
34024 @item E @var{NN}
34025 for an error.
34026 @end table
34027
34028 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
34029 @cindex @samp{G} packet
34030 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
34031 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
34032
34033 Reply:
34034 @table @samp
34035 @item OK
34036 for success
34037 @item E @var{NN}
34038 for an error
34039 @end table
34040
34041 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
34042 @cindex @samp{H} packet
34043 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
34044 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
34045 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
34046 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
34047 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
34048 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
34049 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34050
34051 Reply:
34052 @table @samp
34053 @item OK
34054 for success
34055 @item E @var{NN}
34056 for an error
34057 @end table
34058
34059 @c FIXME: JTC:
34060 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
34061 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
34062 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
34063 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
34064 @c described. For example:
34065 @c
34066 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34067 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
34068 @c otherwise returns current registers.
34069 @c
34070 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34071 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
34072 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
34073
34074 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
34075 @anchor{cycle step packet}
34076 @cindex @samp{i} packet
34077 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
34078 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
34079 step starting at that address.
34080
34081 @item I
34082 @cindex @samp{I} packet
34083 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
34084 step packet}.
34085
34086 @item k
34087 @cindex @samp{k} packet
34088 Kill request.
34089
34090 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
34091 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
34092 thread?)}.
34093
34094 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
34095 @cindex @samp{m} packet
34096 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34097 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
34098
34099 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
34100 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
34101 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
34102 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
34103 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
34104 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
34105 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
34106 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
34107
34108 Reply:
34109 @table @samp
34110 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34111 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
34112 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
34113 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
34114 @item E @var{NN}
34115 @var{NN} is errno
34116 @end table
34117
34118 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34119 @cindex @samp{M} packet
34120 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34121 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
34122 hexadecimal number.
34123
34124 Reply:
34125 @table @samp
34126 @item OK
34127 for success
34128 @item E @var{NN}
34129 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
34130 written).
34131 @end table
34132
34133 @item p @var{n}
34134 @cindex @samp{p} packet
34135 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
34136 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
34137 register value is encoded.
34138
34139 Reply:
34140 @table @samp
34141 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
34142 the register's value
34143 @item E @var{NN}
34144 for an error
34145 @item
34146 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
34147 @end table
34148
34149 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
34150 @anchor{write register packet}
34151 @cindex @samp{P} packet
34152 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
34153 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
34154 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
34155
34156 Reply:
34157 @table @samp
34158 @item OK
34159 for success
34160 @item E @var{NN}
34161 for an error
34162 @end table
34163
34164 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34165 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34166 @cindex @samp{q} packet
34167 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
34168 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
34169 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
34170
34171 @item r
34172 @cindex @samp{r} packet
34173 Reset the entire system.
34174
34175 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
34176
34177 @item R @var{XX}
34178 @cindex @samp{R} packet
34179 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
34180 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34181
34182 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
34183
34184 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34185 @cindex @samp{s} packet
34186 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
34187 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
34188
34189 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34190 packet}.
34191
34192 Reply:
34193 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34194
34195 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34196 @anchor{step with signal packet}
34197 @cindex @samp{S} packet
34198 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
34199 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
34200
34201 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34202 packet}.
34203
34204 Reply:
34205 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34206
34207 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
34208 @cindex @samp{t} packet
34209 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
34210 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
34211 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
34212
34213 @item T @var{thread-id}
34214 @cindex @samp{T} packet
34215 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34216
34217 Reply:
34218 @table @samp
34219 @item OK
34220 thread is still alive
34221 @item E @var{NN}
34222 thread is dead
34223 @end table
34224
34225 @item v
34226 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
34227 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
34228
34229 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
34230 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
34231 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
34232 The process ID is a
34233 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
34234 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
34235 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
34236
34237 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
34238 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
34239 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
34240 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
34241 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
34242 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
34243 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
34244 @c stopping or restarting threads.
34245
34246 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34247
34248 Reply:
34249 @table @samp
34250 @item E @var{nn}
34251 for an error
34252 @item @r{Any stop packet}
34253 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34254 @item OK
34255 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
34256 @end table
34257
34258 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
34259 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
34260 @anchor{vCont packet}
34261 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
34262 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
34263 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
34264 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
34265 in their current state in non-stop mode.
34266 Specifying multiple
34267 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
34268 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34269
34270 Currently supported actions are:
34271
34272 @table @samp
34273 @item c
34274 Continue.
34275 @item C @var{sig}
34276 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34277 @item s
34278 Step.
34279 @item S @var{sig}
34280 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34281 @item t
34282 Stop.
34283 @end table
34284
34285 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
34286 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
34287 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
34288
34289 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
34290 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
34291 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
34292 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
34293 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
34294 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
34295 as an implementation detail.
34296
34297 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
34298 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
34299 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
34300 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
34301 @var{thread-id}.
34302
34303 Reply:
34304 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34305
34306 @item vCont?
34307 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
34308 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
34309
34310 Reply:
34311 @table @samp
34312 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
34313 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
34314 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
34315 @item
34316 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
34317 @end table
34318
34319 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
34320 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
34321 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
34322 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
34323
34324 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
34325 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
34326 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
34327 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
34328 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
34329 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
34330 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
34331 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
34332 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34333 packet is received.
34334
34335 Reply:
34336 @table @samp
34337 @item OK
34338 for success
34339 @item E @var{NN}
34340 for an error
34341 @end table
34342
34343 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34344 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
34345 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
34346 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
34347 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
34348 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
34349 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
34350 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
34351 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
34352 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
34353 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
34354 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
34355
34356
34357 Reply:
34358 @table @samp
34359 @item OK
34360 for success
34361 @item E.memtype
34362 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
34363 @item E @var{NN}
34364 for an error
34365 @end table
34366
34367 @item vFlashDone
34368 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
34369 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
34370 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
34371 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
34372 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
34373 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34374 request is completed.
34375
34376 @item vKill;@var{pid}
34377 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
34378 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
34379 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
34380 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
34381 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
34382
34383 Reply:
34384 @table @samp
34385 @item E @var{nn}
34386 for an error
34387 @item OK
34388 for success
34389 @end table
34390
34391 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
34392 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
34393 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
34394 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
34395 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
34396 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
34397 state.
34398
34399 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
34400
34401 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34402
34403 Reply:
34404 @table @samp
34405 @item E @var{nn}
34406 for an error
34407 @item @r{Any stop packet}
34408 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34409 @end table
34410
34411 @item vStopped
34412 @anchor{vStopped packet}
34413 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
34414
34415 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
34416 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
34417
34418 Reply:
34419 @table @samp
34420 @item @r{Any stop packet}
34421 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34422 @item OK
34423 if there are no unreported stop events
34424 @end table
34425
34426 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34427 @anchor{X packet}
34428 @cindex @samp{X} packet
34429 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
34430 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
34431 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34432
34433 Reply:
34434 @table @samp
34435 @item OK
34436 for success
34437 @item E @var{NN}
34438 for an error
34439 @end table
34440
34441 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34442 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34443 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
34444 @cindex @samp{z} packet
34445 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
34446 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
34447 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
34448
34449 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
34450 separately.
34451
34452 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
34453 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
34454 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
34455 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
34456 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
34457 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
34458
34459 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34460 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34461 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
34462 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
34463 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
34464 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
34465
34466 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
34467 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
34468 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
34469 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
34470 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
34471 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
34472 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
34473 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
34474 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
34475 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
34476
34477 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
34478 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
34479
34480 @table @samp
34481
34482 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34483 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
34484 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
34485
34486 @end table
34487
34488 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
34489
34490 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
34491 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
34492 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
34493 target, is not defined.}
34494
34495 Reply:
34496 @table @samp
34497 @item OK
34498 success
34499 @item
34500 not supported
34501 @item E @var{NN}
34502 for an error
34503 @end table
34504
34505 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34506 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34507 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
34508 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
34509 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
34510 address @var{addr}.
34511
34512 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
34513 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
34514 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
34515
34516 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
34517 movement.}
34518
34519 Reply:
34520 @table @samp
34521 @item OK
34522 success
34523 @item
34524 not supported
34525 @item E @var{NN}
34526 for an error
34527 @end table
34528
34529 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34530 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34531 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
34532 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
34533 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34534 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
34535
34536 Reply:
34537 @table @samp
34538 @item OK
34539 success
34540 @item
34541 not supported
34542 @item E @var{NN}
34543 for an error
34544 @end table
34545
34546 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34547 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34548 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
34549 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
34550 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34551 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
34552
34553 Reply:
34554 @table @samp
34555 @item OK
34556 success
34557 @item
34558 not supported
34559 @item E @var{NN}
34560 for an error
34561 @end table
34562
34563 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34564 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34565 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
34566 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
34567 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34568 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
34569
34570 Reply:
34571 @table @samp
34572 @item OK
34573 success
34574 @item
34575 not supported
34576 @item E @var{NN}
34577 for an error
34578 @end table
34579
34580 @end table
34581
34582 @node Stop Reply Packets
34583 @section Stop Reply Packets
34584 @cindex stop reply packets
34585
34586 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
34587 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
34588 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
34589 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
34590 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
34591 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
34592 @value{GDBN} source code.
34593
34594 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
34595 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
34596 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
34597 components.
34598
34599 @table @samp
34600
34601 @item S @var{AA}
34602 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
34603 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
34604 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
34605
34606 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
34607 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
34608 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
34609 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
34610 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
34611 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
34612 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
34613 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
34614
34615 @itemize @bullet
34616 @item
34617 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
34618 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
34619 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
34620 two-digit hex number.
34621
34622 @item
34623 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
34624 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34625
34626 @item
34627 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
34628 the core on which the stop event was detected.
34629
34630 @item
34631 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
34632 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
34633 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
34634 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
34635
34636 @item
34637 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
34638 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
34639 future.
34640 @end itemize
34641
34642 The currently defined stop reasons are:
34643
34644 @table @samp
34645 @item watch
34646 @itemx rwatch
34647 @itemx awatch
34648 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
34649 hex.
34650
34651 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
34652 @item library
34653 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
34654 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
34655 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
34656
34657 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
34658 @item replaylog
34659 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
34660 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
34661 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
34662 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
34663 for more information.
34664 @end table
34665
34666 @item W @var{AA}
34667 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
34668 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
34669 applicable to certain targets.
34670
34671 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
34672 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
34673 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
34674 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
34675
34676 @item X @var{AA}
34677 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
34678 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
34679
34680 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
34681 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
34682 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
34683 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
34684
34685 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
34686 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
34687 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
34688 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
34689 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
34690
34691 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
34692 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
34693 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
34694 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
34695 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
34696 system calls.
34697
34698 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
34699 this very system call.
34700
34701 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
34702 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
34703 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
34704 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34705 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
34706 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
34707
34708 @end table
34709
34710 @node General Query Packets
34711 @section General Query Packets
34712 @cindex remote query requests
34713
34714 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
34715 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
34716 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
34717 sending information to and from the stub.
34718
34719 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
34720 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
34721 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
34722 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
34723 conventions:
34724
34725 @itemize @bullet
34726 @item
34727 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
34728 @item
34729 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
34730 letter.
34731 @item
34732 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
34733 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
34734 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
34735 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
34736 @end itemize
34737
34738 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
34739 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
34740 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
34741 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
34742 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
34743 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
34744 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
34745 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
34746 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
34747 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
34748 packet.}.
34749
34750 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
34751 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
34752 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
34753 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
34754 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
34755
34756 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
34757
34758 @table @samp
34759
34760 @item QAgent:1
34761 @item QAgent:0
34762 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
34763 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
34764
34765 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
34766 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
34767 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
34768 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
34769 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
34770 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
34771 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
34772 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
34773 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
34774 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
34775 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
34776
34777 @item qC
34778 @cindex current thread, remote request
34779 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
34780 Return the current thread ID.
34781
34782 Reply:
34783 @table @samp
34784 @item QC @var{thread-id}
34785 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
34786 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34787 @item @r{(anything else)}
34788 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
34789 @end table
34790
34791 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
34792 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
34793 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
34794 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
34795 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
34796 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
34797 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
34798
34799 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
34800 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
34801 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
34802 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
34803 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
34804 detect trailing zeros.
34805
34806 Reply:
34807 @table @samp
34808 @item E @var{NN}
34809 An error (such as memory fault)
34810 @item C @var{crc32}
34811 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
34812 @end table
34813
34814 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
34815 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
34816 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
34817 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
34818 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
34819 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
34820 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
34821 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
34822 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
34823 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
34824 randomization.
34825
34826 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34827
34828 Reply:
34829 @table @samp
34830 @item OK
34831 The request succeeded.
34832
34833 @item E @var{nn}
34834 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34835
34836 @item
34837 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
34838 by the stub.
34839 @end table
34840
34841 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34842 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34843 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
34844 address space randomization.
34845
34846 @item qfThreadInfo
34847 @itemx qsThreadInfo
34848 @cindex list active threads, remote request
34849 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
34850 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
34851 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
34852 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
34853 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
34854 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
34855 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
34856 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
34857
34858 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
34859
34860 Reply:
34861 @table @samp
34862 @item m @var{thread-id}
34863 A single thread ID
34864 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
34865 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
34866 @item l
34867 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34868 @end table
34869
34870 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34871 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
34872 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
34873 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
34874 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
34875 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
34876 fields.
34877
34878 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
34879 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
34880 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
34881 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
34882 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
34883
34884 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
34885 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34886
34887 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
34888 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
34889 information associated with the variable.)
34890
34891 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
34892 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
34893 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
34894 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
34895 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
34896 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
34897
34898 Reply:
34899 @table @samp
34900 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34901 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
34902 local storage requested.
34903
34904 @item E @var{nn}
34905 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34906
34907 @item
34908 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
34909 @end table
34910
34911 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
34912 @cindex get thread information block address
34913 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
34914 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
34915
34916 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
34917
34918 Reply:
34919 @table @samp
34920 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34921 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
34922 thread information block.
34923
34924 @item E @var{nn}
34925 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
34926 address could not be retrieved.
34927
34928 @item
34929 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
34930 @end table
34931
34932 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
34933 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
34934 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
34935 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
34936 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
34937 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
34938 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
34939
34940 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
34941
34942 Reply:
34943 @table @samp
34944 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
34945 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
34946 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
34947 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
34948 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
34949 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
34950 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
34951 @end table
34952
34953 @item qOffsets
34954 @cindex section offsets, remote request
34955 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
34956 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
34957 image.
34958
34959 Reply:
34960 @table @samp
34961 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
34962 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
34963 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
34964 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
34965 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
34966 segments by the supplied offsets.
34967
34968 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
34969 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
34970 to the @code{Bss} section.}
34971
34972 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
34973 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
34974 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
34975 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
34976 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
34977 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
34978 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
34979 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
34980 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
34981 @end table
34982
34983 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
34984 @cindex thread information, remote request
34985 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
34986 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
34987 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
34988 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
34989
34990 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
34991 (see below).
34992
34993 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
34994
34995 @item QNonStop:1
34996 @item QNonStop:0
34997 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
34998 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
34999 @anchor{QNonStop}
35000 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
35001 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
35002
35003 Reply:
35004 @table @samp
35005 @item OK
35006 The request succeeded.
35007
35008 @item E @var{nn}
35009 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
35010
35011 @item
35012 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
35013 the stub.
35014 @end table
35015
35016 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35017 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35018 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
35019 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
35020
35021 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35022 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
35023 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35024 @anchor{QPassSignals}
35025 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
35026 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35027 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35028 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
35029 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
35030 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
35031 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
35032 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
35033 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
35034
35035 Reply:
35036 @table @samp
35037 @item OK
35038 The request succeeded.
35039
35040 @item E @var{nn}
35041 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
35042
35043 @item
35044 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
35045 the stub.
35046 @end table
35047
35048 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
35049 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
35050 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35051 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35052
35053 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35054 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
35055 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
35056 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
35057 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
35058 Others should be silently discarded.
35059
35060 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
35061 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
35062 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
35063 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
35064 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
35065 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
35066 signals.
35067
35068 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
35069 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
35070
35071 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35072 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35073 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
35074 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
35075 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
35076
35077 Reply:
35078 @table @samp
35079 @item OK
35080 The request succeeded.
35081
35082 @item E @var{nn}
35083 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
35084
35085 @item
35086 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
35087 by the stub.
35088 @end table
35089
35090 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
35091 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
35092 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35093 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35094
35095 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
35096 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
35097 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
35098 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
35099 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
35100 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
35101 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
35102 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
35103 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
35104
35105 Reply:
35106 @table @samp
35107 @item OK
35108 A command response with no output.
35109 @item @var{OUTPUT}
35110 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
35111 @item E @var{NN}
35112 Indicate a badly formed request.
35113 @item
35114 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
35115 @end table
35116
35117 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
35118 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
35119 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
35120 packets.)
35121
35122 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
35123 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
35124 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
35125 @anchor{qSearch memory}
35126 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
35127 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
35128 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
35129
35130 Reply:
35131 @table @samp
35132 @item 0
35133 The pattern was not found.
35134 @item 1,address
35135 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
35136 @item E @var{NN}
35137 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
35138 @item
35139 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
35140 @end table
35141
35142 @item QStartNoAckMode
35143 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
35144 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
35145 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
35146 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
35147
35148 Reply:
35149 @table @samp
35150 @item OK
35151 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
35152 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
35153 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
35154 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
35155 @item
35156 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
35157 @end table
35158
35159 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
35160 @cindex supported packets, remote query
35161 @cindex features of the remote protocol
35162 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
35163 @anchor{qSupported}
35164 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
35165 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
35166 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
35167 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
35168 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
35169 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
35170 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
35171 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
35172 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
35173 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
35174 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
35175 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
35176 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
35177 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
35178
35179 Reply:
35180 @table @samp
35181 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
35182 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
35183 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
35184 possible forms).
35185 @item
35186 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
35187 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
35188 @end table
35189
35190 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
35191 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
35192 are:
35193
35194 @table @samp
35195 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
35196 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
35197 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
35198 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
35199 @item @var{name}+
35200 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
35201 need an associated value.
35202 @item @var{name}-
35203 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
35204 @item @var{name}?
35205 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
35206 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
35207 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
35208 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
35209 @end table
35210
35211 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
35212 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
35213 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
35214 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
35215 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
35216
35217 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
35218 are defined:
35219
35220 @table @samp
35221 @item multiprocess
35222 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
35223 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
35224 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
35225 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
35226 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
35227
35228 @item xmlRegisters
35229 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
35230 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
35231 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
35232 description.
35233
35234 @item qRelocInsn
35235 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
35236 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
35237 instruction reply packet}).
35238 @end table
35239
35240 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
35241 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
35242 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
35243 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
35244 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
35245 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
35246 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
35247 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
35248 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
35249 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
35250 all the features it supports.
35251
35252 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
35253 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
35254
35255 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
35256 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
35257 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
35258 form response.
35259
35260 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
35261 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
35262 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
35263 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
35264
35265 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
35266 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
35267 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
35268 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
35269 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
35270
35271 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
35272
35273 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
35274 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
35275 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
35276 @item Feature Name
35277 @tab Value Required
35278 @tab Default
35279 @tab Probe Allowed
35280
35281 @item @samp{PacketSize}
35282 @tab Yes
35283 @tab @samp{-}
35284 @tab No
35285
35286 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
35287 @tab No
35288 @tab @samp{-}
35289 @tab Yes
35290
35291 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
35292 @tab No
35293 @tab @samp{-}
35294 @tab Yes
35295
35296 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35297 @tab No
35298 @tab @samp{-}
35299 @tab Yes
35300
35301 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35302 @tab No
35303 @tab @samp{-}
35304 @tab Yes
35305
35306 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
35307 @tab No
35308 @tab @samp{-}
35309 @tab Yes
35310
35311 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
35312 @tab No
35313 @tab @samp{-}
35314 @tab Yes
35315
35316 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
35317 @tab No
35318 @tab @samp{-}
35319 @tab Yes
35320
35321 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
35322 @tab No
35323 @tab @samp{-}
35324 @tab Yes
35325
35326 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
35327 @tab No
35328 @tab @samp{-}
35329 @tab Yes
35330
35331 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
35332 @tab No
35333 @tab @samp{-}
35334 @tab Yes
35335
35336 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35337 @tab No
35338 @tab @samp{-}
35339 @tab Yes
35340
35341 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35342 @tab No
35343 @tab @samp{-}
35344 @tab Yes
35345
35346 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35347 @tab No
35348 @tab @samp{-}
35349 @tab Yes
35350
35351 @item @samp{QNonStop}
35352 @tab No
35353 @tab @samp{-}
35354 @tab Yes
35355
35356 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
35357 @tab No
35358 @tab @samp{-}
35359 @tab Yes
35360
35361 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
35362 @tab No
35363 @tab @samp{-}
35364 @tab Yes
35365
35366 @item @samp{multiprocess}
35367 @tab No
35368 @tab @samp{-}
35369 @tab No
35370
35371 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
35372 @tab No
35373 @tab @samp{-}
35374 @tab No
35375
35376 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
35377 @tab No
35378 @tab @samp{-}
35379 @tab No
35380
35381 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
35382 @tab No
35383 @tab @samp{-}
35384 @tab No
35385
35386 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
35387 @tab No
35388 @tab @samp{-}
35389 @tab No
35390
35391 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
35392 @tab No
35393 @tab @samp{-}
35394 @tab No
35395
35396 @item @samp{QAgent}
35397 @tab No
35398 @tab @samp{-}
35399 @tab No
35400
35401 @item @samp{QAllow}
35402 @tab No
35403 @tab @samp{-}
35404 @tab No
35405
35406 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
35407 @tab No
35408 @tab @samp{-}
35409 @tab No
35410
35411 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
35412 @tab No
35413 @tab @samp{-}
35414 @tab No
35415
35416 @item @samp{tracenz}
35417 @tab No
35418 @tab @samp{-}
35419 @tab No
35420
35421 @end multitable
35422
35423 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
35424
35425 @table @samp
35426 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
35427 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
35428 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
35429 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
35430 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
35431 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
35432 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
35433 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
35434 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
35435 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
35436
35437 @item qXfer:auxv:read
35438 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
35439 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
35440
35441 @item qXfer:features:read
35442 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
35443 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
35444
35445 @item qXfer:libraries:read
35446 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
35447 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
35448
35449 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
35450 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
35451 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
35452
35453 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
35454 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
35455 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
35456
35457 @item qXfer:sdata:read
35458 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
35459 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
35460
35461 @item qXfer:spu:read
35462 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
35463 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
35464
35465 @item qXfer:spu:write
35466 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
35467 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
35468
35469 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
35470 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
35471 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
35472
35473 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
35474 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
35475 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
35476
35477 @item qXfer:threads:read
35478 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35479 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
35480
35481 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
35482 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35483 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
35484
35485 @item qXfer:uib:read
35486 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35487 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
35488
35489 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
35490 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35491 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
35492
35493 @item QNonStop
35494 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
35495 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
35496
35497 @item QPassSignals
35498 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35499 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
35500
35501 @item QStartNoAckMode
35502 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
35503 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
35504
35505 @item multiprocess
35506 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
35507 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
35508 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
35509 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
35510 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
35511 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
35512 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
35513 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
35514 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
35515 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
35516 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
35517
35518 @item qXfer:osdata:read
35519 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
35520 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
35521
35522 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
35523 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
35524 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
35525 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
35526
35527 @item ConditionalTracepoints
35528 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
35529 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
35530
35531 @item ReverseContinue
35532 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
35533 (@pxref{bc}).
35534
35535 @item ReverseStep
35536 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
35537 (@pxref{bs}).
35538
35539 @item TracepointSource
35540 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
35541 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
35542
35543 @item QAgent
35544 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
35545
35546 @item QAllow
35547 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
35548
35549 @item QDisableRandomization
35550 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
35551
35552 @item StaticTracepoint
35553 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
35554 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
35555
35556 @item InstallInTrace
35557 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
35558 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
35559
35560 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
35561 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
35562 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
35563 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
35564
35565 @item tracenz
35566 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
35567 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
35568 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
35569
35570 @end table
35571
35572 @item qSymbol::
35573 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
35574 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
35575 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
35576 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
35577
35578 Reply:
35579 @table @samp
35580 @item OK
35581 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
35582 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
35583 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
35584 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
35585 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
35586 below.
35587 @end table
35588
35589 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
35590 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
35591
35592 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
35593 target has previously requested.
35594
35595 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
35596 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
35597 will be empty.
35598
35599 Reply:
35600 @table @samp
35601 @item OK
35602 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
35603 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
35604 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
35605 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
35606 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
35607 @end table
35608
35609 @item qTBuffer
35610 @item QTBuffer
35611 @item QTDisconnected
35612 @itemx QTDP
35613 @itemx QTDPsrc
35614 @itemx QTDV
35615 @itemx qTfP
35616 @itemx qTfV
35617 @itemx QTFrame
35618 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
35619
35620 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
35621
35622 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
35623 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
35624 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
35625 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
35626 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
35627 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
35628 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
35629 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
35630 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
35631 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
35632 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
35633
35634 Reply:
35635 @table @samp
35636 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
35637 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
35638 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
35639 the thread's attributes.
35640 @end table
35641
35642 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
35643 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
35644 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
35645 packets.)
35646
35647 @item QTNotes
35648 @item qTP
35649 @item QTSave
35650 @item qTsP
35651 @item qTsV
35652 @itemx QTStart
35653 @itemx QTStop
35654 @itemx QTEnable
35655 @itemx QTDisable
35656 @itemx QTinit
35657 @itemx QTro
35658 @itemx qTStatus
35659 @itemx qTV
35660 @itemx qTfSTM
35661 @itemx qTsSTM
35662 @itemx qTSTMat
35663 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
35664
35665 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35666 @cindex read special object, remote request
35667 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
35668 @anchor{qXfer read}
35669 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
35670 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
35671 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
35672 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
35673 additional details about what data to access.
35674
35675 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
35676 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
35677 formats, listed below.
35678
35679 @table @samp
35680 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35681 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
35682 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
35683 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
35684
35685 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35686 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35687
35688 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35689 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
35690 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
35691 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
35692 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
35693
35694 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35695 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35696
35697 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35698 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
35699 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
35700 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
35701 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35702
35703 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
35704 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
35705 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
35706
35707 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35708 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35709
35710 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35711 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
35712 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
35713 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
35714 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35715
35716 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
35717 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
35718
35719 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35720 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35721
35722 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35723 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
35724 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
35725 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
35726 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35727
35728 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35729 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35730
35731 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35732 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
35733
35734 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
35735 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
35736 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
35737 Action Lists}.
35738
35739 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35740 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
35741 (@pxref{qSupported}).
35742
35743 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35744 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
35745 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
35746 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
35747 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35748
35749 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35750 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
35751 (@pxref{qSupported}).
35752
35753 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35754 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
35755 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
35756 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
35757 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
35758 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
35759 in that context to be accessed.
35760
35761 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35762 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
35763 (@pxref{qSupported}).
35764
35765 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35766 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
35767 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
35768 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
35769 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35770
35771 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35772 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35773
35774 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35775 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
35776
35777 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
35778 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
35779 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
35780
35781 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35782 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35783
35784 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35785 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
35786
35787 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
35788 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
35789
35790 This packet is not probed by default.
35791
35792 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35793 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
35794 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
35795 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
35796 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
35797
35798 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35799 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35800
35801 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35802 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
35803 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
35804 @xref{Operating System Information}.
35805
35806 @end table
35807
35808 Reply:
35809 @table @samp
35810 @item m @var{data}
35811 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
35812 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
35813 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
35814 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
35815 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
35816 request.
35817
35818 @item l @var{data}
35819 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
35820 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
35821 than the @var{length} in the request.
35822
35823 @item l
35824 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
35825 There is no more data to be read.
35826
35827 @item E00
35828 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
35829
35830 @item E @var{nn}
35831 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
35832 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
35833
35834 @item
35835 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
35836 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
35837 @end table
35838
35839 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
35840 @cindex write data into object, remote request
35841 @anchor{qXfer write}
35842 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
35843 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
35844 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
35845 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
35846 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
35847 to access.
35848
35849 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
35850 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
35851 formats, listed below.
35852
35853 @table @samp
35854 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
35855 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
35856 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
35857 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
35858 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
35859
35860 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35861 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
35862 (@pxref{qSupported}).
35863
35864 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
35865 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
35866 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
35867 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
35868 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
35869 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
35870 in that context to be accessed.
35871
35872 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35873 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35874 @end table
35875
35876 Reply:
35877 @table @samp
35878 @item @var{nn}
35879 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
35880 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
35881
35882 @item E00
35883 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
35884
35885 @item E @var{nn}
35886 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
35887 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
35888
35889 @item
35890 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
35891 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
35892 @end table
35893
35894 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
35895 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
35896 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
35897 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
35898 must respond with an empty packet.
35899
35900 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
35901 @cindex query attached, remote request
35902 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
35903 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
35904 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
35905 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
35906 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
35907 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
35908 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
35909
35910 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
35911 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
35912 the @code{quit} command.
35913
35914 Reply:
35915 @table @samp
35916 @item 1
35917 The remote server attached to an existing process.
35918 @item 0
35919 The remote server created a new process.
35920 @item E @var{NN}
35921 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
35922 @end table
35923
35924 @end table
35925
35926 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
35927 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
35928
35929 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
35930 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
35931 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
35932
35933 @subsection ARM
35934
35935 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
35936
35937 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
35938
35939 @table @r
35940
35941 @item 2
35942 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
35943
35944 @item 3
35945 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
35946
35947 @item 4
35948 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
35949
35950 @end table
35951
35952 @subsection MIPS
35953
35954 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
35955
35956 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
35957 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
35958 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
35959 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
35960 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
35961 most-significant - least-significant.
35962
35963 @table @r
35964
35965 @item MIPS32
35966
35967 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
35968 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
35969 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
35970
35971 @item MIPS64
35972
35973 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
35974 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
35975 as @code{MIPS32}.
35976
35977 @end table
35978
35979 @node Tracepoint Packets
35980 @section Tracepoint Packets
35981 @cindex tracepoint packets
35982 @cindex packets, tracepoint
35983
35984 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
35985 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35986
35987 @table @samp
35988
35989 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
35990 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
35991 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
35992 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
35993 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
35994 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
35995 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
35996 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
35997 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
35998 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
35999 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
36000 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
36001 actions.
36002
36003 Replies:
36004 @table @samp
36005 @item OK
36006 The packet was understood and carried out.
36007 @item qRelocInsn
36008 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36009 @item
36010 The packet was not recognized.
36011 @end table
36012
36013 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
36014 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
36015 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
36016 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
36017 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
36018 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
36019 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
36020
36021 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
36022 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
36023 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
36024 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
36025 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
36026 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
36027 tracepoint actions.
36028
36029 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
36030 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
36031 following forms:
36032
36033 @table @samp
36034
36035 @item R @var{mask}
36036 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
36037 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
36038 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
36039 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
36040 not fit in a 32-bit word.
36041
36042 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
36043 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
36044 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
36045 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
36046 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
36047 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
36048 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
36049
36050 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36051 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
36052 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
36053 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
36054 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
36055 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
36056 packet).
36057
36058 @end table
36059
36060 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
36061 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
36062 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
36063 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
36064 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
36065 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
36066 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
36067 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
36068
36069 Replies:
36070 @table @samp
36071 @item OK
36072 The packet was understood and carried out.
36073 @item qRelocInsn
36074 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36075 @item
36076 The packet was not recognized.
36077 @end table
36078
36079 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
36080 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
36081 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
36082 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
36083 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
36084 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
36085 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
36086 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
36087
36088 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
36089 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
36090 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
36091 fit in a single packet.
36092 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
36093 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
36094
36095 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
36096 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
36097 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
36098 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
36099
36100 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
36101 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
36102 query packets.
36103
36104 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
36105 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
36106 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
36107 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
36108 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
36109 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
36110 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
36111 be found.
36112
36113 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
36114 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
36115 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
36116 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
36117 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
36118 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
36119 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
36120 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
36121 mentioned in expressions.
36122
36123 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
36124 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
36125 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
36126 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
36127
36128 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
36129 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
36130 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
36131 one of the following forms:
36132
36133 @table @samp
36134 @item F @var{f}
36135 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
36136 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
36137 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
36138
36139 @item T @var{t}
36140 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
36141 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
36142
36143 @end table
36144
36145 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
36146 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36147 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
36148 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
36149
36150 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
36151 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36152 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
36153 is a hexadecimal number.
36154
36155 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
36156 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36157 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
36158 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
36159 numbers.
36160
36161 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
36162 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
36163 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
36164
36165 @item qTMinFTPILen
36166 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
36167 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
36168 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
36169 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
36170 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
36171 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
36172 arrange for that.
36173
36174 Replies:
36175
36176 @table @samp
36177 @item 0
36178 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
36179 @item @var{length}
36180 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
36181 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
36182 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
36183 @item E
36184 An error has occurred.
36185 @item
36186 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
36187 @end table
36188
36189 @item QTStart
36190 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
36191 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
36192 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36193 instruction reply packet}).
36194
36195 @item QTStop
36196 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
36197
36198 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36199 @anchor{QTEnable}
36200 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36201 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
36202 of data from it will resume.
36203
36204 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36205 @anchor{QTDisable}
36206 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36207 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
36208 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
36209
36210 @item QTinit
36211 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
36212
36213 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
36214 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
36215 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
36216 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
36217
36218 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
36219 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
36220 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
36221 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
36222
36223 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
36224 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
36225 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
36226 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
36227 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
36228
36229 @item qTStatus
36230 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
36231
36232 The reply has the form:
36233
36234 @table @samp
36235
36236 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
36237 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
36238 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
36239 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
36240
36241 @end table
36242
36243 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
36244 explanations as one of the optional fields:
36245
36246 @table @samp
36247
36248 @item tnotrun:0
36249 No trace has been run yet.
36250
36251 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
36252 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
36253 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
36254 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
36255 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
36256
36257 @item tfull:0
36258 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
36259
36260 @item tdisconnected:0
36261 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
36262
36263 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
36264 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
36265
36266 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
36267 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
36268 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
36269 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
36270 @var{text} is hex encoded.
36271
36272 @item tunknown:0
36273 The trace stopped for some other reason.
36274
36275 @end table
36276
36277 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
36278 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
36279 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
36280 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
36281 trace.
36282
36283 @table @samp
36284
36285 @item tframes:@var{n}
36286 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
36287
36288 @item tcreated:@var{n}
36289 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
36290 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
36291
36292 @item tsize:@var{n}
36293 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
36294
36295 @item tfree:@var{n}
36296 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
36297
36298 @item circular:@var{n}
36299 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
36300 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
36301 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
36302 and may fill up.
36303
36304 @item disconn:@var{n}
36305 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
36306 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
36307 that the trace run will stop.
36308
36309 @end table
36310
36311 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
36312 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
36313 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
36314 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
36315 address @var{addr}.
36316
36317 Replies:
36318 @table @samp
36319 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
36320 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
36321 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
36322 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
36323 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
36324
36325 @end table
36326
36327 @item qTV:@var{var}
36328 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
36329 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
36330 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
36331
36332 Replies:
36333 @table @samp
36334 @item V@var{value}
36335 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
36336 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
36337 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
36338 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
36339 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
36340 program is running.
36341
36342 @item U
36343 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
36344 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
36345 was not collected.
36346 @end table
36347
36348 @item qTfP
36349 @itemx qTsP
36350 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
36351 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
36352 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
36353 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
36354 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
36355
36356 @item qTfV
36357 @itemx qTsV
36358 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
36359 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
36360 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
36361 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
36362 trace state variables.
36363
36364 @item qTfSTM
36365 @itemx qTsSTM
36366 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
36367 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
36368 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
36369 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
36370
36371 Reply:
36372 @table @samp
36373 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
36374 A single marker
36375 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
36376 a comma-separated list of markers
36377 @item l
36378 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36379 @item E @var{nn}
36380 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36381 @item
36382 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
36383 stub.
36384 @end table
36385
36386 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
36387 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
36388
36389 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36390 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
36391 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
36392 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
36393 @dfn{last}).
36394
36395 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
36396 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
36397 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
36398 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
36399 tracepoint markers.
36400
36401 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
36402 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
36403 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
36404 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
36405 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
36406
36407 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
36408 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
36409 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
36410 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
36411 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
36412 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
36413 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
36414 available.
36415
36416 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
36417 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
36418 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
36419
36420 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
36421 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
36422 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
36423 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
36424
36425 @end table
36426
36427 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
36428 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
36429 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
36430 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
36431 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
36432 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
36433 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
36434 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
36435 it had executed in the original location.
36436
36437 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
36438 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
36439 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
36440 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
36441 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
36442 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
36443 format of the request is:
36444
36445 @table @samp
36446 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
36447
36448 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
36449 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
36450 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
36451 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
36452 memory starting at @var{to}.
36453 @end table
36454
36455 Replies:
36456 @table @samp
36457 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
36458 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
36459 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
36460 @item E @var{NN}
36461 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
36462 relocating the instruction.
36463 @end table
36464
36465 @node Host I/O Packets
36466 @section Host I/O Packets
36467 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
36468 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
36469
36470 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
36471 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
36472 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
36473 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
36474 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
36475 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
36476 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
36477 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
36478 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
36479 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
36480
36481 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
36482 its arguments. They have this format:
36483
36484 @table @samp
36485
36486 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
36487 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
36488 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
36489 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
36490 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
36491 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
36492 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
36493 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
36494 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36495
36496 @end table
36497
36498 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
36499
36500 @table @samp
36501
36502 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
36503 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
36504 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
36505 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
36506 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
36507 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
36508 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
36509 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
36510 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
36511 @var{attachment}.
36512
36513 @item
36514 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
36515
36516 @end table
36517
36518 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
36519
36520 @table @samp
36521 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
36522 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
36523 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
36524 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
36525 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
36526 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
36527 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
36528
36529 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
36530 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
36531 -1 if an error occurs.
36532
36533 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
36534 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
36535 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
36536 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
36537 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
36538 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
36539 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
36540 @var{count} was zero.
36541
36542 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
36543 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
36544 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
36545 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
36546 some characters were escaped.
36547
36548 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
36549 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
36550 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
36551 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
36552 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
36553 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
36554 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
36555 error occurred.
36556
36557 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
36558 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
36559 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
36560
36561 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
36562 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
36563 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
36564
36565 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
36566 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
36567 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
36568 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
36569 some characters were escaped.
36570
36571 @end table
36572
36573 @node Interrupts
36574 @section Interrupts
36575 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
36576
36577 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
36578 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
36579 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
36580 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
36581
36582 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
36583 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
36584 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
36585 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
36586 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
36587
36588 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
36589 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
36590 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
36591 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
36592 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
36593 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
36594 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
36595 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
36596
36597 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
36598 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
36599 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
36600
36601 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
36602 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
36603 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
36604 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
36605 currently-executing threads and processes.
36606 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
36607 running program, it should send one of the stop
36608 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
36609 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
36610 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
36611 Interrupts received while the
36612 program is stopped are discarded.
36613
36614 @node Notification Packets
36615 @section Notification Packets
36616 @cindex notification packets
36617 @cindex packets, notification
36618
36619 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
36620 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
36621 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
36622 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
36623 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
36624 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
36625 is not a problem.
36626
36627 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
36628 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
36629 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
36630 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
36631 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
36632 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
36633 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
36634
36635 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
36636 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
36637
36638 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
36639 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
36640 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
36641 not they understand it.
36642
36643 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
36644 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
36645 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
36646 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
36647 recipients.
36648
36649 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
36650 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
36651 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
36652 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
36653 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
36654
36655 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
36656 defined:
36657
36658 @table @samp
36659 @item Stop: @var{reply}
36660 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
36661 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
36662 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
36663 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
36664 @value{GDBN}.
36665 @end table
36666
36667 @node Remote Non-Stop
36668 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
36669
36670 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
36671 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
36672 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
36673 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36674
36675 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
36676 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
36677 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
36678 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
36679 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
36680 probe the target state after a mode change.
36681
36682 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
36683 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
36684 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
36685 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
36686 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
36687 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
36688 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
36689 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
36690 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
36691 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
36692 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
36693
36694 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
36695 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
36696 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
36697 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
36698 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
36699 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
36700 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
36701 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
36702 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
36703 sending any queued stop events.
36704
36705 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
36706 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
36707 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
36708 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
36709 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
36710 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
36711 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
36712
36713 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
36714 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
36715 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
36716 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
36717 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
36718 process normally.
36719
36720 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
36721 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
36722 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
36723 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
36724 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
36725 should process normally.
36726
36727 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
36728 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
36729 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
36730 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
36731 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
36732
36733 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
36734 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
36735 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
36736 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
36737 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
36738 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
36739 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
36740 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
36741 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
36742 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
36743 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
36744 @samp{OK}.
36745
36746 @node Packet Acknowledgment
36747 @section Packet Acknowledgment
36748
36749 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
36750 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
36751 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
36752 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36753 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
36754 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
36755 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
36756
36757 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
36758 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
36759 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
36760 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
36761 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
36762
36763 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
36764 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
36765 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
36766 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
36767
36768 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
36769 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
36770 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
36771 @pxref{qSupported}.
36772 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
36773 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
36774 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
36775 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
36776 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
36777 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
36778 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
36779
36780 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
36781 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
36782 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
36783 connection.
36784 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
36785 new connection is established,
36786 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
36787 for the current connection, once disabled.
36788
36789 @node Examples
36790 @section Examples
36791
36792 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
36793 does not get any direct output:
36794
36795 @smallexample
36796 -> @code{R00}
36797 <- @code{+}
36798 @emph{target restarts}
36799 -> @code{?}
36800 <- @code{+}
36801 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
36802 -> @code{+}
36803 @end smallexample
36804
36805 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
36806
36807 @smallexample
36808 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
36809 <- @code{+}
36810 -> @code{s}
36811 <- @code{+}
36812 @emph{time passes}
36813 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
36814 -> @code{+}
36815 -> @code{g}
36816 <- @code{+}
36817 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
36818 -> @code{+}
36819 @end smallexample
36820
36821 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
36822 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
36823 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
36824
36825 @menu
36826 * File-I/O Overview::
36827 * Protocol Basics::
36828 * The F Request Packet::
36829 * The F Reply Packet::
36830 * The Ctrl-C Message::
36831 * Console I/O::
36832 * List of Supported Calls::
36833 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
36834 * Constants::
36835 * File-I/O Examples::
36836 @end menu
36837
36838 @node File-I/O Overview
36839 @subsection File-I/O Overview
36840 @cindex file-i/o overview
36841
36842 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
36843 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
36844 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
36845 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
36846 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
36847 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
36848
36849 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
36850 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
36851 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
36852 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
36853 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
36854
36855 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
36856 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36857 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
36858 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
36859 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
36860 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
36861 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
36862
36863 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
36864 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
36865 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
36866 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
36867 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
36868
36869 @smallexample
36870 (@value{GDBP}) continue
36871 <- target requests 'system call X'
36872 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
36873 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
36874 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
36875 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
36876 @end smallexample
36877
36878 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
36879 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
36880 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
36881 system are not supported by this protocol.
36882
36883 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
36884
36885 @node Protocol Basics
36886 @subsection Protocol Basics
36887 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
36888
36889 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
36890 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
36891 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
36892 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
36893 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
36894 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
36895 to call the appropriate host system call:
36896
36897 @itemize @bullet
36898 @item
36899 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
36900
36901 @item
36902 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
36903 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
36904 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
36905 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
36906
36907 @end itemize
36908
36909 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
36910
36911 @itemize @bullet
36912 @item
36913 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
36914 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
36915 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
36916 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
36917 packet.
36918
36919 @item
36920 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
36921 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
36922
36923 @item
36924 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
36925
36926 @item
36927 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
36928
36929 @item
36930 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
36931 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
36932 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
36933 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
36934 packet.
36935
36936 @end itemize
36937
36938 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
36939 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
36940
36941 @itemize @bullet
36942 @item
36943 Return value.
36944
36945 @item
36946 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
36947
36948 @item
36949 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
36950
36951 @end itemize
36952
36953 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
36954 the latest continue or step action.
36955
36956 @node The F Request Packet
36957 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
36958 @cindex file-i/o request packet
36959 @cindex @code{F} request packet
36960
36961 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
36962
36963 @table @samp
36964 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
36965
36966 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
36967 This is just the name of the function.
36968
36969 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
36970 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
36971 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
36972 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
36973 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
36974 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
36975 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
36976
36977 @end table
36978
36979
36980
36981 @node The F Reply Packet
36982 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
36983 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
36984 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
36985
36986 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
36987
36988 @table @samp
36989
36990 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
36991
36992 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
36993
36994 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
36995 representation.
36996 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
36997
36998 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
36999 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
37000 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
37001
37002 @smallexample
37003 F0,0,C
37004 @end smallexample
37005
37006 @noindent
37007 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
37008
37009 @smallexample
37010 F-1,4,C
37011 @end smallexample
37012
37013 @noindent
37014 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
37015
37016 @end table
37017
37018
37019 @node The Ctrl-C Message
37020 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
37021 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
37022
37023 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
37024 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
37025 the target should behave as if it had
37026 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
37027 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
37028 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
37029 packet.
37030
37031 It's important for the target to know in which
37032 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
37033
37034 @itemize @bullet
37035 @item
37036 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
37037
37038 @item
37039 The system call on the host has been finished.
37040
37041 @end itemize
37042
37043 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
37044 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
37045 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
37046 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
37047 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
37048 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
37049
37050 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
37051 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
37052 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
37053 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
37054 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
37055 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
37056 or the full action has been completed.
37057
37058 @node Console I/O
37059 @subsection Console I/O
37060 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
37061
37062 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
37063 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
37064 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
37065 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
37066 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
37067 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
37068 conditions is met:
37069
37070 @itemize @bullet
37071 @item
37072 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
37073 @code{read}
37074 system call is treated as finished.
37075
37076 @item
37077 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
37078 newline.
37079
37080 @item
37081 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
37082 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
37083
37084 @end itemize
37085
37086 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
37087 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
37088 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
37089 is stopped at the user's request.
37090
37091
37092 @node List of Supported Calls
37093 @subsection List of Supported Calls
37094 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
37095
37096 @menu
37097 * open::
37098 * close::
37099 * read::
37100 * write::
37101 * lseek::
37102 * rename::
37103 * unlink::
37104 * stat/fstat::
37105 * gettimeofday::
37106 * isatty::
37107 * system::
37108 @end menu
37109
37110 @node open
37111 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
37112 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
37113
37114 @table @asis
37115 @item Synopsis:
37116 @smallexample
37117 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
37118 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
37119 @end smallexample
37120
37121 @item Request:
37122 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
37123
37124 @noindent
37125 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37126
37127 @table @code
37128 @item O_CREAT
37129 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
37130 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
37131 are concerned.
37132
37133 @item O_EXCL
37134 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
37135 an error and open() fails.
37136
37137 @item O_TRUNC
37138 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
37139 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
37140 truncated to zero length.
37141
37142 @item O_APPEND
37143 The file is opened in append mode.
37144
37145 @item O_RDONLY
37146 The file is opened for reading only.
37147
37148 @item O_WRONLY
37149 The file is opened for writing only.
37150
37151 @item O_RDWR
37152 The file is opened for reading and writing.
37153 @end table
37154
37155 @noindent
37156 Other bits are silently ignored.
37157
37158
37159 @noindent
37160 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37161
37162 @table @code
37163 @item S_IRUSR
37164 User has read permission.
37165
37166 @item S_IWUSR
37167 User has write permission.
37168
37169 @item S_IRGRP
37170 Group has read permission.
37171
37172 @item S_IWGRP
37173 Group has write permission.
37174
37175 @item S_IROTH
37176 Others have read permission.
37177
37178 @item S_IWOTH
37179 Others have write permission.
37180 @end table
37181
37182 @noindent
37183 Other bits are silently ignored.
37184
37185
37186 @item Return value:
37187 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
37188 occurred.
37189
37190 @item Errors:
37191
37192 @table @code
37193 @item EEXIST
37194 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
37195
37196 @item EISDIR
37197 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
37198
37199 @item EACCES
37200 The requested access is not allowed.
37201
37202 @item ENAMETOOLONG
37203 @var{pathname} was too long.
37204
37205 @item ENOENT
37206 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
37207
37208 @item ENODEV
37209 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
37210
37211 @item EROFS
37212 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
37213 write access was requested.
37214
37215 @item EFAULT
37216 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
37217
37218 @item ENOSPC
37219 No space on device to create the file.
37220
37221 @item EMFILE
37222 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
37223
37224 @item ENFILE
37225 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
37226 has been reached.
37227
37228 @item EINTR
37229 The call was interrupted by the user.
37230 @end table
37231
37232 @end table
37233
37234 @node close
37235 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
37236 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
37237
37238 @table @asis
37239 @item Synopsis:
37240 @smallexample
37241 int close(int fd);
37242 @end smallexample
37243
37244 @item Request:
37245 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
37246
37247 @item Return value:
37248 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
37249
37250 @item Errors:
37251
37252 @table @code
37253 @item EBADF
37254 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
37255
37256 @item EINTR
37257 The call was interrupted by the user.
37258 @end table
37259
37260 @end table
37261
37262 @node read
37263 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
37264 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
37265
37266 @table @asis
37267 @item Synopsis:
37268 @smallexample
37269 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
37270 @end smallexample
37271
37272 @item Request:
37273 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37274
37275 @item Return value:
37276 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
37277 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
37278 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
37279
37280 @item Errors:
37281
37282 @table @code
37283 @item EBADF
37284 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37285 reading.
37286
37287 @item EFAULT
37288 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37289
37290 @item EINTR
37291 The call was interrupted by the user.
37292 @end table
37293
37294 @end table
37295
37296 @node write
37297 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
37298 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
37299
37300 @table @asis
37301 @item Synopsis:
37302 @smallexample
37303 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
37304 @end smallexample
37305
37306 @item Request:
37307 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37308
37309 @item Return value:
37310 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
37311 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
37312 is returned.
37313
37314 @item Errors:
37315
37316 @table @code
37317 @item EBADF
37318 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37319 writing.
37320
37321 @item EFAULT
37322 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37323
37324 @item EFBIG
37325 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
37326 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
37327
37328 @item ENOSPC
37329 No space on device to write the data.
37330
37331 @item EINTR
37332 The call was interrupted by the user.
37333 @end table
37334
37335 @end table
37336
37337 @node lseek
37338 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
37339 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
37340
37341 @table @asis
37342 @item Synopsis:
37343 @smallexample
37344 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
37345 @end smallexample
37346
37347 @item Request:
37348 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
37349
37350 @var{flag} is one of:
37351
37352 @table @code
37353 @item SEEK_SET
37354 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
37355
37356 @item SEEK_CUR
37357 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
37358 bytes.
37359
37360 @item SEEK_END
37361 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
37362 bytes.
37363 @end table
37364
37365 @item Return value:
37366 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
37367 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
37368 value of -1 is returned.
37369
37370 @item Errors:
37371
37372 @table @code
37373 @item EBADF
37374 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
37375
37376 @item ESPIPE
37377 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
37378
37379 @item EINVAL
37380 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
37381
37382 @item EINTR
37383 The call was interrupted by the user.
37384 @end table
37385
37386 @end table
37387
37388 @node rename
37389 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
37390 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
37391
37392 @table @asis
37393 @item Synopsis:
37394 @smallexample
37395 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
37396 @end smallexample
37397
37398 @item Request:
37399 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
37400
37401 @item Return value:
37402 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37403
37404 @item Errors:
37405
37406 @table @code
37407 @item EISDIR
37408 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
37409 directory.
37410
37411 @item EEXIST
37412 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
37413
37414 @item EBUSY
37415 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
37416 process.
37417
37418 @item EINVAL
37419 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
37420 of itself.
37421
37422 @item ENOTDIR
37423 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
37424 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
37425 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
37426
37427 @item EFAULT
37428 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
37429
37430 @item EACCES
37431 No access to the file or the path of the file.
37432
37433 @item ENAMETOOLONG
37434
37435 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
37436
37437 @item ENOENT
37438 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
37439
37440 @item EROFS
37441 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
37442
37443 @item ENOSPC
37444 The device containing the file has no room for the new
37445 directory entry.
37446
37447 @item EINTR
37448 The call was interrupted by the user.
37449 @end table
37450
37451 @end table
37452
37453 @node unlink
37454 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
37455 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
37456
37457 @table @asis
37458 @item Synopsis:
37459 @smallexample
37460 int unlink(const char *pathname);
37461 @end smallexample
37462
37463 @item Request:
37464 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
37465
37466 @item Return value:
37467 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37468
37469 @item Errors:
37470
37471 @table @code
37472 @item EACCES
37473 No access to the file or the path of the file.
37474
37475 @item EPERM
37476 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
37477
37478 @item EBUSY
37479 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
37480 being used by another process.
37481
37482 @item EFAULT
37483 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37484
37485 @item ENAMETOOLONG
37486 @var{pathname} was too long.
37487
37488 @item ENOENT
37489 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
37490
37491 @item ENOTDIR
37492 A component of the path is not a directory.
37493
37494 @item EROFS
37495 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
37496
37497 @item EINTR
37498 The call was interrupted by the user.
37499 @end table
37500
37501 @end table
37502
37503 @node stat/fstat
37504 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
37505 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
37506 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
37507
37508 @table @asis
37509 @item Synopsis:
37510 @smallexample
37511 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
37512 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
37513 @end smallexample
37514
37515 @item Request:
37516 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
37517 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
37518
37519 @item Return value:
37520 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37521
37522 @item Errors:
37523
37524 @table @code
37525 @item EBADF
37526 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
37527
37528 @item ENOENT
37529 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
37530 path is an empty string.
37531
37532 @item ENOTDIR
37533 A component of the path is not a directory.
37534
37535 @item EFAULT
37536 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37537
37538 @item EACCES
37539 No access to the file or the path of the file.
37540
37541 @item ENAMETOOLONG
37542 @var{pathname} was too long.
37543
37544 @item EINTR
37545 The call was interrupted by the user.
37546 @end table
37547
37548 @end table
37549
37550 @node gettimeofday
37551 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
37552 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
37553
37554 @table @asis
37555 @item Synopsis:
37556 @smallexample
37557 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
37558 @end smallexample
37559
37560 @item Request:
37561 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
37562
37563 @item Return value:
37564 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
37565
37566 @item Errors:
37567
37568 @table @code
37569 @item EINVAL
37570 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
37571
37572 @item EFAULT
37573 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37574 @end table
37575
37576 @end table
37577
37578 @node isatty
37579 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
37580 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
37581
37582 @table @asis
37583 @item Synopsis:
37584 @smallexample
37585 int isatty(int fd);
37586 @end smallexample
37587
37588 @item Request:
37589 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
37590
37591 @item Return value:
37592 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
37593
37594 @item Errors:
37595
37596 @table @code
37597 @item EINTR
37598 The call was interrupted by the user.
37599 @end table
37600
37601 @end table
37602
37603 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
37604 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
37605 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
37606 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
37607 needed.
37608
37609
37610 @node system
37611 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
37612 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
37613
37614 @table @asis
37615 @item Synopsis:
37616 @smallexample
37617 int system(const char *command);
37618 @end smallexample
37619
37620 @item Request:
37621 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
37622
37623 @item Return value:
37624 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
37625 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
37626 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
37627 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
37628 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
37629 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
37630 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
37631
37632 @item Errors:
37633
37634 @table @code
37635 @item EINTR
37636 The call was interrupted by the user.
37637 @end table
37638
37639 @end table
37640
37641 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
37642 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
37643 the host is simplified before it's returned
37644 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
37645 is discarded, and the return value consists
37646 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
37647
37648 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
37649 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
37650 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
37651
37652 @table @code
37653 @item set remote system-call-allowed
37654 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
37655 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
37656 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
37657
37658 @item show remote system-call-allowed
37659 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
37660 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
37661 protocol.
37662 @end table
37663
37664 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
37665 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
37666 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
37667
37668 @menu
37669 * Integral Datatypes::
37670 * Pointer Values::
37671 * Memory Transfer::
37672 * struct stat::
37673 * struct timeval::
37674 @end menu
37675
37676 @node Integral Datatypes
37677 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
37678 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
37679
37680 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
37681 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
37682 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
37683
37684 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
37685 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
37686
37687 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
37688
37689 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
37690 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
37691
37692 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
37693
37694 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
37695 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
37696 byte order.
37697
37698 @node Pointer Values
37699 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
37700 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
37701
37702 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
37703 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
37704 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
37705 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
37706
37707 @smallexample
37708 @code{1aaf/12}
37709 @end smallexample
37710
37711 @noindent
37712 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
37713 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
37714 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
37715 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
37716
37717 @smallexample
37718 @code{123456/d}
37719 @end smallexample
37720
37721 @node Memory Transfer
37722 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
37723 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
37724
37725 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
37726 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
37727 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
37728 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
37729 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
37730 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
37731 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
37732
37733
37734 @node struct stat
37735 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
37736 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
37737
37738 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
37739 is defined as follows:
37740
37741 @smallexample
37742 struct stat @{
37743 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
37744 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
37745 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
37746 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
37747 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
37748 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
37749 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
37750 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
37751 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
37752 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
37753 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
37754 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
37755 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
37756 @};
37757 @end smallexample
37758
37759 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
37760 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
37761 structure is of size 64 bytes.
37762
37763 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
37764 range of values.
37765
37766 @table @code
37767
37768 @item st_dev
37769 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
37770
37771 @item st_ino
37772 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
37773
37774 @item st_mode
37775 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
37776 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
37777
37778 @item st_uid
37779 @itemx st_gid
37780 @itemx st_rdev
37781 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
37782
37783 @item st_atime
37784 @itemx st_mtime
37785 @itemx st_ctime
37786 These values have a host and file system dependent
37787 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
37788 support exact timing values.
37789 @end table
37790
37791 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
37792 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
37793 continuing.
37794
37795 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
37796 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
37797 get truncated on the target.
37798
37799 @node struct timeval
37800 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
37801 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
37802
37803 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
37804 is defined as follows:
37805
37806 @smallexample
37807 struct timeval @{
37808 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
37809 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
37810 @};
37811 @end smallexample
37812
37813 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
37814 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
37815 structure is of size 8 bytes.
37816
37817 @node Constants
37818 @subsection Constants
37819 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
37820
37821 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
37822 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
37823 values before and after the call as needed.
37824
37825 @menu
37826 * Open Flags::
37827 * mode_t Values::
37828 * Errno Values::
37829 * Lseek Flags::
37830 * Limits::
37831 @end menu
37832
37833 @node Open Flags
37834 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
37835 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
37836
37837 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
37838
37839 @smallexample
37840 O_RDONLY 0x0
37841 O_WRONLY 0x1
37842 O_RDWR 0x2
37843 O_APPEND 0x8
37844 O_CREAT 0x200
37845 O_TRUNC 0x400
37846 O_EXCL 0x800
37847 @end smallexample
37848
37849 @node mode_t Values
37850 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
37851 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
37852
37853 All values are given in octal representation.
37854
37855 @smallexample
37856 S_IFREG 0100000
37857 S_IFDIR 040000
37858 S_IRUSR 0400
37859 S_IWUSR 0200
37860 S_IXUSR 0100
37861 S_IRGRP 040
37862 S_IWGRP 020
37863 S_IXGRP 010
37864 S_IROTH 04
37865 S_IWOTH 02
37866 S_IXOTH 01
37867 @end smallexample
37868
37869 @node Errno Values
37870 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
37871 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
37872
37873 All values are given in decimal representation.
37874
37875 @smallexample
37876 EPERM 1
37877 ENOENT 2
37878 EINTR 4
37879 EBADF 9
37880 EACCES 13
37881 EFAULT 14
37882 EBUSY 16
37883 EEXIST 17
37884 ENODEV 19
37885 ENOTDIR 20
37886 EISDIR 21
37887 EINVAL 22
37888 ENFILE 23
37889 EMFILE 24
37890 EFBIG 27
37891 ENOSPC 28
37892 ESPIPE 29
37893 EROFS 30
37894 ENAMETOOLONG 91
37895 EUNKNOWN 9999
37896 @end smallexample
37897
37898 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
37899 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
37900
37901 @node Lseek Flags
37902 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
37903 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
37904
37905 @smallexample
37906 SEEK_SET 0
37907 SEEK_CUR 1
37908 SEEK_END 2
37909 @end smallexample
37910
37911 @node Limits
37912 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
37913 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
37914
37915 All values are given in decimal representation.
37916
37917 @smallexample
37918 INT_MIN -2147483648
37919 INT_MAX 2147483647
37920 UINT_MAX 4294967295
37921 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
37922 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
37923 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
37924 @end smallexample
37925
37926 @node File-I/O Examples
37927 @subsection File-I/O Examples
37928 @cindex file-i/o examples
37929
37930 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
37931 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
37932
37933 @smallexample
37934 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
37935 @emph{request memory read from target}
37936 -> @code{m1234,6}
37937 <- XXXXXX
37938 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
37939 -> @code{F6}
37940 @end smallexample
37941
37942 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
37943 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
37944
37945 @smallexample
37946 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
37947 @emph{request memory write to target}
37948 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
37949 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
37950 -> @code{F6}
37951 @end smallexample
37952
37953 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
37954 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
37955
37956 @smallexample
37957 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
37958 -> @code{F-1,9}
37959 @end smallexample
37960
37961 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
37962 host is called:
37963
37964 @smallexample
37965 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
37966 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
37967 <- @code{T02}
37968 @end smallexample
37969
37970 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
37971 host is called:
37972
37973 @smallexample
37974 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
37975 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
37976 <- @code{T02}
37977 @end smallexample
37978
37979 @node Library List Format
37980 @section Library List Format
37981 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
37982
37983 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
37984 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
37985 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
37986 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
37987 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
37988 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
37989 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
37990 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
37991 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
37992 are loaded.
37993
37994 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
37995 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
37996 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
37997 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
37998
37999 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
38000 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
38001 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
38002 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
38003 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
38004 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
38005
38006 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38007 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38008
38009 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
38010 offset, looks like this:
38011
38012 @smallexample
38013 <library-list>
38014 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
38015 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
38016 </library>
38017 </library-list>
38018 @end smallexample
38019
38020 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
38021 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
38022
38023 @smallexample
38024 <library-list>
38025 <library name="sharedlib.o">
38026 <section address="0x10000000"/>
38027 <section address="0x20000000"/>
38028 <section address="0x30000000"/>
38029 </library>
38030 </library-list>
38031 @end smallexample
38032
38033 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
38034
38035 @smallexample
38036 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
38037 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
38038 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38039 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
38040 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38041 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
38042 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38043 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
38044 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38045 @end smallexample
38046
38047 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
38048 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
38049 section for each library.
38050
38051 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38052 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38053 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
38054
38055 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
38056 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
38057 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
38058 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
38059
38060 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
38061 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
38062 target, the following parameters are reported:
38063
38064 @itemize @minus
38065 @item
38066 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
38067 @code{struct link_map}.
38068 @item
38069 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
38070 (Thread Local Storage) access.
38071 @item
38072 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
38073 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
38074 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
38075 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
38076 @item
38077 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
38078 @end itemize
38079
38080 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
38081 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
38082 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
38083
38084 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38085 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38086
38087 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
38088 looks like this:
38089
38090 @smallexample
38091 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
38092 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
38093 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
38094 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
38095 l_ld="0x152350"/>
38096 </library-list-svr>
38097 @end smallexample
38098
38099 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
38100
38101 @smallexample
38102 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
38103 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
38104 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38105 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
38106 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
38107 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38108 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
38109 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
38110 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
38111 @end smallexample
38112
38113 @node Memory Map Format
38114 @section Memory Map Format
38115 @cindex memory map format
38116
38117 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
38118 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
38119 memory map.
38120
38121 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38122 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
38123 lists memory regions.
38124
38125 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38126 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
38127
38128 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38129
38130 @smallexample
38131 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38132 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
38133 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38134 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
38135 <memory-map>
38136 region...
38137 </memory-map>
38138 @end smallexample
38139
38140 Each region can be either:
38141
38142 @itemize
38143
38144 @item
38145 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
38146 bytes from there:
38147
38148 @smallexample
38149 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38150 @end smallexample
38151
38152
38153 @item
38154 A region of read-only memory:
38155
38156 @smallexample
38157 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38158 @end smallexample
38159
38160
38161 @item
38162 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
38163 bytes in length:
38164
38165 @smallexample
38166 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
38167 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
38168 </memory>
38169 @end smallexample
38170
38171 @end itemize
38172
38173 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
38174 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
38175 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
38176
38177 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
38178
38179 @smallexample
38180 <!-- ................................................... -->
38181 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
38182 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
38183 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
38184 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
38185 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
38186 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
38187 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
38188 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
38189 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
38190 and its type, or device. -->
38191 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
38192 start CDATA #REQUIRED
38193 length CDATA #REQUIRED
38194 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
38195 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
38196 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
38197 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38198 @end smallexample
38199
38200 @node Thread List Format
38201 @section Thread List Format
38202 @cindex thread list format
38203
38204 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
38205 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38206 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
38207 the following structure:
38208
38209 @smallexample
38210 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38211 <threads>
38212 <thread id="id" core="0">
38213 ... description ...
38214 </thread>
38215 </threads>
38216 @end smallexample
38217
38218 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
38219 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
38220 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
38221 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
38222 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
38223
38224 @node Traceframe Info Format
38225 @section Traceframe Info Format
38226 @cindex traceframe info format
38227
38228 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
38229 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
38230 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
38231 collected in a traceframe.
38232
38233 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38234 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
38235
38236 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38237 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
38238
38239 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38240
38241 @smallexample
38242 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38243 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
38244 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38245 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
38246 <traceframe-info>
38247 block...
38248 </traceframe-info>
38249 @end smallexample
38250
38251 Each traceframe block can be either:
38252
38253 @itemize
38254
38255 @item
38256 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
38257 @var{length} bytes from there:
38258
38259 @smallexample
38260 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38261 @end smallexample
38262
38263 @end itemize
38264
38265 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
38266
38267 @smallexample
38268 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
38269 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38270
38271 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
38272 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
38273 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
38274 @end smallexample
38275
38276 @include agentexpr.texi
38277
38278 @node Target Descriptions
38279 @appendix Target Descriptions
38280 @cindex target descriptions
38281
38282 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
38283 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
38284 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
38285 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
38286 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
38287 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
38288 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
38289
38290 @itemize @bullet
38291 @item
38292 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
38293 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
38294 @item
38295 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
38296 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
38297 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
38298 @item
38299 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
38300 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
38301 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
38302 @end itemize
38303
38304 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
38305 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
38306 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
38307 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
38308 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
38309
38310 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38311 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
38312
38313 @menu
38314 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
38315 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
38316 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
38317 descriptions.
38318 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
38319 @end menu
38320
38321 @node Retrieving Descriptions
38322 @section Retrieving Descriptions
38323
38324 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
38325 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
38326 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
38327 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
38328 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
38329 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
38330 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
38331 Format}.
38332
38333 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
38334 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
38335 specify a file are:
38336
38337 @table @code
38338 @cindex set tdesc filename
38339 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
38340 Read the target description from @var{path}.
38341
38342 @cindex unset tdesc filename
38343 @item unset tdesc filename
38344 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
38345 will use the description supplied by the current target.
38346
38347 @cindex show tdesc filename
38348 @item show tdesc filename
38349 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
38350 @end table
38351
38352
38353 @node Target Description Format
38354 @section Target Description Format
38355 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
38356
38357 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
38358 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
38359 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
38360 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
38361 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
38362 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
38363 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
38364
38365 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
38366 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
38367 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
38368 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
38369 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
38370
38371 Here is a simple target description:
38372
38373 @smallexample
38374 <target version="1.0">
38375 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
38376 </target>
38377 @end smallexample
38378
38379 @noindent
38380 This minimal description only says that the target uses
38381 the x86-64 architecture.
38382
38383 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
38384 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
38385 are explained further below.
38386
38387 @smallexample
38388 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38389 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
38390 <target version="1.0">
38391 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
38392 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
38393 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
38394 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
38395 </target>
38396 @end smallexample
38397
38398 @noindent
38399 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
38400 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
38401 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
38402 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
38403 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
38404 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
38405 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
38406 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
38407 the version mismatch.
38408
38409 @subsection Inclusion
38410 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
38411 @cindex XInclude
38412 @ifnotinfo
38413 @cindex <xi:include>
38414 @end ifnotinfo
38415
38416 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
38417 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
38418 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
38419 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
38420 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
38421
38422 @smallexample
38423 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
38424 @end smallexample
38425
38426 @noindent
38427 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
38428 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
38429 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
38430 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
38431 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
38432 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
38433 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
38434 original description.
38435
38436 @subsection Architecture
38437 @cindex <architecture>
38438
38439 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
38440
38441 @smallexample
38442 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
38443 @end smallexample
38444
38445 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
38446 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
38447
38448 @subsection OS ABI
38449 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
38450
38451 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
38452 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
38453
38454 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
38455
38456 @smallexample
38457 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
38458 @end smallexample
38459
38460 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
38461 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
38462
38463 @subsection Compatible Architecture
38464 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
38465
38466 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
38467 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
38468
38469 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
38470
38471 @smallexample
38472 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
38473 @end smallexample
38474
38475 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
38476 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
38477
38478 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
38479 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
38480 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
38481 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
38482 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
38483 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
38484 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
38485
38486 @smallexample
38487 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
38488 <compatible>spu</compatible>
38489 @end smallexample
38490
38491 @subsection Features
38492 @cindex <feature>
38493
38494 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
38495 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
38496 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
38497 has this form:
38498
38499 @smallexample
38500 <feature name="@var{name}">
38501 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
38502 @var{reg}@dots{}
38503 </feature>
38504 @end smallexample
38505
38506 @noindent
38507 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
38508 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
38509 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
38510 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
38511
38512 @subsection Types
38513
38514 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
38515 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
38516 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
38517 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
38518 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
38519
38520 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
38521 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
38522 Types must be defined before they are used.
38523
38524 @cindex <vector>
38525 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
38526 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
38527 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
38528 @var{count}:
38529
38530 @smallexample
38531 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
38532 @end smallexample
38533
38534 @cindex <union>
38535 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
38536 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
38537 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
38538 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
38539
38540 @smallexample
38541 <union id="@var{id}">
38542 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
38543 @dots{}
38544 </union>
38545 @end smallexample
38546
38547 @cindex <struct>
38548 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
38549 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
38550 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
38551 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
38552 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
38553 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
38554 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
38555 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
38556
38557 @smallexample
38558 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
38559 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
38560 @dots{}
38561 </struct>
38562 @end smallexample
38563
38564 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
38565 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
38566
38567 @smallexample
38568 <struct id="@var{id}">
38569 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
38570 @dots{}
38571 </struct>
38572 @end smallexample
38573
38574 @cindex <flags>
38575 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
38576 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
38577 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
38578 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
38579 are supported.
38580
38581 @smallexample
38582 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
38583 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
38584 @dots{}
38585 </flags>
38586 @end smallexample
38587
38588 @subsection Registers
38589 @cindex <reg>
38590
38591 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
38592
38593 @smallexample
38594 <reg name="@var{name}"
38595 bitsize="@var{size}"
38596 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
38597 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
38598 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
38599 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
38600 @end smallexample
38601
38602 @noindent
38603 The components are as follows:
38604
38605 @table @var
38606
38607 @item name
38608 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
38609
38610 @item bitsize
38611 The register's size, in bits.
38612
38613 @item regnum
38614 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
38615 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
38616 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
38617 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
38618 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
38619 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
38620 in order of increasing register number.
38621
38622 @item save-restore
38623 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
38624 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
38625 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
38626 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
38627 ABI.
38628
38629 @item type
38630 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
38631 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
38632 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
38633 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
38634 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
38635 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
38636
38637 @item group
38638 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
38639 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
38640 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
38641 in @code{info registers}.
38642
38643 @end table
38644
38645 @node Predefined Target Types
38646 @section Predefined Target Types
38647 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
38648
38649 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
38650 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
38651 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
38652 types. The currently supported types are:
38653
38654 @table @code
38655
38656 @item int8
38657 @itemx int16
38658 @itemx int32
38659 @itemx int64
38660 @itemx int128
38661 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
38662
38663 @item uint8
38664 @itemx uint16
38665 @itemx uint32
38666 @itemx uint64
38667 @itemx uint128
38668 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
38669
38670 @item code_ptr
38671 @itemx data_ptr
38672 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
38673 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
38674 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
38675 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
38676 may be marked as data pointers.
38677
38678 @item ieee_single
38679 Single precision IEEE floating point.
38680
38681 @item ieee_double
38682 Double precision IEEE floating point.
38683
38684 @item arm_fpa_ext
38685 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
38686
38687 @item i387_ext
38688 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
38689
38690 @item i386_eflags
38691 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
38692
38693 @item i386_mxcsr
38694 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
38695
38696 @end table
38697
38698 @node Standard Target Features
38699 @section Standard Target Features
38700 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
38701
38702 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
38703 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
38704 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
38705 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
38706 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
38707 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
38708 can recognize them.
38709
38710 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
38711 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
38712 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
38713 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
38714 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
38715 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
38716 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
38717 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
38718
38719 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
38720 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
38721 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
38722
38723 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
38724 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
38725 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
38726 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
38727
38728 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
38729 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
38730 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
38731
38732 @menu
38733 * ARM Features::
38734 * i386 Features::
38735 * MIPS Features::
38736 * M68K Features::
38737 * PowerPC Features::
38738 * TIC6x Features::
38739 @end menu
38740
38741
38742 @node ARM Features
38743 @subsection ARM Features
38744 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
38745
38746 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
38747 ARM targets.
38748 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
38749 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
38750
38751 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
38752 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
38753 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
38754 and @samp{xpsr}.
38755
38756 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
38757 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
38758
38759 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
38760 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
38761 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
38762 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
38763
38764 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
38765 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
38766 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
38767 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
38768 halves of the double-precision registers.
38769
38770 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
38771 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
38772 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
38773 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
38774 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
38775 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
38776
38777 @node i386 Features
38778 @subsection i386 Features
38779 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
38780
38781 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
38782 targets. It should describe the following registers:
38783
38784 @itemize @minus
38785 @item
38786 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
38787 @item
38788 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
38789 @item
38790 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
38791 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
38792 @item
38793 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
38794 @item
38795 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
38796 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
38797 @end itemize
38798
38799 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
38800
38801 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
38802 describe registers:
38803
38804 @itemize @minus
38805 @item
38806 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
38807 @item
38808 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
38809 @item
38810 @samp{mxcsr}
38811 @end itemize
38812
38813 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
38814 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
38815 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
38816
38817 @itemize @minus
38818 @item
38819 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
38820 @item
38821 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
38822 @end itemize
38823
38824 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
38825 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
38826
38827 @node MIPS Features
38828 @subsection MIPS Features
38829 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
38830
38831 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
38832 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
38833 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
38834 on the target.
38835
38836 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
38837 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
38838 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
38839
38840 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
38841 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
38842 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
38843 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
38844
38845 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
38846 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
38847 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
38848 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
38849
38850 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
38851 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
38852 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
38853
38854 @node M68K Features
38855 @subsection M68K Features
38856 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
38857
38858 @table @code
38859 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
38860 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
38861 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
38862 One of those features must be always present.
38863 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
38864 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
38865 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
38866 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
38867
38868 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
38869 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
38870 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
38871 @samp{fpiaddr}.
38872 @end table
38873
38874 @node PowerPC Features
38875 @subsection PowerPC Features
38876 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
38877
38878 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
38879 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
38880 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
38881 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
38882
38883 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
38884 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
38885
38886 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
38887 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
38888 and @samp{vrsave}.
38889
38890 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
38891 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
38892 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
38893 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
38894 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
38895 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
38896
38897 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
38898 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
38899 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
38900 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
38901 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
38902 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
38903 user.
38904
38905 @node TIC6x Features
38906 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
38907 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
38908 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
38909 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
38910 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
38911 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
38912
38913 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
38914 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
38915 through @samp{B31}.
38916
38917 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
38918 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
38919
38920 @node Operating System Information
38921 @appendix Operating System Information
38922 @cindex operating system information
38923
38924 @menu
38925 * Process list::
38926 @end menu
38927
38928 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
38929 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
38930 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
38931 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
38932 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
38933 on a different aspect of target.
38934
38935 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
38936 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
38937 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
38938 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
38939
38940 @node Process list
38941 @appendixsection Process list
38942 @cindex operating system information, process list
38943
38944 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
38945 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
38946 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
38947 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
38948
38949 An example document is:
38950
38951 @smallexample
38952 <?xml version="1.0"?>
38953 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
38954 <osdata type="processes">
38955 <item>
38956 <column name="pid">1</column>
38957 <column name="user">root</column>
38958 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
38959 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
38960 </item>
38961 </osdata>
38962 @end smallexample
38963
38964 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
38965 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
38966 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
38967 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
38968 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
38969 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
38970 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
38971
38972 @node Trace File Format
38973 @appendix Trace File Format
38974 @cindex trace file format
38975
38976 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
38977 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
38978
38979 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
38980 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
38981 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
38982 in the future.
38983
38984 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
38985 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
38986 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
38987 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
38988 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
38989 of this section.
38990
38991 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
38992
38993 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
38994 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
38995 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
38996 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
38997 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
38998 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
38999 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
39000 endianness.
39001
39002 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
39003
39004 @table @code
39005 @item R @var{bytes}
39006 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
39007 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
39008 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
39009 hexadecimal encoding.
39010
39011 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
39012 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
39013 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
39014 @var{length} bytes.
39015
39016 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
39017 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
39018 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
39019
39020 @end table
39021
39022 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
39023 of blocks.
39024
39025 @node Index Section Format
39026 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
39027 @cindex .gdb_index section format
39028 @cindex index section format
39029
39030 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
39031 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
39032 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
39033 description.
39034
39035 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
39036 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
39037 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
39038 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
39039 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
39040 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
39041
39042 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
39043
39044 @enumerate
39045 @item
39046 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
39047 unless otherwise noted:
39048
39049 @enumerate
39050 @item
39051 The version number, currently 6. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
39052 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
39053 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions
39054 4 and 5 do not. @value{GDBN} will only read version 4 and 5 indices
39055 if the @code{--use-deprecated-index-sections} option is used.
39056
39057 @item
39058 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
39059
39060 @item
39061 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
39062 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
39063 to the next offset.
39064
39065 @item
39066 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
39067
39068 @item
39069 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
39070
39071 @item
39072 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
39073 @end enumerate
39074
39075 @item
39076 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
39077 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
39078 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
39079 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
39080 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
39081 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
39082 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
39083 CU indices.
39084
39085 @item
39086 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
39087 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
39088 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
39089 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
39090
39091 @item
39092 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
39093 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
39094
39095 @enumerate
39096 @item
39097 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
39098
39099 @item
39100 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
39101 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
39102
39103 @item
39104 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
39105 @end enumerate
39106
39107 @item
39108 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
39109 the hash table is always a power of 2.
39110
39111 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
39112 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
39113 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
39114 constant pool.
39115
39116 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
39117 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
39118 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
39119
39120 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
39121 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
39122 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
39123 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
39124 index version:
39125
39126 @table @asis
39127 @item Version 4
39128 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
39129
39130 @item Versions 5 and 6
39131 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
39132 @end table
39133
39134 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
39135
39136 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
39137 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
39138 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
39139 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
39140 collision.
39141
39142 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
39143 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
39144 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
39145 the code.
39146
39147 @item
39148 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
39149 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
39150 strings.
39151
39152 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
39153 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
39154 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
39155 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
39156 symbol.
39157
39158 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
39159 @end enumerate
39160
39161 @include gpl.texi
39162
39163 @node GNU Free Documentation License
39164 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
39165 @include fdl.texi
39166
39167 @node Index
39168 @unnumbered Index
39169
39170 @printindex cp
39171
39172 @tex
39173 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
39174 % meantime:
39175 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
39176 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
39177 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
39178 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
39179 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
39180 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
39181 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
39182 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
39183 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
39184 \page\colophon
39185 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
39186 @end tex
39187
39188 @bye
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