2011-02-15 Michael Snyder <msnyder@vmware.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
175 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
176 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
177 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
178 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
179 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
180 @value{GDBN}
181 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
182 the operating system
183 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
184 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
185 how you can copy and share GDB
186 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
187 * Index:: Index
188 @end menu
189
190 @end ifnottex
191
192 @contents
193
194 @node Summary
195 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
196
197 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
198 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
199 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
200
201 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
202 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
203
204 @itemize @bullet
205 @item
206 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
207
208 @item
209 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
210
211 @item
212 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
213
214 @item
215 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
216 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
217 @end itemize
218
219 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
220 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
221 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
222
223 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
224 @ref{D,,D}.
225
226 @cindex Modula-2
227 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
228 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
229
230 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
231 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
232
233 @cindex Pascal
234 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
235 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
236 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
237 syntax.
238
239 @cindex Fortran
240 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
241 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
242 underscore.
243
244 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
245 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
246
247 @menu
248 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
249 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
250 @end menu
251
252 @node Free Software
253 @unnumberedsec Free Software
254
255 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
256 General Public License
257 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
258 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
259 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
260 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
261 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
262 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
263
264 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
265 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
266 from anyone else.
267
268 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
269
270 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
271 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
272 include with the free software. Many of our most important
273 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
274 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
275 when an important free software package does not come with a free
276 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
277 gaps today.
278
279 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
280 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
281 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
282 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
283 them from the free software world.
284
285 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
286 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
287 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
288 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
289 contract to make it non-free.
290
291 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
292 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
293 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
294 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
295 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
296 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
297 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
298
299 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
300 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
301 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
302 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
303
304 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
305 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
306 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
307 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
308 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
309 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
310 community.
311
312 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
313 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
314 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
315 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
316 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
317 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
318 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
319 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
320 of the manual.
321
322 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
323 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
324 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
325 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
326 manual to replace it.
327
328 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
329 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
330 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
331 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
332 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
333 the free software community.
334
335 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
336 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
337 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
338 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
339 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
340 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
341 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
342 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
343 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
344
345 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
346 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
347 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
348 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
349 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
350 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
351 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
352 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
353
354 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
355 published by other publishers, at
356 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
357
358 @node Contributors
359 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
360
361 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
362 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
363 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
364 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
365 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
366 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
367 blow-by-blow account.
368
369 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
370
371 @quotation
372 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
373 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
374 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
375 @end quotation
376
377 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
378 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
379 releases:
380 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
381 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
382 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
383 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
384 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
385 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
386 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
387 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
388 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
389
390 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
391 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
392
393 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
394 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
395 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
396 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
397 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
398
399 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
400 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
401 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
402
403 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
404 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
405
406 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
407
408 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
409 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
410 support.
411 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
412 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
413 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
414 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
415 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
416 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
417 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
418 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
419 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
420 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
421 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
422 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
423 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
424 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
425 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
426 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
427
428 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
429
430 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
431 libraries.
432
433 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
434 about several machine instruction sets.
435
436 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
437 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
438 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
439 and RDI targets, respectively.
440
441 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
442 command-line editing and command history.
443
444 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
445 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
446
447 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
448 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
449 symbols.
450
451 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
452 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
453
454 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
455
456 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
457 processors.
458
459 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
460
461 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
462
463 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
464
465 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
466 watchpoints.
467
468 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
469
470 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
471
472 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
473 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
474
475 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
476 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
477 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
478 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
479 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
480 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
481 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
482
483 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
484 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
485
486 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
487 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
488 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
489 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
490 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
491 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
492 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
493 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
494 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
495 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
496 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
497 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
498 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
499 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
500 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
501
502 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
503 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
504
505 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
506 Hat.
507
508 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
509 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
510 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
511 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
512 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
513 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
514
515 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
516 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
517 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
518 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
519 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
520 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
521 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
522 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
523 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
524 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
525 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
526 Weigand.
527
528 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
529 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
530 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
531 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
532
533 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
534 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
535
536 @node Sample Session
537 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
538
539 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
540 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
541 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
542
543 @iftex
544 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
545 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
546 @end iftex
547
548 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
549 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
550
551 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
552 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
553 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
554 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
555 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
556 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
557 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
558 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
559 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
560
561 @smallexample
562 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
563 $ @b{./m4}
564 @b{define(foo,0000)}
565
566 @b{foo}
567 0000
568 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
569
570 @b{bar}
571 0000
572 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
573
574 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
575 @b{baz}
576 @b{Ctrl-d}
577 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
578 @end smallexample
579
580 @noindent
581 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
582
583 @smallexample
584 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
585 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
586 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
587 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
588 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
589 the conditions.
590 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
591 for details.
592
593 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
594 (@value{GDBP})
595 @end smallexample
596
597 @noindent
598 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
599 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
600 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
601 that examples fit in this manual.
602
603 @smallexample
604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
605 @end smallexample
606
607 @noindent
608 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
609 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
610 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
611 @code{break} command.
612
613 @smallexample
614 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
615 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
616 @end smallexample
617
618 @noindent
619 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
620 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
621 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
622
623 @smallexample
624 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
625 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
626 @b{define(foo,0000)}
627
628 @b{foo}
629 0000
630 @end smallexample
631
632 @noindent
633 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
634 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
635 context where it stops.
636
637 @smallexample
638 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
639
640 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
641 at builtin.c:879
642 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
643 @end smallexample
644
645 @noindent
646 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
647 the next line of the current function.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
651 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
652 : nil,
653 @end smallexample
654
655 @noindent
656 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
657 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
658 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
659 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
660
661 @smallexample
662 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
663 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
664 at input.c:530
665 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
666 @end smallexample
667
668 @noindent
669 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
670 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
671 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
672 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
673 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
674 stack frame for each active subroutine.
675
676 @smallexample
677 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
678 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
679 at input.c:530
680 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
681 at builtin.c:882
682 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
683 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
684 at macro.c:71
685 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
686 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
687 @end smallexample
688
689 @noindent
690 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
691 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
692 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
693
694 @smallexample
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
698 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
699 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
701 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
702 : xstrdup(rq);
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
704 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
709 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
710 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
711 (@code{print}) to see their values.
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
715 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
717 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
718 @end smallexample
719
720 @noindent
721 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
722 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
723 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
724
725 @smallexample
726 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
727 533 xfree(rquote);
728 534
729 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
730 : xstrdup (lq);
731 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
732 : xstrdup (rq);
733 537
734 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
735 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 540 @}
737 541
738 542 void
739 @end smallexample
740
741 @noindent
742 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
743 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
744
745 @smallexample
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
749 540 @}
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
751 $3 = 9
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
753 $4 = 7
754 @end smallexample
755
756 @noindent
757 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
758 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
759 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
760 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
761 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
762 assignments.
763
764 @smallexample
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
766 $5 = 7
767 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
768 $6 = 9
769 @end smallexample
770
771 @noindent
772 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
773 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
774 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
775 example that caused trouble initially:
776
777 @smallexample
778 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
779 Continuing.
780
781 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
782
783 baz
784 0000
785 @end smallexample
786
787 @noindent
788 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
789 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
790 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
791
792 @smallexample
793 @b{Ctrl-d}
794 Program exited normally.
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @noindent
798 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
799 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
800 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
801
802 @smallexample
803 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
804 @end smallexample
805
806 @node Invocation
807 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
808
809 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
810 The essentials are:
811 @itemize @bullet
812 @item
813 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
814 @item
815 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
816 @end itemize
817
818 @menu
819 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
820 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
821 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
822 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
823 @end menu
824
825 @node Invoking GDB
826 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
827
828 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
829 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
830
831 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
832 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
833
834 The command-line options described here are designed
835 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
836 options may effectively be unavailable.
837
838 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
839 specifying an executable program:
840
841 @smallexample
842 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
843 @end smallexample
844
845 @noindent
846 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
847 specified:
848
849 @smallexample
850 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
851 @end smallexample
852
853 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
854 to debug a running process:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
858 @end smallexample
859
860 @noindent
861 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
862 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
863
864 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
865 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
866 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
867 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
868 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
869
870 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
871 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
872 option processing.
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
875 @end smallexample
876 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
877 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
878
879 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
880 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
881
882 @smallexample
883 @value{GDBP} -silent
884 @end smallexample
885
886 @noindent
887 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
888 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
889
890 @noindent
891 Type
892
893 @smallexample
894 @value{GDBP} -help
895 @end smallexample
896
897 @noindent
898 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
899 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
900
901 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
902 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
903 @samp{-x} option is used.
904
905
906 @menu
907 * File Options:: Choosing files
908 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
909 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
910 @end menu
911
912 @node File Options
913 @subsection Choosing Files
914
915 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
916 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
917 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
918 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
919 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
921 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
922 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
923 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
924 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
925 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
926 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
927 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
928
929 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
930 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
931 argument and ignore it.
932
933 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
934 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
935 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
936 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
937 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
938
939 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
940 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
941 @c it.
942
943 @table @code
944 @item -symbols @var{file}
945 @itemx -s @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--symbols}
947 @cindex @code{-s}
948 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
949
950 @item -exec @var{file}
951 @itemx -e @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--exec}
953 @cindex @code{-e}
954 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
955 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
956
957 @item -se @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--se}
959 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
960 file.
961
962 @item -core @var{file}
963 @itemx -c @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--core}
965 @cindex @code{-c}
966 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
967
968 @item -pid @var{number}
969 @itemx -p @var{number}
970 @cindex @code{--pid}
971 @cindex @code{-p}
972 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
973
974 @item -command @var{file}
975 @itemx -x @var{file}
976 @cindex @code{--command}
977 @cindex @code{-x}
978 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
979 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
980 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
981
982 @item -eval-command @var{command}
983 @itemx -ex @var{command}
984 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
985 @cindex @code{-ex}
986 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
987
988 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
989 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
990
991 @smallexample
992 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
993 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
994 @end smallexample
995
996 @item -directory @var{directory}
997 @itemx -d @var{directory}
998 @cindex @code{--directory}
999 @cindex @code{-d}
1000 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1001
1002 @item -r
1003 @itemx -readnow
1004 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1005 @cindex @code{-r}
1006 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1007 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1008 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1009
1010 @end table
1011
1012 @node Mode Options
1013 @subsection Choosing Modes
1014
1015 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1016 batch mode or quiet mode.
1017
1018 @table @code
1019 @item -nx
1020 @itemx -n
1021 @cindex @code{--nx}
1022 @cindex @code{-n}
1023 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1024 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1025 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1026 Files}.
1027
1028 @item -quiet
1029 @itemx -silent
1030 @itemx -q
1031 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1032 @cindex @code{--silent}
1033 @cindex @code{-q}
1034 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1035 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1036
1037 @item -batch
1038 @cindex @code{--batch}
1039 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1040 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1041 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1042 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1043 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1044 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1045 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1046
1047 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1048 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1049 make this more useful, the message
1050
1051 @smallexample
1052 Program exited normally.
1053 @end smallexample
1054
1055 @noindent
1056 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1057 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1058 mode.
1059
1060 @item -batch-silent
1061 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1062 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1063 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1064 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1065 for an interactive session.
1066
1067 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1068 messages, for example.
1069
1070 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1071 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1072
1073 @item -return-child-result
1074 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1075 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1076 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1077
1078 @itemize @bullet
1079 @item
1080 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1081 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1082 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1083 @item
1084 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1085 @item
1086 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1087 the exit code will be -1.
1088 @end itemize
1089
1090 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1091 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1092 interface.
1093
1094 @item -nowindows
1095 @itemx -nw
1096 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1097 @cindex @code{-nw}
1098 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1099 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1100 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1101
1102 @item -windows
1103 @itemx -w
1104 @cindex @code{--windows}
1105 @cindex @code{-w}
1106 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1107 used if possible.
1108
1109 @item -cd @var{directory}
1110 @cindex @code{--cd}
1111 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1112 instead of the current directory.
1113
1114 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1115 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1116 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1117 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1118 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1119
1120 @item -fullname
1121 @itemx -f
1122 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1123 @cindex @code{-f}
1124 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1125 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1126 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1127 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1128 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1129 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1130 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1131 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1132 frame.
1133
1134 @item -epoch
1135 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1136 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1137 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1138 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1139 separate window.
1140
1141 @item -annotate @var{level}
1142 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1143 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1144 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1145 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1146 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1147 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1148 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1149 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1150 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1151
1152 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1153 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1154
1155 @item --args
1156 @cindex @code{--args}
1157 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1158 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1159 This option stops option processing.
1160
1161 @item -baud @var{bps}
1162 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1163 @cindex @code{--baud}
1164 @cindex @code{-b}
1165 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1166 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1167
1168 @item -l @var{timeout}
1169 @cindex @code{-l}
1170 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1171 for remote debugging.
1172
1173 @item -tty @var{device}
1174 @itemx -t @var{device}
1175 @cindex @code{--tty}
1176 @cindex @code{-t}
1177 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1178 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1179
1180 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1181 @item -tui
1182 @cindex @code{--tui}
1183 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1184 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1185 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1186 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1187 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1188 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1189 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1190
1191 @c @item -xdb
1192 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1193 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1194 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1195 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1196 @c systems.
1197
1198 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1199 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1200 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1201 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1202 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1203 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1204
1205 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1206 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1207 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1208 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1209 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1210 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1211
1212 @item -write
1213 @cindex @code{--write}
1214 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1215 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1216 (@pxref{Patching}).
1217
1218 @item -statistics
1219 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1220 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1221 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1222
1223 @item -version
1224 @cindex @code{--version}
1225 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1226 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1227
1228 @end table
1229
1230 @node Startup
1231 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1232 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1233
1234 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1235
1236 @enumerate
1237 @item
1238 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1239 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1240
1241 @item
1242 @cindex init file
1243 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1244 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1245 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1246 that file.
1247
1248 @item
1249 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1250 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1251 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1252 that file.
1253
1254 @item
1255 Processes command line options and operands.
1256
1257 @item
1258 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1259 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1260 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1261 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1262 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1263 @value{GDBN}.
1264
1265 @item
1266 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1267 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1268 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1269 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1270
1271 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1272 you must do something like the following:
1273
1274 @smallexample
1275 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1276 @end smallexample
1277
1278 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1279
1280 @smallexample
1281 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1282 @end smallexample
1283
1284 @item
1285 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1286 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1287
1288 @item
1289 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1290 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1291 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1292 @end enumerate
1293
1294 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1295 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1296 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1297 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1298 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1299 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1300
1301 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1302 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1303
1304 @cindex init file name
1305 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1306 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1307 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1308 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1309 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1310 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1311 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1312 the file to the standard name.
1313
1314
1315 @node Quitting GDB
1316 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1317 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1318 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1319
1320 @table @code
1321 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1323 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1324 @itemx q
1325 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1326 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1327 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1328 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1329 error code.
1330 @end table
1331
1332 @cindex interrupt
1333 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1334 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1335 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1336 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1337 until a time when it is safe.
1338
1339 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1340 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1341 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1342
1343 @node Shell Commands
1344 @section Shell Commands
1345
1346 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1347 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1348 just use the @code{shell} command.
1349
1350 @table @code
1351 @kindex shell
1352 @cindex shell escape
1353 @item shell @var{command string}
1354 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1355 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1356 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1357 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1358 @end table
1359
1360 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1361 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1362 @value{GDBN}:
1363
1364 @table @code
1365 @kindex make
1366 @cindex calling make
1367 @item make @var{make-args}
1368 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1369 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1370 @end table
1371
1372 @node Logging Output
1373 @section Logging Output
1374 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1375 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1376
1377 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1378 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1379
1380 @table @code
1381 @kindex set logging
1382 @item set logging on
1383 Enable logging.
1384 @item set logging off
1385 Disable logging.
1386 @cindex logging file name
1387 @item set logging file @var{file}
1388 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1389 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1390 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1391 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1392 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1393 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1394 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1395 @kindex show logging
1396 @item show logging
1397 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1398 @end table
1399
1400 @node Commands
1401 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1402
1403 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1404 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1405 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1406 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1407 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1408
1409 @menu
1410 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1411 * Completion:: Command completion
1412 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1413 @end menu
1414
1415 @node Command Syntax
1416 @section Command Syntax
1417
1418 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1419 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1420 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1421 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1422 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1423 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1424
1425 @cindex abbreviation
1426 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1427 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1428 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1429 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1430 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1431 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1432 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1433
1434 @cindex repeating commands
1435 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1436 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1437 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1438 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1439 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1440 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1441 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1442
1443 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1444 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1445 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1446
1447 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1448 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1449 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1450 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1451 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1452
1453 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1454 @cindex comment
1455 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1456 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1457 Files,,Command Files}).
1458
1459 @cindex repeating command sequences
1460 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1461 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1462 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1463 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1464 for editing.
1465
1466 @node Completion
1467 @section Command Completion
1468
1469 @cindex completion
1470 @cindex word completion
1471 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1472 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1473 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1474 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1475
1476 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1477 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1478 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1479 enter it). For example, if you type
1480
1481 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1482 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1483 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1484 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1485 @smallexample
1486 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1487 @end smallexample
1488
1489 @noindent
1490 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1491 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1492
1493 @smallexample
1494 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1495 @end smallexample
1496
1497 @noindent
1498 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1499 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1500 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1501 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1502 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1503 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1504
1505 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1506 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1507 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1508 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1509 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1510 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1511 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1512 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1513 example:
1514
1515 @smallexample
1516 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1517 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1518 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1519 make_abs_section make_function_type
1520 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1521 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1522 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 @noindent
1527 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1528 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1529 command.
1530
1531 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1532 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1533 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1534 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1535 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1536
1537 @cindex quotes in commands
1538 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1539 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1540 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1541 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1542 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1543 @value{GDBN} commands.
1544
1545 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1546 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1547 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1548 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1549 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1550 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1551 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1552 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1553 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1554 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1555 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1556
1557 @smallexample
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1559 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1560 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1561 @end smallexample
1562
1563 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1564 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1565 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1566 place:
1567
1568 @smallexample
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1570 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1571 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1572 @end smallexample
1573
1574 @noindent
1575 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1576 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1577 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1578
1579 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1580 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1581 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1582 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1583
1584 @cindex completion of structure field names
1585 @cindex structure field name completion
1586 @cindex completion of union field names
1587 @cindex union field name completion
1588 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1589 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1590 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1591 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1592 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1593 left-hand-side:
1594
1595 @smallexample
1596 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1597 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1598 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1613 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1614 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1615 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1616 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1617 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1618 void *to_data;
1619 @}
1620 @end smallexample
1621
1622
1623 @node Help
1624 @section Getting Help
1625 @cindex online documentation
1626 @kindex help
1627
1628 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1629 using the command @code{help}.
1630
1631 @table @code
1632 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1633 @item help
1634 @itemx h
1635 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1636 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1637
1638 @smallexample
1639 (@value{GDBP}) help
1640 List of classes of commands:
1641
1642 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1643 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1644 data -- Examining data
1645 files -- Specifying and examining files
1646 internals -- Maintenance commands
1647 obscure -- Obscure features
1648 running -- Running the program
1649 stack -- Examining the stack
1650 status -- Status inquiries
1651 support -- Support facilities
1652 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1653 stopping the program
1654 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1655
1656 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1657 commands in that class.
1658 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1659 documentation.
1660 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1661 (@value{GDBP})
1662 @end smallexample
1663 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1664
1665 @item help @var{class}
1666 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1667 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1668 help display for the class @code{status}:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1672 Status inquiries.
1673
1674 List of commands:
1675
1676 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1677 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1678 info -- Generic command for showing things
1679 about the program being debugged
1680 show -- Generic command for showing things
1681 about the debugger
1682
1683 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1684 documentation.
1685 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1686 (@value{GDBP})
1687 @end smallexample
1688
1689 @item help @var{command}
1690 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1691 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1692
1693 @kindex apropos
1694 @item apropos @var{args}
1695 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1696 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1697 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1698
1699 @smallexample
1700 apropos reload
1701 @end smallexample
1702
1703 @noindent
1704 results in:
1705
1706 @smallexample
1707 @c @group
1708 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1709 multiple times in one run
1710 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1711 multiple times in one run
1712 @c @end group
1713 @end smallexample
1714
1715 @kindex complete
1716 @item complete @var{args}
1717 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1718 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1719 command you want completed. For example:
1720
1721 @smallexample
1722 complete i
1723 @end smallexample
1724
1725 @noindent results in:
1726
1727 @smallexample
1728 @group
1729 if
1730 ignore
1731 info
1732 inspect
1733 @end group
1734 @end smallexample
1735
1736 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1737 @end table
1738
1739 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1740 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1741 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1742 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1743 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1744 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1745
1746 @c @group
1747 @table @code
1748 @kindex info
1749 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1750 @item info
1751 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1752 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1753 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1754 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1755 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1756 @w{@code{help info}}.
1757
1758 @kindex set
1759 @item set
1760 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1761 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1762 @code{set prompt $}.
1763
1764 @kindex show
1765 @item show
1766 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1767 @value{GDBN} itself.
1768 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1769 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1770 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1771 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1772
1773 @kindex info set
1774 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1775 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1776 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1777 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1778 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1779 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1780 @end table
1781 @c @end group
1782
1783 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1784 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1785
1786 @table @code
1787 @kindex show version
1788 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1789 @item show version
1790 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1791 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1792 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1793 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1794 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1795 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1796 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1797 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1798 @value{GDBN}.
1799
1800 @kindex show copying
1801 @kindex info copying
1802 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1803 @item show copying
1804 @itemx info copying
1805 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1806
1807 @kindex show warranty
1808 @kindex info warranty
1809 @item show warranty
1810 @itemx info warranty
1811 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1812 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1813
1814 @end table
1815
1816 @node Running
1817 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1818
1819 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1820 debugging information when you compile it.
1821
1822 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1823 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1824 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1825 kill a child process.
1826
1827 @menu
1828 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1829 * Starting:: Starting your program
1830 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1831 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1832
1833 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1834 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1835 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1836 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1837
1838 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1839 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1840 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1841 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1842 @end menu
1843
1844 @node Compilation
1845 @section Compiling for Debugging
1846
1847 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1848 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1849 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1850 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1851 and addresses in the executable code.
1852
1853 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1854 the compiler.
1855
1856 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1857 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1858 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1859 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1860 executables containing debugging information.
1861
1862 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1863 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1864 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1865 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1866 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1867
1868 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1869 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1870 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1871
1872 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1873 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1874 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1875 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1876 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1877 provides macro information if you specify the options
1878 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1879 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1880 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1881 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1882 @option{-g} alone.
1883
1884 @need 2000
1885 @node Starting
1886 @section Starting your Program
1887 @cindex starting
1888 @cindex running
1889
1890 @table @code
1891 @kindex run
1892 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1893 @item run
1894 @itemx r
1895 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1896 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1897 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1898 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1899 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1900
1901 @end table
1902
1903 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1904 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1905 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1906 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1907 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1908 message like this one:
1909
1910 @smallexample
1911 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1912 Try "help target" or "continue".
1913 @end smallexample
1914
1915 @noindent
1916 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1917 first (@pxref{load}).
1918
1919 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1920 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1921 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1922 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1923 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1924 divided into four categories:
1925
1926 @table @asis
1927 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1928 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1929 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1930 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1931 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1932 the arguments.
1933 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1934 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1935 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1936
1937 @item The @emph{environment.}
1938 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1939 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1940 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1941 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1942
1943 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1944 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1945 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1946 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1947
1948 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1949 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1950 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1951 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1952 set a different device for your program.
1953 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1954
1955 @cindex pipes
1956 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1957 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1958 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1959 wrong program.
1960 @end table
1961
1962 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1963 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1964 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1965 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1966 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1967
1968 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1969 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1970 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1971 your current breakpoints.
1972
1973 @table @code
1974 @kindex start
1975 @item start
1976 @cindex run to main procedure
1977 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1978 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1979 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1980 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1981 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1982 procedure, depending on the language used.
1983
1984 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1985 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1986 the @samp{run} command.
1987
1988 @cindex elaboration phase
1989 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1990 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1991 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1992 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1993 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1994 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1995 will remain to halt execution.
1996
1997 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1998 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1999 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2000 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2001 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2002
2003 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2004 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2005 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2006 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2007 elaboration code before running your program.
2008
2009 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2010 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2011 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2012 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2013 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2014 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2015 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2016 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2017 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2018 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2019 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2020
2021 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2022 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2023 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2024 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2025
2026 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2027 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2028 environment:
2029
2030 @smallexample
2031 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2032 (@value{GDBP}) run
2033 @end smallexample
2034
2035 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2036 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2037
2038 @kindex set disable-randomization
2039 @item set disable-randomization
2040 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2041 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2042 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2043 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2044 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2045
2046 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2047 behavior using
2048
2049 @smallexample
2050 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2051 @end smallexample
2052
2053 @item set disable-randomization off
2054 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2055 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2056 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2057 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2058 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2059 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2060
2061 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2062 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2063 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2064 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2065 a code at its expected addresses.
2066
2067 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2068 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2069 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2070 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2071 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2072 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2073 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2074 a randomly chosen address.
2075
2076 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2077 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2078 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2079 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2080 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2081
2082 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2083 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2084
2085 @item show disable-randomization
2086 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2087 the virtual address space of the started program.
2088
2089 @end table
2090
2091 @node Arguments
2092 @section Your Program's Arguments
2093
2094 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2095 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2096 @code{run} command.
2097 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2098 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2099 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2100 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2101 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2102
2103 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2104 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2105 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2106 the program, not by the shell.
2107
2108 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2109 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2110
2111 @table @code
2112 @kindex set args
2113 @item set args
2114 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2115 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2116 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2117 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2118 it again without arguments.
2119
2120 @kindex show args
2121 @item show args
2122 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2123 @end table
2124
2125 @node Environment
2126 @section Your Program's Environment
2127
2128 @cindex environment (of your program)
2129 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2130 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2131 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2132 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2133 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2134 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2135 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2136
2137 @table @code
2138 @kindex path
2139 @item path @var{directory}
2140 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2141 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2142 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2143 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2144 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2145 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2146 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2147
2148 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2149 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2150 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2151 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2152 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2153 @var{directory} to the search path.
2154 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2155 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2156
2157 @kindex show paths
2158 @item show paths
2159 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2160 environment variable).
2161
2162 @kindex show environment
2163 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2164 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2165 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2166 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2167 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2168
2169 @kindex set environment
2170 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2171 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2172 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2173 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2174 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2175 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2176 null value.
2177 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2178 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2179
2180 For example, this command:
2181
2182 @smallexample
2183 set env USER = foo
2184 @end smallexample
2185
2186 @noindent
2187 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2188 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2189 are not actually required.)
2190
2191 @kindex unset environment
2192 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2193 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2194 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2195 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2196 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2197 @end table
2198
2199 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2200 the shell indicated
2201 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2202 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2203 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2204 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2205 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2206 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2207 @file{.profile}.
2208
2209 @node Working Directory
2210 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2211
2212 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2213 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2214 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2215 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2216 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2217 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2218
2219 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2220 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2221 Specify Files}.
2222
2223 @table @code
2224 @kindex cd
2225 @cindex change working directory
2226 @item cd @var{directory}
2227 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2228
2229 @kindex pwd
2230 @item pwd
2231 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2232 @end table
2233
2234 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2235 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2236 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2237 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2238 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2239 current working directory of the debuggee.
2240
2241 @node Input/Output
2242 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2243
2244 @cindex redirection
2245 @cindex i/o
2246 @cindex terminal
2247 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2248 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2249 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2250 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2251 running your program.
2252
2253 @table @code
2254 @kindex info terminal
2255 @item info terminal
2256 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2257 program is using.
2258 @end table
2259
2260 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2261 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2262
2263 @smallexample
2264 run > outfile
2265 @end smallexample
2266
2267 @noindent
2268 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2269
2270 @kindex tty
2271 @cindex controlling terminal
2272 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2273 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2274 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2275 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2276 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2277
2278 @smallexample
2279 tty /dev/ttyb
2280 @end smallexample
2281
2282 @noindent
2283 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2284 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2285 that as their controlling terminal.
2286
2287 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2288 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2289 terminal.
2290
2291 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2292 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2293 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2294 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2295
2296 @cindex inferior tty
2297 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2298 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2299 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2300 program.
2301
2302 @table @code
2303 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2304 @kindex set inferior-tty
2305 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2306
2307 @item show inferior-tty
2308 @kindex show inferior-tty
2309 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2310 @end table
2311
2312 @node Attach
2313 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2314 @kindex attach
2315 @cindex attach
2316
2317 @table @code
2318 @item attach @var{process-id}
2319 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2320 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2321 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2322 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2323 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2324
2325 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2326 executing the command.
2327 @end table
2328
2329 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2330 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2331 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2332 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2333
2334 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2335 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2336 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2337 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2338 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2339 Specify Files}.
2340
2341 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2342 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2343 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2344 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2345 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2346 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2347 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2348
2349 @table @code
2350 @kindex detach
2351 @item detach
2352 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2353 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2354 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2355 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2356 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2357 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2358 executing the command.
2359 @end table
2360
2361 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2362 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2363 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2364 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2365 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2366 Messages}).
2367
2368 @node Kill Process
2369 @section Killing the Child Process
2370
2371 @table @code
2372 @kindex kill
2373 @item kill
2374 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2375 @end table
2376
2377 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2378 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2379 is running.
2380
2381 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2382 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2383 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2384 outside the debugger.
2385
2386 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2387 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2388 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2389 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2390 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2391 breakpoint settings).
2392
2393 @node Inferiors and Programs
2394 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2395
2396 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2397 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2398 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2399 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2400 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2401 from multiple executables.
2402
2403 @cindex inferior
2404 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2405 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2406 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2407 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2408 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2409 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2410 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2411 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2412 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2413 threads running in it.
2414
2415 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2416 inferiors}}:
2417
2418 @table @code
2419 @kindex info inferiors
2420 @item info inferiors
2421 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2422
2423 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2424
2425 @enumerate
2426 @item
2427 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2428
2429 @item
2430 the target system's inferior identifier
2431
2432 @item
2433 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2434
2435 @end enumerate
2436
2437 @noindent
2438 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2439 indicates the current inferior.
2440
2441 For example,
2442 @end table
2443 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2444
2445 @smallexample
2446 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2447 Num Description Executable
2448 2 process 2307 hello
2449 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2450 @end smallexample
2451
2452 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2453
2454 @table @code
2455 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2456 @item inferior @var{infno}
2457 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2458 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2459 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2460 @end table
2461
2462
2463 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2464 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2465 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2466 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2467 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2468 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2469
2470 @table @code
2471 @kindex add-inferior
2472 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2473 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2474 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2475 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2476 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2477 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2478
2479 @kindex clone-inferior
2480 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2481 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2482 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2483 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2484 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2485
2486 @smallexample
2487 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2488 Num Description Executable
2489 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2490 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2491 Added inferior 2.
2492 1 inferiors added.
2493 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2494 Num Description Executable
2495 2 <null> helloworld
2496 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2497 @end smallexample
2498
2499 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2500
2501 @kindex remove-inferior
2502 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2503 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2504 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2505 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2506
2507 @end table
2508
2509 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2510 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2511 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2512 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2513
2514 @table @code
2515 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2516 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2517 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2518 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2519 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2520 show @samp{<null>}.
2521
2522 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2523 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2524 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2525 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2526 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2527 show @samp{<null>}.
2528 @end table
2529
2530 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2531 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2532 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2533 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2534
2535
2536 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2537 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2538
2539 @table @code
2540 @kindex set print inferior-events
2541 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2542 @item set print inferior-events
2543 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2545 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2546 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2547 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2548 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2549
2550 @kindex show print inferior-events
2551 @item show print inferior-events
2552 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2553 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2554 @end table
2555
2556 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2557 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2558 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2559
2560
2561 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2562 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2563 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2564 info program-spaces}} command.
2565
2566 @table @code
2567 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2568 @item maint info program-spaces
2569 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2570 @value{GDBN}.
2571
2572 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2573
2574 @enumerate
2575 @item
2576 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2577
2578 @item
2579 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2580 the @code{file} command.
2581
2582 @end enumerate
2583
2584 @noindent
2585 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2586 indicates the current program space.
2587
2588 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2589 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2590 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2591
2592 @smallexample
2593 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2594 Id Executable
2595 2 goodbye
2596 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2597 * 1 hello
2598 @end smallexample
2599
2600 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2601 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2602 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2603 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2604 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2605
2606 @smallexample
2607 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2608 Id Executable
2609 * 1 vfork-test
2610 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2611 @end smallexample
2612
2613 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2614 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2615 @end table
2616
2617 @node Threads
2618 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2619
2620 @cindex threads of execution
2621 @cindex multiple threads
2622 @cindex switching threads
2623 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2624 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2625 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2626 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2627 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2628 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2629 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2630
2631 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2632 programs:
2633
2634 @itemize @bullet
2635 @item automatic notification of new threads
2636 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2637 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2638 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2639 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2640 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2641 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2642 messages on thread start and exit.
2643 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2644 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2645 isn't compatible with the program.
2646 @end itemize
2647
2648 @quotation
2649 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2650 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2651 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2652 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2653 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2654 like this:
2655
2656 @smallexample
2657 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2658 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2659 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2660 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2661 @end smallexample
2662 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2663 @c doesn't support threads"?
2664 @end quotation
2665
2666 @cindex focus of debugging
2667 @cindex current thread
2668 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2669 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2670 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2671 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2672 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2673
2674 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2675 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2676 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2677 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2678 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2679 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2680 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2681 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2682 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2683 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2684
2685 @smallexample
2686 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2687 @end smallexample
2688
2689 @noindent
2690 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2691 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2692 further qualifier.
2693
2694 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2695 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2696 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2697 @c program?
2698 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2699 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2700 @c threads ab initio?
2701
2702 @cindex thread number
2703 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2704 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2705 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2706
2707 @table @code
2708 @kindex info threads
2709 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2710 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2711 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2712 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2713 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2714
2715 @enumerate
2716 @item
2717 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2718
2719 @item
2720 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2721
2722 @item
2723 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2724 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2725 program itself.
2726
2727 @item
2728 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2729 @end enumerate
2730
2731 @noindent
2732 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2733 indicates the current thread.
2734
2735 For example,
2736 @end table
2737 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2738
2739 @smallexample
2740 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2741 Id Target Id Frame
2742 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2743 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2745 at threadtest.c:68
2746 @end smallexample
2747
2748 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2749 Solaris-specific command:
2750
2751 @table @code
2752 @item maint info sol-threads
2753 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2754 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2755 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2756 @end table
2757
2758 @table @code
2759 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2760 @item thread @var{threadno}
2761 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2762 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2763 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2764 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2765 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2766
2767 @smallexample
2768 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2769 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2770 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2771 8 printf ("hello\n");
2772 @end smallexample
2773
2774 @noindent
2775 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2776 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2777 threads.
2778
2779 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2780 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2781 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2782 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2783 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2784 information on convenience variables.
2785
2786 @kindex thread apply
2787 @cindex apply command to several threads
2788 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2789 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2790 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2791 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2792 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2793 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2794 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2795 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2796
2797 @kindex thread name
2798 @cindex name a thread
2799 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2800 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2801 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2802 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2803
2804 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2805 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2806 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2807 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2808 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2809
2810 @kindex thread find
2811 @cindex search for a thread
2812 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2813 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2814 matches the supplied regular expression.
2815
2816 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2817 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2818 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2819 is the LWP id.
2820
2821 @smallexample
2822 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2823 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2824 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2825 Id Target Id Frame
2826 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 @kindex set print thread-events
2830 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2831 @item set print thread-events
2832 @itemx set print thread-events on
2833 @itemx set print thread-events off
2834 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2835 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2836 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2837 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2838 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2839
2840 @kindex show print thread-events
2841 @item show print thread-events
2842 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2843 have started and exited.
2844 @end table
2845
2846 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2847 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2848 programs with multiple threads.
2849
2850 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2851 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2852
2853 @table @code
2854 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2855 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2856 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2857 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2858 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2859 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2860 an empty list.
2861
2862 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2863 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2864 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2865 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2866 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2867 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2868
2869 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2870 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2871 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2872 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2873 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2874 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2875 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2876
2877 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2878 only on some platforms.
2879
2880 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2881 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2882 Display current libthread_db search path.
2883
2884 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2885 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2886 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2887 @item set debug libthread-db
2888 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2889 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2890 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2891 @end table
2892
2893 @node Forks
2894 @section Debugging Forks
2895
2896 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2897 @cindex multiple processes
2898 @cindex processes, multiple
2899 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2900 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2901 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2902 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2903 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2904 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2905 will cause it to terminate.
2906
2907 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2908 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2909 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2910 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2911 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2912 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2913 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2914 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2915 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2916 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2917
2918 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2919 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2920 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2921 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2922
2923 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2924 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2925
2926 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2927 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2928
2929 @table @code
2930 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2931 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2932 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2933 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2934 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2935
2936 @table @code
2937 @item parent
2938 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2939 unimpeded. This is the default.
2940
2941 @item child
2942 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2943 unimpeded.
2944
2945 @end table
2946
2947 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2948 @item show follow-fork-mode
2949 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2950 @end table
2951
2952 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2953 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2954 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2955
2956 @table @code
2957 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2958 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2959 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2960 retain debugger control over them both.
2961
2962 @table @code
2963 @item on
2964 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2965 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2966 independently. This is the default.
2967
2968 @item off
2969 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2970 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2971 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2972 is held suspended.
2973
2974 @end table
2975
2976 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2977 @item show detach-on-fork
2978 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2979 @end table
2980
2981 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2982 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2983 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2984 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2985 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2986 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2987
2988 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2989 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2990 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2991 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2992 and Programs}.
2993
2994 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2995 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2996 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2997 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2998 the child process's @code{main}.
2999
3000 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3001 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3002
3003 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3004 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3005 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3006 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3007 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3008 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3009 command.
3010
3011 @table @code
3012 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3013 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3014
3015 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3016 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3017
3018 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @item new
3022 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3023 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3024 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3025 original inferior.
3026
3027 For example:
3028
3029 @smallexample
3030 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3031 (gdb) info inferior
3032 Id Description Executable
3033 * 1 <null> prog1
3034 (@value{GDBP}) run
3035 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3036 Program exited normally.
3037 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3038 Id Description Executable
3039 * 2 <null> prog2
3040 1 <null> prog1
3041 @end smallexample
3042
3043 @item same
3044 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3045 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3046 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3047 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3048 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3049
3050 For example:
3051
3052 @smallexample
3053 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3054 Id Description Executable
3055 * 1 <null> prog1
3056 (@value{GDBP}) run
3057 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3058 Program exited normally.
3059 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3060 Id Description Executable
3061 * 1 <null> prog2
3062 @end smallexample
3063
3064 @end table
3065 @end table
3066
3067 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3068 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3069 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3070
3071 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3072 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3073
3074 @cindex checkpoint
3075 @cindex restart
3076 @cindex bookmark
3077 @cindex snapshot of a process
3078 @cindex rewind program state
3079
3080 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3081 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3082 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3083 later.
3084
3085 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3086 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3087 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3088 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3089 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3090
3091 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3092 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3093 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3094 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3095 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3096 start again from there.
3097
3098 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3099 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3100
3101 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3102
3103 @table @code
3104 @kindex checkpoint
3105 @item checkpoint
3106 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3107 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3108 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3109
3110 @kindex info checkpoints
3111 @item info checkpoints
3112 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3113 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3114 listed:
3115
3116 @table @code
3117 @item Checkpoint ID
3118 @item Process ID
3119 @item Code Address
3120 @item Source line, or label
3121 @end table
3122
3123 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3124 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3125 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3126 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3127 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3128 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3129 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3130
3131 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3132 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3133 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3134 the debugger.
3135
3136 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3137 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3138 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3139
3140 @end table
3141
3142 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3143 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3144 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3145 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3146 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3147 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3148 previously read data can be read again.
3149
3150 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3151 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3152 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3153 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3154 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3155 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3156
3157 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3158 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3159 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3160 different execution path this time.
3161
3162 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3163 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3164 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3165 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3166 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3167 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3168 potentially pose a problem.
3169
3170 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3171
3172 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3173 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3174 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3175 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3176 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3177 next.
3178
3179 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3180 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3181 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3182 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3183 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3184
3185 @node Stopping
3186 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3187
3188 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3189 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3190 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3191
3192 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3193 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3194 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3195 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3196 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3197 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3198 explicitly request this information at any time.
3199
3200 @table @code
3201 @kindex info program
3202 @item info program
3203 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3204 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3205 @end table
3206
3207 @menu
3208 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3209 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3210 * Signals:: Signals
3211 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3212 @end menu
3213
3214 @node Breakpoints
3215 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3216
3217 @cindex breakpoints
3218 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3219 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3220 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3221 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3222 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3223 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3224 program.
3225
3226 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3227 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3228 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3229 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3230 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3231 call).
3232
3233 @cindex watchpoints
3234 @cindex data breakpoints
3235 @cindex memory tracing
3236 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3237 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3238 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3239 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3240 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3241 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3242 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3243 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3244 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3245 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3246 same commands.
3247
3248 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3249 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3250 Automatic Display}.
3251
3252 @cindex catchpoints
3253 @cindex breakpoint on events
3254 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3255 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3256 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3257 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3258 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3259 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3260 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3261
3262 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3263 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3264 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3265 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3266 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3267 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3268 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3269 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3270 enable it again.
3271
3272 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3273 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3274 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3275 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3276 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3277 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3278 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3279
3280 @menu
3281 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3282 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3283 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3284 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3285 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3286 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3287 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3288 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3289 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3290 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3291 @end menu
3292
3293 @node Set Breaks
3294 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3295
3296 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3297 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3298 @c
3299 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3300
3301 @kindex break
3302 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3303 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3304 @cindex latest breakpoint
3305 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3306 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3307 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3308 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3309 convenience variables.
3310
3311 @table @code
3312 @item break @var{location}
3313 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3314 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3315 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3316 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3317 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3318
3319 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3320 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3321 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3322 that situation.
3323
3324 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3325 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3326 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3327
3328 @item break
3329 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3330 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3331 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3332 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3333 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3334 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3335 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3336 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3337 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3338 inside loops.
3339
3340 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3341 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3342 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3343 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3344 existed when your program stopped.
3345
3346 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3347 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3348 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3349 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3350 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3351 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3352 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3353
3354 @kindex tbreak
3355 @item tbreak @var{args}
3356 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3357 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3358 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3359 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3360
3361 @kindex hbreak
3362 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3363 @item hbreak @var{args}
3364 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3365 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3366 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3367 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3368 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3369 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3370 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3371 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3372 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3373 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3374 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3375 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3376 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3377 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3378 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3379 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3380 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3381 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3382
3383 @kindex thbreak
3384 @item thbreak @var{args}
3385 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3386 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3387 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3388 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3389 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3390 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3391 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3392 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3393
3394 @kindex rbreak
3395 @cindex regular expression
3396 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3397 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3398 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3399 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3400 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3401 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3402 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3403 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3404 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3405
3406 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3407 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3408 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3409 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3410 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3411 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3412
3413 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3414 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3415 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3416 classes.
3417
3418 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3419 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3420 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3421
3422 @smallexample
3423 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3424 @end smallexample
3425
3426 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3427 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3428 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3429 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3430 every function in a given file:
3431
3432 @smallexample
3433 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3434 @end smallexample
3435
3436 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3437 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3438
3439 @kindex info breakpoints
3440 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3441 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3442 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3443 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3444 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3445 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3446 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3447
3448 @table @emph
3449 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3450 @item Type
3451 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3452 @item Disposition
3453 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3454 @item Enabled or Disabled
3455 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3456 that are not enabled.
3457 @item Address
3458 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3459 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3460 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3461 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3462 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3463 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3464 @item What
3465 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3466 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3467 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3468 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3469 @end table
3470
3471 @noindent
3472 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3473 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3474 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3475 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3476 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3477 valid location.
3478
3479 @noindent
3480 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3481 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3482 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3483 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3484 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3485
3486 @noindent
3487 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3488 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3489 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3490 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3491 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3492 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3493 @end table
3494
3495 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3496 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3497 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3498 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3499
3500 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3501 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3502 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3503 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3504
3505 @itemize @bullet
3506 @item
3507 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3508 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3509
3510 @item
3511 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3512 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3513
3514 @item
3515 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3516 several places where that function is inlined.
3517 @end itemize
3518
3519 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3520 the relevant locations@footnote{
3521 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3522 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3523 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3524 info with line numbers for them.}.
3525
3526 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3527 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3528 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3529 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3530 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3531 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3532 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3533
3534 For example:
3535
3536 @smallexample
3537 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3538 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3539 stop only if i==1
3540 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3541 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3542 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3543 @end smallexample
3544
3545 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3546 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3547 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3548 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3549 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3550 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3551 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3552 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3553 that belong to that breakpoint.
3554
3555 @cindex pending breakpoints
3556 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3557 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3558 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3559 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3560 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3561 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3562 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3563 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3564 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3565 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3566 is not yet resolved.
3567
3568 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3569 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3570 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3571 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3572 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3573 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3574
3575 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3576 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3577 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3578 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3579
3580 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3581 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3582 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3583
3584 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3585 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3586 address specification to an address:
3587
3588 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3589 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3590 @table @code
3591 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3592 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3593 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3594
3595 @item set breakpoint pending on
3596 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3597 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3598
3599 @item set breakpoint pending off
3600 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3601 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3602 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3603
3604 @item show breakpoint pending
3605 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3606 @end table
3607
3608 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3609 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3610 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3611
3612 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3613 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3614 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3615 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3616 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3617 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3618 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3619 breakpoints.
3620
3621 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3622
3623 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3624 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3625 @table @code
3626 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3627 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3628 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3629 breakpoint must be used.
3630
3631 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3632 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3633 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3634 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3635 @end table
3636
3637 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3638 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3639 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3640 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3641 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3642 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3643 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3644 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3645 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3646
3647 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3648 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3649 @table @code
3650 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3651 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3652 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3653 removed from the target when it stops.
3654
3655 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3656 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3657 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3658 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3659 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3660
3661 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3662 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3663 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3664 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3665 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3666 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3667 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3668 @end table
3669
3670 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3671 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3672 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3673 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3674 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3675 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3676 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3677 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3678
3679
3680 @node Set Watchpoints
3681 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3682
3683 @cindex setting watchpoints
3684 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3685 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3686 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3687 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3688 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3689
3690 @itemize @bullet
3691 @item
3692 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3693
3694 @item
3695 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3696 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3697 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3698
3699 @item
3700 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3701 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3702 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3703 @end itemize
3704
3705 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3706 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3707 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3708 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3709 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3710 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3711 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3712 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3713 the expression changes.
3714
3715 @cindex software watchpoints
3716 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3717 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3718 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3719 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3720 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3721 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3722 culprit.)
3723
3724 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3725 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3726 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3727
3728 @table @code
3729 @kindex watch
3730 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3731 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3732 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3733 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3734 to watch the value of a single variable:
3735
3736 @smallexample
3737 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3738 @end smallexample
3739
3740 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3741 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3742 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3743 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3744 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3745 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3746
3747 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3748 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3749 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3750 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3751 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3752 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3753 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3754 error.
3755
3756 @kindex rwatch
3757 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3758 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3759 by the program.
3760
3761 @kindex awatch
3762 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3763 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3764 or written into by the program.
3765
3766 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3767 @item info watchpoints
3768 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3769 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3770 @end table
3771
3772 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3773 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3774 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3775 a never-changing value:
3776
3777 @smallexample
3778 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3779 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3780 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3781 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3782 @end smallexample
3783
3784 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3785 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3786 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3787 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3788 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3789 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3790
3791 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3792 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3793 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3794 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3795 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3796 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3797 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3798 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3799
3800 @table @code
3801 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3802 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3803 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3804
3805 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3806 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3807 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3808 @end table
3809
3810 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3811 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3812 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3813
3814 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3815
3816 @smallexample
3817 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3818 @end smallexample
3819
3820 @noindent
3821 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3822
3823 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3824 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3825 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3826 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3827 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3828 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3829 will print a message like this:
3830
3831 @smallexample
3832 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3833 @end smallexample
3834
3835 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3836 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3837 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3838 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3839 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3840 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3841 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3842 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3843
3844 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3845 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3846 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3847 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3848 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3849 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3850
3851 @smallexample
3852 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3853 @end smallexample
3854
3855 @noindent
3856 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3857
3858 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3859 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3860 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3861 expression with separately allocated resources.
3862
3863 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3864 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3865 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3866
3867 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3868 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3869 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3870 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3871 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3872 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3873 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3874 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3875 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3876
3877 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3878 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3879 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3880 watched expression from every thread.
3881
3882 @quotation
3883 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3884 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3885 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3886 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3887 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3888 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3889 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3890 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3891 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3892 @end quotation
3893
3894 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3895
3896 @node Set Catchpoints
3897 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3898 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3899 @cindex exception handlers
3900 @cindex event handling
3901
3902 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3903 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3904 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3905
3906 @table @code
3907 @kindex catch
3908 @item catch @var{event}
3909 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3910 @table @code
3911 @item throw
3912 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3913 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3914
3915 @item catch
3916 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3917
3918 @item exception
3919 @cindex Ada exception catching
3920 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3921 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3922 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3923 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3924 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3925
3926 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3927 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3928 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3929 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3930 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3931 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3932 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3933 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3934
3935 @item exception unhandled
3936 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3937
3938 @item assert
3939 A failed Ada assertion.
3940
3941 @item exec
3942 @cindex break on fork/exec
3943 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3944 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3945
3946 @item syscall
3947 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3948 @cindex break on a system call.
3949 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3950 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3951 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3952 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3953 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3954 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3955 will be caught.
3956
3957 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3958 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3959 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3960 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3961
3962 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3963 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3964 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3965 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3966
3967 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3968 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3969 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3970 available choices.
3971
3972 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3973 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3974 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3975 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3976 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3977 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3978 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3979 behind the OS upgrades).
3980
3981 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3982 arguments to it:
3983
3984 @smallexample
3985 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3986 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3987 (@value{GDBP}) r
3988 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3989
3990 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3991 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3992 (@value{GDBP}) c
3993 Continuing.
3994
3995 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3996 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3997 (@value{GDBP})
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4001
4002 @smallexample
4003 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4004 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4005 (@value{GDBP}) r
4006 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4007
4008 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4009 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4010 (@value{GDBP}) c
4011 Continuing.
4012
4013 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4014 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4015 (@value{GDBP})
4016 @end smallexample
4017
4018 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4019 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4020 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4021
4022 @smallexample
4023 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4024 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4025 (@value{GDBP}) r
4026 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4027
4028 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4029 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4030 (@value{GDBP}) c
4031 Continuing.
4032
4033 Program exited normally.
4034 (@value{GDBP})
4035 @end smallexample
4036
4037 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4038 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4039 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4040 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4041
4042 @smallexample
4043 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4044 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4045 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4046 (@value{GDBP})
4047 @end smallexample
4048
4049 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4050 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4051 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4052 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4053 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4054 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4055
4056 @smallexample
4057 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4058 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4059 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4060 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4061 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4062 (@value{GDBP})
4063 @end smallexample
4064
4065 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4066
4067 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4068 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4069
4070 @smallexample
4071 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4072 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4076
4077 @item fork
4078 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4079 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4080
4081 @item vfork
4082 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4083 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4084
4085 @end table
4086
4087 @item tcatch @var{event}
4088 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4089 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4090
4091 @end table
4092
4093 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4094
4095 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4096 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4097
4098 @itemize @bullet
4099 @item
4100 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4101 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4102 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4103 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4104 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4105 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4106 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4107 disabled within interactive calls.
4108
4109 @item
4110 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4111
4112 @item
4113 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4114 @end itemize
4115
4116 @cindex raise exceptions
4117 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4118 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4119 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4120 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4121 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4122 out where the exception was raised.
4123
4124 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4125 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4126 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4127 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4128
4129 @smallexample
4130 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4131 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4132 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4133 @end smallexample
4134
4135 @noindent
4136 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4137 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4138 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4139
4140 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4141 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4142 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4143 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4144 raised.
4145
4146
4147 @node Delete Breaks
4148 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4149
4150 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4151 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4152 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4153 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4154 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4155 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4156
4157 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4158 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4159 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4160 their breakpoint numbers.
4161
4162 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4163 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4164 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4165
4166 @table @code
4167 @kindex clear
4168 @item clear
4169 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4170 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4171 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4172 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4173
4174 @item clear @var{location}
4175 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4176 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4177 most useful ones are listed below:
4178
4179 @table @code
4180 @item clear @var{function}
4181 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4182 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4183
4184 @item clear @var{linenum}
4185 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4186 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4187 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4188 @end table
4189
4190 @cindex delete breakpoints
4191 @kindex delete
4192 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4193 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4194 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4195 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4196 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4197 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4198 @end table
4199
4200 @node Disabling
4201 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4202
4203 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4204 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4205 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4206 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4207 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4208
4209 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4210 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4211 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4212 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4213 do not know which numbers to use.
4214
4215 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4216 affects all of its locations.
4217
4218 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4219 states of enablement:
4220
4221 @itemize @bullet
4222 @item
4223 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4224 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4225 @item
4226 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4227 @item
4228 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4229 disabled.
4230 @item
4231 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4232 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4233 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4234 @end itemize
4235
4236 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4237 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4238
4239 @table @code
4240 @kindex disable
4241 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4242 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4243 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4244 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4245 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4246 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4247 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4248
4249 @kindex enable
4250 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4251 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4252 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4253
4254 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4255 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4256 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4257
4258 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4259 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4260 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4261 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4262 @end table
4263
4264 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4265 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4266 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4267 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4268 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4269 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4270 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4271 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4272 Stepping}.)
4273
4274 @node Conditions
4275 @subsection Break Conditions
4276 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4277 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4278
4279 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4280 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4281 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4282 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4283 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4284 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4285 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4286 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4287
4288 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4289 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4290 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4291 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4292 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4293
4294 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4295 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4296 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4297 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4298 one.
4299
4300 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4301 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4302 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4303 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4304 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4305 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4306 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4307 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4308 conditions for the
4309 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4310 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4311
4312 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4313 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4314 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4315 with the @code{condition} command.
4316
4317 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4318 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4319 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4320 catchpoint.
4321
4322 @table @code
4323 @kindex condition
4324 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4325 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4326 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4327 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4328 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4329 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4330 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4331 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4332 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4333 prints an error message:
4334
4335 @smallexample
4336 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4337 @end smallexample
4338
4339 @noindent
4340 @value{GDBN} does
4341 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4342 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4343 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4344
4345 @item condition @var{bnum}
4346 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4347 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4348 @end table
4349
4350 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4351 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4352 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4353 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4354 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4355 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4356 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4357 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4358 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4359 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4360 your program reaches it.
4361
4362 @table @code
4363 @kindex ignore
4364 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4365 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4366 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4367 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4368 takes no action.
4369
4370 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4371 a count of zero.
4372
4373 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4374 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4375 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4376 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4377
4378 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4379 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4380 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4381
4382 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4383 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4384 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4385 Variables}.
4386 @end table
4387
4388 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4389
4390
4391 @node Break Commands
4392 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4393
4394 @cindex breakpoint commands
4395 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4396 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4397 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4398 enable other breakpoints.
4399
4400 @table @code
4401 @kindex commands
4402 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4403 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4404 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4405 @itemx end
4406 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4407 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4408 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4409
4410 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4411 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4412
4413 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4414 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4415 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4416 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4417 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4418 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4419 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4420 Expressions}).
4421 @end table
4422
4423 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4424 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4425
4426 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4427 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4428 that resumes execution.
4429
4430 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4431 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4432 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4433 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4434 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4435
4436 @kindex silent
4437 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4438 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4439 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4440 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4441 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4442 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4443
4444 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4445 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4446 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4447
4448 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4449 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4450
4451 @smallexample
4452 break foo if x>0
4453 commands
4454 silent
4455 printf "x is %d\n",x
4456 cont
4457 end
4458 @end smallexample
4459
4460 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4461 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4462 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4463 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4464 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4465 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4466 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4467
4468 @smallexample
4469 break 403
4470 commands
4471 silent
4472 set x = y + 4
4473 cont
4474 end
4475 @end smallexample
4476
4477 @node Save Breakpoints
4478 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4479
4480 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4481 breakpoints}} command.
4482
4483 @table @code
4484 @kindex save breakpoints
4485 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4486 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4487 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4488 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4489 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4490 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4491 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4492 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4493 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4494 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4495 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4496 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4497 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4498 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4499 that can no longer be recreated.
4500 @end table
4501
4502 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4503 @node Error in Breakpoints
4504 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4505
4506 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4507 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4508
4509 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4510 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4511 @smallexample
4512 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4513 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4514 @end smallexample
4515
4516 @noindent
4517 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4518 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4519 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4520
4521 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4522 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4523
4524 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4525 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4526 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4527
4528 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4529 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4530 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4531 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4532
4533 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4534 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4535 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4536 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4537 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4538 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4539 first in the bundle.
4540
4541 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4542 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4543 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4544 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4545 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4546 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4547 is hit.
4548
4549 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4550 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4551
4552 @smallexample
4553 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4554 @end smallexample
4555
4556 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4557 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4558 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4559 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4560 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4561 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4562 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4563 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4564
4565 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4566 adjusted breakpoints:
4567
4568 @smallexample
4569 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4570 to 0x00010410.
4571 @end smallexample
4572
4573 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4574 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4575 frequently than expected.
4576
4577 @node Continuing and Stepping
4578 @section Continuing and Stepping
4579
4580 @cindex stepping
4581 @cindex continuing
4582 @cindex resuming execution
4583 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4584 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4585 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4586 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4587 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4588 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4589 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4590 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4591
4592 @table @code
4593 @kindex continue
4594 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4595 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4596 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4597 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4598 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4599 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4600 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4601 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4602 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4603 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4604
4605 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4606 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4607 @code{continue} is ignored.
4608
4609 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4610 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4611 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4612 @code{continue}.
4613 @end table
4614
4615 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4616 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4617 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4618 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4619
4620 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4621 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4622 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4623 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4624 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4625 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4626
4627 @table @code
4628 @kindex step
4629 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4630 @item step
4631 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4632 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4633 abbreviated @code{s}.
4634
4635 @quotation
4636 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4637 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4638 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4639 @c distinction here.
4640 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4641 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4642 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4643 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4644 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4645 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4646 below.
4647 @end quotation
4648
4649 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4650 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4651 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4652 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4653 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4654 called within the line.
4655
4656 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4657 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4658 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4659 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4660 was any debugging information about the routine.
4661
4662 @item step @var{count}
4663 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4664 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4665 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4666
4667 @kindex next
4668 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4669 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4670 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4671 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4672 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4673 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4674 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4675 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4676
4677 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4678
4679
4680 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4681 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4682 @c
4683 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4684 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4685 @c function are executed without stopping.
4686
4687 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4688 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4689 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4690
4691 @kindex set step-mode
4692 @item set step-mode
4693 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4694 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4695 @itemx set step-mode on
4696 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4697 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4698 information rather than stepping over it.
4699
4700 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4701 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4702 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4703
4704 @item set step-mode off
4705 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4706 debug information. This is the default.
4707
4708 @item show step-mode
4709 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4710 source line debug information.
4711
4712 @kindex finish
4713 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4714 @item finish
4715 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4716 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4717 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4718
4719 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4720 ,Returning from a Function}).
4721
4722 @kindex until
4723 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4724 @cindex run until specified location
4725 @item until
4726 @itemx u
4727 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4728 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4729 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4730 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4731 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4732 than the address of the jump.
4733
4734 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4735 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4736 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4737 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4738 through the next iteration.
4739
4740 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4741 stack frame.
4742
4743 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4744 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4745 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4746 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4747 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4748
4749 @smallexample
4750 (@value{GDBP}) f
4751 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4752 206 expand_input();
4753 (@value{GDBP}) until
4754 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4755 @end smallexample
4756
4757 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4758 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4759 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4760 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4761 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4762 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4763 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4764
4765 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4766 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4767 argument.
4768
4769 @item until @var{location}
4770 @itemx u @var{location}
4771 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4772 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4773 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4774 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4775 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4776 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4777 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4778 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4779 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4780 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4781 invocations have returned.
4782
4783 @smallexample
4784 94 int factorial (int value)
4785 95 @{
4786 96 if (value > 1) @{
4787 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4788 98 @}
4789 99 return (value);
4790 100 @}
4791 @end smallexample
4792
4793
4794 @kindex advance @var{location}
4795 @itemx advance @var{location}
4796 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4797 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4798 @ref{Specify Location}.
4799 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4800 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4801 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4802 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4803
4804
4805 @kindex stepi
4806 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4807 @item stepi
4808 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4809 @itemx si
4810 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4811
4812 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4813 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4814 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4815 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4816
4817 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4818
4819 @need 750
4820 @kindex nexti
4821 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4822 @item nexti
4823 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4824 @itemx ni
4825 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4826 proceed until the function returns.
4827
4828 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4829 @end table
4830
4831 @node Signals
4832 @section Signals
4833 @cindex signals
4834
4835 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4836 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4837 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4838 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4839 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4840 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4841 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4842 requested an alarm).
4843
4844 @cindex fatal signals
4845 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4846 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4847 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4848 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4849 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4850 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4851
4852 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4853 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4854 signal.
4855
4856 @cindex handling signals
4857 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4858 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4859 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4860 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4861 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4862
4863 @table @code
4864 @kindex info signals
4865 @kindex info handle
4866 @item info signals
4867 @itemx info handle
4868 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4869 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4870 the defined types of signals.
4871
4872 @item info signals @var{sig}
4873 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4874
4875 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4876
4877 @kindex handle
4878 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4879 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4880 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4881 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4882 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4883 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4884 say what change to make.
4885 @end table
4886
4887 @c @group
4888 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4889 Their full names are:
4890
4891 @table @code
4892 @item nostop
4893 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4894 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4895
4896 @item stop
4897 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4898 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4899
4900 @item print
4901 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4902
4903 @item noprint
4904 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4905 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4906
4907 @item pass
4908 @itemx noignore
4909 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4910 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4911 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4912
4913 @item nopass
4914 @itemx ignore
4915 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4916 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4917 @end table
4918 @c @end group
4919
4920 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4921 program until you
4922 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4923 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4924 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4925 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4926 program sees that signal when you continue.
4927
4928 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4929 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4930 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4931 erroneous signals.
4932
4933 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4934 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4935 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4936 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4937 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4938 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4939 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4940 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4941 Program a Signal}.
4942
4943 @cindex extra signal information
4944 @anchor{extra signal information}
4945
4946 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4947 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4948 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4949 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4950 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4951 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4952 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4953 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4954 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4955 system header.
4956
4957 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4958 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4959
4960 @smallexample
4961 @group
4962 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4963 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4964 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4965 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4966 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4967 type = struct @{
4968 int si_signo;
4969 int si_errno;
4970 int si_code;
4971 union @{
4972 int _pad[28];
4973 struct @{...@} _kill;
4974 struct @{...@} _timer;
4975 struct @{...@} _rt;
4976 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4977 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4978 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4979 @} _sifields;
4980 @}
4981 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4982 type = struct @{
4983 void *si_addr;
4984 @}
4985 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4986 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4987 @end group
4988 @end smallexample
4989
4990 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4991
4992 @node Thread Stops
4993 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4994
4995 @cindex stopped threads
4996 @cindex threads, stopped
4997
4998 @cindex continuing threads
4999 @cindex threads, continuing
5000
5001 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5002 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5003 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5004 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5005 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5006 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5007 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5008 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5009 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5010
5011 @menu
5012 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5013 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5014 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5015 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5016 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5017 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5018 @end menu
5019
5020 @node All-Stop Mode
5021 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5022
5023 @cindex all-stop mode
5024
5025 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5026 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5027 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5028 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5029 underfoot.
5030
5031 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5032 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5033 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5034
5035 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5036 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5037 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5038 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5039 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5040 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5041 stops.
5042
5043 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5044 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5045 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5046 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5047
5048 @cindex automatic thread selection
5049 @cindex switching threads automatically
5050 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5051 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5052 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5053 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5054 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5055 thread.
5056
5057 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5058 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5059
5060 @table @code
5061 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5062 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5063 @cindex lock scheduler
5064 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5065 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5066 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5067 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5068 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5069 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5070 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5071 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5072 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5073 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5074 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5075 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5076
5077 @item show scheduler-locking
5078 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5079 @end table
5080
5081 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5082 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5083 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5084 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5085 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5086 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5087 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5088 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5089 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5090 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5091 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5092 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5093 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5094 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5095
5096 @table @code
5097 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5098 @item set schedule-multiple
5099 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5100 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5101 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5102 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5103 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5104 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5105
5106 @item show schedule-multiple
5107 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5108 multiple processes.
5109 @end table
5110
5111 @node Non-Stop Mode
5112 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5113
5114 @cindex non-stop mode
5115
5116 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5117 @c with more details.
5118
5119 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5120 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5121 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5122 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5123 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5124 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5125
5126 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5127 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5128 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5129 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5130 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5131 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5132 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5133 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5134 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5135 independently and simultaneously.
5136
5137 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5138 or attach to your program:
5139
5140 @smallexample
5141 # Enable the async interface.
5142 set target-async 1
5143
5144 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5145 set pagination off
5146
5147 # Finally, turn it on!
5148 set non-stop on
5149 @end smallexample
5150
5151 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5152
5153 @table @code
5154 @kindex set non-stop
5155 @item set non-stop on
5156 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5157 @item set non-stop off
5158 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5159 @kindex show non-stop
5160 @item show non-stop
5161 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5162 @end table
5163
5164 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5165 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5166 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5167 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5168 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5169 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5170 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5171 default.
5172
5173 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5174 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5175 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5176
5177 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5178 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5179 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5180 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5181 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5182
5183 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5184 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5185 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5186 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5187 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5188
5189 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5190
5191 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5192 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5193 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5194 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5195 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5196 previously current thread.
5197
5198 @node Background Execution
5199 @subsection Background Execution
5200
5201 @cindex foreground execution
5202 @cindex background execution
5203 @cindex asynchronous execution
5204 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5205
5206 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5207 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5208 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5209 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5210 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5211 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5212
5213 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5214 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5215 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5216
5217 @table @code
5218 @kindex set target-async
5219 @item set target-async on
5220 Enable asynchronous mode.
5221 @item set target-async off
5222 Disable asynchronous mode.
5223 @kindex show target-async
5224 @item show target-async
5225 Show the current target-async setting.
5226 @end table
5227
5228 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5229 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5230
5231 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5232 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5233 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5234 are:
5235
5236 @table @code
5237 @kindex run&
5238 @item run
5239 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5240
5241 @item attach
5242 @kindex attach&
5243 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5244
5245 @item step
5246 @kindex step&
5247 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5248
5249 @item stepi
5250 @kindex stepi&
5251 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5252
5253 @item next
5254 @kindex next&
5255 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5256
5257 @item nexti
5258 @kindex nexti&
5259 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5260
5261 @item continue
5262 @kindex continue&
5263 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5264
5265 @item finish
5266 @kindex finish&
5267 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5268
5269 @item until
5270 @kindex until&
5271 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5272
5273 @end table
5274
5275 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5276 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5277 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5278 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5279 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5280 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5281
5282 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5283 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5284
5285 @table @code
5286 @kindex interrupt
5287 @item interrupt
5288 @itemx interrupt -a
5289
5290 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5291 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5292 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5293 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5294 @end table
5295
5296 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5297 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5298
5299 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5300 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5301 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5302
5303 @table @code
5304 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5305 @cindex thread breakpoints
5306 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5307 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5308 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5309 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5310 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5311 specify some source line.
5312
5313 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5314 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5315 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5316 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5317 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5318
5319 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5320 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5321 program.
5322
5323 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5324 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5325 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5326
5327 @smallexample
5328 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5329 @end smallexample
5330
5331 @end table
5332
5333 @node Interrupted System Calls
5334 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5335
5336 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5337 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5338 @cindex premature return from system calls
5339 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5340 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5341 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5342 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5343 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5344 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5345 stop execution.
5346
5347 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5348 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5349 style anyways.
5350
5351 For example, do not write code like this:
5352
5353 @smallexample
5354 sleep (10);
5355 @end smallexample
5356
5357 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5358 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5359
5360 Instead, write this:
5361
5362 @smallexample
5363 int unslept = 10;
5364 while (unslept > 0)
5365 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5366 @end smallexample
5367
5368 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5369 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5370 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5371 @value{GDBN}.
5372
5373 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5374 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5375 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5376 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5377
5378 @node Observer Mode
5379 @subsection Observer Mode
5380
5381 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5382 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5383 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5384 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5385 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5386
5387 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5388 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5389 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5390 mode.
5391
5392 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5393 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5394 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5395 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5396 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5397
5398 @table @code
5399
5400 @kindex observer
5401 @item set observer on
5402 @itemx set observer off
5403 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5404 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5405 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5406 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5407
5408 @item show observer
5409 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5410
5411 @kindex may-write-registers
5412 @item set may-write-registers on
5413 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5414 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5415 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5416 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5417
5418 @item show may-write-registers
5419 Show the current permission to write registers.
5420
5421 @kindex may-write-memory
5422 @item set may-write-memory on
5423 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5424 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5425 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5426 defaults to @code{on}.
5427
5428 @item show may-write-memory
5429 Show the current permission to write memory.
5430
5431 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5432 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5433 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5434 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5435 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5436 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5437
5438 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5439 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5440
5441 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5442 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5443 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5444 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5445 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5446 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5447 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5448
5449 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5450 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5451
5452 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5453 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5454 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5455 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5456 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5457 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5458 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5459
5460 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5461 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5462
5463 @kindex may-interrupt
5464 @item set may-interrupt on
5465 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5466 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5467 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5468 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5469 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5470
5471 @item show may-interrupt
5472 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5473
5474 @end table
5475
5476 @node Reverse Execution
5477 @chapter Running programs backward
5478 @cindex reverse execution
5479 @cindex running programs backward
5480
5481 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5482 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5483 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5484 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5485
5486 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5487 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5488 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5489 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5490 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5491 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5492
5493 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5494 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5495 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5496 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5497 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5498 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5499 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5500 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5501 prior values@footnote{
5502 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5503 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5504 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5505
5506 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5507 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5508 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5509 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5510 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5511 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5512 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5513 }.
5514
5515 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5516 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5517
5518 @table @code
5519 @kindex reverse-continue
5520 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5521 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5522 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5523 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5524 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5525 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5526 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5527
5528 @kindex reverse-step
5529 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5530 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5531 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5532 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5533
5534 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5535 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5536 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5537 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5538 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5539 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5540
5541 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5542 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5543
5544 @kindex reverse-stepi
5545 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5546 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5547 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5548 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5549 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5550 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5551 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5552
5553 @kindex reverse-next
5554 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5555 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5556 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5557 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5558 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5559 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5560 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5561 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5562 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5563 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5564
5565 @kindex reverse-nexti
5566 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5567 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5568 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5569 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5570 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5571 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5572 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5573 frame) is reached.
5574
5575 @kindex reverse-finish
5576 @item reverse-finish
5577 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5578 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5579 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5580 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5581
5582 @kindex set exec-direction
5583 @item set exec-direction
5584 Set the direction of target execution.
5585 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5586 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5587 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5588 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5589 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5590 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5591 @item set exec-direction forward
5592 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5593 This is the default.
5594 @end table
5595
5596
5597 @node Process Record and Replay
5598 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5599 @cindex process record and replay
5600 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5601
5602 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5603 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5604 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5605
5606 @cindex replay mode
5607 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5608 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5609 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5610 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5611 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5612 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5613 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5614 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5615 execution log.
5616
5617 @cindex record mode
5618 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5619 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5620 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5621 for future replay.
5622
5623 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5624 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5625 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5626 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5627 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5628 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5629
5630 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5631 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5632 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5633 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5634
5635 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5636 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5637
5638 @table @code
5639 @kindex target record
5640 @kindex record
5641 @kindex rec
5642 @item target record
5643 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5644 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5645 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5646 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5647 the @kbd{target record} command.
5648
5649 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5650
5651 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5652 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5653 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5654 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5655 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5656
5657 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5658 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5659 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5660 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5661 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5662 support these two modes.
5663
5664 @kindex record stop
5665 @kindex rec s
5666 @item record stop
5667 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5668 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5669 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5670
5671 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5672 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5673 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5674 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5675 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5676
5677 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5678 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5679 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5680 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5681 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5682
5683 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5684 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5685
5686 @kindex record save
5687 @item record save @var{filename}
5688 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5689 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5690 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5691
5692 @kindex record restore
5693 @item record restore @var{filename}
5694 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5695 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5696
5697 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5698 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5699 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5700
5701 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5702 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5703 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5704 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5705 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5706 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5707 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5708 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5709
5710 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5711 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5712 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5713
5714 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5715 @item show record insn-number-max
5716 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5717
5718 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5719 @item set record stop-at-limit
5720 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5721 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5722 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5723 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5724 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5725 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5726
5727 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5728 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5729
5730 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5731 @item show record stop-at-limit
5732 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5733
5734 @kindex set record memory-query
5735 @item set record memory-query
5736 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5737 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5738 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5739
5740 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5741 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5742 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5743 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5744 results.
5745
5746 @kindex show record memory-query
5747 @item show record memory-query
5748 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5749
5750 @kindex info record
5751 @item info record
5752 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5753 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5754
5755 @itemize @bullet
5756 @item
5757 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5758 @item
5759 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5760 @item
5761 Highest recorded instruction number.
5762 @item
5763 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5764 @item
5765 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5766 @item
5767 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5768 @end itemize
5769
5770 @kindex record delete
5771 @kindex rec del
5772 @item record delete
5773 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5774 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5775 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5776 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5777 @end table
5778
5779
5780 @node Stack
5781 @chapter Examining the Stack
5782
5783 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5784 stopped and how it got there.
5785
5786 @cindex call stack
5787 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5788 is generated.
5789 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5790 the arguments of the call,
5791 and the local variables of the function being called.
5792 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5793 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5794 stack}.
5795
5796 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5797 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5798
5799 @cindex selected frame
5800 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5801 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5802 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5803 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5804 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5805 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5806
5807 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5808 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5809 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5810
5811 @menu
5812 * Frames:: Stack frames
5813 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5814 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5815 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5816
5817 @end menu
5818
5819 @node Frames
5820 @section Stack Frames
5821
5822 @cindex frame, definition
5823 @cindex stack frame
5824 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5825 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5826 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5827 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5828 which the function is executing.
5829
5830 @cindex initial frame
5831 @cindex outermost frame
5832 @cindex innermost frame
5833 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5834 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5835 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5836 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5837 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5838 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5839 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5840 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5841
5842 @cindex frame pointer
5843 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5844 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5845 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5846 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5847 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5848 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5849
5850 @cindex frame number
5851 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5852 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5853 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5854 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5855 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5856
5857 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5858 @c underflow problems.
5859 @cindex frameless execution
5860 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5861 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5862 @smallexample
5863 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5864 @end smallexample
5865 generates functions without a frame.)
5866 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5867 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5868 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5869 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5870 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5871 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5872 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5873
5874 @table @code
5875 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5876 @cindex current stack frame
5877 @item frame @var{args}
5878 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5879 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5880 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5881 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5882
5883 @kindex select-frame
5884 @cindex selecting frame silently
5885 @item select-frame
5886 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5887 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5888 @code{frame}.
5889 @end table
5890
5891 @node Backtrace
5892 @section Backtraces
5893
5894 @cindex traceback
5895 @cindex call stack traces
5896 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5897 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5898 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5899 stack.
5900
5901 @table @code
5902 @kindex backtrace
5903 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5904 @item backtrace
5905 @itemx bt
5906 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5907 frames in the stack.
5908
5909 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5910 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5911
5912 @item backtrace @var{n}
5913 @itemx bt @var{n}
5914 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5915
5916 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5917 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5918 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5919
5920 @item backtrace full
5921 @itemx bt full
5922 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5923 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5924 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5925 number of frames to print, as described above.
5926 @end table
5927
5928 @kindex where
5929 @kindex info stack
5930 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5931 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5932
5933 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5934 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5935 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5936 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5937 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5938 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5939 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5940 multi-threaded program.
5941
5942 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5943 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5944 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5945 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5946 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5947 line number.
5948
5949 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5950 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5951
5952 @smallexample
5953 @group
5954 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5955 at builtin.c:993
5956 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5957 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5958 at macro.c:71
5959 (More stack frames follow...)
5960 @end group
5961 @end smallexample
5962
5963 @noindent
5964 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5965 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5966 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5967
5968 @noindent
5969 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5970 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5971 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5972 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5973 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5974
5975 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
5976 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5977 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5978 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5979 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5980 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5981 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5982 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5983 such a backtrace might look like:
5984
5985 @smallexample
5986 @group
5987 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5988 at builtin.c:993
5989 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5990 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5991 at macro.c:71
5992 (More stack frames follow...)
5993 @end group
5994 @end smallexample
5995
5996 @noindent
5997 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5998 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
5999
6000 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6001 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6002 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6003
6004 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6005 @cindex program entry point
6006 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6007 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6008 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6009 @code{main}@footnote{
6010 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6011 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6012 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6013 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6014 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6015 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6016
6017 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6018 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6019
6020 @table @code
6021 @item set backtrace past-main
6022 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6023 @kindex set backtrace
6024 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6025
6026 @item set backtrace past-main off
6027 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6028 default.
6029
6030 @item show backtrace past-main
6031 @kindex show backtrace
6032 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6033
6034 @item set backtrace past-entry
6035 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6036 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6037 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6038 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6039
6040 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6041 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6042 application. This is the default.
6043
6044 @item show backtrace past-entry
6045 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6046
6047 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6048 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6049 @cindex backtrace limit
6050 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6051 unlimited.
6052
6053 @item show backtrace limit
6054 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6055 @end table
6056
6057 @node Selection
6058 @section Selecting a Frame
6059
6060 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6061 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6062 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6063 of the stack frame just selected.
6064
6065 @table @code
6066 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6067 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6068 @item frame @var{n}
6069 @itemx f @var{n}
6070 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6071 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6072 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6073 @code{main}.
6074
6075 @item frame @var{addr}
6076 @itemx f @var{addr}
6077 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6078 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6079 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6080 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6081 switches between them.
6082
6083 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6084 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6085
6086 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6087 pointer and a program counter.
6088
6089 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6090 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6091
6092 @kindex up
6093 @item up @var{n}
6094 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6095 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6096 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6097
6098 @kindex down
6099 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6100 @item down @var{n}
6101 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6102 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6103 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6104 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6105 @end table
6106
6107 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6108 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6109 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6110 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6111
6112 @need 1000
6113 For example:
6114
6115 @smallexample
6116 @group
6117 (@value{GDBP}) up
6118 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6119 at env.c:10
6120 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6121 @end group
6122 @end smallexample
6123
6124 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6125 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6126 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6127 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6128 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6129 for details.
6130
6131 @table @code
6132 @kindex down-silently
6133 @kindex up-silently
6134 @item up-silently @var{n}
6135 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6136 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6137 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6138 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6139 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6140 distracting.
6141 @end table
6142
6143 @node Frame Info
6144 @section Information About a Frame
6145
6146 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6147 stack frame.
6148
6149 @table @code
6150 @item frame
6151 @itemx f
6152 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6153 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6154 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6155 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6156 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6157
6158 @kindex info frame
6159 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6160 @item info frame
6161 @itemx info f
6162 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6163 including:
6164
6165 @itemize @bullet
6166 @item
6167 the address of the frame
6168 @item
6169 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6170 @item
6171 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6172 @item
6173 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6174 @item
6175 the address of the frame's arguments
6176 @item
6177 the address of the frame's local variables
6178 @item
6179 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6180 @item
6181 which registers were saved in the frame
6182 @end itemize
6183
6184 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6185 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6186 the usual conventions.
6187
6188 @item info frame @var{addr}
6189 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6190 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6191 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6192 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6193 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6194 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6195
6196 @kindex info args
6197 @item info args
6198 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6199
6200 @item info locals
6201 @kindex info locals
6202 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6203 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6204 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6205
6206 @kindex info catch
6207 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6208 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6209 @item info catch
6210 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6211 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6212 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6213 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6214 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6215
6216 @end table
6217
6218
6219 @node Source
6220 @chapter Examining Source Files
6221
6222 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6223 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6224 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6225 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6226 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6227 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6228 source files by explicit command.
6229
6230 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6231 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6232 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6233
6234 @menu
6235 * List:: Printing source lines
6236 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6237 * Edit:: Editing source files
6238 * Search:: Searching source files
6239 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6240 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6241 @end menu
6242
6243 @node List
6244 @section Printing Source Lines
6245
6246 @kindex list
6247 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6248 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6249 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6250 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6251 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6252
6253 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6254
6255 @table @code
6256 @item list @var{linenum}
6257 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6258 current source file.
6259
6260 @item list @var{function}
6261 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6262 @var{function}.
6263
6264 @item list
6265 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6266 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6267 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6268 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6269 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6270
6271 @item list -
6272 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6273 @end table
6274
6275 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6276 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6277 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6278
6279 @table @code
6280 @kindex set listsize
6281 @item set listsize @var{count}
6282 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6283 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6284
6285 @kindex show listsize
6286 @item show listsize
6287 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6288 @end table
6289
6290 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6291 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6292 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6293 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6294 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6295
6296 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6297 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6298 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6299 to specify some source line.
6300
6301 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6302
6303 @table @code
6304 @item list @var{linespec}
6305 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6306
6307 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6308 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6309 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6310 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6311 the same source file as the first linespec.
6312
6313 @item list ,@var{last}
6314 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6315
6316 @item list @var{first},
6317 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6318
6319 @item list +
6320 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6321
6322 @item list -
6323 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6324
6325 @item list
6326 As described in the preceding table.
6327 @end table
6328
6329 @node Specify Location
6330 @section Specifying a Location
6331 @cindex specifying location
6332 @cindex linespec
6333
6334 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6335 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6336 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6337 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6338
6339 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6340 @value{GDBN} understands:
6341
6342 @table @code
6343 @item @var{linenum}
6344 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6345
6346 @item -@var{offset}
6347 @itemx +@var{offset}
6348 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6349 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6350 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6351 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6352 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6353 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6354 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6355 linespec.
6356
6357 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6358 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6359
6360 @item @var{function}
6361 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6362 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6363
6364 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6365 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6366 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6367 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6368 functions in different source files.
6369
6370 @item @var{label}
6371 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6372 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6373 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6374 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6375 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6376
6377 @item *@var{address}
6378 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6379 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6380 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6381 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6382 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6383 source files.
6384
6385 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6386 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6387 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6388 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6389 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6390 of @var{address}:
6391
6392 @table @code
6393 @item @var{expression}
6394 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6395
6396 @item @var{funcaddr}
6397 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6398 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6399 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6400 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6401 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6402 (although the Pascal form also works).
6403
6404 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6405 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6406
6407 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6408 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6409 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6410 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6411 functions with identical names in different source files.
6412 @end table
6413
6414 @end table
6415
6416
6417 @node Edit
6418 @section Editing Source Files
6419 @cindex editing source files
6420
6421 @kindex edit
6422 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6423 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6424 The editing program of your choice
6425 is invoked with the current line set to
6426 the active line in the program.
6427 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6428 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6429
6430 @table @code
6431 @item edit @var{location}
6432 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6433 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6434 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6435 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6436 command most commonly used:
6437
6438 @table @code
6439 @item edit @var{number}
6440 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6441
6442 @item edit @var{function}
6443 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6444 @end table
6445
6446 @end table
6447
6448 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6449 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6450 @footnote{
6451 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6452 following command-line syntax:
6453 @smallexample
6454 ex +@var{number} file
6455 @end smallexample
6456 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6457 the file where to start editing.}.
6458 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6459 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6460 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6461 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6462 @smallexample
6463 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6464 export EDITOR
6465 gdb @dots{}
6466 @end smallexample
6467 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6468 @smallexample
6469 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6470 gdb @dots{}
6471 @end smallexample
6472
6473 @node Search
6474 @section Searching Source Files
6475 @cindex searching source files
6476
6477 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6478 regular expression.
6479
6480 @table @code
6481 @kindex search
6482 @kindex forward-search
6483 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6484 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6485 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6486 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6487 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6488 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6489 @code{fo}.
6490
6491 @kindex reverse-search
6492 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6493 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6494 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6495 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6496 this command as @code{rev}.
6497 @end table
6498
6499 @node Source Path
6500 @section Specifying Source Directories
6501
6502 @cindex source path
6503 @cindex directories for source files
6504 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6505 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6506 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6507 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6508 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6509 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6510 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6511
6512 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6513 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6514 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6515 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6516 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6517 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6518 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6519 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6520 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6521 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6522 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6523
6524 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6525 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6526 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6527 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6528 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6529 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6530
6531 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6532 source files.
6533
6534 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6535 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6536 each line is in the file.
6537
6538 @kindex directory
6539 @kindex dir
6540 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6541 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6542 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6543
6544 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6545 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6546
6547 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6548 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6549 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6550 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6551 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6552 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6553 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6554 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6555 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6556 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6557 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6558 name to look up the sources.
6559
6560 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6561 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6562 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6563 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6564 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6565 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6566 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6567 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6568
6569 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6570 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6571 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6572 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6573 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6574 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6575 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6576
6577 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6578 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6579 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6580 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6581 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6582 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6583 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6584 command.
6585
6586 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6587 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6588 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6589 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6590 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6591 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6592 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6593
6594 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6595 @cindex default source path substitution
6596 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6597 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6598 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6599 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6600 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6601 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6602 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6603 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6604 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6605 together.
6606
6607 @table @code
6608 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6609 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6610 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6611 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6612 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6613 part of absolute file names) or
6614 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6615 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6616
6617 @kindex cdir
6618 @kindex cwd
6619 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6620 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6621 @cindex compilation directory
6622 @cindex current directory
6623 @cindex working directory
6624 @cindex directory, current
6625 @cindex directory, compilation
6626 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6627 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6628 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6629 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6630 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6631 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6632
6633 @item directory
6634 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6635
6636 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6637 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6638
6639 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6640 @kindex set directories
6641 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6642 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6643
6644 @item show directories
6645 @kindex show directories
6646 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6647
6648 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6649 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6650 @kindex set substitute-path
6651 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6652 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6653 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6654
6655 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6656 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6657
6658 @smallexample
6659 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6660 @end smallexample
6661
6662 @noindent
6663 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6664 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6665 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6666
6667 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6668 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6669 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6670 the substitution.
6671
6672 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6673
6674 @smallexample
6675 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6676 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6677 @end smallexample
6678
6679 @noindent
6680 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6681 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6682 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6683 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6684
6685
6686 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6687 @kindex unset substitute-path
6688 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6689 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6690 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6691
6692 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6693
6694 @item show substitute-path [path]
6695 @kindex show substitute-path
6696 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6697 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6698
6699 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6700 rules.
6701
6702 @end table
6703
6704 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6705 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6706 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6707
6708 @enumerate
6709 @item
6710 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6711
6712 @item
6713 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6714 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6715 directories in one command.
6716 @end enumerate
6717
6718 @node Machine Code
6719 @section Source and Machine Code
6720 @cindex source line and its code address
6721
6722 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6723 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6724 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6725 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6726 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6727 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6728 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6729 well as hex.
6730
6731 @table @code
6732 @kindex info line
6733 @item info line @var{linespec}
6734 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6735 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6736 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6737 @end table
6738
6739 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6740 the object code for the first line of function
6741 @code{m4_changequote}:
6742
6743 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6744 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6745 @smallexample
6746 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6747 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6748 @end smallexample
6749
6750 @noindent
6751 @cindex code address and its source line
6752 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6753 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6754 @smallexample
6755 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6756 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6757 @end smallexample
6758
6759 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6760 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6761 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6762 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6763 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6764 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6765 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6766 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6767 Variables}).
6768
6769 @table @code
6770 @kindex disassemble
6771 @cindex assembly instructions
6772 @cindex instructions, assembly
6773 @cindex machine instructions
6774 @cindex listing machine instructions
6775 @item disassemble
6776 @itemx disassemble /m
6777 @itemx disassemble /r
6778 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6779 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6780 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6781 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6782 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6783 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6784 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6785 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6786 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6787 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6788
6789 @table @code
6790 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6791 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6792 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6793 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6794 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6795 @end table
6796
6797 @noindent
6798 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6799 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6800
6801 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6802 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6803
6804 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6805 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6806 @end table
6807
6808 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6809 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6810
6811 @smallexample
6812 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6813 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6814 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6815 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6816 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6817 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6818 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6819 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6820 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6821 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6822 End of assembler dump.
6823 @end smallexample
6824
6825 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6826 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6827
6828 @smallexample
6829 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6830 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6831 5 @{
6832 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6833 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6834 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6835 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6836 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6837
6838 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6839 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6840 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6841
6842 7 return 0;
6843 8 @}
6844 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6845 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6846 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6847
6848 End of assembler dump.
6849 @end smallexample
6850
6851 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6852
6853 @smallexample
6854 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6855 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6856 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6857 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6858 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6859 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6860 End of assembler dump.
6861 @end smallexample
6862
6863 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6864 mnemonics or other syntax.
6865
6866 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6867 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6868 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6869 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6870 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6871
6872 @table @code
6873 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6874 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6875 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6876 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6877 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6878 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6879
6880 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6881 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6882 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6883 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6884
6885 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6886 @item show disassembly-flavor
6887 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6888 @end table
6889
6890 @table @code
6891 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6892 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6893 @item set disassemble-next-line
6894 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6895 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6896 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6897 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6898 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6899 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6900 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6901 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6902 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6903 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6904 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6905 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6906 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6907 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6908 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6909 instruction.
6910 @end table
6911
6912
6913 @node Data
6914 @chapter Examining Data
6915
6916 @cindex printing data
6917 @cindex examining data
6918 @kindex print
6919 @kindex inspect
6920 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6921 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6922 @c different window or something like that.
6923 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6924 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6925 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6926 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6927 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6928 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6929
6930 @table @code
6931 @item print @var{expr}
6932 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6933 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6934 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6935 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6936 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6937 Formats}.
6938
6939 @item print
6940 @itemx print /@var{f}
6941 @cindex reprint the last value
6942 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6943 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6944 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6945 @end table
6946
6947 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6948 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6949 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6950
6951 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6952 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6953 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6954 Table}.
6955
6956 @menu
6957 * Expressions:: Expressions
6958 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6959 * Variables:: Program variables
6960 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6961 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6962 * Memory:: Examining memory
6963 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6964 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6965 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6966 * Value History:: Value history
6967 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6968 * Registers:: Registers
6969 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6970 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6971 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6972 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6973 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6974 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6975 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6976 character set than GDB does
6977 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6978 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6979 @end menu
6980
6981 @node Expressions
6982 @section Expressions
6983
6984 @cindex expressions
6985 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6986 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6987 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6988 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6989 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6990 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6991 @ref{Compilation}.
6992
6993 @cindex arrays in expressions
6994 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6995 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6996 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6997 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6998 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6999 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7000
7001 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7002 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7003 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7004 languages.
7005
7006 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7007 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7008
7009 @cindex casts, in expressions
7010 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7011 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7012 at that address in memory.
7013 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7014
7015 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7016 to programming languages:
7017
7018 @table @code
7019 @item @@
7020 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7021 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7022
7023 @item ::
7024 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7025 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7026
7027 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7028 @cindex type casting memory
7029 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7030 @cindex casts, to view memory
7031 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7032 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7033 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7034 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7035 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7036 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7037 @end table
7038
7039 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7040 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7041 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7042
7043 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7044 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7045 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7046 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7047 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7048 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7049 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7050
7051 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7052 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7053 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7054 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7055 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7056 as well.
7057
7058 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7059 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7060 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7061 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7062 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7063 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7064 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7065 choices.
7066
7067 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7068 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7069 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7070
7071 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7072 @smallexample
7073 @group
7074 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7075 [0] cancel
7076 [1] all
7077 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7078 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7079 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7080 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7081 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7082 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7083 > 2 4 6
7084 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7085 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7086 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7087 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7088 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7089 breakpoints.
7090 (@value{GDBP})
7091 @end group
7092 @end smallexample
7093
7094 @table @code
7095 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7096 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7097 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7098
7099 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7100 is ambiguous.
7101
7102 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7103 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7104 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7105 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7106 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7107 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7108 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7109 in the use of the menu.
7110
7111 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7112 when an ambiguity is detected.
7113
7114 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7115 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7116
7117 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7118 @item show multiple-symbols
7119 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7120 @end table
7121
7122 @node Variables
7123 @section Program Variables
7124
7125 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7126 in your program.
7127
7128 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7129 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7130
7131 @itemize @bullet
7132 @item
7133 global (or file-static)
7134 @end itemize
7135
7136 @noindent or
7137
7138 @itemize @bullet
7139 @item
7140 visible according to the scope rules of the
7141 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7142 @end itemize
7143
7144 @noindent This means that in the function
7145
7146 @smallexample
7147 foo (a)
7148 int a;
7149 @{
7150 bar (a);
7151 @{
7152 int b = test ();
7153 bar (b);
7154 @}
7155 @}
7156 @end smallexample
7157
7158 @noindent
7159 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7160 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7161 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7162 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7163
7164 @cindex variable name conflict
7165 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7166 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7167 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7168 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7169 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7170 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7171 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7172
7173 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7174 @ifnotinfo
7175 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7176 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7177 @end ifnotinfo
7178 @smallexample
7179 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7180 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7181 @end smallexample
7182
7183 @noindent
7184 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7185 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7186 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7187 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7188
7189 @smallexample
7190 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7191 @end smallexample
7192
7193 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7194 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7195 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7196 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7197 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7198 @c conflict?? --mew
7199
7200 @cindex wrong values
7201 @cindex variable values, wrong
7202 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7203 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7204 @quotation
7205 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7206 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7207 scope, and just before exit.
7208 @end quotation
7209 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7210 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7211 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7212 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7213 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7214 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7215 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7216 variable definitions may be gone.
7217
7218 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7219 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7220 when compiling.
7221
7222 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7223 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7224 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7225 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7226 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7227 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7228 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7229
7230 @smallexample
7231 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7232 @end smallexample
7233
7234 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7235 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7236 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7237 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7238 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7239 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7240 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7241 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7242 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7243 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7244 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7245
7246 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7247 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7248 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7249 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7250
7251 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7252 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7253 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7254 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7255 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7256 For program code
7257
7258 @smallexample
7259 char var0[] = "A";
7260 signed char var1[] = "A";
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 You get during debugging
7264 @smallexample
7265 (gdb) print var0
7266 $1 = "A"
7267 (gdb) print var1
7268 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7269 @end smallexample
7270
7271 @node Arrays
7272 @section Artificial Arrays
7273
7274 @cindex artificial array
7275 @cindex arrays
7276 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7277 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7278 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7279 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7280 program.
7281
7282 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7283 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7284 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7285 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7286 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7287 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7288 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7289 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7290 example. If a program says
7291
7292 @smallexample
7293 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7294 @end smallexample
7295
7296 @noindent
7297 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7298
7299 @smallexample
7300 p *array@@len
7301 @end smallexample
7302
7303 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7304 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7305 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7306 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7307 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7308
7309 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7310 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7311 The value need not be in memory:
7312 @smallexample
7313 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7314 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7315 @end smallexample
7316
7317 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7318 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7319 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7320 @smallexample
7321 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7322 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7323 @end smallexample
7324
7325 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7326 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7327 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7328 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7329 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7330 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7331 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7332 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7333 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7334 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7335
7336 @smallexample
7337 set $i = 0
7338 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7339 @key{RET}
7340 @key{RET}
7341 @dots{}
7342 @end smallexample
7343
7344 @node Output Formats
7345 @section Output Formats
7346
7347 @cindex formatted output
7348 @cindex output formats
7349 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7350 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7351 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7352 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7353 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7354
7355 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7356 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7357 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7358 letters supported are:
7359
7360 @table @code
7361 @item x
7362 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7363 hexadecimal.
7364
7365 @item d
7366 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7367
7368 @item u
7369 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7370
7371 @item o
7372 Print as integer in octal.
7373
7374 @item t
7375 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7376 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7377 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7378 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7379
7380 @item a
7381 @cindex unknown address, locating
7382 @cindex locate address
7383 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7384 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7385 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7386
7387 @smallexample
7388 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7389 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7390 @end smallexample
7391
7392 @noindent
7393 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7394 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7395
7396 @item c
7397 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7398 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7399 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7400 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7401
7402 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7403 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7404 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7405 data.
7406
7407 @item f
7408 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7409 using typical floating point syntax.
7410
7411 @item s
7412 @cindex printing strings
7413 @cindex printing byte arrays
7414 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7415 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7416 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7417 natural types.
7418
7419 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7420 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7421 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7422 array.
7423
7424 @item r
7425 @cindex raw printing
7426 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7427 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7428 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7429 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7430 pretty-printer which might exist.
7431 @end table
7432
7433 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7434
7435 @smallexample
7436 p/x $pc
7437 @end smallexample
7438
7439 @noindent
7440 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7441 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7442
7443 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7444 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7445 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7446
7447 @node Memory
7448 @section Examining Memory
7449
7450 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7451 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7452
7453 @cindex examining memory
7454 @table @code
7455 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7456 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7457 @itemx x @var{addr}
7458 @itemx x
7459 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7460 @end table
7461
7462 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7463 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7464 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7465 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7466 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7467
7468 @table @r
7469 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7470 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7471 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7472 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7473 @c 4.1.2.
7474
7475 @item @var{f}, the display format
7476 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7477 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7478 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7479 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7480 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7481
7482 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7483 The unit size is any of
7484
7485 @table @code
7486 @item b
7487 Bytes.
7488 @item h
7489 Halfwords (two bytes).
7490 @item w
7491 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7492 @item g
7493 Giant words (eight bytes).
7494 @end table
7495
7496 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7497 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7498 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7499 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7500 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7501 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7502 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7503 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7504 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7505 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7506 be altered.
7507
7508 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7509 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7510 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7511 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7512 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7513 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7514 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7515 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7516 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7517 a value from memory).
7518 @end table
7519
7520 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7521 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7522 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7523 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7524 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7525
7526 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7527 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7528 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7529 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7530 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7531
7532 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7533 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7534 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7535 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7536 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7537 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7538 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7539 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7540 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7541
7542 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7543 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7544 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7545 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7546 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7547 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7548 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7549
7550 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7551 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7552
7553 @smallexample
7554 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7555 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7556 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7557 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7558 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7559 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7560 @end smallexample
7561
7562 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7563 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7564 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7565 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7566 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7567 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7568 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7569 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7570 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7571
7572 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7573 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7574 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7575
7576 @cindex remote memory comparison
7577 @cindex verify remote memory image
7578 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7579 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7580 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7581 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7582 situations.
7583
7584 @table @code
7585 @kindex compare-sections
7586 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7587 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7588 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7589 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7590 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7591 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7592 remote request.
7593 @end table
7594
7595 @node Auto Display
7596 @section Automatic Display
7597 @cindex automatic display
7598 @cindex display of expressions
7599
7600 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7601 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7602 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7603 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7604 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7605 The automatic display looks like this:
7606
7607 @smallexample
7608 2: foo = 38
7609 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7610 @end smallexample
7611
7612 @noindent
7613 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7614 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7615 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7616 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7617 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7618 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7619
7620 @table @code
7621 @kindex display
7622 @item display @var{expr}
7623 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7624 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7625
7626 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7627
7628 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7629 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7630 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7631 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7632 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7633
7634 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7635 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7636 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7637 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7638 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7639 @end table
7640
7641 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7642 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7643 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7644
7645 @table @code
7646 @kindex delete display
7647 @kindex undisplay
7648 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7649 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7650 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7651
7652 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7653 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7654
7655 @kindex disable display
7656 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7657 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7658 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7659 enabled again later.
7660
7661 @kindex enable display
7662 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7663 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7664 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7665
7666 @item display
7667 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7668 done when your program stops.
7669
7670 @kindex info display
7671 @item info display
7672 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7673 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7674 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7675 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7676 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7677 @end table
7678
7679 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7680 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7681 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7682 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7683 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7684 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7685 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7686 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7687 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7688 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7689 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7690
7691 @node Print Settings
7692 @section Print Settings
7693
7694 @cindex format options
7695 @cindex print settings
7696 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7697 and symbols are printed.
7698
7699 @noindent
7700 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7701
7702 @table @code
7703 @kindex set print
7704 @item set print address
7705 @itemx set print address on
7706 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7707 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7708 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7709 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7710 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7711 @code{set print address on}:
7712
7713 @smallexample
7714 @group
7715 (@value{GDBP}) f
7716 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7717 at input.c:530
7718 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7719 @end group
7720 @end smallexample
7721
7722 @item set print address off
7723 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7724 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7725
7726 @smallexample
7727 @group
7728 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7729 (@value{GDBP}) f
7730 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7731 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7732 @end group
7733 @end smallexample
7734
7735 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7736 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7737 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7738 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7739
7740 @kindex show print
7741 @item show print address
7742 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7743 @end table
7744
7745 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7746 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7747 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7748 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7749 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7750 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7751 it prints a symbolic address:
7752
7753 @table @code
7754 @item set print symbol-filename on
7755 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7756 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7757 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7758 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7759
7760 @item set print symbol-filename off
7761 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7762 default.
7763
7764 @item show print symbol-filename
7765 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7766 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7767 @end table
7768
7769 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7770 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7771 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7772
7773 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7774 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7775
7776 @table @code
7777 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7778 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7779 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7780 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7781 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7782 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7783
7784 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7785 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7786 symbolic address.
7787 @end table
7788
7789 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7790 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7791 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7792 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7793 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7794 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7795 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7796 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7797
7798 @smallexample
7799 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7800 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7801 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7802 @end smallexample
7803
7804 @quotation
7805 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7806 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7807 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7808 @end quotation
7809
7810 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7811
7812 @table @code
7813 @item set print array
7814 @itemx set print array on
7815 @cindex pretty print arrays
7816 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7817 but uses more space. The default is off.
7818
7819 @item set print array off
7820 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7821
7822 @item show print array
7823 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7824 arrays.
7825
7826 @cindex print array indexes
7827 @item set print array-indexes
7828 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7829 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7830 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7831 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7832
7833 @item set print array-indexes off
7834 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7835
7836 @item show print array-indexes
7837 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7838 arrays.
7839
7840 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7841 @cindex number of array elements to print
7842 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7843 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7844 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7845 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7846 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7847 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7848 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7849
7850 @item show print elements
7851 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7852 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7853
7854 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7855 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7856 @cindex printing frame argument values
7857 @cindex print all frame argument values
7858 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7859 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7860 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7861 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7862 values are:
7863
7864 @table @code
7865 @item all
7866 The values of all arguments are printed.
7867
7868 @item scalars
7869 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7870 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7871 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7872 only scalar arguments are shown:
7873
7874 @smallexample
7875 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7876 at frame-args.c:23
7877 @end smallexample
7878
7879 @item none
7880 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7881 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7882
7883 @smallexample
7884 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7885 at frame-args.c:23
7886 @end smallexample
7887 @end table
7888
7889 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7890 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7891 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7892 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7893 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7894 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7895 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7896 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7897 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7898 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7899
7900 @item show print frame-arguments
7901 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7902
7903 @item set print repeats
7904 @cindex repeated array elements
7905 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7906 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7907 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7908 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7909 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7910 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7911 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7912
7913 @item show print repeats
7914 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7915 elements.
7916
7917 @item set print null-stop
7918 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7919 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7920 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7921 contain only short strings.
7922 The default is off.
7923
7924 @item show print null-stop
7925 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7926 @sc{null} character.
7927
7928 @item set print pretty on
7929 @cindex print structures in indented form
7930 @cindex indentation in structure display
7931 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7932 per line, like this:
7933
7934 @smallexample
7935 @group
7936 $1 = @{
7937 next = 0x0,
7938 flags = @{
7939 sweet = 1,
7940 sour = 1
7941 @},
7942 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7943 @}
7944 @end group
7945 @end smallexample
7946
7947 @item set print pretty off
7948 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7949
7950 @smallexample
7951 @group
7952 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7953 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7954 @end group
7955 @end smallexample
7956
7957 @noindent
7958 This is the default format.
7959
7960 @item show print pretty
7961 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7962
7963 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7964 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7965 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7966 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7967 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7968 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7969 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7970 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7971
7972 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7973 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7974 international character sets, and is the default.
7975
7976 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7977 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7978
7979 @item set print union on
7980 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7981 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7982 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7983
7984 @item set print union off
7985 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7986 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7987 instead.
7988
7989 @item show print union
7990 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7991 structures and other unions.
7992
7993 For example, given the declarations
7994
7995 @smallexample
7996 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7997 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7998 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7999 Bug_forms;
8000
8001 struct thing @{
8002 Species it;
8003 union @{
8004 Tree_forms tree;
8005 Bug_forms bug;
8006 @} form;
8007 @};
8008
8009 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8010 @end smallexample
8011
8012 @noindent
8013 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8014
8015 @smallexample
8016 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8017 @end smallexample
8018
8019 @noindent
8020 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8021
8022 @smallexample
8023 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8024 @end smallexample
8025
8026 @noindent
8027 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8028 and in Pascal.
8029 @end table
8030
8031 @need 1000
8032 @noindent
8033 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8034
8035 @table @code
8036 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8037 @item set print demangle
8038 @itemx set print demangle on
8039 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8040 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8041 linkage. The default is on.
8042
8043 @item show print demangle
8044 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8045
8046 @item set print asm-demangle
8047 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8048 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8049 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8050 The default is off.
8051
8052 @item show print asm-demangle
8053 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8054 or demangled form.
8055
8056 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8057 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8058 @kindex set demangle-style
8059 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8060 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8061 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8062
8063 @table @code
8064 @item auto
8065 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8066
8067 @item gnu
8068 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8069 This is the default.
8070
8071 @item hp
8072 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8073
8074 @item lucid
8075 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8076
8077 @item arm
8078 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8079 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8080 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8081 require further enhancement to permit that.
8082
8083 @end table
8084 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8085
8086 @item show demangle-style
8087 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8088
8089 @item set print object
8090 @itemx set print object on
8091 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8092 @cindex display derived types
8093 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8094 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8095 the virtual function table.
8096
8097 @item set print object off
8098 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8099 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8100
8101 @item show print object
8102 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8103
8104 @item set print static-members
8105 @itemx set print static-members on
8106 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8107 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8108
8109 @item set print static-members off
8110 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8111
8112 @item show print static-members
8113 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8114
8115 @item set print pascal_static-members
8116 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8117 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8118 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8119 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8120
8121 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8122 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8123
8124 @item show print pascal_static-members
8125 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8126
8127 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8128 @item set print vtbl
8129 @itemx set print vtbl on
8130 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8131 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8132 @cindex VTBL display
8133 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8134 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8135 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8136
8137 @item set print vtbl off
8138 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8139
8140 @item show print vtbl
8141 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8142 @end table
8143
8144 @node Pretty Printing
8145 @section Pretty Printing
8146
8147 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8148 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8149 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8150
8151 @menu
8152 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8153 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8154 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8155 @end menu
8156
8157 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8158 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8159
8160 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8161 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8162 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8163
8164 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8165 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8166 pretty-printers with their names.
8167 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8168 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8169 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8170 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8171
8172 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8173 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8174 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8175 do anything special.
8176
8177 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8178
8179 @itemize @bullet
8180 @item
8181 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8182 all inferiors.
8183
8184 @item
8185 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8186 when debugging that program.
8187 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8188
8189 @item
8190 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8191 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8192 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8193 @end itemize
8194
8195 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8196 pretty-printers are selected,
8197
8198 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8199 for new types.
8200
8201 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8202 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8203
8204 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8205
8206 @smallexample
8207 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8208 $1 = @{
8209 static npos = 4294967295,
8210 _M_dataplus = @{
8211 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8212 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8213 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8214 @},
8215 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8216 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8217 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8218 @}
8219 @}
8220 @end smallexample
8221
8222 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8223
8224 @smallexample
8225 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8226 $2 = "abcd"
8227 @end smallexample
8228
8229 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8230 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8231 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8232
8233 @table @code
8234 @kindex info pretty-printer
8235 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8236 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8237 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8238
8239 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8240 whose pretty-printers to list.
8241 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8242 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8243 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8244 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8245 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8246
8247 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8248 to list.
8249
8250 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8251 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8252 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8253 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8254
8255 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8256 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8257 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8258 @end table
8259
8260 Example:
8261
8262 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8263 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8264 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8265 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8266
8267 @smallexample
8268 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8269 library1.so:
8270 foo
8271 library2.so:
8272 bar
8273 bar1
8274 bar2
8275 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8276 library2.so:
8277 bar
8278 bar1
8279 bar2
8280 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8281 1 printer disabled
8282 2 of 3 printers enabled
8283 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8284 library1.so:
8285 foo [disabled]
8286 library2.so:
8287 bar
8288 bar1
8289 bar2
8290 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8291 1 printer disabled
8292 1 of 3 printers enabled
8293 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8294 library1.so:
8295 foo [disabled]
8296 library2.so:
8297 bar
8298 bar1 [disabled]
8299 bar2
8300 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8301 1 printer disabled
8302 0 of 3 printers enabled
8303 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8304 library1.so:
8305 foo [disabled]
8306 library2.so:
8307 bar [disabled]
8308 bar1 [disabled]
8309 bar2
8310 @end smallexample
8311
8312 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8313 as can each individual subprinter.
8314
8315 @node Value History
8316 @section Value History
8317
8318 @cindex value history
8319 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8320 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8321 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8322 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8323 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8324 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8325 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8326 symbol table.
8327
8328 @cindex @code{$}
8329 @cindex @code{$$}
8330 @cindex history number
8331 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8332 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8333 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8334 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8335 history number.
8336
8337 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8338 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8339 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8340 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8341 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8342 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8343 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8344
8345 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8346 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8347
8348 @smallexample
8349 p *$
8350 @end smallexample
8351
8352 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8353 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8354
8355 @smallexample
8356 p *$.next
8357 @end smallexample
8358
8359 @noindent
8360 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8361 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8362
8363 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8364 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8365
8366 @smallexample
8367 print x
8368 set x=5
8369 @end smallexample
8370
8371 @noindent
8372 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8373 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8374
8375 @table @code
8376 @kindex show values
8377 @item show values
8378 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8379 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8380 values} does not change the history.
8381
8382 @item show values @var{n}
8383 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8384
8385 @item show values +
8386 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8387 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8388 @end table
8389
8390 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8391 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8392
8393 @node Convenience Vars
8394 @section Convenience Variables
8395
8396 @cindex convenience variables
8397 @cindex user-defined variables
8398 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8399 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8400 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8401 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8402 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8403
8404 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8405 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8406 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8407 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8408 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8409
8410 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8411 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8412 For example:
8413
8414 @smallexample
8415 set $foo = *object_ptr
8416 @end smallexample
8417
8418 @noindent
8419 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8420 @code{object_ptr}.
8421
8422 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8423 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8424 value with another assignment at any time.
8425
8426 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8427 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8428 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8429 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8430
8431 @table @code
8432 @kindex show convenience
8433 @cindex show all user variables
8434 @item show convenience
8435 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8436 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8437
8438 @kindex init-if-undefined
8439 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8440 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8441 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8442 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8443 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8444 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8445 override default values used in a command script.
8446
8447 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8448 any side-effects do not occur.
8449 @end table
8450
8451 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8452 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8453 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8454
8455 @smallexample
8456 set $i = 0
8457 print bar[$i++]->contents
8458 @end smallexample
8459
8460 @noindent
8461 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8462
8463 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8464 values likely to be useful.
8465
8466 @table @code
8467 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8468 @item $_
8469 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8470 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8471 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8472 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8473 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8474 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8475 to the type of @code{$__}.
8476
8477 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8478 @item $__
8479 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8480 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8481 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8482
8483 @item $_exitcode
8484 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8485 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8486 the program being debugged terminates.
8487
8488 @item $_sdata
8489 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8490 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8491 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8492 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8493 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8494
8495 @item $_siginfo
8496 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8497 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8498 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8499 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8500 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8501
8502 @item $_tlb
8503 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8504 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8505 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8506 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8507 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8508 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8509
8510 @end table
8511
8512 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8513 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8514 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8515
8516 @cindex convenience functions
8517 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8518 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8519 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8520 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8521 @value{GDBN}.
8522
8523 @table @code
8524 @item help function
8525 @kindex help function
8526 @cindex show all convenience functions
8527 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8528 @end table
8529
8530 @node Registers
8531 @section Registers
8532
8533 @cindex registers
8534 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8535 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8536 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8537 your machine.
8538
8539 @table @code
8540 @kindex info registers
8541 @item info registers
8542 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8543 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8544
8545 @kindex info all-registers
8546 @cindex floating point registers
8547 @item info all-registers
8548 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8549 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8550
8551 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8552 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8553 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8554 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8555 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8556 @end table
8557
8558 @cindex stack pointer register
8559 @cindex program counter register
8560 @cindex process status register
8561 @cindex frame pointer register
8562 @cindex standard registers
8563 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8564 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8565 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8566 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8567 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8568 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8569 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8570 you could print the program counter in hex with
8571
8572 @smallexample
8573 p/x $pc
8574 @end smallexample
8575
8576 @noindent
8577 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8578
8579 @smallexample
8580 x/i $pc
8581 @end smallexample
8582
8583 @noindent
8584 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8585 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8586 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8587 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8588 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8589 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8590 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8591
8592 @smallexample
8593 set $sp += 4
8594 @end smallexample
8595
8596 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8597 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8598 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8599 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8600 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8601 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8602 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8603
8604 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8605 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8606 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8607 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8608 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8609 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8610 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8611
8612 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8613 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8614 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8615 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8616 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8617 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8618 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8619 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8620 prints the data in both formats.
8621
8622 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8623 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8624 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8625 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8626 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8627 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8628 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8629
8630 @smallexample
8631 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8632 $1 = @{
8633 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8634 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8635 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8636 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8637 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8638 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8639 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8640 @}
8641 @end smallexample
8642
8643 @noindent
8644 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8645 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8646 value to a @code{struct} member:
8647
8648 @smallexample
8649 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8650 @end smallexample
8651
8652 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8653 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8654 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8655 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8656 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8657 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8658
8659 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8660 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8661 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8662 frame makes no difference.
8663
8664 @node Floating Point Hardware
8665 @section Floating Point Hardware
8666 @cindex floating point
8667
8668 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8669 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8670
8671 @table @code
8672 @kindex info float
8673 @item info float
8674 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8675 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8676 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8677 the ARM and x86 machines.
8678 @end table
8679
8680 @node Vector Unit
8681 @section Vector Unit
8682 @cindex vector unit
8683
8684 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8685 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8686
8687 @table @code
8688 @kindex info vector
8689 @item info vector
8690 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8691 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8692 @end table
8693
8694 @node OS Information
8695 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8696 @cindex OS information
8697
8698 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8699 you debug your program.
8700
8701 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8702 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8703 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8704 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8705 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8706 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8707 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8708 structure.
8709
8710 @table @code
8711 @item info udot
8712 @kindex info udot
8713 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8714 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8715 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8716 the @code{examine} command.
8717 @end table
8718
8719 @cindex auxiliary vector
8720 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8721 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8722 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8723 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8724 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8725 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8726 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8727 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8728 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8729 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8730 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8731 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8732
8733 @table @code
8734 @kindex info auxv
8735 @item info auxv
8736 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8737 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8738 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8739 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8740 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8741 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8742 an unrecognized tag.
8743 @end table
8744
8745 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8746 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8747 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8748 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8749
8750 @table @code
8751 @kindex info os
8752 @item info os
8753 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8754 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8755 report an error.
8756
8757 @kindex info os processes
8758 @item info os processes
8759 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8760 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8761 the command corresponding to the process.
8762 @end table
8763
8764 @node Memory Region Attributes
8765 @section Memory Region Attributes
8766 @cindex memory region attributes
8767
8768 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8769 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8770 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8771 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8772 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8773 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8774 user can override the fetched regions.
8775
8776 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8777 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8778 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8779 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8780 all memory.
8781
8782 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8783 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8784
8785 @table @code
8786 @kindex mem
8787 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8788 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8789 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8790 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8791 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8792 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8793
8794 @item mem auto
8795 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8796 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8797
8798 @kindex delete mem
8799 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8800 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8801 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8802
8803 @kindex disable mem
8804 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8805 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8806 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8807 It may be enabled again later.
8808
8809 @kindex enable mem
8810 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8811 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8812
8813 @kindex info mem
8814 @item info mem
8815 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8816 for each region:
8817
8818 @table @emph
8819 @item Memory Region Number
8820 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8821 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8822 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8823
8824 @item Lo Address
8825 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8826
8827 @item Hi Address
8828 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8829
8830 @item Attributes
8831 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8832 @end table
8833 @end table
8834
8835
8836 @subsection Attributes
8837
8838 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8839 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8840 write accesses to a memory region.
8841
8842 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8843 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8844 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8845
8846 @table @code
8847 @item ro
8848 Memory is read only.
8849 @item wo
8850 Memory is write only.
8851 @item rw
8852 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8853 @end table
8854
8855 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8856 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8857 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8858 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8859 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8860
8861 @table @code
8862 @item 8
8863 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8864 @item 16
8865 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8866 @item 32
8867 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8868 @item 64
8869 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8870 @end table
8871
8872 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8873 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8874 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8875 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8876 @c
8877 @c @table @code
8878 @c @item hwbreak
8879 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8880 @c @item swbreak (default)
8881 @c @end table
8882
8883 @subsubsection Data Cache
8884 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8885 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8886 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8887 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8888 registers.
8889
8890 @table @code
8891 @item cache
8892 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8893 @item nocache
8894 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8895 @end table
8896
8897 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8898 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8899 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8900 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8901 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8902
8903 @table @code
8904 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8905 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8906 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8907 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8908 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8909 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8910 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8911 The default value is @code{on}.
8912 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8913 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8914 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8915 @end table
8916
8917
8918 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8919 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8920 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8921 @c
8922 @c @table @code
8923 @c @item verify
8924 @c @item noverify (default)
8925 @c @end table
8926
8927 @node Dump/Restore Files
8928 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8929 @cindex dump/restore files
8930 @cindex append data to a file
8931 @cindex dump data to a file
8932 @cindex restore data from a file
8933
8934 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8935 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8936 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8937 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8938 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8939 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8940 files.
8941
8942 @table @code
8943
8944 @kindex dump
8945 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8946 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8947 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8948 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8949
8950 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8951 @table @code
8952 @item binary
8953 Raw binary form.
8954 @item ihex
8955 Intel hex format.
8956 @item srec
8957 Motorola S-record format.
8958 @item tekhex
8959 Tektronix Hex format.
8960 @end table
8961
8962 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8963 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8964 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8965 form.
8966
8967 @kindex append
8968 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8969 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8970 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8971 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8972 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8973
8974 @kindex restore
8975 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8976 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8977 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8978 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8979 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8980
8981 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8982 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8983 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8984 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8985 from that location.
8986
8987 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8988 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8989 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8990 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8991
8992 @end table
8993
8994 @node Core File Generation
8995 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8996 @cindex dump core from inferior
8997
8998 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8999 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9000 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9001 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9002 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9003 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9004 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9005
9006 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9007 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9008 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9009
9010 @table @code
9011 @kindex gcore
9012 @kindex generate-core-file
9013 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9014 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9015 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9016 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9017 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9018 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9019
9020 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9021 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9022 @end table
9023
9024 @node Character Sets
9025 @section Character Sets
9026 @cindex character sets
9027 @cindex charset
9028 @cindex translating between character sets
9029 @cindex host character set
9030 @cindex target character set
9031
9032 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9033 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9034 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9035 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9036 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9037 @dfn{target character set}.
9038
9039 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9040 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9041 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9042 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9043 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9044 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9045 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9046 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9047 character and string literals in expressions.
9048
9049 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9050 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9051 target-charset} command, described below.
9052
9053 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9054 support:
9055
9056 @table @code
9057 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9058 @kindex set target-charset
9059 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9060 list of supported target character sets, type
9061 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9062
9063 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9064 @kindex set host-charset
9065 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9066
9067 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9068 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9069 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9070 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9071 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9072
9073 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9074 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9075 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9076
9077 @item set charset @var{charset}
9078 @kindex set charset
9079 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9080 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9081 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9082 for both host and target.
9083
9084 @item show charset
9085 @kindex show charset
9086 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9087
9088 @item show host-charset
9089 @kindex show host-charset
9090 Show the name of the current host character set.
9091
9092 @item show target-charset
9093 @kindex show target-charset
9094 Show the name of the current target character set.
9095
9096 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9097 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9098 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9099 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9100 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9101 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9102
9103 @item show target-wide-charset
9104 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9105 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9106 @end table
9107
9108 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9109 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9110 @file{charset-test.c}:
9111
9112 @smallexample
9113 #include <stdio.h>
9114
9115 char ascii_hello[]
9116 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9117 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9118 char ibm1047_hello[]
9119 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9120 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9121
9122 main ()
9123 @{
9124 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9125 @}
9126 @end smallexample
9127
9128 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9129 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9130 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9131
9132 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9133
9134 @smallexample
9135 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9136 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9137 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9138 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9139 @dots{}
9140 (@value{GDBP})
9141 @end smallexample
9142
9143 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9144 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9145 strings:
9146
9147 @smallexample
9148 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9149 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9150 (@value{GDBP})
9151 @end smallexample
9152
9153 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9154 initial character set:
9155 @smallexample
9156 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9157 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9158 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9159 (@value{GDBP})
9160 @end smallexample
9161
9162 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9163 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9164 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9165 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9166 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9167
9168 @smallexample
9169 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9170 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9171 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9172 $2 = 72 'H'
9173 (@value{GDBP})
9174 @end smallexample
9175
9176 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9177 literals you use in expressions:
9178
9179 @smallexample
9180 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9181 $3 = 43 '+'
9182 (@value{GDBP})
9183 @end smallexample
9184
9185 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9186 character.
9187
9188 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9189 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9190 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9191
9192 @smallexample
9193 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9194 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9195 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9196 $5 = 200 '\310'
9197 (@value{GDBP})
9198 @end smallexample
9199
9200 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9201 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9202
9203 @smallexample
9204 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9205 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9206 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9207 @end smallexample
9208
9209 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9210 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9211 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9212 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9213 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9214
9215 @smallexample
9216 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9217 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9218 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9219 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9220 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9221 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9222 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9223 $7 = 72 '\110'
9224 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9225 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9226 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9227 $9 = 200 'H'
9228 (@value{GDBP})
9229 @end smallexample
9230
9231 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9232 string literals you use in expressions:
9233
9234 @smallexample
9235 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9236 $10 = 78 '+'
9237 (@value{GDBP})
9238 @end smallexample
9239
9240 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9241 character.
9242
9243 @node Caching Remote Data
9244 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9245 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9246
9247 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9248 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9249 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9250 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9251 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9252 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9253 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9254 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9255 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9256 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9257 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9258 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9259 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9260 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9261 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9262
9263 @table @code
9264 @kindex set remotecache
9265 @item set remotecache on
9266 @itemx set remotecache off
9267 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9268 with old scripts.
9269
9270 @kindex show remotecache
9271 @item show remotecache
9272 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9273
9274 @kindex set stack-cache
9275 @item set stack-cache on
9276 @itemx set stack-cache off
9277 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9278 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9279
9280 @kindex show stack-cache
9281 @item show stack-cache
9282 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9283
9284 @kindex info dcache
9285 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9286 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9287 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9288 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9289 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9290 operation.
9291
9292 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9293 printed in hex.
9294 @end table
9295
9296 @node Searching Memory
9297 @section Search Memory
9298 @cindex searching memory
9299
9300 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9301 @code{find} command.
9302
9303 @table @code
9304 @kindex find
9305 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9306 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9307 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9308 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9309 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9310 @end table
9311
9312 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9313 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9314
9315 @table @r
9316 @item @var{s}, search query size
9317 The size of each search query value.
9318
9319 @table @code
9320 @item b
9321 bytes
9322 @item h
9323 halfwords (two bytes)
9324 @item w
9325 words (four bytes)
9326 @item g
9327 giant words (eight bytes)
9328 @end table
9329
9330 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9331 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9332 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9333
9334 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9335 value's type in the current language.
9336 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9337 pattern as a mixture of types.
9338 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9339 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9340 which is typically four bytes.
9341
9342 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9343 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9344 @end table
9345
9346 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9347 (@code{"}).
9348 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9349 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9350
9351 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9352 number of matches found.
9353
9354 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9355 @samp{$_}.
9356 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9357
9358 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9359
9360 @smallexample
9361 void
9362 hello ()
9363 @{
9364 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9365 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9366 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9367 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9368 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9369 @}
9370 @end smallexample
9371
9372 @noindent
9373 you get during debugging:
9374
9375 @smallexample
9376 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9377 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9378 1 pattern found
9379 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9380 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9381 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9382 2 patterns found
9383 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9384 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9385 1 pattern found
9386 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9387 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9388 1 pattern found
9389 (gdb) print $numfound
9390 $1 = 1
9391 (gdb) print $_
9392 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9393 @end smallexample
9394
9395 @node Optimized Code
9396 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9397 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9398 @cindex debugging optimized code
9399
9400 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9401 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9402 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9403 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9404 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9405 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9406 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9407
9408 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9409 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9410 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9411 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9412
9413 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9414 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9415 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9416 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9417 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9418 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9419
9420 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9421 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9422 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9423 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9424 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9425
9426 @menu
9427 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9428 @end menu
9429
9430 @node Inline Functions
9431 @section Inline Functions
9432 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9433
9434 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9435 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9436 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9437 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9438 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9439 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9440 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9441 @code{info frame} command.
9442
9443 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9444 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9445 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9446 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9447 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9448 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9449 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9450 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9451 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9452 local variables in the caller.
9453
9454 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9455 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9456 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9457 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9458 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9459 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9460 instructions are executed.
9461
9462 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9463 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9464 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9465 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9466
9467 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9468 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9469
9470 @itemize @bullet
9471 @item
9472 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9473 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9474 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9475 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9476 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9477 function instead.
9478
9479 @item
9480 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9481 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9482 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9483 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9484 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9485 or inside the inlined function instead.
9486
9487 @item
9488 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9489 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9490 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9491 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9492
9493 @end itemize
9494
9495
9496 @node Macros
9497 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9498
9499 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9500 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9501 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9502 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9503 where it was defined.
9504
9505 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9506 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9507 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9508 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9509
9510 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9511 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9512 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9513 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9514 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9515 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9516 see @ref{List}.
9517
9518 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9519 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9520 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9521
9522 @table @code
9523
9524 @kindex macro expand
9525 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9526 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9527 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9528 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9529 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9530 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9531 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9532 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9533 it can be any string of tokens.
9534
9535 @kindex macro exp1
9536 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9537 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9538 @cindex expand macro once
9539 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9540 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9541 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9542 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9543 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9544 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9545 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9546 can be any string of tokens.
9547
9548 @kindex info macro
9549 @cindex macro definition, showing
9550 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9551 @item info macro @var{macro}
9552 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9553 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9554
9555 @kindex macro define
9556 @cindex user-defined macros
9557 @cindex defining macros interactively
9558 @cindex macros, user-defined
9559 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9560 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9561 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9562 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9563 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9564 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9565 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9566 @var{arglist}.
9567
9568 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9569 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9570 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9571 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9572 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9573
9574 @kindex macro undef
9575 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9576 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9577 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9578 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9579 in the program being debugged.
9580
9581 @kindex macro list
9582 @item macro list
9583 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9584 @end table
9585
9586 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9587 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9588 show our source files:
9589
9590 @smallexample
9591 $ cat sample.c
9592 #include <stdio.h>
9593 #include "sample.h"
9594
9595 #define M 42
9596 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9597
9598 main ()
9599 @{
9600 #define N 28
9601 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9602 #undef N
9603 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9604 #define N 1729
9605 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9606 @}
9607 $ cat sample.h
9608 #define Q <
9609 $
9610 @end smallexample
9611
9612 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9613 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9614 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9615 information.
9616
9617 @smallexample
9618 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9619 $
9620 @end smallexample
9621
9622 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9623
9624 @smallexample
9625 $ gdb -nw sample
9626 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9627 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9628 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9629 (@value{GDBP})
9630 @end smallexample
9631
9632 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9633 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9634 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9635
9636 @smallexample
9637 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9638 3
9639 4 #define M 42
9640 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9641 6
9642 7 main ()
9643 8 @{
9644 9 #define N 28
9645 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9646 11 #undef N
9647 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9648 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9649 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9650 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9651 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9652 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9653 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9654 #define Q <
9655 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9656 expands to: (42 + 1)
9657 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9658 expands to: once (M + 1)
9659 (@value{GDBP})
9660 @end smallexample
9661
9662 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9663 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9664 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9665 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9666
9667 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9668 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9669
9670 @smallexample
9671 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9672 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9673 (@value{GDBP}) run
9674 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9675
9676 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9677 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9678 (@value{GDBP})
9679 @end smallexample
9680
9681 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9682
9683 @smallexample
9684 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9685 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9686 #define N 28
9687 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9688 expands to: 28 < 42
9689 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9690 $1 = 1
9691 (@value{GDBP})
9692 @end smallexample
9693
9694 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9695 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9696 thereof) in force at each point:
9697
9698 @smallexample
9699 (@value{GDBP}) next
9700 Hello, world!
9701 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9702 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9703 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9704 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9705 (@value{GDBP}) next
9706 We're so creative.
9707 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9708 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9709 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9710 #define N 1729
9711 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9712 expands to: 1729 < 42
9713 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9714 $2 = 0
9715 (@value{GDBP})
9716 @end smallexample
9717
9718 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9719 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9720 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9721 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9722
9723 @smallexample
9724 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9725 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9726 -D__STDC__=1
9727 (@value{GDBP})
9728 @end smallexample
9729
9730
9731 @node Tracepoints
9732 @chapter Tracepoints
9733 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9734 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9735
9736 @cindex tracepoints
9737 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9738 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9739 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9740 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9741 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9742 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9743 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9744
9745 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9746 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9747 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9748 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9749 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9750 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9751 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9752 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9753 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9754 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9755 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9756
9757 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9758 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9759 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9760 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9761 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9762 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9763 Packets}.
9764
9765 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9766 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9767 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9768
9769 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9770
9771 @menu
9772 * Set Tracepoints::
9773 * Analyze Collected Data::
9774 * Tracepoint Variables::
9775 * Trace Files::
9776 @end menu
9777
9778 @node Set Tracepoints
9779 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9780
9781 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9782 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9783 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9784 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9785 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9786 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9787 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9788
9789 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9790 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9791 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9792 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9793 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9794 tracepoint was hit.
9795
9796 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9797 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9798 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9799 either.
9800
9801 @cindex fast tracepoints
9802 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9803 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9804 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9805
9806 @cindex static tracepoints
9807 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9808 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9809 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9810 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9811 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9812 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9813 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9814 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9815 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9816 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9817 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9818 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9819 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9820 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9821 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9822 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9823 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9824 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9825 static tracepoint marker.
9826
9827 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9828 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9829
9830 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9831 conditions and actions.
9832
9833 @menu
9834 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9835 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9836 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9837 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9838 * Trace State Variables::
9839 * Tracepoint Actions::
9840 * Listing Tracepoints::
9841 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9842 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9843 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9844 @end menu
9845
9846 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9847 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9848
9849 @table @code
9850 @cindex set tracepoint
9851 @kindex trace
9852 @item trace @var{location}
9853 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9854 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9855 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9856 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9857 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9858 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9859 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9860 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9861 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9862
9863 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9864
9865 @smallexample
9866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9867
9868 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9869
9870 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9871
9872 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9873
9874 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9875 @end smallexample
9876
9877 @noindent
9878 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9879
9880 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9881 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9882 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9883 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9884 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9885 information on tracepoint conditions.
9886
9887 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9888 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9889 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9890 @kindex ftrace
9891 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9892 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9893 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9894 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9895 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9896 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9897 message.
9898
9899 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9900 @code{trace}.
9901
9902 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9903 @cindex set static tracepoint
9904 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9905 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9906 @kindex strace
9907 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9908 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9909 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9910 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9911 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9912
9913 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9914 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9915 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9916 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9917 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9918 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9919 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9920 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9921 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9922 tracing engine:
9923
9924 @smallexample
9925 main ()
9926 @{
9927 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9928 @}
9929 @end smallexample
9930
9931 @noindent
9932 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9933 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9934
9935 @smallexample
9936 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9937 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9938 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9939 Data: "str %s"
9940 [etc...]
9941 @end smallexample
9942
9943 @noindent
9944 so you may probe the marker above with:
9945
9946 @smallexample
9947 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9948 @end smallexample
9949
9950 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9951 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9952 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9953 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9954 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9955 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9956 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9957 the @samp{Data:} field.
9958
9959 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9960 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9961 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9962
9963 @vindex $tpnum
9964 @cindex last tracepoint number
9965 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9966 @cindex tracepoint number
9967 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9968 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9969
9970 @kindex delete tracepoint
9971 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9972 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9973 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9974 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9975 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9976
9977 Examples:
9978
9979 @smallexample
9980 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9981
9982 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9983 @end smallexample
9984
9985 @noindent
9986 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9987 @end table
9988
9989 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9990 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9991
9992 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9993
9994 @table @code
9995 @kindex disable tracepoint
9996 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9997 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9998 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9999 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10000 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10001
10002 @kindex enable tracepoint
10003 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10004 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
10005 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
10006 run.
10007 @end table
10008
10009 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10010 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10011
10012 @table @code
10013 @kindex passcount
10014 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10015 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10016 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10017 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10018 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10019 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10020 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10021 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10022 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10023 user.
10024
10025 Examples:
10026
10027 @smallexample
10028 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10029 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10030
10031 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10032 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10033 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10034 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10035 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10036 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10037 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10038 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10039 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10040 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10041 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10042 @end smallexample
10043 @end table
10044
10045 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10046 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10047 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10048 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10049
10050 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10051 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10052 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10053 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10054 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10055 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10056 is true.
10057
10058 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10059 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10060 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10061 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10062 just as with breakpoints.
10063
10064 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10065 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10066 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
10067 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10068 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10069 accesses, and so forth.
10070
10071 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10072 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10073 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10074 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10075 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10076 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10077 search through.
10078
10079 @smallexample
10080 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10081 @end smallexample
10082
10083 @node Trace State Variables
10084 @subsection Trace State Variables
10085 @cindex trace state variables
10086
10087 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10088 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10089 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10090 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10091 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10092 integers.
10093
10094 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10095 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10096 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10097 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10098
10099 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10100 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10101 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10102 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10103 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10104 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10105 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10106 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10107 variable with the same name.
10108
10109 @table @code
10110
10111 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10112 @kindex tvariable
10113 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10114 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10115 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10116 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10117 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10118 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10119 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10120 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10121 value. The default initial value is 0.
10122
10123 @item info tvariables
10124 @kindex info tvariables
10125 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10126 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10127 currently running.
10128
10129 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10130 @kindex delete tvariable
10131 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10132 are specified.
10133
10134 @end table
10135
10136 @node Tracepoint Actions
10137 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10138
10139 @table @code
10140 @kindex actions
10141 @cindex tracepoint actions
10142 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10143 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10144 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10145 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10146 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10147 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10148 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10149 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10150 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10151 @code{while-stepping}.
10152
10153 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10154 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10155 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10156
10157 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10158 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10159 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10160
10161 @smallexample
10162 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10163
10164 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10165
10166 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10167 @end smallexample
10168
10169 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10170 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10171 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10172 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10173 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10174 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10175 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10176 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10177
10178 @smallexample
10179 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10180 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10181 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10182 > collect bar,baz
10183 > collect $regs
10184 > while-stepping 12
10185 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10186 > end
10187 end
10188 @end smallexample
10189
10190 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10191 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10192 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10193 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10194 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10195 special arguments are supported:
10196
10197 @table @code
10198 @item $regs
10199 Collect all registers.
10200
10201 @item $args
10202 Collect all function arguments.
10203
10204 @item $locals
10205 Collect all local variables.
10206
10207 @item $_sdata
10208 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10209 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10210 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10211 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10212 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10213 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10214 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10215 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10216 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10217
10218 @smallexample
10219 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10220 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10221 @end smallexample
10222
10223 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10224 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10225 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10226 @value{GDBN}.
10227 @end table
10228
10229 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10230 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10231 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10232
10233 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10234 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10235
10236 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10237 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10238 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10239 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10240 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10241 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10242 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10243 action were used.
10244
10245 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10246 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10247 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10248 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10249 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10250 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10251
10252 @smallexample
10253 > while-stepping 12
10254 > collect $regs, myglobal
10255 > end
10256 >
10257 @end smallexample
10258
10259 @noindent
10260 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10261 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10262 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10263 @code{stepping}.
10264
10265 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10266 @kindex set default-collect
10267 @cindex default collection action
10268 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10269 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10270 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10271 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10272 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10273 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10274
10275 @item show default-collect
10276 @kindex show default-collect
10277 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10278 tracepoint hit.
10279
10280 @end table
10281
10282 @node Listing Tracepoints
10283 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10284
10285 @table @code
10286 @kindex info tracepoints
10287 @kindex info tp
10288 @cindex information about tracepoints
10289 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10290 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10291 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10292 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10293 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10294 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10295
10296 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10297 tracing:
10298
10299 @itemize @bullet
10300 @item
10301 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10302 @end itemize
10303
10304 @smallexample
10305 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10306 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10307 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10308 while-stepping 20
10309 collect globfoo, $regs
10310 end
10311 collect globfoo2
10312 end
10313 pass count 1200
10314 (@value{GDBP})
10315 @end smallexample
10316
10317 @noindent
10318 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10319 @end table
10320
10321 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10322 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10323
10324 @table @code
10325 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10326 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10327 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10328 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10329 program.
10330
10331 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10332
10333 @table @emph
10334 @item Count
10335 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10336 stable identifier.
10337 @item ID
10338 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10339 @item Enabled or Disabled
10340 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10341 that are not enabled.
10342 @item Address
10343 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10344 @item What
10345 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10346 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10347 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10348 will be left blank.
10349 @end table
10350
10351 @noindent
10352 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10353
10354 @table @emph
10355 @item Data
10356 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10357 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10358 marker call.
10359 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10360 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10361 @end table
10362
10363 @smallexample
10364 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10365 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10366 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10367 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10368 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10369 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10370 Data: str %s
10371 (@value{GDBP})
10372 @end smallexample
10373 @end table
10374
10375 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10376 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10377
10378 @table @code
10379 @kindex tstart
10380 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10381 @cindex collected data discarded
10382 @item tstart
10383 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10384 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10385 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10386 experiment.
10387
10388 @kindex tstop
10389 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10390 @item tstop
10391 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10392 stops collecting data.
10393
10394 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10395 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10396 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10397
10398 @kindex tstatus
10399 @cindex status of trace data collection
10400 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10401 @item tstatus
10402 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10403 collection.
10404 @end table
10405
10406 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10407
10408 @smallexample
10409 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10410 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10411 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10412 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10413 > while-stepping 11
10414 > collect $regs
10415 > end
10416 > end
10417 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10418 [time passes @dots{}]
10419 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10420 @end smallexample
10421
10422 @cindex disconnected tracing
10423 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10424 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10425 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10426 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10427 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10428 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10429 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10430 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10431
10432 @table @code
10433 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10434 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10435 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10436 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10437 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10438 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10439 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10440 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10441
10442 @item show disconnected-tracing
10443 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10444 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10445
10446 @end table
10447
10448 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10449 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10450 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10451 it will continue after reconnection.
10452
10453 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10454 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10455 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10456 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10457 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10458 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10459 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10460 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10461 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10462 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10463
10464 @cindex circular trace buffer
10465 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10466 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10467 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10468 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10469 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10470 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10471 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10472 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10473 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10474 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10475 the next run.
10476
10477 @table @code
10478 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10479 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10480 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10481 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10482 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10483 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10484 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10485
10486 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10487 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10488 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10489 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10490 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10491 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10492
10493 @end table
10494
10495 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10496 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10497
10498 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10499 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10500 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10501 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10502 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10503 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10504 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10505 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10506 mentioned here.
10507
10508 @itemize @bullet
10509
10510 @item
10511 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10512 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10513 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10514 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10515 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10516 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10517 cannot be collected either.
10518
10519 @item
10520 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10521 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10522 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10523 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10524 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10525 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10526 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10527 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10528 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10529 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10530
10531 @item
10532 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10533 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10534 in a misleading way.
10535
10536 @item
10537 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10538 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10539 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10540 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10541 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10542 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10543 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10544 by @code{ptr}.
10545
10546 @item
10547 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10548 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10549 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10550 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10551 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10552 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10553 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10554 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10555 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10556 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10557 invalid address.
10558
10559 @item
10560 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10561 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10562 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10563 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10564 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10565 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10566 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10567 it to zero.
10568
10569 @end itemize
10570
10571 @node Analyze Collected Data
10572 @section Using the Collected Data
10573
10574 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10575 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10576 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10577 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10578 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10579 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10580 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10581 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10582 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10583 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10584 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10585 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10586 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10587 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10588 the buffer will fail.
10589
10590 @menu
10591 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10592 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10593 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10594 @end menu
10595
10596 @node tfind
10597 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10598
10599 @kindex tfind
10600 @cindex select trace snapshot
10601 @cindex find trace snapshot
10602 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10603 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10604 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10605 snapshot is selected.
10606
10607 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10608
10609 @table @code
10610 @item tfind start
10611 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10612 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10613
10614 @item tfind none
10615 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10616
10617 @item tfind end
10618 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10619
10620 @item tfind
10621 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10622
10623 @item tfind -
10624 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10625 retracing earlier steps.
10626
10627 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10628 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10629 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10630 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10631 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10632
10633 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10634 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10635 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10636 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10637 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10638
10639 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10640 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10641 addresses (exclusive).
10642
10643 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10644 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10645 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10646
10647 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10648 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10649 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10650 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10651 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10652 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10653 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10654 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10655 @end table
10656
10657 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10658 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10659 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10660 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10661 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10662 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10663 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10664 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10665 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10666 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10667 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10668 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10669 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10670 tracepoint as the current one.
10671
10672 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10673 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10674 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10675 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10676 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10677
10678 @smallexample
10679 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10681 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10682 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10683 > tfind
10684 > end
10685
10686 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10687 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10688 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10689 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10690 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10691 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10692 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10693 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10694 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10695 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10696 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10697 @end smallexample
10698
10699 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10700 the buffer:
10701
10702 @smallexample
10703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10705 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10706 > tfind line
10707 > end
10708
10709 Frame 0, X = 1
10710 Frame 7, X = 2
10711 Frame 13, X = 255
10712 @end smallexample
10713
10714 @node tdump
10715 @subsection @code{tdump}
10716 @kindex tdump
10717 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10718 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10719
10720 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10721 the current trace snapshot.
10722
10723 @smallexample
10724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10725 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10726 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10727 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10728 > end
10729
10730 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10731
10732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10733 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10734 at gdb_test.c:444
10735 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10736
10737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10738 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10739 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10740 d1 0x18 24
10741 d2 0x80 128
10742 d3 0x33 51
10743 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10744 d5 0x22 34
10745 d6 0xe0 224
10746 d7 0x380035 3670069
10747 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10748 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10749 a2 0x100 256
10750 a3 0x322000 3284992
10751 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10752 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10753 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10754 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10755 ps 0x0 0
10756 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10757 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10758 fpstatus 0x0 0
10759 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10760 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10761 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10762 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10763 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10764 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10765 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10766 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10767 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10768
10769 (@value{GDBP})
10770 @end smallexample
10771
10772 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10773 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10774 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10775 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10776
10777 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10778 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10779 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10780 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10781 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10782 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10783 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10784 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10785 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10786 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10787
10788 @node save tracepoints
10789 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10790 @kindex save tracepoints
10791 @kindex save-tracepoints
10792 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10793
10794 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10795 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10796 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10797 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10798 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10799 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10800
10801 @node Tracepoint Variables
10802 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10803 @cindex tracepoint variables
10804 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10805
10806 @table @code
10807 @vindex $trace_frame
10808 @item (int) $trace_frame
10809 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10810 snapshot is selected.
10811
10812 @vindex $tracepoint
10813 @item (int) $tracepoint
10814 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10815
10816 @vindex $trace_line
10817 @item (int) $trace_line
10818 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10819
10820 @vindex $trace_file
10821 @item (char []) $trace_file
10822 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10823
10824 @vindex $trace_func
10825 @item (char []) $trace_func
10826 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10827 @end table
10828
10829 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10830 use @code{output} instead.
10831
10832 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10833 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10834 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10835 which are managed by the target.
10836
10837 @smallexample
10838 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10839
10840 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10841 > output $trace_file
10842 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10843 > tfind
10844 > end
10845 @end smallexample
10846
10847 @node Trace Files
10848 @section Using Trace Files
10849 @cindex trace files
10850
10851 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10852 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10853 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10854 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10855 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10856
10857 @table @code
10858
10859 @kindex tsave
10860 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10861 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10862 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10863 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10864 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10865 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10866 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10867 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10868 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10869
10870 @kindex target tfile
10871 @kindex tfile
10872 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10873 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10874 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10875 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10876 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10877 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10878 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10879
10880 @end table
10881
10882 @node Overlays
10883 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10884 @cindex overlays
10885
10886 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10887 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10888 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10889 use overlays.
10890
10891 @menu
10892 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10893 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10894 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10895 mapped by asking the inferior.
10896 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10897 @end menu
10898
10899 @node How Overlays Work
10900 @section How Overlays Work
10901 @cindex mapped overlays
10902 @cindex unmapped overlays
10903 @cindex load address, overlay's
10904 @cindex mapped address
10905 @cindex overlay area
10906
10907 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10908 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10909 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10910 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10911 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10912
10913 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10914 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10915 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10916 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10917 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10918 largest overlay as well.
10919
10920 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10921 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10922 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10923 there.
10924
10925 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10926 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10927 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10928
10929 @smallexample
10930 @group
10931 Data Instruction Larger
10932 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10933 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10934 | | | | | |
10935 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10936 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10937 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10938 | and heap | | | | | |
10939 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10940 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10941 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10942 | | | | | |
10943 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10944 address | | | | | |
10945 | overlay | <-' | | |
10946 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10947 | | <---. | | load address
10948 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10949 | | | |
10950 +-----------+ | |
10951 +-----------+
10952 | |
10953 +-----------+
10954
10955 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10956 @end group
10957 @end smallexample
10958
10959 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10960 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10961 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10962 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10963 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10964 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10965 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10966 program and the overlay area.
10967
10968 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10969 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10970 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10971 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10972 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10973 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10974 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10975
10976 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10977 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10978 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10979
10980 @itemize @bullet
10981
10982 @item
10983 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10984 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10985 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10986 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10987
10988 @item
10989 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10990 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10991 your program's performance.
10992
10993 @item
10994 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10995 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10996 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10997 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10998 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10999 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11000 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11001
11002 @item
11003 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11004 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11005 instruction and data spaces.
11006
11007 @end itemize
11008
11009 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11010 improved in many ways:
11011
11012 @itemize @bullet
11013
11014 @item
11015 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11016 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11017 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11018 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11019 area in the usual way.
11020
11021 @item
11022 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11023 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11024
11025 @item
11026 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11027 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11028 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11029 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11030 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11031 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11032 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11033
11034 @end itemize
11035
11036
11037 @node Overlay Commands
11038 @section Overlay Commands
11039
11040 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11041 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11042 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11043 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11044 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11045 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11046
11047 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11048 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11049
11050 @table @code
11051 @item overlay off
11052 @kindex overlay
11053 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11054 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11055 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11056 overlay support is disabled.
11057
11058 @item overlay manual
11059 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11060 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11061 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11062 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11063 commands described below.
11064
11065 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11066 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11067 @cindex map an overlay
11068 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11069 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11070 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11071 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11072 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11073 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11074
11075 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11076 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11077 @cindex unmap an overlay
11078 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11079 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11080 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11081 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11082
11083 @item overlay auto
11084 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11085 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11086 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11087 Overlay Debugging}.
11088
11089 @item overlay load-target
11090 @itemx overlay load
11091 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11092 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11093 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11094 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11095 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11096 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11097
11098 @item overlay list-overlays
11099 @itemx overlay list
11100 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11101 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11102 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11103
11104 @end table
11105
11106 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11107 of the function the address falls in:
11108
11109 @smallexample
11110 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11111 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11112 @end smallexample
11113 @noindent
11114 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11115 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11116 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11117 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11118
11119 @smallexample
11120 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11121 No sections are mapped.
11122 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11123 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11124 @end smallexample
11125 @noindent
11126 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11127 name normally:
11128
11129 @smallexample
11130 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11131 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11132 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11133 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11134 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11135 @end smallexample
11136
11137 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11138 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11139 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11140 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11141 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11142
11143 @itemize @bullet
11144 @item
11145 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11146 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11147 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11148 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11149 @item
11150 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11151 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11152 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11153 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11154 breakpoints properly.
11155 @end itemize
11156
11157
11158 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11159 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11160 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11161
11162 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11163 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11164 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11165 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11166 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11167 current state of the overlays.
11168
11169 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11170 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11171
11172 @table @asis
11173
11174 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11175 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11176
11177 @smallexample
11178 struct
11179 @{
11180 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11181 unsigned long vma;
11182
11183 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11184 unsigned long size;
11185
11186 /* The overlay's load address. */
11187 unsigned long lma;
11188
11189 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11190 zero otherwise. */
11191 unsigned long mapped;
11192 @}
11193 @end smallexample
11194
11195 @item @code{_novlys}:
11196 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11197 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11198
11199 @end table
11200
11201 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11202 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11203 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11204 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11205 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11206 currently mapped.
11207
11208 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11209 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11210 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11211 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11212 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11213 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11214 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11215 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11216 are not being executed.
11217
11218 @node Overlay Sample Program
11219 @section Overlay Sample Program
11220 @cindex overlay example program
11221
11222 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11223 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11224 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11225 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11226 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11227 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11228 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11229
11230 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11231 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11232 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11233 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11234
11235 @table @file
11236 @item overlays.c
11237 The main program file.
11238 @item ovlymgr.c
11239 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11240 @item foo.c
11241 @itemx bar.c
11242 @itemx baz.c
11243 @itemx grbx.c
11244 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11245 @item d10v.ld
11246 @itemx m32r.ld
11247 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11248 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11249 @end table
11250
11251 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11252 cross-compiler like this:
11253
11254 @smallexample
11255 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11256 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11257 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11258 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11259 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11260 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11261 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11262 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11263 @end smallexample
11264
11265 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11266 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11267 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11268
11269
11270 @node Languages
11271 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11272 @cindex languages
11273
11274 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11275 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11276 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11277 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11278 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11279 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11280
11281 @cindex working language
11282 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11283 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11284 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11285 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11286 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11287 language}.
11288
11289 @menu
11290 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11291 * Show:: Displaying the language
11292 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11293 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11294 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11295 @end menu
11296
11297 @node Setting
11298 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11299
11300 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11301 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11302 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11303 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11304 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11305 are printed, etc.
11306
11307 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11308 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11309 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11310 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11311 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11312 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11313 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11314 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11315 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11316 Displaying the Language}.
11317
11318 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11319 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11320 another language. In that case, make the
11321 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11322 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11323 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11324
11325 @menu
11326 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11327 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11328 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11329 @end menu
11330
11331 @node Filenames
11332 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11333
11334 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11335 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11336
11337 @table @file
11338 @item .ada
11339 @itemx .ads
11340 @itemx .adb
11341 @itemx .a
11342 Ada source file.
11343
11344 @item .c
11345 C source file
11346
11347 @item .C
11348 @itemx .cc
11349 @itemx .cp
11350 @itemx .cpp
11351 @itemx .cxx
11352 @itemx .c++
11353 C@t{++} source file
11354
11355 @item .d
11356 D source file
11357
11358 @item .m
11359 Objective-C source file
11360
11361 @item .f
11362 @itemx .F
11363 Fortran source file
11364
11365 @item .mod
11366 Modula-2 source file
11367
11368 @item .s
11369 @itemx .S
11370 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11371 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11372 @end table
11373
11374 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11375 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11376
11377 @node Manually
11378 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11379
11380 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11381 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11382 your program.
11383
11384 @kindex set language
11385 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11386 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11387 a language, such as
11388 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11389 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11390
11391 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11392 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11393 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11394 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11395 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11396 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11397 command such as:
11398
11399 @smallexample
11400 print a = b + c
11401 @end smallexample
11402
11403 @noindent
11404 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11405 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11406 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11407 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11408
11409 @node Automatically
11410 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11411
11412 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11413 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11414 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11415 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11416 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11417 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11418 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11419 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11420 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11421
11422 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11423 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11424 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11425 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11426 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11427
11428 @node Show
11429 @section Displaying the Language
11430
11431 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11432 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11433
11434 @table @code
11435 @item show language
11436 @kindex show language
11437 Display the current working language. This is the
11438 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11439 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11440
11441 @item info frame
11442 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11443 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11444 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11445 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11446 information listed here.
11447
11448 @item info source
11449 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11450 Display the source language of this source file.
11451 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11452 information listed here.
11453 @end table
11454
11455 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11456 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11457 with a language explicitly:
11458
11459 @table @code
11460 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11461 @kindex set extension-language
11462 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11463 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11464
11465 @item info extensions
11466 @kindex info extensions
11467 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11468 @end table
11469
11470 @node Checks
11471 @section Type and Range Checking
11472
11473 @quotation
11474 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11475 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11476 section documents the intended facilities.
11477 @end quotation
11478 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11479
11480 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11481 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11482 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11483 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11484 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11485 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11486 errors when your program is running.
11487
11488 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11489 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11490 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11491 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11492 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11493 automatically based on your program's source language.
11494 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11495 settings of supported languages.
11496
11497 @menu
11498 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11499 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11500 @end menu
11501
11502 @cindex type checking
11503 @cindex checks, type
11504 @node Type Checking
11505 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11506
11507 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11508 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11509 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11510 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11511
11512 @smallexample
11513 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11514 @exdent but
11515 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11516 @end smallexample
11517
11518 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11519 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11520
11521 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11522 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11523 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11524 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11525 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11526 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11527 also issues a warning.
11528
11529 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11530 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11531 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11532 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11533 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11534 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11535
11536 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11537 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11538 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11539 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11540 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11541 details on specific languages.
11542
11543 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11544
11545 @kindex set check type
11546 @kindex show check type
11547 @table @code
11548 @item set check type auto
11549 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11550 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11551 each language.
11552
11553 @item set check type on
11554 @itemx set check type off
11555 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11556 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11557 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11558 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11559 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11560
11561 @item set check type warn
11562 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11563 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11564 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11565 numbers and structures.
11566
11567 @item show type
11568 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11569 is setting it automatically.
11570 @end table
11571
11572 @cindex range checking
11573 @cindex checks, range
11574 @node Range Checking
11575 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11576
11577 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11578 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11579 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11580 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11581 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11582
11583 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11584 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11585 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11586 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11587
11588 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11589 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11590 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11591 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11592 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11593 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11594
11595 @smallexample
11596 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11597 @end smallexample
11598
11599 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11600 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11601 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11602
11603 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11604
11605 @kindex set check range
11606 @kindex show check range
11607 @table @code
11608 @item set check range auto
11609 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11610 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11611 each language.
11612
11613 @item set check range on
11614 @itemx set check range off
11615 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11616 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11617 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11618 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11619
11620 @item set check range warn
11621 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11622 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11623 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11624 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11625 systems).
11626
11627 @item show range
11628 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11629 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11630 @end table
11631
11632 @node Supported Languages
11633 @section Supported Languages
11634
11635 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11636 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11637 @c This is false ...
11638 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11639 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11640 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11641 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11642 language.
11643
11644 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11645 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11646 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11647 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11648 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11649 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11650 language reference or tutorial.
11651
11652 @menu
11653 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11654 * D:: D
11655 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11656 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11657 * Fortran:: Fortran
11658 * Pascal:: Pascal
11659 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11660 * Ada:: Ada
11661 @end menu
11662
11663 @node C
11664 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11665
11666 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11667 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11668
11669 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11670 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11671 together.
11672
11673 @cindex C@t{++}
11674 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11675 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11676 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11677 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11678 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11679 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11680 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11681
11682 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11683 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11684 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11685 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11686 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11687 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11688
11689 @menu
11690 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11691 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11692 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11693 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11694 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11695 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11696 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11697 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11698 @end menu
11699
11700 @node C Operators
11701 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11702
11703 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11704
11705 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11706 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11707 often defined on groups of types.
11708
11709 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11710
11711 @itemize @bullet
11712
11713 @item
11714 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11715 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11716
11717 @item
11718 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11719 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11720
11721 @item
11722 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11723
11724 @item
11725 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11726
11727 @end itemize
11728
11729 @noindent
11730 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11731 in order of increasing precedence:
11732
11733 @table @code
11734 @item ,
11735 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11736 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11737 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11738
11739 @item =
11740 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11741 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11742
11743 @item @var{op}=
11744 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11745 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11746 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11747 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11748 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11749
11750 @item ?:
11751 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11752 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11753 integral type.
11754
11755 @item ||
11756 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11757
11758 @item &&
11759 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11760
11761 @item |
11762 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11763
11764 @item ^
11765 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11766
11767 @item &
11768 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11769
11770 @item ==@r{, }!=
11771 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11772 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11773
11774 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11775 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11776 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11777 and non-zero for true.
11778
11779 @item <<@r{, }>>
11780 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11781
11782 @item @@
11783 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11784
11785 @item +@r{, }-
11786 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11787 pointer types.
11788
11789 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11790 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11791 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11792 integral types.
11793
11794 @item ++@r{, }--
11795 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11796 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11797 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11798 operation takes place.
11799
11800 @item *
11801 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11802 @code{++}.
11803
11804 @item &
11805 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11806
11807 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11808 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11809 to examine the address
11810 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11811 stored.
11812
11813 @item -
11814 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11815 precedence as @code{++}.
11816
11817 @item !
11818 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11819 @code{++}.
11820
11821 @item ~
11822 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11823 @code{++}.
11824
11825
11826 @item .@r{, }->
11827 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11828 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11829 pointer based on the stored type information.
11830 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11831
11832 @item .*@r{, }->*
11833 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11834
11835 @item []
11836 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11837 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11838
11839 @item ()
11840 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11841
11842 @item ::
11843 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11844 and @code{class} types.
11845
11846 @item ::
11847 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11848 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11849 above.
11850 @end table
11851
11852 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11853 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11854 predefined meaning.
11855
11856 @node C Constants
11857 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11858
11859 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11860
11861 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11862 following ways:
11863
11864 @itemize @bullet
11865 @item
11866 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11867 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11868 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11869 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11870 @code{long} value.
11871
11872 @item
11873 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11874 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11875 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11876 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11877 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11878 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11879 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11880 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11881 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11882 constant.
11883
11884 @item
11885 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11886 integral equivalents.
11887
11888 @item
11889 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11890 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11891 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11892 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11893 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11894 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11895 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11896 @samp{\n} for newline.
11897
11898 @item
11899 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11900 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11901 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11902 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11903 characters.
11904
11905 @item
11906 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11907 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11908
11909 @item
11910 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11911 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11912 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11913 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11914 @end itemize
11915
11916 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11917 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11918
11919 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11920 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11921
11922 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11923 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11924 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11925 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11926 @quotation
11927 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11928 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11929 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11930 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11931 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11932 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11933 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11934 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11935 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11936 C@t{++} code.
11937 @end quotation
11938
11939 @enumerate
11940
11941 @cindex member functions
11942 @item
11943 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11944
11945 @smallexample
11946 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11947 @end smallexample
11948
11949 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11950 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11951 @item
11952 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11953 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11954 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11955 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11956
11957 @cindex call overloaded functions
11958 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11959 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11960 @item
11961 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11962 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11963 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11964 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11965 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11966 default arguments.
11967
11968 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11969 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11970 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11971 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11972 number of function arguments.
11973
11974 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11975 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11976 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11977
11978 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11979 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11980 @smallexample
11981 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11982 @end smallexample
11983
11984 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11985 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11986
11987 @cindex reference declarations
11988 @item
11989 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11990 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11991 dereferenced.
11992
11993 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11994 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11995 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11996 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11997 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11998
11999 @item
12000 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12001 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12002 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12003 necessary, for example in an expression like
12004 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12005 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12006 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12007 @end enumerate
12008
12009 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12010 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12011 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12012 invoking user-defined operators.
12013
12014 @node C Defaults
12015 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12016
12017 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12018
12019 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12020 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12021 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12022 selects the working language.
12023
12024 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12025 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12026 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12027 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12028 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12029 for further details.
12030
12031 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12032 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12033 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12034
12035 @node C Checks
12036 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12037
12038 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12039
12040 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12041 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12042 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12043
12044 @itemize @bullet
12045 @item
12046 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12047 enumerated tag.
12048
12049 @item
12050 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12051 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12052
12053 @ignore
12054 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12055 @c FIXME--beers?
12056 @item
12057 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12058 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12059 compilers.)
12060 @end ignore
12061 @end itemize
12062
12063 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12064 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12065 that is not itself an array.
12066
12067 @node Debugging C
12068 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12069
12070 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12071 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12072 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12073 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12074
12075 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12076 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12077 ,Expressions}.
12078
12079 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12080 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12081
12082 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12083
12084 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12085 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12086
12087 @table @code
12088 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12089 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12090 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12091 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12092 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12093 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12094
12095 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12096 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12097 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12098 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12099 classes.
12100 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12101
12102 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12103 @item catch throw
12104 @itemx catch catch
12105 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12106 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12107
12108 @cindex inheritance
12109 @item ptype @var{typename}
12110 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12111 @var{typename}.
12112 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12113
12114 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12115 @item set print demangle
12116 @itemx show print demangle
12117 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12118 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12119 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12120 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12121 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12122
12123 @item set print object
12124 @itemx show print object
12125 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12126 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12127
12128 @item set print vtbl
12129 @itemx show print vtbl
12130 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12131 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12132 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12133 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12134
12135 @kindex set overload-resolution
12136 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12137 @item set overload-resolution on
12138 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12139 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12140 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12141 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12142 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12143 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12144
12145 @item set overload-resolution off
12146 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12147 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12148 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12149 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12150 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12151 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12152 argument types.
12153
12154 @kindex show overload-resolution
12155 @item show overload-resolution
12156 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12157
12158 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12159 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12160 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12161 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12162 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12163 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12164 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12165 @end table
12166
12167 @node Decimal Floating Point
12168 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12169 @cindex decimal floating point format
12170
12171 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12172 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12173 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12174 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12175
12176 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12177 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12178 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12179 target.
12180
12181 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12182 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12183 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12184
12185 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12186 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12187 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12188
12189 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12190 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12191 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12192
12193 @node D
12194 @subsection D
12195
12196 @cindex D
12197 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12198 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12199 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12200
12201 @node Objective-C
12202 @subsection Objective-C
12203
12204 @cindex Objective-C
12205 This section provides information about some commands and command
12206 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12207 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12208 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12209
12210 @menu
12211 * Method Names in Commands::
12212 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12213 @end menu
12214
12215 @node Method Names in Commands
12216 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12217
12218 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12219 names as line specifications:
12220
12221 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12222 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12223 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12224 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12225 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12226 @itemize
12227 @item @code{clear}
12228 @item @code{break}
12229 @item @code{info line}
12230 @item @code{jump}
12231 @item @code{list}
12232 @end itemize
12233
12234 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12235
12236 @smallexample
12237 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12238 @end smallexample
12239
12240 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12241 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12242 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12243 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12244 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12245 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12246 debugged, enter:
12247
12248 @smallexample
12249 break -[Fruit create]
12250 @end smallexample
12251
12252 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12253 enter:
12254
12255 @smallexample
12256 list +[NSText initialize]
12257 @end smallexample
12258
12259 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12260 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12261 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12262 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12263
12264 @smallexample
12265 break create
12266 @end smallexample
12267
12268 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12269 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12270 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12271 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12272 none apply.
12273
12274 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12275 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12276
12277 @smallexample
12278 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12279 @end smallexample
12280
12281 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12282 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12283 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12284 @kindex print-object
12285 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12286
12287 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12288
12289 @smallexample
12290 print -[@var{object} hash]
12291 @end smallexample
12292
12293 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12294 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12295 @noindent
12296 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12297 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12298 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12299 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12300 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12301 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12302
12303 @node OpenCL C
12304 @subsection OpenCL C
12305
12306 @cindex OpenCL C
12307 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12308
12309 @menu
12310 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12311 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12312 * OpenCL C Operators::
12313 @end menu
12314
12315 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12316 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12317
12318 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12319 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12320 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12321 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12322 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12323
12324 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12325 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12326
12327 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12328 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12329 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12330 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12331
12332 @node OpenCL C Operators
12333 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12334
12335 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12336 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12337 vector data types.
12338
12339 @node Fortran
12340 @subsection Fortran
12341 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12342
12343 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12344 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12345
12346 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12347 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12348 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12349 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12350 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12351 underscore.
12352
12353 @menu
12354 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12355 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12356 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12357 @end menu
12358
12359 @node Fortran Operators
12360 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12361
12362 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12363
12364 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12365 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12366 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12367
12368 @table @code
12369 @item **
12370 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12371 of the second one.
12372
12373 @item :
12374 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12375 represent a section of array.
12376
12377 @item %
12378 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12379 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12380 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12381 union type.
12382 @end table
12383
12384 @node Fortran Defaults
12385 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12386
12387 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12388
12389 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12390 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12391 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12392 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12393
12394 @node Special Fortran Commands
12395 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12396
12397 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12398
12399 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12400 such as displaying common blocks.
12401
12402 @table @code
12403 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12404 @kindex info common
12405 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12406 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12407 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12408 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12409 printed.
12410 @end table
12411
12412 @node Pascal
12413 @subsection Pascal
12414
12415 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12416 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12417 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12418 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12419 syntax.
12420
12421 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12422 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12423 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12424
12425 @node Modula-2
12426 @subsection Modula-2
12427
12428 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12429
12430 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12431 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12432 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12433 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12434 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12435 table.
12436
12437 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12438 @menu
12439 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12440 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12441 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12442 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12443 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12444 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12445 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12446 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12447 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12448 @end menu
12449
12450 @node M2 Operators
12451 @subsubsection Operators
12452 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12453
12454 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12455 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12456 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12457 following definitions hold:
12458
12459 @itemize @bullet
12460
12461 @item
12462 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12463 their subranges.
12464
12465 @item
12466 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12467
12468 @item
12469 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12470
12471 @item
12472 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12473 @var{type}}.
12474
12475 @item
12476 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12477
12478 @item
12479 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12480
12481 @item
12482 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12483 @end itemize
12484
12485 @noindent
12486 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12487 increasing precedence:
12488
12489 @table @code
12490 @item ,
12491 Function argument or array index separator.
12492
12493 @item :=
12494 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12495 @var{value}.
12496
12497 @item <@r{, }>
12498 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12499 types.
12500
12501 @item <=@r{, }>=
12502 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12503 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12504 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12505
12506 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12507 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12508 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12509 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12510 comment character.
12511
12512 @item IN
12513 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12514 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12515
12516 @item OR
12517 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12518
12519 @item AND@r{, }&
12520 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12521
12522 @item @@
12523 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12524
12525 @item +@r{, }-
12526 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12527 and difference on set types.
12528
12529 @item *
12530 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12531 on set types.
12532
12533 @item /
12534 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12535 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12536
12537 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12538 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12539 precedence as @code{*}.
12540
12541 @item -
12542 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12543
12544 @item ^
12545 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12546
12547 @item NOT
12548 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12549 @code{^}.
12550
12551 @item .
12552 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12553 precedence as @code{^}.
12554
12555 @item []
12556 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12557
12558 @item ()
12559 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12560 as @code{^}.
12561
12562 @item ::@r{, }.
12563 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12564 @end table
12565
12566 @quotation
12567 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12568 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12569 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12570 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12571 @end quotation
12572
12573
12574 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12575 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12576 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12577
12578 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12579 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12580
12581 @table @var
12582
12583 @item a
12584 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12585
12586 @item c
12587 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12588
12589 @item i
12590 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12591
12592 @item m
12593 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12594 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12595 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12596
12597 @item n
12598 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12599
12600 @item r
12601 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12602
12603 @item t
12604 represents a type.
12605
12606 @item v
12607 represents a variable.
12608
12609 @item x
12610 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12611 explanation of the function for details.
12612 @end table
12613
12614 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12615
12616 @table @code
12617 @item ABS(@var{n})
12618 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12619
12620 @item CAP(@var{c})
12621 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12622 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12623
12624 @item CHR(@var{i})
12625 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12626
12627 @item DEC(@var{v})
12628 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12629
12630 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12631 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12632 new value.
12633
12634 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12635 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12636 set.
12637
12638 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12639 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12640
12641 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12642 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12643
12644 @item INC(@var{v})
12645 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12646
12647 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12648 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12649 new value.
12650
12651 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12652 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12653 there. Returns the new set.
12654
12655 @item MAX(@var{t})
12656 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12657
12658 @item MIN(@var{t})
12659 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12660
12661 @item ODD(@var{i})
12662 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12663
12664 @item ORD(@var{x})
12665 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12666 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12667 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12668 integral, character and enumerated types.
12669
12670 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12671 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12672
12673 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12674 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12675
12676 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12677 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12678
12679 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12680 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12681 @end table
12682
12683 @quotation
12684 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12685 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12686 an error.
12687 @end quotation
12688
12689 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12690 @node M2 Constants
12691 @subsubsection Constants
12692
12693 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12694 ways:
12695
12696 @itemize @bullet
12697
12698 @item
12699 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12700 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12701 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12702 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12703
12704 @item
12705 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12706 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12707 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12708 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12709 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12710 digits.
12711
12712 @item
12713 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12714 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12715 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12716 followed by a @samp{C}.
12717
12718 @item
12719 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12720 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12721 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12722 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12723 sequences.
12724
12725 @item
12726 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12727
12728 @item
12729 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12730 @code{FALSE}.
12731
12732 @item
12733 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12734
12735 @item
12736 Set constants are not yet supported.
12737 @end itemize
12738
12739 @node M2 Types
12740 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12741 @cindex Modula-2 types
12742
12743 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12744 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12745 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12746 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12747 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12748 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12749
12750 The first example contains the following section of code:
12751
12752 @smallexample
12753 VAR
12754 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12755 r: [20..40] ;
12756 @end smallexample
12757
12758 @noindent
12759 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12760 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12761
12762 @smallexample
12763 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12764 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12765 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12766 SET OF CHAR
12767 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12768 21
12769 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12770 [20..40]
12771 @end smallexample
12772
12773 @noindent
12774 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12775
12776 @smallexample
12777 VAR
12778 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12779 @end smallexample
12780
12781 @noindent
12782 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12783
12784 @smallexample
12785 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12786 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12787 @end smallexample
12788
12789 @noindent
12790 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12791 expressions using the debugger.
12792
12793 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12794 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12795
12796 @smallexample
12797 VAR
12798 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12799 @end smallexample
12800
12801 @smallexample
12802 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12803 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12804 @end smallexample
12805
12806 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12807 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12808 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12809 above.
12810
12811 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12812
12813 @smallexample
12814 TYPE
12815 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12816 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12817 VAR
12818 s: t ;
12819 BEGIN
12820 s := blue ;
12821 @end smallexample
12822
12823 @noindent
12824 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12825 and value of a variable.
12826
12827 @smallexample
12828 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12829 $1 = blue
12830 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12831 type = [blue..yellow]
12832 @end smallexample
12833
12834 @noindent
12835 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12836 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12837 their @code{C} counterparts.
12838
12839 @smallexample
12840 VAR
12841 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12842 BEGIN
12843 s[1] := 1 ;
12844 @end smallexample
12845
12846 @smallexample
12847 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12848 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12849 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12850 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12851 @end smallexample
12852
12853 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12854 pointer types as shown in this example:
12855
12856 @smallexample
12857 VAR
12858 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12859 BEGIN
12860 NEW(s) ;
12861 s^[1] := 1 ;
12862 @end smallexample
12863
12864 @noindent
12865 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12866
12867 @smallexample
12868 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12869 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12870 @end smallexample
12871
12872 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12873 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12874 types:
12875
12876 @smallexample
12877 TYPE
12878 foo = RECORD
12879 f1: CARDINAL ;
12880 f2: CHAR ;
12881 f3: myarray ;
12882 END ;
12883
12884 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12885 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12886 VAR
12887 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12888 @end smallexample
12889
12890 @noindent
12891 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12892 below.
12893
12894 @smallexample
12895 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12896 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12897 f1 : CARDINAL;
12898 f2 : CHAR;
12899 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12900 END
12901 @end smallexample
12902
12903 @node M2 Defaults
12904 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12905 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12906
12907 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12908 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12909 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12910 selected the working language.
12911
12912 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12913 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12914 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12915 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12916
12917 @node Deviations
12918 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12919 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12920
12921 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12922 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12923
12924 @itemize @bullet
12925 @item
12926 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12927 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12928 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12929 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12930 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12931 returned a pointer.)
12932
12933 @item
12934 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12935 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12936 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12937 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12938
12939 @item
12940 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12941 argument.
12942
12943 @item
12944 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12945 @end itemize
12946
12947 @node M2 Checks
12948 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12949 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12950
12951 @quotation
12952 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12953 range checking.
12954 @end quotation
12955 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12956
12957 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12958
12959 @itemize @bullet
12960 @item
12961 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12962 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12963
12964 @item
12965 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12966 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12967 @end itemize
12968
12969 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12970 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12971
12972 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12973 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12974
12975 @node M2 Scope
12976 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12977 @cindex scope
12978 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12979 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12980 @ifinfo
12981 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12982 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12983 @end ifinfo
12984 @ifnotinfo
12985 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12986 @end ifnotinfo
12987
12988 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12989 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12990 similar syntax:
12991
12992 @smallexample
12993
12994 @var{module} . @var{id}
12995 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12996 @end smallexample
12997
12998 @noindent
12999 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13000 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13001 identifier within your program, except another module.
13002
13003 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13004 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13005 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13006 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13007
13008 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13009 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13010 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13011 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13012 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13013 @var{module}.
13014
13015 @node GDB/M2
13016 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13017
13018 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13019 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13020 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13021 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13022 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13023 analogue in Modula-2.
13024
13025 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13026 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13027 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13028 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13029 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13030 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13031
13032 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13033 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13034 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13035
13036 @node Ada
13037 @subsection Ada
13038 @cindex Ada
13039
13040 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13041 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13042 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13043 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13044 to be difficult.
13045
13046
13047 @cindex expressions in Ada
13048 @menu
13049 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13050 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13051 in @value{GDBN}.
13052 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13053 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13054 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13055 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13056 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13057 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13058 Profile
13059 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13060 @end menu
13061
13062 @node Ada Mode Intro
13063 @subsubsection Introduction
13064 @cindex Ada mode, general
13065
13066 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13067 syntax, with some extensions.
13068 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13069
13070 @itemize @bullet
13071 @item
13072 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13073 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13074 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13075 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13076
13077 @item
13078 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13079 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13080
13081 @item
13082 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13083 @end itemize
13084
13085 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13086 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13087 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13088 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13089 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13090
13091 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13092 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13093 was translated from an Ada source file.
13094
13095 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13096 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13097 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13098 middle (to allow based literals).
13099
13100 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13101 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13102 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13103 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13104 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13105 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13106
13107 @node Omissions from Ada
13108 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13109 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13110
13111 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13112
13113 @itemize @bullet
13114 @item
13115 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13116
13117 @itemize @minus
13118 @item
13119 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13120 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13121
13122 @item
13123 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13124
13125 @item
13126 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13127
13128 @item
13129 @t{'Tag}.
13130
13131 @item
13132 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13133 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13134
13135 @item
13136 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13137 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13138
13139 @item
13140 @t{'Address}.
13141 @end itemize
13142
13143 @item
13144 The names in
13145 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13146 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13147 not currently available.
13148
13149 @item
13150 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13151 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13152 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13153 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13154 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13155 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13156 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13157 indeterminate values.
13158
13159 @item
13160 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13161 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13162 are not implemented.
13163
13164 @item
13165 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13166 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13167 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13168 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13169 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13170
13171 @smallexample
13172 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13173 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13174 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13175 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13176 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13177 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13178 @end smallexample
13179
13180 Changing a
13181 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13182 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13183 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13184 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13185 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13186 declared to have a type such as:
13187
13188 @smallexample
13189 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13190 Id : Integer;
13191 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13192 end record;
13193 @end smallexample
13194
13195 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13196 assignments:
13197
13198 @smallexample
13199 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13200 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13201 @end smallexample
13202
13203 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13204 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13205 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13206 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13207 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13208 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13209 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13210 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13211
13212 @item
13213 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13214
13215 @item
13216 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13217 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13218 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13219 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13220 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13221 the proper resolution.
13222
13223 @item
13224 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13225
13226 @item
13227 Entry calls are not implemented.
13228
13229 @item
13230 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13231 formats are not supported.
13232
13233 @item
13234 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13235
13236 @item
13237 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13238 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13239 context.
13240 Should your program
13241 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13242 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13243 @end itemize
13244
13245 @node Additions to Ada
13246 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13247 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13248
13249 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13250 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13251
13252 @itemize @bullet
13253 @item
13254 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13255 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13256 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13257 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13258 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13259 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13260 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13261 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13262
13263 @item
13264 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13265 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13266 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13267
13268 @item
13269 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13270 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13271
13272 @item
13273 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13274 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13275 @end itemize
13276
13277 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13278 additions specific to Ada:
13279
13280 @itemize @bullet
13281 @item
13282 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13283 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13284
13285 @smallexample
13286 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13287 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13288 @end smallexample
13289
13290 @item
13291 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13292 the value of its right-hand operand.
13293 This allows, for example,
13294 complex conditional breaks:
13295
13296 @smallexample
13297 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13298 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13299 @end smallexample
13300
13301 @item
13302 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13303 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13304 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13305 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13306 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13307 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13308 in strings. For example,
13309 @smallexample
13310 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13311 @end smallexample
13312 @noindent
13313 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13314 after each period.
13315
13316 @item
13317 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13318 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13319 to write
13320
13321 @smallexample
13322 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13323 @end smallexample
13324
13325 @item
13326 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13327 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13328 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13329 of 3 might print as
13330
13331 @smallexample
13332 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13333 @end smallexample
13334
13335 @noindent
13336 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13337 clause.
13338
13339 @item
13340 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13341 multi-character subsequence of
13342 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13343 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13344 in place of @t{a'length}.
13345
13346 @item
13347 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13348 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13349 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13350 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13351 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13352 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13353 For example,
13354 @smallexample
13355 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13356 @end smallexample
13357
13358 @item
13359 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13360 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13361 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13362 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13363 object.
13364
13365 @end itemize
13366
13367 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13368 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13369
13370 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13371 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13372 before reaching the main procedure.
13373 As defined in the Ada Reference
13374 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13375 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13376 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13377 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13378
13379 @node Ada Tasks
13380 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13381 @cindex Ada, tasking
13382
13383 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13384 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13385
13386 @table @code
13387 @kindex info tasks
13388 @item info tasks
13389 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13390
13391
13392 @smallexample
13393 @iftex
13394 @leftskip=0.5cm
13395 @end iftex
13396 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13397 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13398 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13399 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13400 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13401 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13402
13403 @end smallexample
13404
13405 @noindent
13406 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13407 task currently being inspected.
13408
13409 @table @asis
13410 @item ID
13411 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13412
13413 @item TID
13414 The Ada task ID.
13415
13416 @item P-ID
13417 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13418
13419 @item Pri
13420 The base priority of the task.
13421
13422 @item State
13423 Current state of the task.
13424
13425 @table @code
13426 @item Unactivated
13427 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13428 executing.
13429
13430 @item Runnable
13431 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13432 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13433
13434 @item Terminated
13435 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13436 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13437 terminated themselves.
13438
13439 @item Child Activation Wait
13440 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13441
13442 @item Accept Statement
13443 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13444
13445 @item Waiting on entry call
13446 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13447
13448 @item Async Select Wait
13449 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13450 select statement.
13451
13452 @item Delay Sleep
13453 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13454 alternative open.
13455
13456 @item Child Termination Wait
13457 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13458 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13459 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13460
13461 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13462 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13463 finish terminating.
13464
13465 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13466 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13467 @end table
13468
13469 @item Name
13470 Name of the task in the program.
13471
13472 @end table
13473
13474 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13475 @item info task @var{taskno}
13476 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13477 the following example:
13478 @smallexample
13479 @iftex
13480 @leftskip=0.5cm
13481 @end iftex
13482 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13483 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13484 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13485 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13486 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13487 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13488 Name: task_1
13489 Thread: 0x807f378
13490 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13491 Base Priority: 15
13492 State: Runnable
13493 @end smallexample
13494
13495 @item task
13496 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13497 @cindex current Ada task ID
13498 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13499
13500 @smallexample
13501 @iftex
13502 @leftskip=0.5cm
13503 @end iftex
13504 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13505 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13506 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13507 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13508 (@value{GDBP}) task
13509 [Current task is 2]
13510 @end smallexample
13511
13512 @item task @var{taskno}
13513 @cindex Ada task switching
13514 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13515 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13516 from the current task to the given task.
13517
13518 @smallexample
13519 @iftex
13520 @leftskip=0.5cm
13521 @end iftex
13522 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13523 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13524 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13525 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13526 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13527 [Switching to task 1]
13528 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13529 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13530 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13531 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13532 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13533 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13534 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13535 @end smallexample
13536
13537 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13538 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13539 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13540 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13541 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13542 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13543 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13544 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13545 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13546
13547 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13548 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13549 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13550 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13551 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13552
13553 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13554 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13555 program.
13556
13557 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13558 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13559 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13560
13561 For example,
13562
13563 @smallexample
13564 @iftex
13565 @leftskip=0.5cm
13566 @end iftex
13567 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13568 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13569 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13570 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13571 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13572 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13573 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13574 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13575 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13576 Continuing.
13577 task # 1 running
13578 task # 2 running
13579
13580 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13581 15 flush;
13582 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13583 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13584 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13585 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13586 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13587 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13588 @end smallexample
13589 @end table
13590
13591 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13592 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13593 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13594
13595 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13596 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13597 the platform being used.
13598 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13599 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13600 as usual.
13601
13602 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13603 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13604 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13605 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13606 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13607 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13608
13609 @node Ravenscar Profile
13610 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13611 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13612
13613 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13614 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13615 requirements.
13616
13617 @table @code
13618 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13619 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13620 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13621 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13622 Profile. This is the default.
13623
13624 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13625 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13626 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13627 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13628 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13629 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13630 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13631
13632 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13633 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13634 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13635 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13636
13637 @end table
13638
13639 @node Ada Glitches
13640 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13641 @cindex Ada, problems
13642
13643 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13644 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13645 @value{GDBN},
13646 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13647 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13648
13649 @itemize @bullet
13650 @item
13651 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13652 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13653
13654 @item
13655 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13656 argument lists are treated as positional).
13657
13658 @item
13659 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13660
13661 @item
13662 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13663 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13664 the host machine.
13665
13666 @item
13667 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13668 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13669 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13670 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13671 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13672 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13673 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13674 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13675 you can usually resolve the confusion
13676 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13677 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13678 @end itemize
13679
13680 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13681 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13682 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13683 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13684 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13685 enabled.
13686
13687 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13688 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13689 @table @code
13690
13691 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13692 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13693 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13694 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13695 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13696 This is the default.
13697
13698 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13699 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13700 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13701 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13702 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13703 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13704 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13705
13706 @end table
13707
13708 @node Unsupported Languages
13709 @section Unsupported Languages
13710
13711 @cindex unsupported languages
13712 @cindex minimal language
13713 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13714 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13715 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13716 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13717 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13718 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13719
13720 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13721 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13722 language.
13723
13724 @node Symbols
13725 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13726
13727 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13728 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13729 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13730 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13731 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13732 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13733 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13734
13735 @cindex symbol names
13736 @cindex names of symbols
13737 @cindex quoting names
13738 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13739 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13740 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13741 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13742 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13743 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13744 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13745 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13746
13747 @smallexample
13748 p 'foo.c'::x
13749 @end smallexample
13750
13751 @noindent
13752 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13753
13754 @table @code
13755 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13756 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13757 @kindex set case-sensitive
13758 @item set case-sensitive on
13759 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13760 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13761 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13762 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13763 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13764 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13765 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13766 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13767 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13768 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13769 case-insensitive matches.
13770
13771 @kindex show case-sensitive
13772 @item show case-sensitive
13773 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13774 lookups.
13775
13776 @kindex info address
13777 @cindex address of a symbol
13778 @item info address @var{symbol}
13779 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13780 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13781 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13782 is always stored.
13783
13784 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13785 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13786 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13787
13788 @kindex info symbol
13789 @cindex symbol from address
13790 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13791 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13792 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13793 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13794 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13795
13796 @smallexample
13797 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13798 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13799 @end smallexample
13800
13801 @noindent
13802 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13803 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13804
13805 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13806 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13807
13808 @smallexample
13809 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13810 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13811 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13812 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13813 @end smallexample
13814
13815 @kindex whatis
13816 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13817 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13818 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13819 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13820 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13821 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13822 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13823 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13824 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13825 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13826 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13827
13828 @kindex ptype
13829 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13830 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13831 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13832 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13833
13834 For example, for this variable declaration:
13835
13836 @smallexample
13837 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13838 @end smallexample
13839
13840 @noindent
13841 the two commands give this output:
13842
13843 @smallexample
13844 @group
13845 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13846 type = struct complex
13847 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13848 type = struct complex @{
13849 double real;
13850 double imag;
13851 @}
13852 @end group
13853 @end smallexample
13854
13855 @noindent
13856 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13857 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13858
13859 @cindex incomplete type
13860 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13861 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13862 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13863 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13864 given these declarations:
13865
13866 @smallexample
13867 struct foo;
13868 struct foo *fooptr;
13869 @end smallexample
13870
13871 @noindent
13872 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13873
13874 @smallexample
13875 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13876 $1 = <incomplete type>
13877 @end smallexample
13878
13879 @noindent
13880 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13881 completely specified.
13882
13883 @kindex info types
13884 @item info types @var{regexp}
13885 @itemx info types
13886 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13887 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13888 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13889 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13890 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13891 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13892 name is @code{value}.
13893
13894 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13895 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13896 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13897
13898 @kindex info scope
13899 @cindex local variables
13900 @item info scope @var{location}
13901 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13902 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13903 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13904 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13905 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13906
13907 @smallexample
13908 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13909 Scope for command_line_handler:
13910 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13911 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13912 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13913 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13914 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13915 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13916 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13917 @end smallexample
13918
13919 @noindent
13920 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13921 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13922 collect}.
13923
13924 @kindex info source
13925 @item info source
13926 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13927 the function containing the current point of execution:
13928 @itemize @bullet
13929 @item
13930 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13931 @item
13932 the directory it was compiled in,
13933 @item
13934 its length, in lines,
13935 @item
13936 which programming language it is written in,
13937 @item
13938 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13939 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13940 @item
13941 whether the debugging information includes information about
13942 preprocessor macros.
13943 @end itemize
13944
13945
13946 @kindex info sources
13947 @item info sources
13948 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13949 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13950 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13951
13952 @kindex info functions
13953 @item info functions
13954 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13955
13956 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13957 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13958 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13959 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13960 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13961 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13962 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13963 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13964
13965 @kindex info variables
13966 @item info variables
13967 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13968 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13969
13970 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13971 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13972 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13973 @var{regexp}.
13974
13975 @kindex info classes
13976 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13977 @item info classes
13978 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13979 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13980 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13981 expression.
13982
13983 @kindex info selectors
13984 @item info selectors
13985 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13986 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13987 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13988 expression.
13989
13990 @ignore
13991 This was never implemented.
13992 @kindex info methods
13993 @item info methods
13994 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13995 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13996 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13997 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13998 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13999 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14000 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14001 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14002 @end ignore
14003
14004 @cindex reloading symbols
14005 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14006 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14007 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14008 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14009 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14010
14011 @table @code
14012 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14013 @item set symbol-reloading on
14014 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14015 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14016
14017 @item set symbol-reloading off
14018 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14019 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14020 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14021 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14022 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14023 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14024 name.
14025
14026 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14027 @item show symbol-reloading
14028 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14029 @end table
14030
14031 @cindex opaque data types
14032 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14033 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14034 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14035 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14036 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14037 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14038 another source file. The default is on.
14039
14040 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14041 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14042
14043 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14044 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14045 is printed as follows:
14046 @smallexample
14047 @{<no data fields>@}
14048 @end smallexample
14049
14050 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14051 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14052 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14053
14054 @kindex maint print symbols
14055 @cindex symbol dump
14056 @kindex maint print psymbols
14057 @cindex partial symbol dump
14058 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14059 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14060 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14061 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14062 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14063 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14064 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14065 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14066 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14067 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14068 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14069 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14070 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14071 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14072 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14073 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14074 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14075
14076 @kindex maint info symtabs
14077 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14078 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14079 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14080 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14081 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14082 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14083 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14084
14085 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14086 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14087 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14088 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14089 structure in more detail. For example:
14090
14091 @smallexample
14092 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14093 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14094 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14095 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14096 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14097 readin no
14098 fullname (null)
14099 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14100 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14101 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14102 dependencies (none)
14103 @}
14104 @}
14105 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14106 (@value{GDBP})
14107 @end smallexample
14108 @noindent
14109 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14110 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14111 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14112 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14113 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14114
14115 @smallexample
14116 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14117 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14118 line 1574.
14119 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14120 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14121 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14122 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14123 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14124 dirname (null)
14125 fullname (null)
14126 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14127 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14128 debugformat DWARF 2
14129 @}
14130 @}
14131 (@value{GDBP})
14132 @end smallexample
14133 @end table
14134
14135
14136 @node Altering
14137 @chapter Altering Execution
14138
14139 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14140 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14141 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14142 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14143 program.
14144
14145 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14146 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14147 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14148
14149 @menu
14150 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14151 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14152 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14153 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14154 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14155 * Patching:: Patching your program
14156 @end menu
14157
14158 @node Assignment
14159 @section Assignment to Variables
14160
14161 @cindex assignment
14162 @cindex setting variables
14163 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14164 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14165
14166 @smallexample
14167 print x=4
14168 @end smallexample
14169
14170 @noindent
14171 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14172 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14173 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14174 information on operators in supported languages.
14175
14176 @kindex set variable
14177 @cindex variables, setting
14178 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14179 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14180 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14181 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14182 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14183
14184 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14185 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14186 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14187 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14188 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14189 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14190 command @code{set width}:
14191
14192 @smallexample
14193 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14194 type = double
14195 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14196 $4 = 13
14197 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14198 Invalid syntax in expression.
14199 @end smallexample
14200
14201 @noindent
14202 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14203 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14204
14205 @smallexample
14206 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14207 @end smallexample
14208
14209 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14210 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14211 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14212 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14213 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14214 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14215
14216 @smallexample
14217 @group
14218 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14219 type = double
14220 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14221 $1 = 1
14222 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14223 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14224 $2 = 1
14225 (@value{GDBP}) r
14226 The program being debugged has been started already.
14227 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14228 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14229 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14230 Invalid bfd target.
14231 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14232 The current BFD target is "=4".
14233 @end group
14234 @end smallexample
14235
14236 @noindent
14237 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14238 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14239 @code{g}, use
14240
14241 @smallexample
14242 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14243 @end smallexample
14244
14245 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14246 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14247 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14248 same length or shorter.
14249 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14250 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14251
14252 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14253 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14254 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14255 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14256 and representation in memory), and
14257
14258 @smallexample
14259 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14260 @end smallexample
14261
14262 @noindent
14263 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14264
14265 @node Jumping
14266 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14267
14268 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14269 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14270 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14271
14272 @table @code
14273 @kindex jump
14274 @item jump @var{linespec}
14275 @itemx jump @var{location}
14276 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14277 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14278 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14279 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14280 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14281 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14282
14283 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14284 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14285 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14286 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14287 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14288 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14289 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14290 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14291 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14292 @end table
14293
14294 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14295 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14296 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14297 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14298 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14299 example,
14300
14301 @smallexample
14302 set $pc = 0x485
14303 @end smallexample
14304
14305 @noindent
14306 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14307 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14308 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14309
14310 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14311 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14312 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14313 detail.
14314
14315 @c @group
14316 @node Signaling
14317 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14318 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14319
14320 @table @code
14321 @kindex signal
14322 @item signal @var{signal}
14323 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14324 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14325 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14326 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14327
14328 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14329 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14330 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14331 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14332 signal.
14333
14334 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14335 after executing the command.
14336 @end table
14337 @c @end group
14338
14339 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14340 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14341 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14342 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14343 passes the signal directly to your program.
14344
14345
14346 @node Returning
14347 @section Returning from a Function
14348
14349 @table @code
14350 @cindex returning from a function
14351 @kindex return
14352 @item return
14353 @itemx return @var{expression}
14354 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14355 command. If you give an
14356 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14357 value.
14358 @end table
14359
14360 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14361 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14362 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14363 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14364
14365 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14366 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14367 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14368 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14369 of functions.
14370
14371 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14372 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14373 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14374 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14375 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14376
14377 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14378 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14379 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14380 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14381 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14382 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14383 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14384 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14385 assignment into the right register(s).
14386
14387 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14388 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14389 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14390 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14391 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14392 into a @code{long long int}:
14393
14394 @smallexample
14395 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14396 29 return 31;
14397 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14398 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14399 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14400 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14401 (@value{GDBP})
14402 @end smallexample
14403
14404 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14405 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14406 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14407 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14408 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14409 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14410 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14411 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14412
14413 @smallexample
14414 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14415 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14416 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14417 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14418 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14419 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14420 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14421 (@value{GDBP})
14422 @end smallexample
14423
14424 @node Calling
14425 @section Calling Program Functions
14426
14427 @table @code
14428 @cindex calling functions
14429 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14430 @item print @var{expr}
14431 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14432 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14433 debugged.
14434
14435 @kindex call
14436 @item call @var{expr}
14437 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14438 returned values.
14439
14440 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14441 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14442 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14443 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14444 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14445 value history.
14446 @end table
14447
14448 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14449 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14450 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14451 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14452
14453 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14454 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14455 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14456 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14457 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14458 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14459 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14460 in that case is controlled by the
14461 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14462
14463 @table @code
14464 @item set unwindonsignal
14465 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14466 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14467 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14468 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14469 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14470 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14471 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14472 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14473 received.
14474
14475 @item show unwindonsignal
14476 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14477 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14478 @value{GDBN}.
14479
14480 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14481 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14482 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14483 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14484 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14485 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14486 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14487 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14488 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14489 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14490
14491 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14492 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14493 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14494 @value{GDBN}.
14495
14496 @end table
14497
14498 @cindex weak alias functions
14499 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14500 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14501 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14502 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14503 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14504 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14505 function instead.
14506
14507 @node Patching
14508 @section Patching Programs
14509
14510 @cindex patching binaries
14511 @cindex writing into executables
14512 @cindex writing into corefiles
14513
14514 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14515 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14516 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14517 patching your program's binary.
14518
14519 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14520 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14521 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14522 repairs.
14523
14524 @table @code
14525 @kindex set write
14526 @item set write on
14527 @itemx set write off
14528 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14529 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14530 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14531
14532 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14533 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14534 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14535
14536 @item show write
14537 @kindex show write
14538 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14539 as well as reading.
14540 @end table
14541
14542 @node GDB Files
14543 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14544
14545 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14546 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14547 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14548 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14549
14550 @menu
14551 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14552 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14553 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14554 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14555 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14556 @end menu
14557
14558 @node Files
14559 @section Commands to Specify Files
14560
14561 @cindex symbol table
14562 @cindex core dump file
14563
14564 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14565 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14566 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14567 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14568
14569 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14570 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14571 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14572 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14573 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14574 new files are useful.
14575
14576 @table @code
14577 @cindex executable file
14578 @kindex file
14579 @item file @var{filename}
14580 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14581 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14582 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14583 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14584 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14585 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14586 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14587 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14588
14589 @cindex unlinked object files
14590 @cindex patching object files
14591 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14592 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14593 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14594 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14595 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14596 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14597 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14598 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14599
14600 @item file
14601 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14602 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14603
14604 @kindex exec-file
14605 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14606 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14607 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14608 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14609 discard information on the executable file.
14610
14611 @kindex symbol-file
14612 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14613 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14614 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14615 table and program to run from the same file.
14616
14617 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14618 program's symbol table.
14619
14620 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14621 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14622 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14623 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14624 @value{GDBN}.
14625
14626 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14627 executing it once.
14628
14629 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14630 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14631 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14632 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14633 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14634 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14635 optimized code.
14636
14637 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14638 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14639 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14640 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14641 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14642
14643 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14644 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14645 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14646 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14647 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14648 Warnings and Messages}.)
14649
14650 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14651 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14652 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14653 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14654 in stabs format.
14655
14656 @kindex readnow
14657 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14658 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14659 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14660 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14661 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14662 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14663 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14664 entire symbol table available.
14665
14666 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14667 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14668 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14669 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14670 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14671 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14672 @c files.
14673
14674 @kindex core-file
14675 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14676 @itemx core
14677 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14678 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14679 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14680 executable file itself for other parts.
14681
14682 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14683 to be used.
14684
14685 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14686 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14687 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14688 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14689 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14690
14691 @kindex add-symbol-file
14692 @cindex dynamic linking
14693 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14694 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14695 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14696 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14697 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14698 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14699 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14700 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14701 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14702 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14703 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14704 @var{address} as an expression.
14705
14706 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14707 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14708 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14709 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14710 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14711
14712 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14713 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14714 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14715 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14716 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14717 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14718 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14719 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14720 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14721
14722 @itemize @bullet
14723 @item
14724 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14725 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14726 @item
14727 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14728 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14729 @item
14730 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14731 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14732 @end itemize
14733
14734 @noindent
14735 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14736 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14737 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14738 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14739 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14740 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14741 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14742 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14743 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14744 way.
14745
14746 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14747
14748 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14749 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14750 @cindex load symbols from memory
14751 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14752 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14753 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14754 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14755 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14756 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14757 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14758 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14759 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14760
14761 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14762 @kindex assf
14763 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14764 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14765 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14766 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14767 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14768 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14769 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14770 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14771 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14772 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14773
14774 @kindex section
14775 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14776 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14777 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14778 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14779 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14780 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14781 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14782 their addresses.
14783
14784 @kindex info files
14785 @kindex info target
14786 @item info files
14787 @itemx info target
14788 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14789 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14790 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14791 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14792 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14793 current ones.
14794
14795 @kindex maint info sections
14796 @item maint info sections
14797 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14798 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14799 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14800 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14801 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14802 may be arbitrarily combined):
14803
14804 @table @code
14805 @item ALLOBJ
14806 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14807 @item @var{sections}
14808 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14809 @item @var{section-flags}
14810 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14811 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14812 @table @code
14813 @item ALLOC
14814 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14815 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14816 @item LOAD
14817 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14818 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14819 @item RELOC
14820 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14821 @item READONLY
14822 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14823 @item CODE
14824 Section contains executable code only.
14825 @item DATA
14826 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14827 @item ROM
14828 Section will reside in ROM.
14829 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14830 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14831 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14832 Section is not empty.
14833 @item NEVER_LOAD
14834 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14835 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14836 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14837 COFF shared library information.
14838 @item IS_COMMON
14839 Section contains common symbols.
14840 @end table
14841 @end table
14842 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14843 @cindex read-only sections
14844 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14845 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14846 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14847 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14848 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14849 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14850 enhancement to debugging performance.
14851
14852 The default is off.
14853
14854 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14855 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14856 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14857 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14858
14859 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14860 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14861 @end table
14862
14863 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14864 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14865 name and remembers it that way.
14866
14867 @cindex shared libraries
14868 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14869 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14870 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14871
14872 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14873 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14874
14875 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14876 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14877 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14878 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14879 debugging a core file).
14880
14881 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14882 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14883
14884 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14885 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14886 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14887
14888 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14889 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14890 particularly large or there are many of them.
14891
14892 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14893 commands:
14894
14895 @table @code
14896 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14897 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14898 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14899 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14900 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14901 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14902 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14903 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14904
14905 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14906 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14907 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14908 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14909 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14910 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14911 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14912 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14913 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14914
14915 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14916 @item show auto-solib-add
14917 Display the current autoloading mode.
14918 @end table
14919
14920 @cindex load shared library
14921 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14922 command:
14923
14924 @table @code
14925 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14926 @kindex info share
14927 @item info share @var{regex}
14928 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14929 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14930 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14931 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14932
14933 @kindex sharedlibrary
14934 @kindex share
14935 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14936 @itemx share @var{regex}
14937 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14938 Unix regular expression.
14939 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14940 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14941 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14942 loaded.
14943
14944 @item nosharedlibrary
14945 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14946 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14947 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14948 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14949 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14950 discarded.
14951 @end table
14952
14953 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14954 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14955 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14956
14957 @table @code
14958 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14959 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14960 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14961 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14962 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14963 shared library.
14964
14965 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14966 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14967 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14968 library events happen.
14969 @end table
14970
14971 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14972 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14973 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14974 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14975 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14976 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14977 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14978 not.
14979
14980 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14981 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14982 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14983 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14984 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14985
14986 @table @code
14987 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14988 @cindex system root, alternate
14989 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14990 @kindex set sysroot
14991 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14992 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14993 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14994 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14995 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14996 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14997 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14998 under @var{path}.
14999
15000 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15001 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15002 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15003 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15004 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15005 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15006 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15007 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15008 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15009
15010 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15011 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15012 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15013 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15014 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15015
15016 @smallexample
15017 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15018 @end smallexample
15019
15020 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15021 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15022 system:
15023
15024 @smallexample
15025 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15026 @end smallexample
15027
15028 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15029 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15030 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15031 colons:
15032
15033 @smallexample
15034 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15035 @end smallexample
15036
15037 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15038 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15039 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15040 @samp{z}):
15041
15042 @smallexample
15043 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15044 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15045 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15046 @end smallexample
15047
15048 @noindent
15049 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15050 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15051 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15052
15053 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15054 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15055
15056 @smallexample
15057 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15058 @end smallexample
15059
15060 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15061 if you don't want or need to.
15062
15063 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15064 sysroot}.
15065
15066 @cindex default system root
15067 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15068 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15069 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15070 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15071 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15072 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15073 location.
15074
15075 @kindex show sysroot
15076 @item show sysroot
15077 Display the current shared library prefix.
15078
15079 @kindex set solib-search-path
15080 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15081 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15082 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15083 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15084 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15085 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15086 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15087 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15088 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15089 of shared library symbols.
15090
15091 @kindex show solib-search-path
15092 @item show solib-search-path
15093 Display the current shared library search path.
15094
15095 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15096 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15097 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15098 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15099 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15100
15101 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15102 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15103 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15104 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15105 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15106 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15107 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15108 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15109 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15110 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15111 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15112 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15113 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15114 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15115 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15116 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15117 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15118 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15119 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15120 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15121 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15122 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15123
15124 @table @code
15125 @item unix
15126 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15127 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15128 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15129 the forward slash.
15130
15131 @item dos-based
15132 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15133 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15134 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15135 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15136 considered directory separators.
15137
15138 @item auto
15139 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15140 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15141 This is the default.
15142 @end table
15143 @end table
15144
15145
15146 @node Separate Debug Files
15147 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15148 @cindex separate debugging information files
15149 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15150 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15151 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15152 @cindex global debugging information directory
15153 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15154 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15155
15156 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15157 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15158 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15159 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15160 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15161 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15162 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15163
15164 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15165 file:
15166
15167 @itemize @bullet
15168 @item
15169 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15170 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15171 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15172 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15173 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15174 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15175 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15176 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15177
15178 @item
15179 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15180 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15181 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15182 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15183 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15184 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15185 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15186 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15187 below.
15188 @end itemize
15189
15190 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15191 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15192
15193 @itemize @bullet
15194 @item
15195 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15196 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15197 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15198 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15199 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15200
15201 @item
15202 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15203 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15204 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15205 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15206 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15207 hex characters, not 10.)
15208 @end itemize
15209
15210 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15211 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15212 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15213 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15214 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15215 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15216
15217 @itemize @minus
15218 @item
15219 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15220 @item
15221 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15222 @item
15223 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15224 @item
15225 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15226 @end itemize
15227
15228 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15229 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15230
15231 @table @code
15232
15233 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15234 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15235 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15236 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15237 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15238
15239 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15240 @item show debug-file-directory
15241 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15242 information files.
15243
15244 @end table
15245
15246 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15247 @cindex debug link sections
15248 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15249 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15250
15251 @itemize
15252 @item
15253 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15254 a zero byte,
15255 @item
15256 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15257 boundary within the section, and
15258 @item
15259 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15260 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15261 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15262 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15263 @end itemize
15264
15265 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15266 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15267 described above.
15268
15269 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15270 @cindex build ID sections
15271 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15272 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15273 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15274 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15275 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15276 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15277 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15278 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15279 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15280
15281 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15282 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15283 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15284 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15285 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15286 in an ordinary executable.
15287
15288 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15289 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15290 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15291 following commands:
15292
15293 @smallexample
15294 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15295 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15296 @end smallexample
15297
15298 @noindent
15299 These commands remove the debugging
15300 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15301 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15302 two files:
15303
15304 @itemize @bullet
15305 @item
15306 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15307 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15308
15309 @smallexample
15310 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15311 @end smallexample
15312
15313 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15314 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15315 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15316 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15317
15318 @item
15319 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15320 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15321 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15322 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15323 @end itemize
15324
15325 @noindent
15326
15327 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15328 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15329 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15330
15331 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15332 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15333 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15334 @c different ways!
15335 @ifhtml
15336 @display
15337 @html
15338 <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>
15339 + <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
15340 @end html
15341 @end display
15342 @end ifhtml
15343 @ifnothtml
15344 @display
15345 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15346 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15347 @end display
15348 @end ifnothtml
15349
15350 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15351 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15352 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15353 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15354 CRC.
15355
15356 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15357 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15358 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15359 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15360 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15361 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15362
15363 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15364 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15365 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15366 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15367 @code{0xffffffff}.
15368
15369 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15370 @smallexample
15371 unsigned long
15372 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15373 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15374 @{
15375 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15376 @{
15377 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15378 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15379 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15380 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15381 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15382 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15383 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15384 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15385 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15386 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15387 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15388 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15389 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15390 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15391 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15392 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15393 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15394 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15395 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15396 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15397 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15398 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15399 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15400 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15401 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15402 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15403 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15404 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15405 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15406 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15407 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15408 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15409 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15410 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15411 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15412 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15413 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15414 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15415 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15416 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15417 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15418 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15419 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15420 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15421 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15422 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15423 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15424 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15425 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15426 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15427 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15428 0x2d02ef8d
15429 @};
15430 unsigned char *end;
15431
15432 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15433 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15434 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15435 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15436 @}
15437 @end smallexample
15438
15439 @noindent
15440 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15441
15442
15443 @node Index Files
15444 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15445 @cindex index files
15446 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15447
15448 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15449 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15450 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15451 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15452 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15453 startup.
15454
15455 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15456 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15457 using @command{objcopy}.
15458
15459 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15460
15461 @table @code
15462 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15463 @kindex save gdb-index
15464 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15465 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15466 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15467 @var{directory}.
15468 @end table
15469
15470 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15471 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15472
15473 @smallexample
15474 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15475 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15476 @end smallexample
15477
15478 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15479 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15480 currently work for programs using Ada.
15481
15482 @node Symbol Errors
15483 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15484
15485 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15486 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15487 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15488 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15489 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15490 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15491 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15492 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15493 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15494 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15495 Messages}).
15496
15497 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15498
15499 @table @code
15500 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15501
15502 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15503 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15504 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15505 in its outer scope blocks.
15506
15507 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15508 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15509 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15510 function.
15511
15512 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15513
15514 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15515 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15516 do so.
15517
15518 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15519 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15520 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15521 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15522 Messages}.)
15523
15524 @item bad block start address patched
15525
15526 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15527 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15528 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15529
15530 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15531 starting on the previous source line.
15532
15533 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15534
15535 @cindex foo
15536 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15537 larger than the size of the string table.
15538
15539 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15540 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15541 with this name.
15542
15543 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15544
15545 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15546 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15547 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15548
15549 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15550 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15551 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15552 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15553 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15554 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15555
15556 @item stub type has NULL name
15557
15558 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15559
15560 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15561 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15562 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15563 it.
15564
15565 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15566
15567 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15568
15569 @end table
15570
15571 @node Data Files
15572 @section GDB Data Files
15573
15574 @cindex prefix for data files
15575 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15576 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15577
15578 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15579 is currently using.
15580
15581 @table @code
15582 @kindex set data-directory
15583 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15584 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15585 to @var{directory}.
15586
15587 @kindex show data-directory
15588 @item show data-directory
15589 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15590 @end table
15591
15592 @cindex default data directory
15593 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15594 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15595 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15596 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15597 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15598 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15599 location.
15600
15601 The data directory may also be specified with the
15602 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15603 @xref{Mode Options}.
15604
15605 @node Targets
15606 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15607
15608 @cindex debugging target
15609 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15610
15611 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15612 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15613 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15614 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15615 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15616 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15617 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15618 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15619
15620 @cindex target architecture
15621 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15622 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15623 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15624 command.
15625
15626 @table @code
15627 @kindex set architecture
15628 @kindex show architecture
15629 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15630 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15631 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15632 supported architectures.
15633
15634 @item show architecture
15635 Show the current target architecture.
15636
15637 @item set processor
15638 @itemx processor
15639 @kindex set processor
15640 @kindex show processor
15641 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15642 and @code{show architecture}.
15643 @end table
15644
15645 @menu
15646 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15647 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15648 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15649 @end menu
15650
15651 @node Active Targets
15652 @section Active Targets
15653
15654 @cindex stacking targets
15655 @cindex active targets
15656 @cindex multiple targets
15657
15658 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15659 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15660 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15661 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15662 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15663 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15664 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15665 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15666 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15667
15668 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15669 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15670 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15671 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15672
15673 @node Target Commands
15674 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15675
15676 @table @code
15677 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15678 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15679 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15680 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15681 protocol of the target machine.
15682
15683 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15684 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15685 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15686
15687 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15688 after executing the command.
15689
15690 @kindex help target
15691 @item help target
15692 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15693 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15694 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15695
15696 @item help target @var{name}
15697 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15698 select it.
15699
15700 @kindex set gnutarget
15701 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15702 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15703 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15704 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15705 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15706 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15707
15708 @quotation
15709 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15710 you must know the actual BFD name.
15711 @end quotation
15712
15713 @noindent
15714 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15715
15716 @kindex show gnutarget
15717 @item show gnutarget
15718 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15719 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15720 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15721 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15722 @end table
15723
15724 @cindex common targets
15725 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15726 configuration):
15727
15728 @table @code
15729 @kindex target
15730 @item target exec @var{program}
15731 @cindex executable file target
15732 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15733 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15734
15735 @item target core @var{filename}
15736 @cindex core dump file target
15737 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15738 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15739
15740 @item target remote @var{medium}
15741 @cindex remote target
15742 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15743 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15744 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15745
15746 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15747 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15748
15749 @smallexample
15750 target remote /dev/ttya
15751 @end smallexample
15752
15753 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15754 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15755 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15756 clobbered by the download.
15757
15758 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15759 @cindex built-in simulator target
15760 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15761 In general,
15762 @smallexample
15763 target sim
15764 load
15765 run
15766 @end smallexample
15767 @noindent
15768 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15769 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15770 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15771 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15772 Processors}.
15773
15774 @end table
15775
15776 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15777
15778 @table @code
15779
15780 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15781 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15782 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15783
15784 @end table
15785
15786 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15787 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15788
15789 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15790 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15791 various aspects of this process.
15792
15793 @table @code
15794
15795 @item set hash
15796 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15797 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15798 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15799 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15800 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15801 monitor.
15802
15803 @item show hash
15804 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15805 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15806
15807 @item set debug monitor
15808 @kindex set debug monitor
15809 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15810 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15811 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15812
15813 @item show debug monitor
15814 @kindex show debug monitor
15815 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15816 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15817 @end table
15818
15819 @table @code
15820
15821 @kindex load @var{filename}
15822 @item load @var{filename}
15823 @anchor{load}
15824 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15825 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15826 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15827 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15828 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15829 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15830
15831 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15832 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15833 target is @dots{}}''
15834
15835 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15836 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15837 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15838 specifies a fixed address.
15839 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15840
15841 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15842 load programs into flash memory.
15843
15844 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15845 @end table
15846
15847 @node Byte Order
15848 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15849
15850 @cindex choosing target byte order
15851 @cindex target byte order
15852
15853 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15854 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15855 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15856 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15857 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15858 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15859
15860 @table @code
15861 @kindex set endian
15862 @item set endian big
15863 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15864
15865 @item set endian little
15866 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15867
15868 @item set endian auto
15869 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15870 executable.
15871
15872 @item show endian
15873 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15874
15875 @end table
15876
15877 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15878 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15879 target system.
15880
15881
15882 @node Remote Debugging
15883 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15884 @cindex remote debugging
15885
15886 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15887 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15888 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15889 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15890 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15891
15892 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15893 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15894 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15895 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15896 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15897 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15898
15899 Other remote targets may be available in your
15900 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15901
15902 @menu
15903 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15904 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15905 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15906 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15907 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15908 @end menu
15909
15910 @node Connecting
15911 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15912
15913 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15914 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15915 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15916 program as the first argument.
15917
15918 @cindex @code{target remote}
15919 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15920 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15921 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15922 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15923 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15924 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15925
15926 @table @code
15927
15928 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15929 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15930 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15931 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15932
15933 @smallexample
15934 target remote /dev/ttyb
15935 @end smallexample
15936
15937 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15938 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15939 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15940 @code{target} command.
15941
15942 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15943 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15944 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15945 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15946 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15947 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15948 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15949 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15950 target.
15951
15952 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15953 @code{manyfarms}:
15954
15955 @smallexample
15956 target remote manyfarms:2828
15957 @end smallexample
15958
15959 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15960 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15961 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15962 port 1234 on your local machine:
15963
15964 @smallexample
15965 target remote :1234
15966 @end smallexample
15967 @noindent
15968
15969 Note that the colon is still required here.
15970
15971 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15972 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15973 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15974 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15975
15976 @smallexample
15977 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15978 @end smallexample
15979
15980 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15981 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15982 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15983 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15984
15985 @item target remote | @var{command}
15986 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15987 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15988 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15989 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15990 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15991 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15992 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15993 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15994
15995 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15996 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15997 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15998
15999 @end table
16000
16001 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16002 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16003 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16004 need to use @kbd{run}.
16005
16006 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16007 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16008 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16009 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16010 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16011 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16012 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16013
16014 @smallexample
16015 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16016 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16017 @end smallexample
16018
16019 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16020 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16021 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16022 goes back to waiting.
16023
16024 @table @code
16025 @kindex detach (remote)
16026 @item detach
16027 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16028 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16029 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16030 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16031 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16032
16033 @kindex disconnect
16034 @item disconnect
16035 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16036 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16037 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16038 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16039 another target.
16040
16041 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16042 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16043 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16044 @kindex monitor
16045 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16046 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16047 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16048 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16049 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16050 and implement.
16051 @end table
16052
16053 @node File Transfer
16054 @section Sending files to a remote system
16055 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16056 @cindex file transfer
16057 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16058
16059 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16060 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16061 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16062 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16063 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16064 the only way to upload or download files.
16065
16066 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16067
16068 @table @code
16069 @kindex remote put
16070 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16071 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16072 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16073
16074 @kindex remote get
16075 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16076 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16077 on the host system.
16078
16079 @kindex remote delete
16080 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16081 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16082
16083 @end table
16084
16085 @node Server
16086 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16087
16088 @kindex gdbserver
16089 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16090 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16091 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16092 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16093
16094 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16095 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16096 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16097 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16098 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16099 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16100 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16101 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16102 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16103 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16104 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16105 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16106 choice for debugging.
16107
16108 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16109 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16110 protocol.
16111
16112 @quotation
16113 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16114 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16115 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16116 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16117 @code{gdbserver}.
16118 @end quotation
16119
16120 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16121 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16122
16123 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16124 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16125 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16126 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16127 system does all the symbol handling.
16128
16129 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16130 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16131 syntax is:
16132
16133 @smallexample
16134 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16135 @end smallexample
16136
16137 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16138 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16139 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16140 @file{/dev/com1}:
16141
16142 @smallexample
16143 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16144 @end smallexample
16145
16146 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16147 with it.
16148
16149 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16150
16151 @smallexample
16152 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16153 @end smallexample
16154
16155 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16156 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16157 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16158 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16159 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16160 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16161 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16162 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16163 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16164 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16165 @code{target remote} command.
16166
16167 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16168
16169 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16170 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16171
16172 @smallexample
16173 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16174 @end smallexample
16175
16176 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16177 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16178
16179 @pindex pidof
16180 @cindex attach to a program by name
16181 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16182 @code{pidof} utility:
16183
16184 @smallexample
16185 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16186 @end smallexample
16187
16188 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16189 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16190 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16191
16192 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16193 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
16194 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
16195
16196 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16197 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16198 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16199 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16200
16201 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16202 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16203 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16204 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16205 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16206 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16207 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16208 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16209 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16210
16211 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16212 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16213 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16214 the program you want to debug.
16215
16216 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
16217 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
16218 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
16219
16220 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16221
16222 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16223 status information about the debugging process. The
16224 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16225 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16226 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16227
16228 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16229 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16230 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16231 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16232
16233 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16234 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16235 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16236 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16237
16238 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16239 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16240 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16241 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16242
16243 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16244 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16245 environment:
16246
16247 @smallexample
16248 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16249 @end smallexample
16250
16251 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16252
16253 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16254
16255 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16256 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16257 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16258 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16259
16260 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16261 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16262 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16263 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16264 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16265 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16266 programs.
16267
16268 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16269 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16270 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16271 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16272 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16273 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16274 already on the target.
16275
16276 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16277 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16278 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16279
16280 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16281 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16282 Here are the available commands.
16283
16284 @table @code
16285 @item monitor help
16286 List the available monitor commands.
16287
16288 @item monitor set debug 0
16289 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16290 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16291
16292 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16293 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16294 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16295 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16296
16297 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16298 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16299 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16300 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16301 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16302 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16303
16304 @item monitor exit
16305 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16306 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16307 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16308 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16309 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16310
16311 @end table
16312
16313 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16314 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16315
16316 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16317 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16318
16319 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16320 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16321 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16322 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16323 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16324 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16325 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16326 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16327 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16328 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16329 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16330 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16331
16332 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16333
16334 @table @code
16335 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16336
16337 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16338 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16339 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16340
16341 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16342
16343 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16344 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16345 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16346 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16347 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16348 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16349
16350 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16351
16352 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16353 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16354 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16355 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16356 command for that. For example:
16357
16358 @smallexample
16359 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16360 @end smallexample
16361
16362 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16363 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16364 @end table
16365
16366 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16367 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16368 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16369 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16370 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16371 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16372 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16373 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16374 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16375 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16376
16377 @smallexample
16378 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16379 @end smallexample
16380
16381 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16382
16383 @smallexample
16384 $ gdb myprogram
16385 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16386 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16387 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16388 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16389 @end smallexample
16390
16391 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16392 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16393 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16394 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16395 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16396 tracing.
16397
16398 @node Remote Configuration
16399 @section Remote Configuration
16400
16401 @kindex set remote
16402 @kindex show remote
16403 This section documents the configuration options available when
16404 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16405 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16406 system-call-allowed}.
16407
16408 @table @code
16409 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16410 @cindex address size for remote targets
16411 @cindex bits in remote address
16412 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16413 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16414 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16415 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16416
16417 @item show remoteaddresssize
16418 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16419
16420 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16421 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16422 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16423 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16424 remote targets.
16425
16426 @item show remotebaud
16427 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16428
16429 @item set remotebreak
16430 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16431 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16432 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16433 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16434 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16435 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16436 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16437 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16438
16439 @item show remotebreak
16440 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16441 interrupt the remote program.
16442
16443 @item set remoteflow on
16444 @itemx set remoteflow off
16445 @kindex set remoteflow
16446 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16447 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16448
16449 @item show remoteflow
16450 @kindex show remoteflow
16451 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16452
16453 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16454 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16455 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16456 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16457 @code{ascii}.
16458
16459 @item show remotelogbase
16460 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16461 protocol.
16462
16463 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16464 @cindex record serial communications on file
16465 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16466 default is not to record at all.
16467
16468 @item show remotelogfile.
16469 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16470 serial communications.
16471
16472 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16473 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16474 @cindex remote timeout
16475 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16476 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16477
16478 @item show remotetimeout
16479 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16480 responses.
16481
16482 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16483 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16484 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16485 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16486 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16487 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16488 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16489 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16490
16491 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16492 @itemx show remote exec-file
16493 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16494 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16495 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16496 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16497 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16498 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16499
16500 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16501 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16502 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16503 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16504 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16505 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16506 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16507 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16508 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16509 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16510
16511 @item show interrupt-sequence
16512 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16513 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16514 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16515 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16516
16517 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16518 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16519 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16520 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16521 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16522 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16523
16524 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16525 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16526 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16527
16528 @kindex set tcp
16529 @kindex show tcp
16530 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16531 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16532 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16533 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16534 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16535 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16536 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16537 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16538 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16539
16540 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16541 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16542
16543 @item show tcp auto-retry
16544 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16545
16546 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16547 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16548 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16549 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16550 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16551 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16552 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16553 value.
16554
16555 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16556 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16557 @end table
16558
16559 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16560 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16561 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16562 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16563 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16564 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16565 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16566 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16567 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16568
16569 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16570 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16571 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16572 @value{GDBN} developers.
16573
16574 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16575 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16576 are:
16577
16578 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16579 @item Command Name
16580 @tab Remote Packet
16581 @tab Related Features
16582
16583 @item @code{fetch-register}
16584 @tab @code{p}
16585 @tab @code{info registers}
16586
16587 @item @code{set-register}
16588 @tab @code{P}
16589 @tab @code{set}
16590
16591 @item @code{binary-download}
16592 @tab @code{X}
16593 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16594
16595 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16596 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16597 @tab @code{info auxv}
16598
16599 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16600 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16601 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16602
16603 @item @code{attach}
16604 @tab @code{vAttach}
16605 @tab @code{attach}
16606
16607 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16608 @tab @code{vCont}
16609 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16610
16611 @item @code{run}
16612 @tab @code{vRun}
16613 @tab @code{run}
16614
16615 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16616 @tab @code{Z0}
16617 @tab @code{break}
16618
16619 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16620 @tab @code{Z1}
16621 @tab @code{hbreak}
16622
16623 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16624 @tab @code{Z2}
16625 @tab @code{watch}
16626
16627 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16628 @tab @code{Z3}
16629 @tab @code{rwatch}
16630
16631 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16632 @tab @code{Z4}
16633 @tab @code{awatch}
16634
16635 @item @code{target-features}
16636 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16637 @tab @code{set architecture}
16638
16639 @item @code{library-info}
16640 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16641 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16642
16643 @item @code{memory-map}
16644 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16645 @tab @code{info mem}
16646
16647 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16648 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16649 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16650
16651 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16652 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16653 @tab @code{info spu}
16654
16655 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16656 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16657 @tab @code{info spu}
16658
16659 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16660 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16661 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16662
16663 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16664 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16665 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16666
16667 @item @code{threads}
16668 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16669 @tab @code{info threads}
16670
16671 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16672 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16673 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16674
16675 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16676 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16677 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16678
16679 @item @code{search-memory}
16680 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16681 @tab @code{find}
16682
16683 @item @code{supported-packets}
16684 @tab @code{qSupported}
16685 @tab Remote communications parameters
16686
16687 @item @code{pass-signals}
16688 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16689 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16690
16691 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16692 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16693 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16694
16695 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16696 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16697 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16698
16699 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16700 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16701 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16702
16703 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16704 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16705 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16706
16707 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16708 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16709 @tab @code{remote delete}
16710
16711 @item @code{noack-packet}
16712 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16713 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16714
16715 @item @code{osdata}
16716 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16717 @tab @code{info os}
16718
16719 @item @code{query-attached}
16720 @tab @code{qAttached}
16721 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16722
16723 @item @code{traceframe-info}
16724 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16725 @tab Traceframe info
16726 @end multitable
16727
16728 @node Remote Stub
16729 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16730
16731 @cindex debugging stub, example
16732 @cindex remote stub, example
16733 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16734 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16735 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16736 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16737 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16738 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16739 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16740 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16741
16742 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16743 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16744 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16745 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16746 program, you need:
16747
16748 @enumerate
16749 @item
16750 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16751 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16752 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16753
16754 @item
16755 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16756 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16757
16758 @item
16759 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16760 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16761 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16762 documentation.
16763 @end enumerate
16764
16765 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16766 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16767 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16768
16769 @table @emph
16770 @item On the host,
16771 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16772 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16773 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16774
16775 @item On the target,
16776 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16777 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16778 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16779
16780 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16781 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16782 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16783 @end table
16784
16785 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16786 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16787 @sc{sparc} boards.
16788
16789 @cindex remote serial stub list
16790 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16791
16792 @table @code
16793
16794 @item i386-stub.c
16795 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16796 @cindex Intel
16797 @cindex i386
16798 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16799
16800 @item m68k-stub.c
16801 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16802 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16803 @cindex m680x0
16804 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16805
16806 @item sh-stub.c
16807 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16808 @cindex Renesas
16809 @cindex SH
16810 For Renesas SH architectures.
16811
16812 @item sparc-stub.c
16813 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16814 @cindex Sparc
16815 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16816
16817 @item sparcl-stub.c
16818 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16819 @cindex Fujitsu
16820 @cindex SparcLite
16821 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16822
16823 @end table
16824
16825 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16826 recently added stubs.
16827
16828 @menu
16829 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16830 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16831 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16832 @end menu
16833
16834 @node Stub Contents
16835 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16836
16837 @cindex remote serial stub
16838 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16839 subroutines:
16840
16841 @table @code
16842 @item set_debug_traps
16843 @findex set_debug_traps
16844 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16845 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16846 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16847 beginning of your program.
16848
16849 @item handle_exception
16850 @findex handle_exception
16851 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16852 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16853 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16854 run when a trap is triggered.
16855
16856 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16857 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16858 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16859 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16860 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16861 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16862 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16863 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16864 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16865 machine.
16866
16867 @item breakpoint
16868 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16869 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16870 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16871 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16872 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16873 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16874 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16875 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16876 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16877 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16878 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16879
16880 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16881 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16882 start of your debugging session.
16883 @end table
16884
16885 @node Bootstrapping
16886 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16887
16888 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16889 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16890 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16891 debugging target machine.
16892
16893 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16894 serial port.
16895
16896 @table @code
16897 @item int getDebugChar()
16898 @findex getDebugChar
16899 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16900 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16901 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16902
16903 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16904 @findex putDebugChar
16905 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16906 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16907 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16908 @end table
16909
16910 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16911 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16912 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16913 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16914 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16915 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16916 remote system to stop.
16917
16918 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16919 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16920 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16921 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16922
16923 Other routines you need to supply are:
16924
16925 @table @code
16926 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16927 @findex exceptionHandler
16928 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16929 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16930 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16931 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16932 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16933 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16934 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16935 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16936 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16937 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16938 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16939 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16940 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16941
16942 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16943 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16944 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16945 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16946 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16947
16948 @item void flush_i_cache()
16949 @findex flush_i_cache
16950 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16951 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16952 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16953
16954 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16955 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16956 @end table
16957
16958 @noindent
16959 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16960
16961 @table @code
16962 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16963 @findex memset
16964 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16965 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16966 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16967 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16968 @end table
16969
16970 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16971 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16972 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16973 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16974
16975
16976 @node Debug Session
16977 @subsection Putting it All Together
16978
16979 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16980 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16981 steps.
16982
16983 @enumerate
16984 @item
16985 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16986 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16987 @display
16988 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16989 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16990 @end display
16991
16992 @item
16993 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16994
16995 @smallexample
16996 set_debug_traps();
16997 breakpoint();
16998 @end smallexample
16999
17000 @item
17001 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17002 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17003
17004 @smallexample
17005 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17006 @end smallexample
17007
17008 @noindent
17009 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17010 function in your program, that function is called when
17011 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17012 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17013 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17014
17015 @item
17016 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17017 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17018
17019 @item
17020 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17021 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17022
17023 @item
17024 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17025 @c document that. FIXME.
17026 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17027 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17028
17029 @item
17030 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17031 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17032
17033 @end enumerate
17034
17035 @node Configurations
17036 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17037
17038 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17039 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17040 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17041
17042 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17043 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17044 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17045 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17046 are quite different from each other.
17047
17048 @menu
17049 * Native::
17050 * Embedded OS::
17051 * Embedded Processors::
17052 * Architectures::
17053 @end menu
17054
17055 @node Native
17056 @section Native
17057
17058 This section describes details specific to particular native
17059 configurations.
17060
17061 @menu
17062 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17063 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17064 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17065 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17066 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17067 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17068 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17069 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17070 @end menu
17071
17072 @node HP-UX
17073 @subsection HP-UX
17074
17075 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17076 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17077 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17078
17079
17080 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17081 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17082
17083 @cindex libkvm
17084 @cindex kernel memory image
17085 @cindex kernel crash dump
17086
17087 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17088 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17089 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17090 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17091 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17092 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17093 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17094 @code{kvm} target:
17095
17096 @smallexample
17097 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17098 @end smallexample
17099
17100 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17101 argument:
17102
17103 @smallexample
17104 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17105 @end smallexample
17106
17107 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17108 available:
17109
17110 @table @code
17111 @kindex kvm
17112 @item kvm pcb
17113 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17114
17115 @item kvm proc
17116 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17117 modern FreeBSD systems.
17118 @end table
17119
17120 @node SVR4 Process Information
17121 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17122 @cindex /proc
17123 @cindex examine process image
17124 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17125
17126 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17127 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17128 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17129 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17130 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17131 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17132 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17133 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17134 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17135
17136 @table @code
17137 @kindex info proc
17138 @cindex process ID
17139 @item info proc
17140 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17141 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17142 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17143 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17144 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17145 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17146 executable file's absolute file name.
17147
17148 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17149 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17150 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17151 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17152 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17153 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17154
17155 @item info proc mappings
17156 @cindex memory address space mappings
17157 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17158 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17159 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17160 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17161 memory access rights to that range.
17162
17163 @item info proc stat
17164 @itemx info proc status
17165 @cindex process detailed status information
17166 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17167 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17168 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17169 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17170 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17171 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17172 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17173
17174 @item info proc all
17175 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17176 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17177
17178 @ignore
17179 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17180 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17181 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17182 @kindex info proc times
17183 @item info proc times
17184 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17185 its children.
17186
17187 @kindex info proc id
17188 @item info proc id
17189 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17190 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17191 @end ignore
17192
17193 @item set procfs-trace
17194 @kindex set procfs-trace
17195 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17196 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17197
17198 @item show procfs-trace
17199 @kindex show procfs-trace
17200 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17201
17202 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17203 @kindex set procfs-file
17204 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17205 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17206 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17207 standard output.
17208
17209 @item show procfs-file
17210 @kindex show procfs-file
17211 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17212
17213 @item proc-trace-entry
17214 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17215 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17216 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17217 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17218 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17219 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17220 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17221 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17222 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17223
17224 @item info pidlist
17225 @kindex info pidlist
17226 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17227 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17228 processes and all the threads within each process.
17229
17230 @item info meminfo
17231 @kindex info meminfo
17232 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17233 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17234 @end table
17235
17236 @node DJGPP Native
17237 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17238 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17239 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17240 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17241
17242 @cindex DPMI
17243 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17244 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17245 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17246 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17247
17248 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17249 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17250 subsection describes those commands.
17251
17252 @table @code
17253 @kindex info dos
17254 @item info dos
17255 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17256 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17257
17258 @kindex sysinfo
17259 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17260 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17261 @item info dos sysinfo
17262 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17263 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17264 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17265
17266 @cindex GDT
17267 @cindex LDT
17268 @cindex IDT
17269 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17270 @cindex descriptor tables display
17271 @item info dos gdt
17272 @itemx info dos ldt
17273 @itemx info dos idt
17274 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17275 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17276 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17277 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17278 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17279 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17280 rights.
17281
17282 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17283 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17284 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17285 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17286 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17287
17288 @cindex garbled pointers
17289 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17290 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17291 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17292 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17293 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17294 debugged program's data segment:
17295
17296 @smallexample
17297 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17298 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17299 @end smallexample
17300
17301 @noindent
17302 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17303 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17304
17305 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17306 @item info dos pde
17307 @itemx info dos pte
17308 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17309 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17310 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17311 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17312 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17313 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17314 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17315 that is currently in use.
17316
17317 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17318 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17319 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17320 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17321 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17322 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17323 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17324
17325 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17326 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17327 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17328 controller.
17329
17330 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17331
17332 @cindex physical address from linear address
17333 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17334 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17335 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17336 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17337 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17338 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17339 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17340
17341 @smallexample
17342 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17343 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17344 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17345 @end smallexample
17346
17347 @noindent
17348 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17349 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17350 attributes of that page.
17351
17352 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17353 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17354 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17355 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17356 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17357 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17358
17359 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17360 transfer buffer:
17361
17362 @smallexample
17363 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17364 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17365 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17366 @end smallexample
17367
17368 @noindent
17369 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17370 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17371 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17372 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17373 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17374
17375 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17376 @end table
17377
17378 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17379 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17380 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17381 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17382
17383 @table @code
17384 @kindex set com1base
17385 @kindex set com1irq
17386 @kindex set com2base
17387 @kindex set com2irq
17388 @kindex set com3base
17389 @kindex set com3irq
17390 @kindex set com4base
17391 @kindex set com4irq
17392 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17393 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17394 port.
17395
17396 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17397 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17398 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17399
17400 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17401 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17402 other 3 COM ports.
17403
17404 @kindex show com1base
17405 @kindex show com1irq
17406 @kindex show com2base
17407 @kindex show com2irq
17408 @kindex show com3base
17409 @kindex show com3irq
17410 @kindex show com4base
17411 @kindex show com4irq
17412 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17413 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17414 lines used by the COM ports.
17415
17416 @item info serial
17417 @kindex info serial
17418 @cindex DOS serial port status
17419 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17420 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17421 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17422 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17423 @end table
17424
17425
17426 @node Cygwin Native
17427 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17428 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17429 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17430 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17431
17432 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17433 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17434
17435 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17436 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17437 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17438 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17439 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17440 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17441 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17442 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17443
17444 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17445 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17446 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17447
17448 @table @code
17449 @kindex info w32
17450 @item info w32
17451 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17452 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17453
17454 @item info w32 selector
17455 This command displays information returned by
17456 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17457 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17458 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17459 Without argument, this command displays information
17460 about the six segment registers.
17461
17462 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17463 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17464 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17465 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17466
17467 @kindex info dll
17468 @item info dll
17469 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17470
17471 @kindex dll-symbols
17472 @item dll-symbols
17473 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17474 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17475
17476 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17477 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17478 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17479 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17480 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17481 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17482 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17483 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17484 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17485 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17486 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17487
17488 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17489 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17490 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17491 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17492
17493 @kindex set new-console
17494 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17495 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17496 be started in a new console on next start.
17497 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17498 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17499
17500 @kindex show new-console
17501 @item show new-console
17502 Displays whether a new console is used
17503 when the debuggee is started.
17504
17505 @kindex set new-group
17506 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17507 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17508 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17509 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17510 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17511
17512 @kindex show new-group
17513 @item show new-group
17514 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17515
17516 @kindex set debugevents
17517 @item set debugevents
17518 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17519 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17520 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17521 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17522 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17523
17524 @kindex set debugexec
17525 @item set debugexec
17526 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17527 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17528
17529 @kindex set debugexceptions
17530 @item set debugexceptions
17531 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17532 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17533
17534 @kindex set debugmemory
17535 @item set debugmemory
17536 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17537 and writes by the debugger.
17538
17539 @kindex set shell
17540 @item set shell
17541 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17542 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17543
17544 @kindex show shell
17545 @item show shell
17546 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17547
17548 @end table
17549
17550 @menu
17551 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17552 @end menu
17553
17554 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17555 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17556 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17557 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17558
17559 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17560 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17561 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17562 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17563 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17564 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17565 ``minimal symbols''.
17566
17567 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17568 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17569 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17570 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17571 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17572 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17573 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17574 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17575 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17576 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17577
17578 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17579
17580 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17581 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17582 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17583 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17584 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17585 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17586 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17587 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17588 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17589
17590 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17591 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17592 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17593 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17594 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17595 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17596
17597 @smallexample
17598 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17599 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17600
17601 Non-debugging symbols:
17602 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17603 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17604 @end smallexample
17605
17606 @smallexample
17607 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17608 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17609
17610 Non-debugging symbols:
17611 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17612 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17613 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17614 [etc...]
17615 @end smallexample
17616
17617 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17618
17619 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17620 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17621 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17622 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17623 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17624 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17625 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17626
17627 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17628 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17629 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17630 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17631 problem:
17632
17633 @smallexample
17634 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17635 $1 = 268572168
17636 @end smallexample
17637
17638 @smallexample
17639 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17640 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17641 @end smallexample
17642
17643 And two possible solutions:
17644
17645 @smallexample
17646 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17647 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17648 @end smallexample
17649
17650 @smallexample
17651 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17652 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17653 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17654 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17655 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17656 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17657 @end smallexample
17658
17659 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17660 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17661 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17662 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17663 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17664
17665 @smallexample
17666 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17667 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17668 @end smallexample
17669
17670 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17671 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17672 safe.
17673
17674 @node Hurd Native
17675 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17676 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17677
17678 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17679 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17680
17681 @table @code
17682 @item set signals
17683 @itemx set sigs
17684 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17685 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17686 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17687 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17688 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17689 @code{signals}.
17690
17691 @item show signals
17692 @itemx show sigs
17693 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17694 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17695 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17696
17697 @item set signal-thread
17698 @itemx set sigthread
17699 @kindex set signal-thread
17700 @kindex set sigthread
17701 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17702 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17703 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17704 signal-thread}.
17705
17706 @item show signal-thread
17707 @itemx show sigthread
17708 @kindex show signal-thread
17709 @kindex show sigthread
17710 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17711 delivered a signal.
17712
17713 @item set stopped
17714 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17715 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17716 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17717 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17718
17719 @item show stopped
17720 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17721 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17722 stopped.
17723
17724 @item set exceptions
17725 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17726 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17727 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17728 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17729 trapping on.
17730
17731 @item show exceptions
17732 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17733 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17734
17735 @item set task pause
17736 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17737 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17738 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17739 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17740 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17741 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17742 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17743 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17744 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17745
17746 @item show task pause
17747 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17748 Show the current state of task suspension.
17749
17750 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17751 @cindex task suspend count
17752 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17753 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17754 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17755
17756 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17757 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17758
17759 @item set task exception-port
17760 @itemx set task excp
17761 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17762 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17763 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17764 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17765
17766 @item set noninvasive
17767 @cindex noninvasive task options
17768 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17769 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17770 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17771 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17772
17773 @item info send-rights
17774 @itemx info receive-rights
17775 @itemx info port-rights
17776 @itemx info port-sets
17777 @itemx info dead-names
17778 @itemx info ports
17779 @itemx info psets
17780 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17781 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17782 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17783 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17784 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17785 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17786 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17787 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17788 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17789
17790 @item set thread pause
17791 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17792 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17793 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17794 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17795 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17796 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17797 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17798 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17799 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17800 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17801 only the current thread.
17802
17803 @item show thread pause
17804 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17805 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17806
17807 @item set thread run
17808 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17809
17810 @item show thread run
17811 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17812
17813 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17814 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17815 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17816 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17817 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17818 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17819 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17820
17821 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17822 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17823 detaching.
17824
17825 @item set thread exception-port
17826 @itemx set thread excp
17827 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17828 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17829 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17830
17831 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17832 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17833 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17834 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17835
17836 @item set thread default
17837 @itemx show thread default
17838 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17839 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17840 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17841 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17842 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17843 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17844 the non-default commands.
17845 @end table
17846
17847
17848 @node Neutrino
17849 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17850 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17851
17852 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17853 Neutrino target:
17854
17855 @table @code
17856 @item set debug nto-debug
17857 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17858 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17859 Neutrino support.
17860
17861 @item show debug nto-debug
17862 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17863 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17864 @end table
17865
17866 @node Darwin
17867 @subsection Darwin
17868 @cindex Darwin
17869
17870 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17871
17872 @table @code
17873 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17874 @kindex set debug darwin
17875 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17876 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17877
17878 @item show debug darwin
17879 @kindex show debug darwin
17880 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17881
17882 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17883 @kindex set debug mach-o
17884 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17885 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17886 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17887 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17888 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17889 usage.
17890
17891 @item show debug mach-o
17892 @kindex show debug mach-o
17893 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17894
17895 @item set mach-exceptions on
17896 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17897 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17898 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17899 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17900 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17901 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17902
17903 @item show mach-exceptions
17904 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17905 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17906 @end table
17907
17908
17909 @node Embedded OS
17910 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17911
17912 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17913 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17914 architectures.
17915
17916 @menu
17917 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17918 @end menu
17919
17920 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17921 various real-time operating systems.
17922
17923 @node VxWorks
17924 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17925
17926 @cindex VxWorks
17927
17928 @table @code
17929
17930 @kindex target vxworks
17931 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17932 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17933 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17934
17935 @end table
17936
17937 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17938 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17939
17940 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17941 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17942 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17943 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17944 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17945 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17946 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17947
17948 @table @code
17949 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17950 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17951 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17952 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17953 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17954 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17955 of a thin network line.
17956 @end table
17957
17958 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17959 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17960 procedures.
17961
17962 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17963 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17964 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17965 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17966 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17967 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17968 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17969 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17970 manual.
17971 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17972
17973 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17974 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17975 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17976 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17977
17978 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17979
17980 @smallexample
17981 (vxgdb)
17982 @end smallexample
17983
17984 @menu
17985 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17986 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17987 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17988 @end menu
17989
17990 @node VxWorks Connection
17991 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17992
17993 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17994 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17995
17996 @smallexample
17997 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17998 @end smallexample
17999
18000 @need 750
18001 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18002
18003 @smallexample
18004 Attaching remote machine across net...
18005 Connected to tt.
18006 @end smallexample
18007
18008 @need 1000
18009 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18010 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18011 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18012 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18013 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18014
18015 @smallexample
18016 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18017 @end smallexample
18018
18019 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18020 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18021 command again.
18022
18023 @node VxWorks Download
18024 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18025
18026 @cindex download to VxWorks
18027 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18028 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18029 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18030 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18031 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18032 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18033 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18034 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18035 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18036 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18037 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18038 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18039 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18040 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18041 program, type this on VxWorks:
18042
18043 @smallexample
18044 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18045 @end smallexample
18046
18047 @noindent
18048 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18049
18050 @smallexample
18051 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18052 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18053 @end smallexample
18054
18055 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18056
18057 @smallexample
18058 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18059 @end smallexample
18060
18061 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18062 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18063 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18064 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18065 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18066 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18067 table.)
18068
18069 @node VxWorks Attach
18070 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18071
18072 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18073 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18074 follows:
18075
18076 @smallexample
18077 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18078 @end smallexample
18079
18080 @noindent
18081 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18082 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18083 the time of attachment.
18084
18085 @node Embedded Processors
18086 @section Embedded Processors
18087
18088 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18089 configurations.
18090
18091 @cindex send command to simulator
18092 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18093 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18094
18095 @table @code
18096 @item sim @var{command}
18097 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18098 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18099 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18100 acceptable commands.
18101 @end table
18102
18103
18104 @menu
18105 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18106 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18107 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18108 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18109 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18110 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18111 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18112 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18113 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18114 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18115 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18116 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18117 * CRIS:: CRIS
18118 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18119 @end menu
18120
18121 @node ARM
18122 @subsection ARM
18123 @cindex ARM RDI
18124
18125 @table @code
18126 @kindex target rdi
18127 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18128 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18129 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18130 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18131
18132 @kindex target rdp
18133 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18134 ARM Demon monitor.
18135
18136 @end table
18137
18138 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18139
18140 @table @code
18141 @item set arm disassembler
18142 @kindex set arm
18143 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18144 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18145
18146 @item show arm disassembler
18147 @kindex show arm
18148 Show the current disassembly style.
18149
18150 @item set arm apcs32
18151 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18152 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18153
18154 @item show arm apcs32
18155 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18156
18157 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18158 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18159 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18160
18161 @table @code
18162 @item auto
18163 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18164 @item softfpa
18165 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18166 processors.
18167 @item fpa
18168 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18169 @item softvfp
18170 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18171 @item vfp
18172 VFP co-processor.
18173 @end table
18174
18175 @item show arm fpu
18176 Show the current type of the FPU.
18177
18178 @item set arm abi
18179 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18180
18181 @item show arm abi
18182 Show the currently used ABI.
18183
18184 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18185 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18186 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18187 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18188 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18189 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18190 register).
18191
18192 @item show arm fallback-mode
18193 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18194
18195 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18196 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18197 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18198 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18199 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18200
18201 @item show arm force-mode
18202 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18203
18204 @item set debug arm
18205 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18206 target support subsystem.
18207
18208 @item show debug arm
18209 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18210 @end table
18211
18212 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18213 using the RDI interface:
18214
18215 @table @code
18216 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18217 @kindex rdilogfile
18218 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18219 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18220 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18221 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18222 @file{rdi.log}.
18223
18224 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18225 @kindex rdilogenable
18226 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18227 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18228 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18229 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18230 are logged to a file.
18231
18232 @item set rdiromatzero
18233 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18234 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18235 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18236 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18237 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18238 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18239
18240 @item show rdiromatzero
18241 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18242 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18243
18244 @item set rdiheartbeat
18245 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18246 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18247 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18248 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18249 well as the Angel monitor.
18250
18251 @item show rdiheartbeat
18252 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18253 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18254 @end table
18255
18256 @table @code
18257 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18258 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18259
18260 @table @code
18261 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18262 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18263 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18264 The default value is @code{all}.
18265
18266 @table @code
18267 @item none
18268 @item demon
18269 @item angel
18270 @item redboot
18271 @item all
18272 @end table
18273 @end table
18274 @end table
18275
18276 @node M32R/D
18277 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18278
18279 @table @code
18280 @kindex target m32r
18281 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18282 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18283
18284 @kindex target m32rsdi
18285 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18286 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18287 @end table
18288
18289 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18290
18291 @table @code
18292 @item set download-path @var{path}
18293 @kindex set download-path
18294 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18295 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18296
18297 @item show download-path
18298 @kindex show download-path
18299 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18300
18301 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18302 @kindex set board-address
18303 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18304 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18305
18306 @item show board-address
18307 @kindex show board-address
18308 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18309
18310 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18311 @kindex set server-address
18312 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18313 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18314 host machine.
18315
18316 @item show server-address
18317 @kindex show server-address
18318 Display the IP address of the download server.
18319
18320 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18321 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18322 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18323 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18324 executable file is uploaded.
18325
18326 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18327 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18328 Test the @code{upload} command.
18329 @end table
18330
18331 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18332
18333 @table @code
18334 @item sdireset
18335 @kindex sdireset
18336 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18337 This command resets the SDI connection.
18338
18339 @item sdistatus
18340 @kindex sdistatus
18341 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18342
18343 @item debug_chaos
18344 @kindex debug_chaos
18345 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18346 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18347
18348 @item use_debug_dma
18349 @kindex use_debug_dma
18350 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18351
18352 @item use_mon_code
18353 @kindex use_mon_code
18354 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18355
18356 @item use_ib_break
18357 @kindex use_ib_break
18358 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18359
18360 @item use_dbt_break
18361 @kindex use_dbt_break
18362 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18363 @end table
18364
18365 @node M68K
18366 @subsection M68k
18367
18368 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18369 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18370
18371 @table @code
18372
18373 @kindex target dbug
18374 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18375 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18376
18377 @end table
18378
18379 @node MicroBlaze
18380 @subsection MicroBlaze
18381 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18382 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18383
18384 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18385 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18386 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18387 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18388 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18389 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18390 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18391 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18392 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18393 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18394 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18395
18396 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18397
18398 @table @code
18399 @item target remote :1234
18400 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18401 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18402
18403 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18404 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18405 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18406
18407 @item load
18408 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18409
18410 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18411 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18412
18413 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18414 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18415 @end table
18416
18417 @node MIPS Embedded
18418 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18419
18420 @cindex MIPS boards
18421 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18422 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18423 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18424
18425 @need 1000
18426 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18427
18428 @table @code
18429 @item target mips @var{port}
18430 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18431 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18432 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18433 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18434 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18435 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18436 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18437
18438 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18439 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18440 debugger:
18441
18442 @smallexample
18443 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18444 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18445 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18446 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18447 (@value{GDBP}) run
18448 @end smallexample
18449
18450 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18451 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18452 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18453 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18454 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18455
18456 @item target pmon @var{port}
18457 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18458 PMON ROM monitor.
18459
18460 @item target ddb @var{port}
18461 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18462 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18463
18464 @item target lsi @var{port}
18465 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18466 LSI variant of PMON.
18467
18468 @kindex target r3900
18469 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18470 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18471
18472 @kindex target array
18473 @item target array @var{dev}
18474 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18475
18476 @end table
18477
18478
18479 @noindent
18480 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18481
18482 @table @code
18483 @item set mipsfpu double
18484 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18485 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18486 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18487 @itemx show mipsfpu
18488 @kindex set mipsfpu
18489 @kindex show mipsfpu
18490 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18491 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18492 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18493 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18494 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18495 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18496 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18497 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18498 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18499 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18500 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18501 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18502 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18503
18504 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18505 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18506 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18507
18508 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18509 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18510
18511 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18512 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18513 @itemx show timeout
18514 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18515 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18516 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18517 @kindex set timeout
18518 @kindex show timeout
18519 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18520 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18521 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18522 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18523 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18524 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18525 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18526 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18527 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18528 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18529
18530 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18531 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18532 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18533 to run before stopping.
18534
18535 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18536 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18537 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18538 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18539 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18540 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18541
18542 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18543 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18544 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18545 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18546
18547 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18548 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18549 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18550 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18551 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18552 @table @asis
18553 @item pmon target
18554 @samp{PMON}
18555 @item ddb target
18556 @samp{NEC010}
18557 @item lsi target
18558 @samp{PMON>}
18559 @end table
18560
18561 @item show monitor-prompt
18562 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18563 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18564 remote monitor.
18565
18566 @item set monitor-warnings
18567 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18568 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18569 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18570 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18571 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18572
18573 @item show monitor-warnings
18574 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18575 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18576
18577 @item pmon @var{command}
18578 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18579 @cindex send PMON command
18580 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18581 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18582 @end table
18583
18584 @node OpenRISC 1000
18585 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18586 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18587
18588 @cindex or1k boards
18589 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18590 about platform and commands.
18591
18592 @table @code
18593
18594 @kindex target jtag
18595 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18596
18597 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18598 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18599 connected via parallel port to the board.
18600
18601 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18602
18603 @kindex or1ksim
18604 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18605 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18606 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18607
18608 @kindex info or1k spr
18609 @item info or1k spr
18610 Displays spr groups.
18611
18612 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18613 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18614 Displays register names in selected group.
18615
18616 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18617 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18618 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18619 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18620 Shows information about specified spr register.
18621
18622 @kindex spr
18623 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18624 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18625 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18626 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18627 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18628 @end table
18629
18630 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18631 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18632 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18633 triggers can be set using:
18634 @table @code
18635 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18636 Load effective address/data
18637 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18638 Store effective address/data
18639 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18640 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18641 @item $FETCH
18642 Fetch data
18643 @end table
18644
18645 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18646 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18647
18648 @code{htrace} commands:
18649 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18650 @table @code
18651 @kindex hwatch
18652 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18653 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18654 or Data. For example:
18655
18656 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18657
18658 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18659
18660 @kindex htrace
18661 @item htrace info
18662 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18663
18664 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18665 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18666
18667 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18668 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18669
18670 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18671 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18672
18673 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18674 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18675 triggered.
18676
18677 @item htrace enable
18678 @itemx htrace disable
18679 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18680
18681 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18682 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18683
18684 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18685 will be written there.
18686
18687 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18688 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18689
18690 @item htrace mode continuous
18691 Set continuous trace mode.
18692
18693 @item htrace mode suspend
18694 Set suspend trace mode.
18695
18696 @end table
18697
18698 @node PowerPC Embedded
18699 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18700
18701 @cindex DVC register
18702 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18703 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18704
18705 @smallexample
18706 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18707 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18708 @end smallexample
18709
18710 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18711 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18712 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18713 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18714 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18715 or newer.
18716
18717 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18718 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18719 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18720 watching variables of scalar types.
18721
18722 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18723 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18724
18725 @smallexample
18726 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18727 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18728 @end smallexample
18729
18730 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18731
18732 @table @code
18733 @kindex set powerpc
18734 @item set powerpc soft-float
18735 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18736 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18737 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18738 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18739
18740 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18741 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18742 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18743 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18744 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18745 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18746 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18747 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18748
18749 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18750 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18751 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18752 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18753 address of its first byte.
18754
18755 @kindex target dink32
18756 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18757 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18758
18759 @kindex target ppcbug
18760 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18761 @kindex target ppcbug1
18762 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18763 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18764
18765 @kindex target sds
18766 @item target sds @var{dev}
18767 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18768 @end table
18769
18770 @cindex SDS protocol
18771 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18772 by @value{GDBN}:
18773
18774 @table @code
18775 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18776 @kindex set sdstimeout
18777 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18778 default is 2 seconds.
18779
18780 @item show sdstimeout
18781 @kindex show sdstimeout
18782 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18783
18784 @item sds @var{command}
18785 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18786 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18787 @end table
18788
18789
18790 @node PA
18791 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18792
18793 @table @code
18794
18795 @kindex target op50n
18796 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18797 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18798
18799 @kindex target w89k
18800 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18801 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18802
18803 @end table
18804
18805 @node Sparclet
18806 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18807
18808 @cindex Sparclet
18809
18810 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18811 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18812 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18813 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18814 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18815
18816 @table @code
18817 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18818 @kindex remotetimeout
18819 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18820 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18821 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18822 @end table
18823
18824 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18825 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18826 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18827 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18828 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18829
18830 @smallexample
18831 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18832 @end smallexample
18833
18834 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18835
18836 @smallexample
18837 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18838 @end smallexample
18839
18840 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18841 Once you have set
18842 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18843 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18844 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18845
18846 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18847
18848 @smallexample
18849 (gdbslet)
18850 @end smallexample
18851
18852 @menu
18853 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18854 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18855 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18856 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18857 @end menu
18858
18859 @node Sparclet File
18860 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18861
18862 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18863
18864 @smallexample
18865 (gdbslet) file prog
18866 @end smallexample
18867
18868 @need 1000
18869 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18870 @value{GDBN} locates
18871 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18872 path.
18873 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18874 files will be searched as well.
18875 @value{GDBN} locates
18876 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18877 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18878 If it fails
18879 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18880
18881 @smallexample
18882 prog: No such file or directory.
18883 @end smallexample
18884
18885 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18886 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18887 @code{target} command again.
18888
18889 @node Sparclet Connection
18890 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18891
18892 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18893 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18894
18895 @smallexample
18896 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18897 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18898 main () at ../prog.c:3
18899 @end smallexample
18900
18901 @need 750
18902 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18903
18904 @smallexample
18905 Connected to ttya.
18906 @end smallexample
18907
18908 @node Sparclet Download
18909 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18910
18911 @cindex download to Sparclet
18912 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18913 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18914 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18915 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18916 command.
18917 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18918 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18919 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18920 of each of the file's sections.
18921 For instance, if the program
18922 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18923 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18924
18925 @smallexample
18926 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18927 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18928 @end smallexample
18929
18930 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18931 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18932 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18933
18934 @node Sparclet Execution
18935 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18936
18937 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18938 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18939 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18940 manual for the list of commands.
18941
18942 @smallexample
18943 (gdbslet) b main
18944 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18945 (gdbslet) run
18946 Starting program: prog
18947 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18948 3 char *symarg = 0;
18949 (gdbslet) step
18950 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18951 (gdbslet)
18952 @end smallexample
18953
18954 @node Sparclite
18955 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18956
18957 @table @code
18958
18959 @kindex target sparclite
18960 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18961 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18962 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18963 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18964 remote protocol.
18965
18966 @end table
18967
18968 @node Z8000
18969 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18970
18971 @cindex Z8000
18972 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18973 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18974
18975 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18976 a Z8000 simulator.
18977
18978 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18979 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18980 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18981 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18982
18983 @table @code
18984 @item target sim @var{args}
18985 @kindex sim
18986 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18987 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18988 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18989 @end table
18990
18991 @noindent
18992 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18993 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18994 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18995 to run your program, and so on.
18996
18997 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18998 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18999 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19000
19001 @table @code
19002
19003 @item cycles
19004 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19005
19006 @item insts
19007 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19008
19009 @item time
19010 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19011
19012 @end table
19013
19014 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19015 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19016 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19017 simulated clock ticks.
19018
19019 @node AVR
19020 @subsection Atmel AVR
19021 @cindex AVR
19022
19023 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19024 following AVR-specific commands:
19025
19026 @table @code
19027 @item info io_registers
19028 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19029 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19030 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19031 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19032 @end table
19033
19034 @node CRIS
19035 @subsection CRIS
19036 @cindex CRIS
19037
19038 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19039 following CRIS-specific commands:
19040
19041 @table @code
19042 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19043 @cindex CRIS version
19044 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19045 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19046 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19047
19048 @item show cris-version
19049 Show the current CRIS version.
19050
19051 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19052 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19053 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19054 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19055 @code{R59}.
19056
19057 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19058 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19059
19060 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19061 @cindex CRIS mode
19062 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19063 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19064 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19065
19066 @item show cris-mode
19067 Show the current CRIS mode.
19068 @end table
19069
19070 @node Super-H
19071 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19072 @cindex Super-H
19073
19074 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19075 commands:
19076
19077 @table @code
19078 @item regs
19079 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19080 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19081
19082 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19083 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19084 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19085 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19086 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19087 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19088 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19089 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19090 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19091 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19092 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19093 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19094
19095 @item show sh calling-convention
19096 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19097 Show the current calling convention setting.
19098
19099 @end table
19100
19101
19102 @node Architectures
19103 @section Architectures
19104
19105 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19106 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19107
19108 @menu
19109 * i386::
19110 * A29K::
19111 * Alpha::
19112 * MIPS::
19113 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19114 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19115 * PowerPC::
19116 @end menu
19117
19118 @node i386
19119 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19120
19121 @table @code
19122 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19123 @kindex set struct-convention
19124 @cindex struct return convention
19125 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19126 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19127 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19128 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19129 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19130 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19131 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19132 be returned in a register.
19133
19134 @item show struct-convention
19135 @kindex show struct-convention
19136 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19137 from functions.
19138 @end table
19139
19140 @node A29K
19141 @subsection A29K
19142
19143 @table @code
19144
19145 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19146 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19147 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19148 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19149 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19150 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19151 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19152 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19153 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19154 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19155 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19156 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19157 hexadecimal.
19158
19159 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19160 @item show rstack_high_address
19161 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19162 processors.
19163
19164 @end table
19165
19166 @node Alpha
19167 @subsection Alpha
19168
19169 See the following section.
19170
19171 @node MIPS
19172 @subsection MIPS
19173
19174 @cindex stack on Alpha
19175 @cindex stack on MIPS
19176 @cindex Alpha stack
19177 @cindex MIPS stack
19178 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19179 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19180 find the beginning of a function.
19181
19182 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19183 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19184 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19185 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19186 commands:
19187
19188 @table @code
19189 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19190 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19191 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19192 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19193 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19194 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19195 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19196 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19197
19198 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19199 Display the current limit.
19200 @end table
19201
19202 @noindent
19203 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19204 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19205
19206 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19207 programs:
19208
19209 @table @code
19210 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19211 @kindex set mips abi
19212 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19213 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19214 values of @var{arg} are:
19215
19216 @table @samp
19217 @item auto
19218 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19219 default).
19220 @item o32
19221 @item o64
19222 @item n32
19223 @item n64
19224 @item eabi32
19225 @item eabi64
19226 @item auto
19227 @end table
19228
19229 @item show mips abi
19230 @kindex show mips abi
19231 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19232
19233 @item set mipsfpu
19234 @itemx show mipsfpu
19235 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19236
19237 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19238 @kindex set mips mask-address
19239 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19240 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19241 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19242 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19243 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19244
19245 @item show mips mask-address
19246 @kindex show mips mask-address
19247 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19248 not.
19249
19250 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19251 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19252 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19253 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19254 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19255 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19256
19257 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19258 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19259 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19260
19261 @item set debug mips
19262 @kindex set debug mips
19263 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19264 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19265
19266 @item show debug mips
19267 @kindex show debug mips
19268 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19269 @end table
19270
19271
19272 @node HPPA
19273 @subsection HPPA
19274 @cindex HPPA support
19275
19276 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19277 following special commands:
19278
19279 @table @code
19280 @item set debug hppa
19281 @kindex set debug hppa
19282 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19283 messages are to be displayed.
19284
19285 @item show debug hppa
19286 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19287
19288 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19289 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19290 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19291 given @var{address}.
19292
19293 @end table
19294
19295
19296 @node SPU
19297 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19298 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19299 @cindex SPU
19300
19301 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19302 it provides the following special commands:
19303
19304 @table @code
19305 @item info spu event
19306 @kindex info spu
19307 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19308 and pending event status.
19309
19310 @item info spu signal
19311 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19312 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19313 notification channels.
19314
19315 @item info spu mailbox
19316 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19317 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19318 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19319
19320 @item info spu dma
19321 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19322 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19323 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19324
19325 @item info spu proxydma
19326 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19327 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19328 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19329
19330 @end table
19331
19332 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19333 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19334 special commands:
19335
19336 @table @code
19337 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19338 @kindex set spu
19339 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19340 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19341 function. The default is @code{off}.
19342
19343 @item show spu stop-on-load
19344 @kindex show spu
19345 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19346
19347 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19348 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19349 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19350 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19351 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19352 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19353
19354 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19355 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19356
19357 @end table
19358
19359 @node PowerPC
19360 @subsection PowerPC
19361 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19362
19363 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19364 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19365 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19366 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19367 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19368
19369 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19370 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19371 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19372
19373 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19374 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19375
19376
19377 @node Controlling GDB
19378 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19379
19380 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19381 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19382 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19383 described here.
19384
19385 @menu
19386 * Prompt:: Prompt
19387 * Editing:: Command editing
19388 * Command History:: Command history
19389 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19390 * Numbers:: Numbers
19391 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19392 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19393 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19394 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19395 @end menu
19396
19397 @node Prompt
19398 @section Prompt
19399
19400 @cindex prompt
19401
19402 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19403 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19404 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19405 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19406 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19407 which one you are talking to.
19408
19409 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19410 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19411 or a prompt that does not.
19412
19413 @table @code
19414 @kindex set prompt
19415 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19416 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19417
19418 @kindex show prompt
19419 @item show prompt
19420 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19421 @end table
19422
19423 @node Editing
19424 @section Command Editing
19425 @cindex readline
19426 @cindex command line editing
19427
19428 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19429 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19430 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19431 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19432 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19433 debugging sessions.
19434
19435 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19436 command @code{set}.
19437
19438 @table @code
19439 @kindex set editing
19440 @cindex editing
19441 @item set editing
19442 @itemx set editing on
19443 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19444
19445 @item set editing off
19446 Disable command line editing.
19447
19448 @kindex show editing
19449 @item show editing
19450 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19451 @end table
19452
19453 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19454 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19455 @end ifset
19456 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19457 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19458 @end ifclear
19459 for more details about the Readline
19460 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19461 encouraged to read that chapter.
19462
19463 @node Command History
19464 @section Command History
19465 @cindex command history
19466
19467 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19468 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19469 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19470 history facility.
19471
19472 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19473 package, to provide the history facility.
19474 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19475 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19476 @end ifset
19477 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19478 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19479 @end ifclear
19480 for the detailed description of the History library.
19481
19482 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19483 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19484 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19485 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19486 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19487 pressed on a line by itself.
19488
19489 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19490 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19491 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19492 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19493
19494 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19495 history.
19496
19497 @table @code
19498 @cindex history substitution
19499 @cindex history file
19500 @kindex set history filename
19501 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19502 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19503 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19504 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19505 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19506 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19507 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19508 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19509 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19510 is not set.
19511
19512 @cindex save command history
19513 @kindex set history save
19514 @item set history save
19515 @itemx set history save on
19516 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19517 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19518
19519 @item set history save off
19520 Stop recording command history in a file.
19521
19522 @cindex history size
19523 @kindex set history size
19524 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19525 @item set history size @var{size}
19526 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19527 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19528 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19529 @end table
19530
19531 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19532 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19533 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19534 @end ifset
19535 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19536 @xref{Event Designators},
19537 @end ifclear
19538 for more details.
19539
19540 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19541 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19542 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19543 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19544 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19545 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19546 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19547 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19548
19549 The commands to control history expansion are:
19550
19551 @table @code
19552 @item set history expansion on
19553 @itemx set history expansion
19554 @kindex set history expansion
19555 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19556
19557 @item set history expansion off
19558 Disable history expansion.
19559
19560 @c @group
19561 @kindex show history
19562 @item show history
19563 @itemx show history filename
19564 @itemx show history save
19565 @itemx show history size
19566 @itemx show history expansion
19567 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19568 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19569 @c @end group
19570 @end table
19571
19572 @table @code
19573 @kindex show commands
19574 @cindex show last commands
19575 @cindex display command history
19576 @item show commands
19577 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19578
19579 @item show commands @var{n}
19580 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19581
19582 @item show commands +
19583 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19584 @end table
19585
19586 @node Screen Size
19587 @section Screen Size
19588 @cindex size of screen
19589 @cindex pauses in output
19590
19591 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19592 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19593 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19594 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19595 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19596 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19597 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19598 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19599
19600 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19601 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19602 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19603 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19604 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19605 width} commands:
19606
19607 @table @code
19608 @kindex set height
19609 @kindex set width
19610 @kindex show width
19611 @kindex show height
19612 @item set height @var{lpp}
19613 @itemx show height
19614 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19615 @itemx show width
19616 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19617 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19618 commands display the current settings.
19619
19620 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19621 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19622 file or to an editor buffer.
19623
19624 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19625 from wrapping its output.
19626
19627 @item set pagination on
19628 @itemx set pagination off
19629 @kindex set pagination
19630 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19631 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19632 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19633 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19634
19635 @item show pagination
19636 @kindex show pagination
19637 Show the current pagination mode.
19638 @end table
19639
19640 @node Numbers
19641 @section Numbers
19642 @cindex number representation
19643 @cindex entering numbers
19644
19645 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19646 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19647 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19648 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19649 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19650 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19651 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19652 both input and output with the commands described below.
19653
19654 @table @code
19655 @kindex set input-radix
19656 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19657 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19658 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19659 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19660 example, any of
19661
19662 @smallexample
19663 set input-radix 012
19664 set input-radix 10.
19665 set input-radix 0xa
19666 @end smallexample
19667
19668 @noindent
19669 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19670 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19671 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19672 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19673 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19674 change the radix.
19675
19676 @kindex set output-radix
19677 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19678 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19679 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19680 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19681
19682 @kindex show input-radix
19683 @item show input-radix
19684 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19685
19686 @kindex show output-radix
19687 @item show output-radix
19688 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19689
19690 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19691 @itemx show radix
19692 @kindex set radix
19693 @kindex show radix
19694 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19695 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19696 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19697 default value of 10.
19698
19699 @end table
19700
19701 @node ABI
19702 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19703
19704 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19705 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19706 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19707 current ABI.
19708
19709 @cindex OS ABI
19710 @kindex set osabi
19711 @kindex show osabi
19712
19713 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19714 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19715 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19716 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19717 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19718 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19719 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19720 platform provides.
19721
19722 @table @code
19723 @item show osabi
19724 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19725
19726 @item set osabi
19727 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19728
19729 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19730 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19731 @end table
19732
19733 @cindex float promotion
19734
19735 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19736 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19737 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19738 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19739 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19740 @code{double} and then passed.
19741
19742 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19743 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19744 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19745
19746 @table @code
19747 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19748 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19749 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19750 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19751 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19752
19753 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19754 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19755 functions.
19756
19757 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19758 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19759 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19760 @end table
19761
19762 @kindex set cp-abi
19763 @kindex show cp-abi
19764 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19765 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19766 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19767 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19768 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19769 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19770 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19771 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19772 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19773 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19774 ``auto''.
19775
19776 @table @code
19777 @item show cp-abi
19778 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19779
19780 @item set cp-abi
19781 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19782
19783 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19784 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19785 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19786 @end table
19787
19788 @node Messages/Warnings
19789 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19790
19791 @cindex verbose operation
19792 @cindex optional warnings
19793 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19794 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19795 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19796 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19797
19798 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19799 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19800 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19801
19802 @table @code
19803 @kindex set verbose
19804 @item set verbose on
19805 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19806
19807 @item set verbose off
19808 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19809
19810 @kindex show verbose
19811 @item show verbose
19812 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19813 @end table
19814
19815 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19816 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19817 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19818 Symbol Files}).
19819
19820 @table @code
19821
19822 @kindex set complaints
19823 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19824 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19825 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19826 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19827 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19828
19829 @kindex show complaints
19830 @item show complaints
19831 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19832
19833 @end table
19834
19835 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19836 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19837 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19838 you try to run a program which is already running:
19839
19840 @smallexample
19841 (@value{GDBP}) run
19842 The program being debugged has been started already.
19843 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19844 @end smallexample
19845
19846 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19847 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19848
19849 @table @code
19850
19851 @kindex set confirm
19852 @cindex flinching
19853 @cindex confirmation
19854 @cindex stupid questions
19855 @item set confirm off
19856 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19857 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19858 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19859
19860 @item set confirm on
19861 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19862
19863 @kindex show confirm
19864 @item show confirm
19865 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19866
19867 @end table
19868
19869 @cindex command tracing
19870 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19871 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19872 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19873 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19874
19875 @table @code
19876 @kindex set trace-commands
19877 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19878 @item set trace-commands on
19879 Enable command tracing.
19880 @item set trace-commands off
19881 Disable command tracing.
19882 @item show trace-commands
19883 Display the current state of command tracing.
19884 @end table
19885
19886 @node Debugging Output
19887 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19888 @cindex optional debugging messages
19889
19890 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19891 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19892 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19893 section documents those commands.
19894
19895 @table @code
19896 @kindex set exec-done-display
19897 @item set exec-done-display
19898 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19899 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19900 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19901 @kindex show exec-done-display
19902 @item show exec-done-display
19903 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19904 notification.
19905 @kindex set debug
19906 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19907 @cindex architecture debugging info
19908 @item set debug arch
19909 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19910 @kindex show debug
19911 @item show debug arch
19912 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19913 @item set debug aix-thread
19914 @cindex AIX threads
19915 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19916 module.
19917 @item show debug aix-thread
19918 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19919 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19920 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19921 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19922 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19923 A value of zero turns off the display.
19924 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19925 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19926 @item set debug displaced
19927 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19928 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19929 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19930 @item show debug displaced
19931 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19932 related to displaced stepping.
19933 @item set debug event
19934 @cindex event debugging info
19935 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19936 default is off.
19937 @item show debug event
19938 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19939 info.
19940 @item set debug expression
19941 @cindex expression debugging info
19942 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19943 expression parsing. The default is off.
19944 @item show debug expression
19945 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19946 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19947 @item set debug frame
19948 @cindex frame debugging info
19949 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19950 default is off.
19951 @item show debug frame
19952 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19953 info.
19954 @item set debug gnu-nat
19955 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19956 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19957 @item show debug gnu-nat
19958 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19959 @item set debug infrun
19960 @cindex inferior debugging info
19961 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19962 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19963 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19964 @item show debug infrun
19965 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19966 @item set debug jit
19967 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
19968 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
19969 @item show debug jit
19970 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
19971 @item set debug lin-lwp
19972 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19973 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19974 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19975 @item show debug lin-lwp
19976 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19977 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19978 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19979 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19980 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19981 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19982 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19983 @item set debug observer
19984 @cindex observer debugging info
19985 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19986 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19987 @item show debug observer
19988 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19989 @item set debug overload
19990 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19991 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19992 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19993 is off.
19994 @item show debug overload
19995 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19996 debugging info.
19997 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19998 @cindex debug expression parser
19999 @item set debug parser
20000 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20001 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20002 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20003 details. The default is off.
20004 @item show debug parser
20005 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20006 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20007 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20008 @cindex debug remote protocol
20009 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20010 @cindex display remote packets
20011 @item set debug remote
20012 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20013 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20014 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20015 @item show debug remote
20016 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20017 @item set debug serial
20018 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20019 default is off.
20020 @item show debug serial
20021 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20022 info.
20023 @item set debug solib-frv
20024 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20025 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20026 @item show debug solib-frv
20027 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20028 messages.
20029 @item set debug target
20030 @cindex target debugging info
20031 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20032 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20033 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20034 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20035 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20036 @item show debug target
20037 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20038 info.
20039 @item set debug timestamp
20040 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20041 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20042 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20043 message.
20044 @item show debug timestamp
20045 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20046 debugging info.
20047 @item set debugvarobj
20048 @cindex variable object debugging info
20049 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20050 info. The default is off.
20051 @item show debugvarobj
20052 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20053 debugging info.
20054 @item set debug xml
20055 @cindex XML parser debugging
20056 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20057 @item show debug xml
20058 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20059 @end table
20060
20061 @node Other Misc Settings
20062 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20063 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20064
20065 @table @code
20066 @kindex set interactive-mode
20067 @item set interactive-mode
20068 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20069 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20070 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20071 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20072 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20073 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20074 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20075 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20076
20077 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20078 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20079 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20080 inside a cygwin window.
20081
20082 @kindex show interactive-mode
20083 @item show interactive-mode
20084 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20085 @end table
20086
20087 @node Extending GDB
20088 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20089 @cindex extending GDB
20090
20091 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20092 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20093 Python scripting language.
20094
20095 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20096 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20097 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20098 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20099 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20100 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20101
20102 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20103 setting:
20104
20105 @table @code
20106 @kindex set script-extension
20107 @kindex show script-extension
20108 @item set script-extension off
20109 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20110
20111 @item set script-extension soft
20112 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20113 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20114 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20115 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20116
20117 @item set script-extension strict
20118 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20119 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20120 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20121
20122 @item show script-extension
20123 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20124
20125 @end table
20126
20127 @menu
20128 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20129 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20130 @end menu
20131
20132 @node Sequences
20133 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20134
20135 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20136 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20137 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20138 files.
20139
20140 @menu
20141 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20142 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20143 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20144 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20145 @end menu
20146
20147 @node Define
20148 @subsection User-defined Commands
20149
20150 @cindex user-defined command
20151 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20152 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20153 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20154 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20155 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20156 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20157
20158 @smallexample
20159 define adder
20160 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20161 end
20162 @end smallexample
20163
20164 @noindent
20165 To execute the command use:
20166
20167 @smallexample
20168 adder 1 2 3
20169 @end smallexample
20170
20171 @noindent
20172 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20173 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20174 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20175 functions calls.
20176
20177 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20178 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20179 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20180 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20181
20182 @smallexample
20183 define adder
20184 if $argc == 2
20185 print $arg0 + $arg1
20186 end
20187 if $argc == 3
20188 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20189 end
20190 end
20191 @end smallexample
20192
20193 @table @code
20194
20195 @kindex define
20196 @item define @var{commandname}
20197 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20198 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20199 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20200 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20201 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20202 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20203
20204 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20205 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20206 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20207
20208 @kindex document
20209 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20210 @item document @var{commandname}
20211 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20212 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20213 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20214 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20215 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20216 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20217
20218 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20219 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20220 does not change the documentation.
20221
20222 @kindex dont-repeat
20223 @cindex don't repeat command
20224 @item dont-repeat
20225 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20226 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20227 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20228
20229 @kindex help user-defined
20230 @item help user-defined
20231 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20232 (if any) for each.
20233
20234 @kindex show user
20235 @item show user
20236 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20237 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20238 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20239 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20240
20241 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20242 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20243 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20244 @item show max-user-call-depth
20245 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20246 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20247 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20248 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20249 @end table
20250
20251 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20252 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20253
20254 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20255 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20256 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20257
20258 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20259 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20260 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20261 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20262
20263 @node Hooks
20264 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20265 @cindex command hooks
20266 @cindex hooks, for commands
20267 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20268
20269 @kindex hook
20270 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20271 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20272 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20273 before that command.
20274
20275 @cindex hooks, post-command
20276 @kindex hookpost
20277 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20278 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20279 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20280 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20281 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20282
20283 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20284 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20285
20286 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20287 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20288
20289 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20290 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20291 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20292 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20293 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20294
20295 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20296 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20297 you could define:
20298
20299 @smallexample
20300 define hook-stop
20301 handle SIGALRM nopass
20302 end
20303
20304 define hook-run
20305 handle SIGALRM pass
20306 end
20307
20308 define hook-continue
20309 handle SIGALRM pass
20310 end
20311 @end smallexample
20312
20313 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20314 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20315 you could define:
20316
20317 @smallexample
20318 define hook-echo
20319 echo <<<---
20320 end
20321
20322 define hookpost-echo
20323 echo --->>>\n
20324 end
20325
20326 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20327 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20328 (@value{GDBP})
20329
20330 @end smallexample
20331
20332 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20333 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20334 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20335 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20336 @c or not?
20337 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20338 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20339 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20340
20341 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20342 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20343 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20344
20345 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20346 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20347
20348 @node Command Files
20349 @subsection Command Files
20350
20351 @cindex command files
20352 @cindex scripting commands
20353 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20354 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20355 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20356 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20357 terminal.
20358
20359 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20360 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20361 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20362 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20363 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20364
20365 @table @code
20366 @kindex source
20367 @cindex execute commands from a file
20368 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20369 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20370 @end table
20371
20372 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20373 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20374 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20375 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20376 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20377
20378 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20379 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20380 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20381 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20382 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20383 is not relevant to scripts.
20384
20385 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20386 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20387 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20388 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20389 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20390 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20391 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20392 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20393 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20394 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20395 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20396 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20397 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20398 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20399
20400 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20401 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20402 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20403
20404 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20405 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20406 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20407 when called from command files.
20408
20409 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20410 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20411 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20412 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20413 the next command.
20414
20415 @smallexample
20416 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20417 @end smallexample
20418
20419 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20420 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20421 would be directed to @file{log}.
20422
20423 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20424 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20425 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20426 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20427 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20428 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20429 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20430 conditionally, etc.
20431
20432 @table @code
20433 @kindex if
20434 @kindex else
20435 @item if
20436 @itemx else
20437 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20438 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20439 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20440 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20441 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20442 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20443 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20444
20445 @kindex while
20446 @item while
20447 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20448 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20449 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20450 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20451 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20452 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20453
20454 @kindex loop_break
20455 @item loop_break
20456 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20457 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20458 line.
20459
20460 @kindex loop_continue
20461 @item loop_continue
20462 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20463 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20464 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20465 the controlling expression.
20466
20467 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20468 @item end
20469 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20470 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20471 @end table
20472
20473
20474 @node Output
20475 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20476
20477 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20478 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20479 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20480 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20481 want.
20482
20483 @table @code
20484 @kindex echo
20485 @item echo @var{text}
20486 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20487 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20488 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20489 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20490 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20491 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20492 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20493 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20494 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20495 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20496 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20497
20498 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20499 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20500
20501 @smallexample
20502 echo This is some text\n\
20503 which is continued\n\
20504 onto several lines.\n
20505 @end smallexample
20506
20507 produces the same output as
20508
20509 @smallexample
20510 echo This is some text\n
20511 echo which is continued\n
20512 echo onto several lines.\n
20513 @end smallexample
20514
20515 @kindex output
20516 @item output @var{expression}
20517 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20518 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20519 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20520 on expressions.
20521
20522 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20523 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20524 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20525 Formats}, for more information.
20526
20527 @kindex printf
20528 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20529 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20530 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20531 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20532 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20533 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20534 executing the code below:
20535
20536 @smallexample
20537 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20538 @end smallexample
20539
20540 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20541 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20542 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20543 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20544 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20545 printed.
20546
20547 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20548
20549 @smallexample
20550 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20551 @end smallexample
20552
20553 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20554 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20555 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20556
20557 @itemize @bullet
20558 @item
20559 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20560
20561 @item
20562 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20563 width.
20564
20565 @item
20566 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20567 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20568
20569 @item
20570 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20571 supported.
20572
20573 @item
20574 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20575
20576 @item
20577 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20578 @end itemize
20579
20580 @noindent
20581 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20582 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20583 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20584 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20585
20586 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20587 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20588 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20589 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20590 supported.
20591
20592 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20593 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20594 together with a floating point specifier.
20595 letters:
20596
20597 @itemize @bullet
20598 @item
20599 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20600
20601 @item
20602 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20603
20604 @item
20605 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20606 @end itemize
20607
20608 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20609 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20610 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20611
20612 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20613 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20614
20615 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20616 @smallexample
20617 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20618 @end smallexample
20619
20620 @kindex eval
20621 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20622 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20623 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20624
20625 @end table
20626
20627 @node Python
20628 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20629 @cindex python scripting
20630 @cindex scripting with python
20631
20632 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20633 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20634 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20635
20636 @cindex python directory
20637 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20638 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20639 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20640 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20641 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20642 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20643
20644 @menu
20645 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20646 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20647 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20648 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20649 @end menu
20650
20651 @node Python Commands
20652 @subsection Python Commands
20653 @cindex python commands
20654 @cindex commands to access python
20655
20656 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20657 and one related setting:
20658
20659 @table @code
20660 @kindex python
20661 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20662 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20663
20664 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20665 argument as a Python command. For example:
20666
20667 @smallexample
20668 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20669 23
20670 @end smallexample
20671
20672 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20673 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20674 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20675 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20676 containing @code{end}. For example:
20677
20678 @smallexample
20679 (@value{GDBP}) python
20680 Type python script
20681 End with a line saying just "end".
20682 >print 23
20683 >end
20684 23
20685 @end smallexample
20686
20687 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20688 @item maint set python print-stack
20689 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20690 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20691 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20692 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20693 disabled.
20694 @end table
20695
20696 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20697 interpreter:
20698
20699 @table @code
20700 @item source @file{script-name}
20701 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20702 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20703 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20704
20705 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20706 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20707 and thus is always available.
20708 @end table
20709
20710 @node Python API
20711 @subsection Python API
20712 @cindex python api
20713 @cindex programming in python
20714
20715 @cindex python stdout
20716 @cindex python pagination
20717 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20718 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20719 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20720 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20721 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20722
20723 @menu
20724 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20725 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20726 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20727 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20728 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20729 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20730 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20731 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20732 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20733 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20734 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20735 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20736 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20737 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20738 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20739 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20740 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20741 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20742 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20743 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20744 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20745 @end menu
20746
20747 @node Basic Python
20748 @subsubsection Basic Python
20749
20750 @cindex python functions
20751 @cindex python module
20752 @cindex gdb module
20753 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20754 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20755 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20756 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20757
20758 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20759 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20760 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20761 @end defvar
20762
20763 @findex gdb.execute
20764 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20765 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20766 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20767 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20768
20769 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20770 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20771 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20772
20773 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20774 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20775 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20776 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20777 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20778 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20779 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20780 @end defun
20781
20782 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20783 @defun breakpoints
20784 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20785 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20786 @end defun
20787
20788 @findex gdb.parameter
20789 @defun parameter parameter
20790 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20791 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20792 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20793 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20794
20795 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20796 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
20797 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
20798 type, and returned.
20799 @end defun
20800
20801 @findex gdb.history
20802 @defun history number
20803 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20804 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20805 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20806 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20807 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20808 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20809 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
20810 raised.
20811
20812 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20813 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20814 @end defun
20815
20816 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20817 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20818 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20819 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20820 @var{expression} must be a string.
20821
20822 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20823 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20824 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20825 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20826 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20827 @end defun
20828
20829 @findex gdb.post_event
20830 @defun post_event event
20831 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20832 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20833 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20834 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20835 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20836 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20837
20838 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20839 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20840 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20841 this. For example:
20842
20843 @smallexample
20844 (@value{GDBP}) python
20845 >import threading
20846 >
20847 >class Writer():
20848 > def __init__(self, message):
20849 > self.message = message;
20850 > def __call__(self):
20851 > gdb.write(self.message)
20852 >
20853 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20854 > def run (self):
20855 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20856 >
20857 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20858 > def run (self):
20859 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20860 >
20861 >MyThread1().start()
20862 >MyThread2().start()
20863 >end
20864 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20865 @end smallexample
20866 @end defun
20867
20868 @findex gdb.write
20869 @defun write string
20870 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20871 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20872 call this function.
20873 @end defun
20874
20875 @findex gdb.flush
20876 @defun flush
20877 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20878 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20879 function.
20880 @end defun
20881
20882 @findex gdb.target_charset
20883 @defun target_charset
20884 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20885 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20886 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20887 @end defun
20888
20889 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20890 @defun target_wide_charset
20891 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20892 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20893 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20894 never returned.
20895 @end defun
20896
20897 @findex gdb.solib_name
20898 @defun solib_name address
20899 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
20900 as a string, or @code{None}.
20901 @end defun
20902
20903 @findex gdb.decode_line
20904 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
20905 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
20906 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
20907 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
20908 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
20909 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
20910 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
20911 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
20912 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
20913 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
20914 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
20915 @end defun
20916
20917 @node Exception Handling
20918 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20919 @cindex python exceptions
20920 @cindex exceptions, python
20921
20922 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20923 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20924 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20925 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20926 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20927 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20928 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20929
20930 @smallexample
20931 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20932 Traceback (most recent call last):
20933 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20934 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20935 @end smallexample
20936
20937 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
20938 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
20939 Python exception depends on the error.
20940
20941 @ftable @code
20942 @item gdb.error
20943 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
20944 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
20945 versions of @value{GDBN}.
20946
20947 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
20948 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
20949
20950 @item gdb.MemoryError
20951 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
20952 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
20953
20954 @item KeyboardInterrupt
20955 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20956 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
20957 @end ftable
20958
20959 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
20960 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
20961 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20962 traceback.
20963
20964 @findex gdb.GdbError
20965 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20966 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20967 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20968 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20969 to handle this case. Example:
20970
20971 @smallexample
20972 (gdb) python
20973 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20974 > """Greet the whole world."""
20975 > def __init__ (self):
20976 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20977 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20978 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20979 > if len (argv) != 0:
20980 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20981 > print "Hello, World!"
20982 >HelloWorld ()
20983 >end
20984 (gdb) hello-world 42
20985 hello-world takes no arguments
20986 @end smallexample
20987
20988 @node Values From Inferior
20989 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20990 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
20991 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
20992
20993 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20994 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20995 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20996 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20997 fetching values when necessary.
20998
20999 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21000 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21001 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21002
21003 @smallexample
21004 bar = some_val + 2
21005 @end smallexample
21006
21007 @noindent
21008 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21009 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21010
21011 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21012 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21013 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21014 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21015
21016 @smallexample
21017 bar = some_val['foo']
21018 @end smallexample
21019
21020 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21021
21022 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21023 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21024 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21025 by that prototype.
21026
21027 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21028 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21029 execute this function, call it like so:
21030
21031 @smallexample
21032 result = some_val (10,20)
21033 @end smallexample
21034
21035 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21036 @code{gdb.Value}.
21037
21038 The following attributes are provided:
21039
21040 @table @code
21041 @defivar Value address
21042 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21043 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21044 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21045 @end defivar
21046
21047 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21048 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
21049 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21050 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21051 @end defivar
21052
21053 @defivar Value type
21054 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21055 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21056 @end defivar
21057
21058 @defivar Value dynamic_type
21059 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21060 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21061 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21062 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21063 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21064 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21065 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21066 type.
21067
21068 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21069 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21070 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21071 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21072 @end defivar
21073 @end table
21074
21075 The following methods are provided:
21076
21077 @table @code
21078 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21079 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21080 this object initializer. Specifically:
21081
21082 @table @asis
21083 @item Python boolean
21084 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21085 language.
21086
21087 @item Python integer
21088 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21089 current architecture.
21090
21091 @item Python long
21092 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21093 current architecture.
21094
21095 @item Python float
21096 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21097 current architecture.
21098
21099 @item Python string
21100 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21101 target encoding.
21102
21103 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21104 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21105
21106 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21107 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21108 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21109 its result is used.
21110 @end table
21111 @end defmethod
21112
21113 @defmethod Value cast type
21114 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21115 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21116 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21117 reason, this method throws an exception.
21118 @end defmethod
21119
21120 @defmethod Value dereference
21121 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21122 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21123 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21124
21125 @smallexample
21126 int *foo;
21127 @end smallexample
21128
21129 @noindent
21130 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21131 @code{foo} points to like this:
21132
21133 @smallexample
21134 bar = foo.dereference ()
21135 @end smallexample
21136
21137 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21138 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21139 @end defmethod
21140
21141 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21142 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21143 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21144 @end defmethod
21145
21146 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21147 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21148 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21149 @end defmethod
21150
21151 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21152 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21153 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21154 throw an exception.
21155
21156 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21157 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21158 language.
21159
21160 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21161 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21162 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21163 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21164 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21165
21166 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21167 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21168 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21169 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21170 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21171 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21172 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21173 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21174 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21175
21176 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21177 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21178
21179 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21180 fetched and converted to the given length.
21181 @end defmethod
21182
21183 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21184 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21185 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21186 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21187
21188 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21189 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21190 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21191 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21192 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21193
21194 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21195 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21196 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21197 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21198 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21199 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21200
21201 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21202 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21203 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21204 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21205 @end defmethod
21206 @end table
21207
21208 @node Types In Python
21209 @subsubsection Types In Python
21210 @cindex types in Python
21211 @cindex Python, working with types
21212
21213 @tindex gdb.Type
21214 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21215 @code{gdb.Type}.
21216
21217 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21218 module:
21219
21220 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21221 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21222 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21223 type to look up. It must be a string.
21224
21225 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21226 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21227
21228 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21229 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21230 @end defun
21231
21232 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21233
21234 @table @code
21235 @defivar Type code
21236 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21237 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21238 @end defivar
21239
21240 @defivar Type sizeof
21241 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21242 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21243 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21244 @end defivar
21245
21246 @defivar Type tag
21247 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21248 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21249 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21250 @code{None} is returned.
21251 @end defivar
21252 @end table
21253
21254 The following methods are provided:
21255
21256 @table @code
21257 @defmethod Type fields
21258 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21259 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21260 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21261 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21262 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21263 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21264
21265 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21266 @table @code
21267 @item bitpos
21268 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21269 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21270 position of the field.
21271
21272 @item name
21273 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21274
21275 @item artificial
21276 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21277 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21278 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21279
21280 @item is_base_class
21281 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21282 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21283 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21284 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21285
21286 @item bitsize
21287 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21288 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21289 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21290
21291 @item type
21292 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21293 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21294 @end table
21295 @end defmethod
21296
21297 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21298 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21299 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21300 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21301 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21302 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21303 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21304 @end defmethod
21305
21306 @defmethod Type const
21307 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21308 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21309 @end defmethod
21310
21311 @defmethod Type volatile
21312 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21313 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21314 @end defmethod
21315
21316 @defmethod Type unqualified
21317 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21318 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21319 @code{volatile}.
21320 @end defmethod
21321
21322 @defmethod Type range
21323 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21324 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21325 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21326 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21327 @end defmethod
21328
21329 @defmethod Type reference
21330 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21331 type.
21332 @end defmethod
21333
21334 @defmethod Type pointer
21335 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21336 type.
21337 @end defmethod
21338
21339 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21340 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21341 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21342 @end defmethod
21343
21344 @defmethod Type target
21345 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21346 of this type.
21347
21348 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21349 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21350 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21351 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21352 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21353 target type is the aliased type.
21354
21355 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21356 exception.
21357 @end defmethod
21358
21359 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21360 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21361 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21362 @var{n}th template argument.
21363
21364 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21365 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21366
21367 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21368 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21369 @end defmethod
21370 @end table
21371
21372
21373 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21374 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21375 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21376
21377 @table @code
21378 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21379 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21380 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21381 The type is a pointer.
21382
21383 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21384 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21385 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21386 The type is an array.
21387
21388 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21389 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21390 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21391 The type is a structure.
21392
21393 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21394 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21395 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21396 The type is a union.
21397
21398 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21399 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21400 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21401 The type is an enum.
21402
21403 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21404 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21405 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21406 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21407
21408 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21409 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21410 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21411 The type is a function.
21412
21413 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21414 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21415 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21416 The type is an integer type.
21417
21418 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21419 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21420 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21421 A floating point type.
21422
21423 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21424 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21425 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21426 The special type @code{void}.
21427
21428 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21429 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21430 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21431 A Pascal set type.
21432
21433 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21434 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21435 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21436 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21437
21438 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21439 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21440 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21441 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21442 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21443
21444 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21445 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21446 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21447 A string of bits.
21448
21449 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21450 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21451 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21452 An unknown or erroneous type.
21453
21454 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21455 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21456 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21457 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21458
21459 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21460 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21461 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21462 A pointer-to-member-function.
21463
21464 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21465 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21466 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21467 A pointer-to-member.
21468
21469 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21470 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21471 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21472 A reference type.
21473
21474 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21475 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21476 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21477 A character type.
21478
21479 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21480 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21481 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21482 A boolean type.
21483
21484 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21485 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21486 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21487 A complex float type.
21488
21489 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21490 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21491 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21492 A typedef to some other type.
21493
21494 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21495 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21496 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21497 A C@t{++} namespace.
21498
21499 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21500 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21501 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21502 A decimal floating point type.
21503
21504 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21505 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21506 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21507 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21508 convenience functions.
21509 @end table
21510
21511 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21512 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21513
21514 @node Pretty Printing API
21515 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21516
21517 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21518
21519 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21520 specific interface, defined here.
21521
21522 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21523 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21524 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21525
21526 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21527 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21528 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21529 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21530 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21531
21532 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21533 as though the value has no children.
21534 @end defop
21535
21536 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21537 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21538 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21539 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21540 printed.
21541
21542 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21543 string.
21544
21545 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21546
21547 @table @samp
21548 @item array
21549 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21550 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21551 @code{set print array}.
21552
21553 @item map
21554 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21555 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21556 values.
21557
21558 @item string
21559 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21560 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21561 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21562 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21563 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21564 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21565 @end table
21566 @end defop
21567
21568 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21569 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21570 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21571
21572 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21573 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21574 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21575 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21576 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21577 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21578 the result of @code{children}.
21579
21580 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21581
21582 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21583 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21584 another pretty-printer.
21585
21586 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21587 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21588 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21589 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21590 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21591
21592 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21593 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21594
21595 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21596 @end defop
21597
21598 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21599 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21600
21601 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21602 @defun default_visualizer value
21603 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21604 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21605 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21606 @end defun
21607
21608 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21609 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21610
21611 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21612 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21613 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21614 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21615 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21616 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21617 attribute.
21618
21619 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21620 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21621 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21622 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21623 @code{None}.
21624
21625 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21626 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21627 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21628 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21629 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21630 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21631 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21632 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21633 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21634 object is returned.
21635
21636 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21637 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21638 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21639 object is returned.
21640
21641 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21642 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21643 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21644
21645 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21646 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21647 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21648 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21649 with a broken printer.
21650
21651 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21652 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21653 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21654 the printer is enabled.
21655
21656 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21657 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21658 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21659
21660 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21661 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21662
21663 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21664 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21665 must provide.
21666
21667 @smallexample
21668 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21669 "Print a std::string"
21670
21671 def __init__(self, val):
21672 self.val = val
21673
21674 def to_string(self):
21675 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21676
21677 def display_hint(self):
21678 return 'string'
21679 @end smallexample
21680
21681 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21682 example above might be written.
21683
21684 @smallexample
21685 def str_lookup_function(val):
21686 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21687 if lookup_tag == None:
21688 return None
21689 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21690 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21691 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21692 return None
21693 @end smallexample
21694
21695 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21696 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21697 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21698 returns @code{None}.
21699
21700 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21701 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21702 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21703 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21704 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21705 different names.
21706
21707 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21708 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21709 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21710 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21711 the current objfile.
21712
21713 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21714 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21715 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21716 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21717 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21718 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21719 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21720 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21721 inferior.
21722
21723 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21724 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21725
21726 @smallexample
21727 def register_printers(objfile):
21728 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21729 @end smallexample
21730
21731 @noindent
21732 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21733
21734 @smallexample
21735 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21736 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21737 @end smallexample
21738
21739 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21740 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21741 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21742 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21743 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21744
21745 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21746 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21747 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21748 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21749 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21750 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21751
21752 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21753 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21754 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21755
21756 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21757
21758 @smallexample
21759 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21760 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21761 @end smallexample
21762
21763 Here are the printers:
21764
21765 @smallexample
21766 class fooPrinter:
21767 """Print a foo object."""
21768
21769 def __init__(self, val):
21770 self.val = val
21771
21772 def to_string(self):
21773 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21774 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21775
21776 class barPrinter:
21777 """Print a bar object."""
21778
21779 def __init__(self, val):
21780 self.val = val
21781
21782 def to_string(self):
21783 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21784 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21785 @end smallexample
21786
21787 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21788 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21789 the object that handles the lookup.
21790
21791 @smallexample
21792 import gdb.printing
21793
21794 def build_pretty_printer():
21795 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21796 "my_library")
21797 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21798 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21799 return pp
21800 @end smallexample
21801
21802 And here is the autoload support:
21803
21804 @smallexample
21805 import gdb.printing
21806 import my_library
21807 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21808 gdb.current_objfile(),
21809 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21810 @end smallexample
21811
21812 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21813 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21814
21815 @smallexample
21816 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21817 my_library.so:
21818 my_library
21819 foo
21820 bar
21821 @end smallexample
21822
21823 @node Inferiors In Python
21824 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21825 @cindex inferiors in Python
21826
21827 @findex gdb.Inferior
21828 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21829 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21830 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21831 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21832
21833 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21834 module:
21835
21836 @defun inferiors
21837 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21838 @end defun
21839
21840 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21841
21842 @table @code
21843 @defivar Inferior num
21844 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21845 @end defivar
21846
21847 @defivar Inferior pid
21848 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21849 system.
21850 @end defivar
21851
21852 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21853 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21854 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21855 @end defivar
21856 @end table
21857
21858 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21859
21860 @table @code
21861 @defmethod Inferior threads
21862 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21863 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21864 return an empty tuple.
21865 @end defmethod
21866
21867 @findex gdb.read_memory
21868 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21869 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21870 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21871 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21872 function.
21873 @end defmethod
21874
21875 @findex gdb.write_memory
21876 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21877 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21878 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21879 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21880 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21881 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21882 @end defmethod
21883
21884 @findex gdb.search_memory
21885 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21886 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21887 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21888 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21889 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21890 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21891 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21892 the pattern could not be found.
21893 @end defmethod
21894 @end table
21895
21896 @node Events In Python
21897 @subsubsection Events In Python
21898 @cindex inferior events in Python
21899
21900 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
21901 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
21902 the inferior.
21903
21904 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
21905 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
21906 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
21907
21908 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
21909 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
21910 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
21911 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
21912
21913 @table @code
21914 @defmethod EventRegistry connect object
21915 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
21916 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
21917 @end defmethod
21918
21919 @defmethod EventRegistry disconnect object
21920 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
21921 will no longer receive notifications of events.
21922 @end defmethod
21923 @end table
21924
21925 Here is an example:
21926
21927 @smallexample
21928 def exit_handler (event):
21929 print "event type: exit"
21930 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
21931
21932 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
21933 @end smallexample
21934
21935 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
21936 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
21937 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
21938 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
21939 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
21940 the inferior.
21941
21942 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
21943 details of the events they emit:
21944
21945 @table @code
21946
21947 @item events.cont
21948 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
21949
21950 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
21951 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
21952 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
21953 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
21954 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
21955 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
21956
21957 @table @code
21958 @defivar ThreadEvent inferior_thread
21959 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
21960 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
21961 @end defivar
21962 @end table
21963
21964 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
21965
21966 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
21967 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
21968
21969 @item events.exited
21970 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
21971 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has one attribute:
21972 @table @code
21973 @defivar ExitedEvent exit_code
21974 An integer representing the exit code which the inferior has returned.
21975 @end defivar
21976 @end table
21977
21978 @item events.stop
21979 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
21980
21981 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
21982 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
21983 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
21984 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
21985
21986 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
21987
21988 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
21989 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
21990
21991 @table @code
21992 @defivar SignalEvent stop_signal
21993 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
21994 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
21995 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
21996 @end defivar
21997 @end table
21998
21999 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22000
22001 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that a breakpoint has been hit, and
22002 has the following attributes:
22003
22004 @table @code
22005 @defivar BreakpointEvent breakpoint
22006 A reference to the breakpoint that was hit of type @code{gdb.Breakpoint}.
22007 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22008 @end defivar
22009 @end table
22010
22011 @end table
22012
22013 @node Threads In Python
22014 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22015 @cindex threads in python
22016
22017 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22018 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22019 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22020
22021 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22022 module:
22023
22024 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22025 @defun selected_thread
22026 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22027 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22028 @end defun
22029
22030 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22031
22032 @table @code
22033 @defivar InferiorThread name
22034 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22035 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22036 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22037 returns @code{None}.
22038
22039 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22040 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22041 user-specified thread name.
22042 @end defivar
22043
22044 @defivar InferiorThread num
22045 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22046 @end defivar
22047
22048 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
22049 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22050 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22051 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22052 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22053 does not use that identifier.
22054 @end defivar
22055 @end table
22056
22057 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22058
22059 @table @code
22060 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
22061 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22062 by this object.
22063 @end defmethod
22064
22065 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
22066 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22067 @end defmethod
22068
22069 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
22070 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22071 @end defmethod
22072
22073 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
22074 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22075 @end defmethod
22076 @end table
22077
22078 @node Commands In Python
22079 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22080
22081 @cindex commands in python
22082 @cindex python commands
22083 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22084 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22085 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22086
22087 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
22088 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22089 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22090 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22091
22092 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22093 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22094 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22095 an exception is raised.
22096
22097 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22098
22099 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22100 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22101 new command in the help system.
22102
22103 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22104 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22105 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22106 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22107 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22108 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22109
22110 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22111 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22112 registered.
22113
22114 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22115 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22116 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22117 not documented.'' is used.
22118 @end defmethod
22119
22120 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22121 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
22122 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22123 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22124 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22125 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22126 @end defmethod
22127
22128 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22129 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22130
22131 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22132 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22133
22134 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22135 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22136 that the command came from elsewhere.
22137
22138 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22139 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22140
22141 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22142 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22143 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22144 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22145 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22146 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22147 Example:
22148
22149 @smallexample
22150 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22151 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22152 @end smallexample
22153
22154 @end defmethod
22155
22156 @cindex completion of Python commands
22157 @defmethod Command complete text word
22158 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22159 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22160 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22161 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22162 complete}).
22163
22164 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22165 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22166 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22167 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22168
22169 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22170 @itemize @bullet
22171 @item
22172 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22173 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22174 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22175 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22176 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22177 sequence are ignored.
22178
22179 @item
22180 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22181 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22182 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22183
22184 @item
22185 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22186 completions.
22187 @end itemize
22188 @end defmethod
22189
22190 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22191 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22192 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22193 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22194 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22195 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22196
22197 @table @code
22198 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22199 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22200 @item COMMAND_NONE
22201 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22202 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22203
22204 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22205 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22206 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
22207 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22208 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22209 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22210 commands in this category.
22211
22212 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22213 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22214 @item COMMAND_DATA
22215 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22216 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22217 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22218 in this category.
22219
22220 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22221 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22222 @item COMMAND_STACK
22223 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22224 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22225 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22226 list of commands in this category.
22227
22228 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22229 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22230 @item COMMAND_FILES
22231 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22232 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22233 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22234 commands in this category.
22235
22236 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22237 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22238 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22239 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22240 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22241 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22242 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22243 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22244 commands in this category.
22245
22246 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22247 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22248 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22249 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22250 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22251 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22252 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22253
22254 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22255 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22256 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22257 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22258 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22259 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22260 this category.
22261
22262 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22263 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22264 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22265 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22266 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22267 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22268 commands in this category.
22269
22270 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22271 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22272 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22273 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22274 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22275 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22276 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22277 category.
22278
22279 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22280 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22281 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22282 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22283 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22284 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22285 commands in this category.
22286 @end table
22287
22288 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22289 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22290 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22291 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22292
22293 @table @code
22294 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22295 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22296 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22297 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22298
22299 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22300 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22301 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22302 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22303
22304 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22305 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22306 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22307 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22308 @xref{Specify Location}.
22309
22310 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22311 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22312 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22313 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22314 command names.
22315
22316 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22317 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22318 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22319 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22320 as the source.
22321 @end table
22322
22323 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22324 implemented in Python:
22325
22326 @smallexample
22327 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22328 """Greet the whole world."""
22329
22330 def __init__ (self):
22331 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22332
22333 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22334 print "Hello, World!"
22335
22336 HelloWorld ()
22337 @end smallexample
22338
22339 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22340 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22341 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22342 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22343
22344 @node Parameters In Python
22345 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22346
22347 @cindex parameters in python
22348 @cindex python parameters
22349 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22350 @tindex Parameter
22351 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22352 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22353 class.
22354
22355 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22356 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22357
22358 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22359 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22360 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22361 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22362 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22363
22364 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22365 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22366 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22367 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22368
22369 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22370 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22371 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22372 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22373 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22374 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22375 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22376
22377 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22378 can be found, an exception is raised.
22379
22380 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22381 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22382 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22383
22384 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22385 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22386 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22387 completion.
22388
22389 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22390 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22391 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22392
22393 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22394 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22395
22396 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22397 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22398 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22399 @end defmethod
22400
22401 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22402 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22403 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22404 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22405 have no effect.
22406 @end defivar
22407
22408 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22409 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22410 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22411 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22412 have no effect.
22413 @end defivar
22414
22415 @defivar Parameter value
22416 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22417 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22418 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22419 @end defivar
22420
22421
22422 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22423 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22424 module:
22425
22426 @table @code
22427 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22428 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22429 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22430 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22431 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22432
22433 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22434 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22435 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22436 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22437 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22438 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22439
22440 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22441 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22442 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22443 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22444 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22445
22446 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22447 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22448 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22449 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22450 to mean ``unlimited''.
22451
22452 @findex PARAM_STRING
22453 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22454 @item PARAM_STRING
22455 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22456 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22457 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22458 host charset.
22459
22460 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22461 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22462 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22463 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22464 passed through untranslated.
22465
22466 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22467 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22468 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22469 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22470
22471 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22472 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22473 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22474 The value is a filename. This is just like
22475 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22476
22477 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22478 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22479 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22480 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22481 is interpreted as itself.
22482
22483 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22484 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22485 @item PARAM_ENUM
22486 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22487 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22488 @end table
22489
22490 @node Functions In Python
22491 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22492
22493 @cindex writing convenience functions
22494 @cindex convenience functions in python
22495 @cindex python convenience functions
22496 @tindex gdb.Function
22497 @tindex Function
22498 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22499 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22500 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22501
22502 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22503 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22504 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22505 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22506 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22507 the given @var{name}.
22508
22509 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22510 string for the new class.
22511 @end defmethod
22512
22513 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22514 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22515 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22516 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22517 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22518 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22519 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22520 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22521
22522 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22523 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22524 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22525 @end defmethod
22526
22527 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22528 be implemented in Python:
22529
22530 @smallexample
22531 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22532 """Return string to greet someone.
22533 Takes a name as argument."""
22534
22535 def __init__ (self):
22536 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22537
22538 def invoke (self, name):
22539 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22540
22541 Greet ()
22542 @end smallexample
22543
22544 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22545 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22546 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22547 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22548
22549 @node Progspaces In Python
22550 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22551
22552 @cindex progspaces in python
22553 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22554 @tindex Progspace
22555 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22556 of an address space.
22557 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22558 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22559 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22560 about program spaces.
22561
22562 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22563 @code{gdb} module:
22564
22565 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22566 @defun current_progspace
22567 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22568 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22569 @end defun
22570
22571 @findex gdb.progspaces
22572 @defun progspaces
22573 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22574 @end defun
22575
22576 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22577 class.
22578
22579 @defivar Progspace filename
22580 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22581 @end defivar
22582
22583 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22584 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22585 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22586 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22587 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22588 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22589 information.
22590 @end defivar
22591
22592 @node Objfiles In Python
22593 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22594
22595 @cindex objfiles in python
22596 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22597 @tindex Objfile
22598 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22599 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22600 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22601 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22602 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22603
22604 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22605 @code{gdb} module:
22606
22607 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22608 @defun current_objfile
22609 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22610 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22611 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22612 this function returns @code{None}.
22613 @end defun
22614
22615 @findex gdb.objfiles
22616 @defun objfiles
22617 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22618 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22619 @end defun
22620
22621 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22622 class.
22623
22624 @defivar Objfile filename
22625 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22626 @end defivar
22627
22628 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22629 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22630 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22631 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22632 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22633 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22634 information.
22635 @end defivar
22636
22637 @node Frames In Python
22638 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22639
22640 @cindex frames in python
22641 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22642 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22643 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22644 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22645 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22646 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22647
22648 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22649 operator, like:
22650
22651 @smallexample
22652 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22653 True
22654 @end smallexample
22655
22656 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22657
22658 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22659 @defun selected_frame
22660 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22661 @end defun
22662
22663 @findex gdb.newest_frame
22664 @defun newest_frame
22665 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22666 @end defun
22667
22668 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22669 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22670 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22671 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22672 @end defun
22673
22674 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22675
22676 @table @code
22677 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22678 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22679 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22680 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22681 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22682 @end defmethod
22683
22684 @defmethod Frame name
22685 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22686 obtained.
22687 @end defmethod
22688
22689 @defmethod Frame type
22690 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
22691 @table @code
22692 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
22693 An ordinary stack frame.
22694
22695 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
22696 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
22697 inferior function call.
22698
22699 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
22700 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
22701 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
22702
22703 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
22704 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
22705 it calls into a signal handler.
22706
22707 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
22708 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
22709
22710 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
22711 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
22712 newest frame.
22713 @end table
22714 @end defmethod
22715
22716 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22717 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22718 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22719 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22720 function to a string.
22721 @end defmethod
22722
22723 @defmethod Frame pc
22724 Returns the frame's resume address.
22725 @end defmethod
22726
22727 @defmethod Frame block
22728 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22729 @end defmethod
22730
22731 @defmethod Frame function
22732 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22733 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22734 @end defmethod
22735
22736 @defmethod Frame older
22737 Return the frame that called this frame.
22738 @end defmethod
22739
22740 @defmethod Frame newer
22741 Return the frame called by this frame.
22742 @end defmethod
22743
22744 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22745 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22746 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22747 @end defmethod
22748
22749 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22750 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22751 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22752 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22753 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22754 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22755 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22756 @end defmethod
22757
22758 @defmethod Frame select
22759 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22760 Stack}.
22761 @end defmethod
22762 @end table
22763
22764 @node Blocks In Python
22765 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22766
22767 @cindex blocks in python
22768 @tindex gdb.Block
22769
22770 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22771 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22772 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22773 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22774 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22775 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22776 stack.
22777
22778 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22779 module:
22780
22781 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22782 @defun block_for_pc pc
22783 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22784 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22785 will return @code{None}.
22786 @end defun
22787
22788 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22789
22790 @table @code
22791 @defivar Block start
22792 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22793 @end defivar
22794
22795 @defivar Block end
22796 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22797 @end defivar
22798
22799 @defivar Block function
22800 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22801 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22802 attribute is not writable.
22803 @end defivar
22804
22805 @defivar Block superblock
22806 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22807 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22808 @end defivar
22809 @end table
22810
22811 @node Symbols In Python
22812 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22813
22814 @cindex symbols in python
22815 @tindex gdb.Symbol
22816
22817 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22818 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22819 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22820 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22821
22822 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22823 module:
22824
22825 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22826 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
22827 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22828 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22829 arguments.
22830
22831 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22832 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22833 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22834 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22835 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22836 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22837 in this chapter.
22838 @end defun
22839
22840 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22841
22842 @table @code
22843 @defivar Symbol symtab
22844 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22845 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22846 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22847 @end defivar
22848
22849 @defivar Symbol name
22850 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22851 @end defivar
22852
22853 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
22854 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22855 This attribute is not writable.
22856 @end defivar
22857
22858 @defivar Symbol print_name
22859 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
22860 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
22861 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
22862 @end defivar
22863
22864 @defivar Symbol addr_class
22865 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
22866 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
22867 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
22868 @end defivar
22869
22870 @defivar Symbol is_argument
22871 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
22872 @end defivar
22873
22874 @defivar Symbol is_constant
22875 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
22876 @end defivar
22877
22878 @defivar Symbol is_function
22879 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
22880 @end defivar
22881
22882 @defivar Symbol is_variable
22883 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
22884 @end defivar
22885 @end table
22886
22887 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22888 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22889
22890 @table @code
22891 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22892 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22893 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22894 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
22895 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
22896 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22897 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22898 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22899 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22900 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
22901 type values.
22902 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22903 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22904 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22905 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
22906 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22907 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22908 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22909 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
22910 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22911 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22912 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22913 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
22914 contains everything minus functions and types.
22915 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22916 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22917 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
22918 This domain contains all functions.
22919 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22920 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22921 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22922 This domain contains all types.
22923 @end table
22924
22925 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22926 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22927
22928 @table @code
22929 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22930 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22931 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22932 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
22933 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22934 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22935 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22936 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22937 Value is constant int.
22938 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22939 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22940 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22941 Value is at a fixed address.
22942 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22943 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22944 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22945 Value is in a register.
22946 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22947 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22948 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22949 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
22950 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
22951 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22952 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22953 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22954 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
22955 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
22956 offset, not the value itself.
22957 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22958 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22959 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22960 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
22961 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
22962 itself.
22963 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22964 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22965 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22966 Value is a local variable.
22967 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22968 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22969 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22970 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
22971 have this class.
22972 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22973 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22974 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22975 Value is a block.
22976 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22977 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22978 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22979 Value is a byte-sequence.
22980 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22981 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22982 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22983 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
22984 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
22985 referenced.
22986 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22987 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22988 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22989 The value does not actually exist in the program.
22990 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22991 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22992 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22993 The value's address is a computed location.
22994 @end table
22995
22996 @node Symbol Tables In Python
22997 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
22998
22999 @cindex symbol tables in python
23000 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23001 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23002
23003 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23004 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23005 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23006 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23007 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23008
23009 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23010 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23011
23012 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23013
23014 @table @code
23015 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
23016 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23017 This attribute is not writable.
23018 @end defivar
23019
23020 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
23021 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23022 writable.
23023 @end defivar
23024
23025 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
23026 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23027 attribute is not writable.
23028 @end defivar
23029 @end table
23030
23031 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23032
23033 @table @code
23034 @defivar Symtab filename
23035 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23036 @end defivar
23037
23038 @defivar Symtab objfile
23039 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23040 This attribute is not writable.
23041 @end defivar
23042 @end table
23043
23044 The following methods are provided:
23045
23046 @table @code
23047 @defmethod Symtab fullname
23048 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23049 @end defmethod
23050 @end table
23051
23052 @node Breakpoints In Python
23053 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23054
23055 @cindex breakpoints in python
23056 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23057
23058 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23059 class.
23060
23061 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
23062 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23063 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23064 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23065 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23066 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23067 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23068 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23069 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23070 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23071 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23072 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23073 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23074 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23075 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23076 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
23077 @end defmethod
23078
23079 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23080 @code{gdb} module:
23081
23082 @table @code
23083 @findex WP_READ
23084 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23085 @item WP_READ
23086 Read only watchpoint.
23087
23088 @findex WP_WRITE
23089 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23090 @item WP_WRITE
23091 Write only watchpoint.
23092
23093 @findex WP_ACCESS
23094 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23095 @item WP_ACCESS
23096 Read/Write watchpoint.
23097 @end table
23098
23099 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
23100 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23101 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23102 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23103 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23104 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23105 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23106 @end defmethod
23107
23108 @defmethod Breakpoint delete
23109 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23110 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23111 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23112 @end defmethod
23113
23114 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
23115 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23116 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23117 @end defivar
23118
23119 @defivar Breakpoint silent
23120 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23121 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23122
23123 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23124 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23125 @code{silent} attribute.
23126 @end defivar
23127
23128 @defivar Breakpoint thread
23129 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23130 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23131 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23132 @end defivar
23133
23134 @defivar Breakpoint task
23135 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23136 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23137 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23138 is writable.
23139 @end defivar
23140
23141 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23142 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23143 This attribute is writable.
23144 @end defivar
23145
23146 @defivar Breakpoint number
23147 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23148 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23149 @end defivar
23150
23151 @defivar Breakpoint type
23152 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23153 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23154 writable.
23155 @end defivar
23156
23157 @defivar Breakpoint visible
23158 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23159 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23160 attribute is not writable.
23161 @end defivar
23162
23163 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23164 module:
23165
23166 @table @code
23167 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23168 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23169 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
23170 Normal code breakpoint.
23171
23172 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23173 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23174 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
23175 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23176
23177 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23178 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23179 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23180 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23181
23182 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23183 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23184 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23185 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23186
23187 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23188 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23189 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23190 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23191 @end table
23192
23193 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23194 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23195 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23196 @end defivar
23197
23198 @defivar Breakpoint location
23199 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23200 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23201 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23202 attribute is not writable.
23203 @end defivar
23204
23205 @defivar Breakpoint expression
23206 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23207 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23208 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23209 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23210 @end defivar
23211
23212 @defivar Breakpoint condition
23213 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23214 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23215 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23216 @end defivar
23217
23218 @defivar Breakpoint commands
23219 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23220 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23221 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23222 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23223 @end defivar
23224
23225 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23226 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23227
23228 @cindex lazy strings in python
23229 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23230
23231 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23232 encoded until it is needed.
23233
23234 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23235 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23236 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23237 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23238 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23239 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23240 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23241 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23242 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23243
23244 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23245
23246 @defmethod LazyString value
23247 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23248 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23249 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23250 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23251 @end defmethod
23252
23253 @defivar LazyString address
23254 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23255 writable.
23256 @end defivar
23257
23258 @defivar LazyString length
23259 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23260 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23261 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23262 @end defivar
23263
23264 @defivar LazyString encoding
23265 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23266 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23267 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23268 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23269 is not writable.
23270 @end defivar
23271
23272 @defivar LazyString type
23273 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23274 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23275 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23276 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23277 writable.
23278 @end defivar
23279
23280 @node Auto-loading
23281 @subsection Auto-loading
23282 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23283
23284 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23285 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23286 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23287 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23288
23289 @menu
23290 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23291 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23292 * Which flavor to choose?::
23293 @end menu
23294
23295 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23296 debugging commands and scripts.
23297
23298 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23299
23300 @table @code
23301 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23302 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23303 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23304
23305 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23306 @item show auto-load-scripts
23307 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23308 @end table
23309
23310 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23311 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23312 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23313 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23314
23315 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23316 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23317 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23318
23319 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23320 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23321 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23322 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23323 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23324 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23325
23326 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23327 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23328 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23329 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23330
23331 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23332 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23333 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23334 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23335 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23336
23337 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23338 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23339 @var{objfile} is opened.
23340 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23341 is evaluated more than once.
23342
23343 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23344 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23345 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23346
23347 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23348 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23349 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23350 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23351
23352 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23353 current directory and then along the source search path
23354 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23355 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23356 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23357
23358 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23359 for example, this GCC macro:
23360
23361 @example
23362 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23363 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23364 asm("\
23365 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23366 .byte 1\n\
23367 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23368 .popsection \n\
23369 ");
23370 @end example
23371
23372 @noindent
23373 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23374
23375 @example
23376 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23377 @end example
23378
23379 The script name may include directories if desired.
23380
23381 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23382 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23383
23384 @node Which flavor to choose?
23385 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23386
23387 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23388 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23389
23390 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23391
23392 @itemize @bullet
23393 @item
23394 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23395
23396 @item
23397 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23398
23399 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23400 in the source search path.
23401 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23402 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23403
23404 @item
23405 Doesn't require source code additions.
23406 @end itemize
23407
23408 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23409
23410 @itemize @bullet
23411 @item
23412 Works with static linking.
23413
23414 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23415 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23416 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23417 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23418
23419 @item
23420 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23421
23422 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23423 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23424
23425 @item
23426 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23427
23428 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23429 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23430 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23431 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23432 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23433 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23434 @end itemize
23435
23436 @node Python modules
23437 @subsection Python modules
23438 @cindex python modules
23439
23440 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23441
23442 @menu
23443 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23444 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23445 @end menu
23446
23447 @node gdb.printing
23448 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23449 @cindex gdb.printing
23450
23451 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23452 pretty-printers.
23453
23454 @table @code
23455 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23456 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23457 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23458 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23459
23460 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23461 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23462 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23463
23464 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23465 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23466 regular expressions.
23467 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23468
23469 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23470 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23471 @end table
23472
23473 @node gdb.types
23474 @subsubsection gdb.types
23475 @cindex gdb.types
23476
23477 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23478 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23479
23480 @table @code
23481 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23482 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23483 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23484
23485 C@t{++} example:
23486
23487 @smallexample
23488 typedef const int const_int;
23489 const_int foo (3);
23490 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23491 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23492 @end smallexample
23493
23494 Then in gdb:
23495
23496 @smallexample
23497 (gdb) start
23498 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23499 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23500 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23501 int
23502 @end smallexample
23503
23504 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23505 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23506 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23507
23508 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23509 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23510 @end table
23511
23512 @node Interpreters
23513 @chapter Command Interpreters
23514 @cindex command interpreters
23515
23516 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23517 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23518 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23519
23520 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23521 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23522 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23523 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23524
23525 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23526 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23527 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23528 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23529
23530 @table @code
23531 @item console
23532 @cindex console interpreter
23533 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23534 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23535 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23536
23537 @item mi
23538 @cindex mi interpreter
23539 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23540 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23541 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23542 Interface}.
23543
23544 @item mi2
23545 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23546 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23547
23548 @item mi1
23549 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23550 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23551
23552 @end table
23553
23554 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23555 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23556 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23557 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23558 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23559 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23560 the IDE inoperable!
23561
23562 @kindex interpreter-exec
23563 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23564 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23565 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23566 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23567
23568 @smallexample
23569 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23570 @end smallexample
23571
23572 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23573 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23574
23575 @node TUI
23576 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23577 @cindex TUI
23578 @cindex Text User Interface
23579
23580 @menu
23581 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23582 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23583 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23584 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23585 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23586 @end menu
23587
23588 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23589 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23590 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23591 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23592 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23593 is available.
23594
23595 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23596 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23597 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23598 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23599 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23600 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23601
23602 @node TUI Overview
23603 @section TUI Overview
23604
23605 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23606
23607 @table @emph
23608 @item command
23609 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23610 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23611 managed using readline.
23612
23613 @item source
23614 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23615 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23616
23617 @item assembly
23618 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23619
23620 @item register
23621 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23622 when their values change.
23623 @end table
23624
23625 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23626 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23627 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23628 indicates the breakpoint type:
23629
23630 @table @code
23631 @item B
23632 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23633
23634 @item b
23635 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23636
23637 @item H
23638 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23639
23640 @item h
23641 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23642 @end table
23643
23644 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23645
23646 @table @code
23647 @item +
23648 Breakpoint is enabled.
23649
23650 @item -
23651 Breakpoint is disabled.
23652 @end table
23653
23654 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23655 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23656 changes.
23657
23658 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23659 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23660 layouts:
23661
23662 @itemize @bullet
23663 @item
23664 source only,
23665
23666 @item
23667 assembly only,
23668
23669 @item
23670 source and assembly,
23671
23672 @item
23673 source and registers, or
23674
23675 @item
23676 assembly and registers.
23677 @end itemize
23678
23679 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23680
23681 @table @emph
23682 @item target
23683 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23684 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23685
23686 @item process
23687 Gives the current process or thread number.
23688 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23689
23690 @item function
23691 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23692 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23693 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23694 the string @code{??} is displayed.
23695
23696 @item line
23697 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23698 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23699
23700 @item pc
23701 Indicates the current program counter address.
23702 @end table
23703
23704 @node TUI Keys
23705 @section TUI Key Bindings
23706 @cindex TUI key bindings
23707
23708 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23709 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23710 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
23711 @end ifset
23712 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23713 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
23714 @end ifclear
23715 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
23716 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
23717
23718 @table @kbd
23719 @kindex C-x C-a
23720 @item C-x C-a
23721 @kindex C-x a
23722 @itemx C-x a
23723 @kindex C-x A
23724 @itemx C-x A
23725 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
23726 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
23727 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
23728 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
23729 The screen is then refreshed.
23730
23731 @kindex C-x 1
23732 @item C-x 1
23733 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
23734 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
23735 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
23736
23737 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
23738
23739 @kindex C-x 2
23740 @item C-x 2
23741 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
23742 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
23743 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
23744 previous layout and the new one.
23745
23746 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
23747
23748 @kindex C-x o
23749 @item C-x o
23750 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
23751 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
23752 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
23753
23754 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
23755
23756 @kindex C-x s
23757 @item C-x s
23758 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
23759 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
23760 @end table
23761
23762 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
23763
23764 @table @asis
23765 @kindex PgUp
23766 @item @key{PgUp}
23767 Scroll the active window one page up.
23768
23769 @kindex PgDn
23770 @item @key{PgDn}
23771 Scroll the active window one page down.
23772
23773 @kindex Up
23774 @item @key{Up}
23775 Scroll the active window one line up.
23776
23777 @kindex Down
23778 @item @key{Down}
23779 Scroll the active window one line down.
23780
23781 @kindex Left
23782 @item @key{Left}
23783 Scroll the active window one column left.
23784
23785 @kindex Right
23786 @item @key{Right}
23787 Scroll the active window one column right.
23788
23789 @kindex C-L
23790 @item @kbd{C-L}
23791 Refresh the screen.
23792 @end table
23793
23794 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
23795 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
23796 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
23797 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
23798 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
23799
23800 @node TUI Single Key Mode
23801 @section TUI Single Key Mode
23802 @cindex TUI single key mode
23803
23804 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
23805 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
23806 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
23807
23808 @table @kbd
23809 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23810 @item c
23811 continue
23812
23813 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23814 @item d
23815 down
23816
23817 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23818 @item f
23819 finish
23820
23821 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23822 @item n
23823 next
23824
23825 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23826 @item q
23827 exit the SingleKey mode.
23828
23829 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23830 @item r
23831 run
23832
23833 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23834 @item s
23835 step
23836
23837 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23838 @item u
23839 up
23840
23841 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23842 @item v
23843 info locals
23844
23845 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23846 @item w
23847 where
23848 @end table
23849
23850 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
23851 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
23852 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
23853 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
23854 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
23855 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
23856
23857
23858 @node TUI Commands
23859 @section TUI-specific Commands
23860 @cindex TUI commands
23861
23862 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
23863 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
23864 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
23865 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
23866
23867 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
23868 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
23869 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
23870 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
23871 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
23872
23873 @table @code
23874 @item info win
23875 @kindex info win
23876 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
23877
23878 @item layout next
23879 @kindex layout
23880 Display the next layout.
23881
23882 @item layout prev
23883 Display the previous layout.
23884
23885 @item layout src
23886 Display the source window only.
23887
23888 @item layout asm
23889 Display the assembly window only.
23890
23891 @item layout split
23892 Display the source and assembly window.
23893
23894 @item layout regs
23895 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
23896
23897 @item focus next
23898 @kindex focus
23899 Make the next window active for scrolling.
23900
23901 @item focus prev
23902 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
23903
23904 @item focus src
23905 Make the source window active for scrolling.
23906
23907 @item focus asm
23908 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
23909
23910 @item focus regs
23911 Make the register window active for scrolling.
23912
23913 @item focus cmd
23914 Make the command window active for scrolling.
23915
23916 @item refresh
23917 @kindex refresh
23918 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
23919
23920 @item tui reg float
23921 @kindex tui reg
23922 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
23923
23924 @item tui reg general
23925 Show the general registers in the register window.
23926
23927 @item tui reg next
23928 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
23929 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
23930 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
23931 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
23932
23933 @item tui reg system
23934 Show the system registers in the register window.
23935
23936 @item update
23937 @kindex update
23938 Update the source window and the current execution point.
23939
23940 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
23941 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
23942 @kindex winheight
23943 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
23944 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
23945 decrease it.
23946
23947 @item tabset @var{nchars}
23948 @kindex tabset
23949 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
23950 @end table
23951
23952 @node TUI Configuration
23953 @section TUI Configuration Variables
23954 @cindex TUI configuration variables
23955
23956 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
23957
23958 @table @code
23959 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
23960 @kindex set tui border-kind
23961 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
23962 The possible values are the following:
23963 @table @code
23964 @item space
23965 Use a space character to draw the border.
23966
23967 @item ascii
23968 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
23969
23970 @item acs
23971 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
23972 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
23973 @end table
23974
23975 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
23976 @kindex set tui border-mode
23977 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
23978 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
23979 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
23980 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
23981 @table @code
23982 @item normal
23983 Use normal attributes to display the border.
23984
23985 @item standout
23986 Use standout mode.
23987
23988 @item reverse
23989 Use reverse video mode.
23990
23991 @item half
23992 Use half bright mode.
23993
23994 @item half-standout
23995 Use half bright and standout mode.
23996
23997 @item bold
23998 Use extra bright or bold mode.
23999
24000 @item bold-standout
24001 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24002 @end table
24003 @end table
24004
24005 @node Emacs
24006 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24007
24008 @cindex Emacs
24009 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24010 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24011 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24012 @value{GDBN}.
24013
24014 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24015 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24016 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24017 created Emacs buffer.
24018 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24019
24020 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24021 things:
24022
24023 @itemize @bullet
24024 @item
24025 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24026 the GUD buffer.
24027
24028 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24029 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24030
24031 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24032 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24033 in this way.
24034
24035 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24036 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24037 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24038 stop.
24039
24040 @item
24041 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24042
24043 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24044 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24045 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24046 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24047 and the source.
24048
24049 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24050 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24051 @end itemize
24052
24053 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24054 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24055 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24056 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24057
24058 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24059 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24060 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24061 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
24062 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24063 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24064 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24065 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24066 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24067
24068 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24069 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24070 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24071 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24072
24073 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24074 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24075 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24076 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24077 one you want.
24078
24079 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24080 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24081
24082 @table @kbd
24083 @item C-h m
24084 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24085
24086 @item C-c C-s
24087 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24088 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24089
24090 @item C-c C-n
24091 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24092 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24093 to show the current file and location.
24094
24095 @item C-c C-i
24096 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24097 display window accordingly.
24098
24099 @item C-c C-f
24100 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24101 @code{finish} command.
24102
24103 @item C-c C-r
24104 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24105 command.
24106
24107 @item C-c <
24108 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24109 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24110 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24111
24112 @item C-c >
24113 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24114 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24115 @end table
24116
24117 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24118 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24119
24120 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24121 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24122 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24123 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24124 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24125 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24126 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24127
24128 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24129 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24130 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24131 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24132 frame.
24133
24134 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24135 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24136 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24137 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24138 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24139 to correspond properly with the code.
24140
24141 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24142 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24143 Emacs Manual}).
24144
24145 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24146 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24147 @ignore
24148 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24149 @kindex Epoch
24150 @kindex inspect
24151
24152 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24153 called the @code{epoch}
24154 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24155 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24156 each value is printed in its own window.
24157 @end ignore
24158
24159
24160 @node GDB/MI
24161 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24162
24163 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24164
24165 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24166 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24167 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24168 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24169 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24170 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24171
24172 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24173 in the form of a reference manual.
24174
24175 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24176 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24177 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24178
24179 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24180
24181 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24182 This chapter uses the following notation:
24183
24184 @itemize @bullet
24185 @item
24186 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24187
24188 @item
24189 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24190 it may or may not be given.
24191
24192 @item
24193 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24194 may repeat zero or more times.
24195
24196 @item
24197 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24198 may repeat one or more times.
24199
24200 @item
24201 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24202 @end itemize
24203
24204 @ignore
24205 @heading Dependencies
24206 @end ignore
24207
24208 @menu
24209 * GDB/MI General Design::
24210 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24211 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24212 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24213 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24214 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24215 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24216 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24217 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24218 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24219 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24220 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24221 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24222 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24223 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24224 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24225 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24226 @ignore
24227 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24228 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24229 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24230 @end ignore
24231 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24232 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24233 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24234 @end menu
24235
24236 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24237 @node GDB/MI General Design
24238 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24239 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24240
24241 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24242 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24243 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24244 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24245 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24246 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24247 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24248 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24249 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24250 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24251
24252 The important examples of notifications are:
24253 @itemize @bullet
24254
24255 @item
24256 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24257 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24258 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24259 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24260 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24261 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24262 command itself was successfully executed.
24263
24264 @item
24265 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24266 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24267 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24268 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24269 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24270 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24271
24272 @item
24273 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24274 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24275 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24276 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24277 orthogonal frontend design.
24278
24279 @end itemize
24280
24281 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24282 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24283 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24284 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24285 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24286 the user interface.
24287
24288
24289 @menu
24290 * Context management::
24291 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24292 * Thread groups::
24293 @end menu
24294
24295 @node Context management
24296 @subsection Context management
24297
24298 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24299 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24300 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24301 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24302 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24303 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24304 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24305 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24306 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24307
24308 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24309 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24310 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24311 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24312 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24313 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24314 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24315 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24316 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24317 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24318 for thread and frame to operate on.
24319
24320 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24321 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24322 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24323 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24324 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24325 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24326 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24327 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24328 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24329 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24330
24331 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24332 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24333 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24334 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24335 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24336 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24337 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24338 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24339 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24340 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24341 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24342 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24343 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24344 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24345 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24346 @samp{--frame} options.
24347
24348 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24349 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24350
24351 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24352 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24353 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24354 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24355 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24356 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24357 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24358 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24359 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24360
24361 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24362 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24363 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24364 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24365 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24366 are running.
24367
24368 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24369 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24370 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24371 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24372 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24373 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24374 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24375 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24376 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24377 @samp{--thread} option).
24378
24379 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24380 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24381 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24382 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24383
24384 @node Thread groups
24385 @subsection Thread groups
24386 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24387 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24388 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24389 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24390 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24391
24392 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24393 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24394 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24395 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24396 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24397 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24398 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24399 into processes.
24400
24401 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24402 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24403 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24404 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24405 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24406 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24407 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24408 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24409 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24410 the members of specific thread group.
24411
24412 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24413 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24414 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24415 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24416 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24417 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24418 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24419 after attaching to that thread group.
24420
24421 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24422 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24423 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24424 such thread groups.
24425
24426 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24427 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24428 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24429
24430 @menu
24431 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24432 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24433 @end menu
24434
24435 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24436 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24437
24438 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24439 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24440 @table @code
24441 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24442 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24443
24444 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24445 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24446 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24447
24448 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24449 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24450 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24451
24452 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24453 "any sequence of digits"
24454
24455 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24456 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24457
24458 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24459 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24460
24461 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24462 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24463
24464 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24465 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24466 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24467
24468 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24469 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24470
24471 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24472 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24473 @end table
24474
24475 @noindent
24476 Notes:
24477
24478 @itemize @bullet
24479 @item
24480 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24481 output is described below.
24482
24483 @item
24484 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24485 finishes.
24486
24487 @item
24488 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24489 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24490 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24491 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24492 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24493 @end itemize
24494
24495 Pragmatics:
24496
24497 @itemize @bullet
24498 @item
24499 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24500
24501 @item
24502 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24503 @end itemize
24504
24505 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24506 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24507
24508 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24509 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24510 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24511 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24512 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24513 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24514
24515 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24516 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24517 @var{token}.
24518
24519 @table @code
24520 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24521 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24522
24523 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24524 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24525
24526 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24527 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24528
24529 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24530 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24531
24532 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24533 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24534
24535 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24536 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24537
24538 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24539 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24540
24541 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24542 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24543
24544 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24545 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24546
24547 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24548 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24549 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24550
24551 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24552 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24553
24554 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24555 @code{ @var{string} }
24556
24557 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24558 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24559
24560 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24561 @code{@var{c-string}}
24562
24563 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24564 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24565
24566 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24567 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24568 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24569
24570 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24571 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24572
24573 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24574 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24575
24576 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24577 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24578
24579 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24580 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24581
24582 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24583 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24584
24585 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24586 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24587 @end table
24588
24589 @noindent
24590 Notes:
24591
24592 @itemize @bullet
24593 @item
24594 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24595
24596 @item
24597 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24598 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24599 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24600 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24601 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24602 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24603 prior command.
24604
24605 @item
24606 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24607 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24608 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24609 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24610
24611 @item
24612 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24613 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24614 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24615 @samp{*}.
24616
24617 @item
24618 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24619 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24620 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24621 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24622
24623 @item
24624 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24625 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24626 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24627 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24628
24629 @item
24630 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24631 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24632 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24633
24634 @item
24635 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24636 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24637 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24638 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24639
24640 @item
24641 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24642 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24643 @var{values}.
24644
24645
24646 @end itemize
24647
24648 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24649 details about the various output records.
24650
24651 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24652 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24653 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24654
24655 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24656 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24657
24658 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24659 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24660 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24661 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24662 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24663 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24664
24665 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24666 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24667 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24668
24669 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24670 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24671 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24672 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24673
24674 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24675 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24676
24677 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24678 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24679 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24680 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24681 might change.
24682
24683 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24684 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24685 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24686 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24687
24688 @itemize @bullet
24689 @item
24690 New MI commands may be added.
24691
24692 @item
24693 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24694
24695 @item
24696 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24697 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24698
24699 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24700 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24701
24702 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24703 @c resolve inconsistencies.
24704 @end itemize
24705
24706 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24707 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24708 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24709 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24710 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24711
24712 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24713 @c version?
24714
24715 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24716 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24717 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24718 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24719 @cindex mailing lists
24720
24721 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24722 @node GDB/MI Output Records
24723 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
24724
24725 @menu
24726 * GDB/MI Result Records::
24727 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
24728 * GDB/MI Async Records::
24729 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
24730 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
24731 @end menu
24732
24733 @node GDB/MI Result Records
24734 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
24735
24736 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24737 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
24738 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
24739 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
24740
24741 @table @code
24742 @findex ^done
24743 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
24744 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
24745 values.
24746
24747 @item "^running"
24748 @findex ^running
24749 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
24750 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
24751 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
24752 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
24753 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
24754 which threads are resumed.
24755
24756 @item "^connected"
24757 @findex ^connected
24758 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
24759
24760 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
24761 @findex ^error
24762 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
24763 error message.
24764
24765 @item "^exit"
24766 @findex ^exit
24767 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
24768
24769 @end table
24770
24771 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
24772 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
24773
24774 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
24775 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24776 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
24777 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
24778 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
24779
24780 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
24781 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
24782 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
24783 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
24784 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
24785
24786 @table @code
24787 @item "~" @var{string-output}
24788 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
24789 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
24790
24791 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
24792 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
24793 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
24794 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
24795
24796 @item "&" @var{string-output}
24797 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
24798 internals.
24799 @end table
24800
24801 @node GDB/MI Async Records
24802 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
24803
24804 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24805 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
24806 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
24807 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
24808 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
24809 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
24810
24811 The following is the list of possible async records:
24812
24813 @table @code
24814
24815 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
24816 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
24817 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
24818 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
24819 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
24820 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
24821 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
24822 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
24823 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
24824 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
24825
24826 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
24827 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
24828 following values:
24829
24830 @table @code
24831 @item breakpoint-hit
24832 A breakpoint was reached.
24833 @item watchpoint-trigger
24834 A watchpoint was triggered.
24835 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
24836 A read watchpoint was triggered.
24837 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
24838 An access watchpoint was triggered.
24839 @item function-finished
24840 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24841 @item location-reached
24842 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24843 @item watchpoint-scope
24844 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
24845 @item end-stepping-range
24846 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
24847 similar CLI command was accomplished.
24848 @item exited-signalled
24849 The inferior exited because of a signal.
24850 @item exited
24851 The inferior exited.
24852 @item exited-normally
24853 The inferior exited normally.
24854 @item signal-received
24855 A signal was received by the inferior.
24856 @end table
24857
24858 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
24859 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
24860 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
24861 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
24862 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
24863 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
24864 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
24865 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
24866 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
24867 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
24868 if such information is not available.
24869
24870 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
24871 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
24872 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
24873 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
24874 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
24875 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
24876 cannot be used in any way.
24877
24878 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
24879 A thread group became associated with a running program,
24880 either because the program was just started or the thread group
24881 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
24882 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
24883 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
24884
24885 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
24886 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
24887 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
24888 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
24889 thread group.
24890
24891 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24892 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24893 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
24894 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
24895 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
24896
24897 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
24898 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
24899 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
24900 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
24901 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
24902 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
24903 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
24904
24905 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
24906 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
24907 that thread.
24908
24909 @item =library-loaded,...
24910 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
24911 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
24912 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
24913 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
24914 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
24915 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
24916 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
24917 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
24918 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
24919 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
24920 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
24921 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
24922 thread groups.
24923
24924 @item =library-unloaded,...
24925 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
24926 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
24927 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
24928 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
24929 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
24930 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
24931 thread groups.
24932
24933 @end table
24934
24935 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
24936 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
24937
24938 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
24939 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
24940 fields:
24941
24942 @table @code
24943 @item level
24944 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
24945 zero. This field is always present.
24946
24947 @item func
24948 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
24949 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
24950
24951 @item addr
24952 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
24953
24954 @item file
24955 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
24956 address. This field may be absent.
24957
24958 @item line
24959 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
24960 may be absent.
24961
24962 @item from
24963 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
24964 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
24965
24966 @end table
24967
24968 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
24969 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
24970
24971 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
24972 uses a tuple with the following fields:
24973
24974 @table @code
24975 @item id
24976 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
24977 always present.
24978
24979 @item target-id
24980 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
24981
24982 @item details
24983 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
24984 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
24985 frontend. This field is optional.
24986
24987 @item state
24988 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
24989 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
24990
24991 @item core
24992 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
24993 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
24994 @end table
24995
24996
24997 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24998 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
24999 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25000 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25001
25002 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25003 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25004 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25005 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25006
25007 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25008 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25009
25010 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25011
25012 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25013 information of the breakpoint.
25014
25015 @smallexample
25016 -> -break-insert main
25017 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25018 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25019 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25020 <- (gdb)
25021 @end smallexample
25022
25023 @subheading Program Execution
25024
25025 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25026 reason that execution stopped.
25027
25028 @smallexample
25029 -> -exec-run
25030 <- ^running
25031 <- (gdb)
25032 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25033 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25034 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25035 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25036 <- (gdb)
25037 -> -exec-continue
25038 <- ^running
25039 <- (gdb)
25040 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25041 <- (gdb)
25042 @end smallexample
25043
25044 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25045
25046 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25047
25048 @smallexample
25049 -> (gdb)
25050 <- -gdb-exit
25051 <- ^exit
25052 @end smallexample
25053
25054 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25055 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25056 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25057 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25058 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25059 fails to exit in reasonable time.
25060
25061 @subheading A Bad Command
25062
25063 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25064
25065 @smallexample
25066 -> -rubbish
25067 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25068 <- (gdb)
25069 @end smallexample
25070
25071
25072 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25073 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25074 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25075
25076 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25077 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25078
25079 @subheading Motivation
25080
25081 The motivation for this collection of commands.
25082
25083 @subheading Introduction
25084
25085 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25086
25087 @subheading Commands
25088
25089 For each command in the block, the following is described:
25090
25091 @subsubheading Synopsis
25092
25093 @smallexample
25094 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25095 @end smallexample
25096
25097 @subsubheading Result
25098
25099 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25100
25101 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25102
25103 @subsubheading Example
25104
25105 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25106 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25107
25108
25109 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25110 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25111 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25112
25113 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25114 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25115 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25116 breakpoints.
25117
25118 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25119 @findex -break-after
25120
25121 @subsubheading Synopsis
25122
25123 @smallexample
25124 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25125 @end smallexample
25126
25127 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25128 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25129 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25130 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25131
25132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25133
25134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25135
25136 @subsubheading Example
25137
25138 @smallexample
25139 (gdb)
25140 -break-insert main
25141 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25142 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25143 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25144 (gdb)
25145 -break-after 1 3
25146 ~
25147 ^done
25148 (gdb)
25149 -break-list
25150 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25151 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25152 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25153 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25154 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25155 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25156 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25157 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25158 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25159 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25160 (gdb)
25161 @end smallexample
25162
25163 @ignore
25164 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25165 @findex -break-catch
25166 @end ignore
25167
25168 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25169 @findex -break-commands
25170
25171 @subsubheading Synopsis
25172
25173 @smallexample
25174 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25175 @end smallexample
25176
25177 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25178 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25179 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25180 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25181 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25182 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25183
25184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25185
25186 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25187
25188 @subsubheading Example
25189
25190 @smallexample
25191 (gdb)
25192 -break-insert main
25193 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25194 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25195 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25196 (gdb)
25197 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25198 ^done
25199 (gdb)
25200 @end smallexample
25201
25202 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25203 @findex -break-condition
25204
25205 @subsubheading Synopsis
25206
25207 @smallexample
25208 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25209 @end smallexample
25210
25211 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25212 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25213 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25214 command below).
25215
25216 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25217
25218 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25219
25220 @subsubheading Example
25221
25222 @smallexample
25223 (gdb)
25224 -break-condition 1 1
25225 ^done
25226 (gdb)
25227 -break-list
25228 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25229 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25230 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25231 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25232 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25233 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25234 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25235 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25236 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25237 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25238 (gdb)
25239 @end smallexample
25240
25241 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25242 @findex -break-delete
25243
25244 @subsubheading Synopsis
25245
25246 @smallexample
25247 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25248 @end smallexample
25249
25250 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25251 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25252
25253 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25254
25255 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25256
25257 @subsubheading Example
25258
25259 @smallexample
25260 (gdb)
25261 -break-delete 1
25262 ^done
25263 (gdb)
25264 -break-list
25265 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25266 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25267 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25268 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25269 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25270 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25271 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25272 body=[]@}
25273 (gdb)
25274 @end smallexample
25275
25276 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25277 @findex -break-disable
25278
25279 @subsubheading Synopsis
25280
25281 @smallexample
25282 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25283 @end smallexample
25284
25285 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25286 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25287
25288 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25289
25290 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25291
25292 @subsubheading Example
25293
25294 @smallexample
25295 (gdb)
25296 -break-disable 2
25297 ^done
25298 (gdb)
25299 -break-list
25300 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25301 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25302 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25303 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25304 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25305 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25306 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25307 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25308 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25309 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25310 (gdb)
25311 @end smallexample
25312
25313 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25314 @findex -break-enable
25315
25316 @subsubheading Synopsis
25317
25318 @smallexample
25319 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25320 @end smallexample
25321
25322 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25323
25324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25325
25326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25327
25328 @subsubheading Example
25329
25330 @smallexample
25331 (gdb)
25332 -break-enable 2
25333 ^done
25334 (gdb)
25335 -break-list
25336 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25337 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25338 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25339 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25340 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25341 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25342 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25343 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25344 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25345 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25346 (gdb)
25347 @end smallexample
25348
25349 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25350 @findex -break-info
25351
25352 @subsubheading Synopsis
25353
25354 @smallexample
25355 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25356 @end smallexample
25357
25358 @c REDUNDANT???
25359 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25360
25361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25362
25363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25364
25365 @subsubheading Example
25366 N.A.
25367
25368 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25369 @findex -break-insert
25370
25371 @subsubheading Synopsis
25372
25373 @smallexample
25374 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25375 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25376 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25377 @end smallexample
25378
25379 @noindent
25380 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25381
25382 @itemize @bullet
25383 @item function
25384 @c @item +offset
25385 @c @item -offset
25386 @c @item linenum
25387 @item filename:linenum
25388 @item filename:function
25389 @item *address
25390 @end itemize
25391
25392 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25393
25394 @table @samp
25395 @item -t
25396 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25397 @item -h
25398 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25399 @item -c @var{condition}
25400 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25401 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25402 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25403 @item -f
25404 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25405 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25406 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25407 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25408 cannot be parsed.
25409 @item -d
25410 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25411 @item -a
25412 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25413 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25414 @end table
25415
25416 @subsubheading Result
25417
25418 The result is in the form:
25419
25420 @smallexample
25421 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25422 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25423 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25424 times="@var{times}"@}
25425 @end smallexample
25426
25427 @noindent
25428 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25429 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25430 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25431 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25432 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25433 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25434 which use the same output).
25435
25436 Note: this format is open to change.
25437 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25438
25439 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25440
25441 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25442 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25443
25444 @subsubheading Example
25445
25446 @smallexample
25447 (gdb)
25448 -break-insert main
25449 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25450 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25451 (gdb)
25452 -break-insert -t foo
25453 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25454 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25455 (gdb)
25456 -break-list
25457 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25458 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25459 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25460 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25461 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25462 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25463 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25464 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25465 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25466 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25467 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25468 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25469 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25470 (gdb)
25471 -break-insert -r foo.*
25472 ~int foo(int, int);
25473 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25474 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25475 (gdb)
25476 @end smallexample
25477
25478 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25479 @findex -break-list
25480
25481 @subsubheading Synopsis
25482
25483 @smallexample
25484 -break-list
25485 @end smallexample
25486
25487 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25488
25489 @table @samp
25490 @item Number
25491 number of the breakpoint
25492 @item Type
25493 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25494 @item Disposition
25495 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25496 or @samp{nokeep}
25497 @item Enabled
25498 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25499 @item Address
25500 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25501 @item What
25502 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25503 name, line number
25504 @item Times
25505 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25506 @end table
25507
25508 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25509 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25510
25511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25512
25513 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25514
25515 @subsubheading Example
25516
25517 @smallexample
25518 (gdb)
25519 -break-list
25520 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25521 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25522 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25523 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25524 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25525 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25526 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25527 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25528 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25529 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25530 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25531 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25532 (gdb)
25533 @end smallexample
25534
25535 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25536
25537 @smallexample
25538 (gdb)
25539 -break-list
25540 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25541 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25542 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25543 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25544 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25545 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25546 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25547 body=[]@}
25548 (gdb)
25549 @end smallexample
25550
25551 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25552 @findex -break-passcount
25553
25554 @subsubheading Synopsis
25555
25556 @smallexample
25557 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25558 @end smallexample
25559
25560 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25561 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25562 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25563 command @samp{passcount}.
25564
25565 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25566 @findex -break-watch
25567
25568 @subsubheading Synopsis
25569
25570 @smallexample
25571 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25572 @end smallexample
25573
25574 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25575 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25576 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25577 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25578 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25579 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25580 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25581 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25582
25583 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25584 breakpoints inserted.
25585
25586 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25587
25588 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25589 @samp{rwatch}.
25590
25591 @subsubheading Example
25592
25593 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25594
25595 @smallexample
25596 (gdb)
25597 -break-watch x
25598 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25599 (gdb)
25600 -exec-continue
25601 ^running
25602 (gdb)
25603 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25604 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25605 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25606 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25607 (gdb)
25608 @end smallexample
25609
25610 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25611 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25612 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25613
25614 @smallexample
25615 (gdb)
25616 -break-watch C
25617 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25618 (gdb)
25619 -exec-continue
25620 ^running
25621 (gdb)
25622 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25623 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25624 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25625 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25626 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25627 (gdb)
25628 -exec-continue
25629 ^running
25630 (gdb)
25631 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25632 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25633 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25634 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25635 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25636 (gdb)
25637 @end smallexample
25638
25639 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25640 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25641 deleted.
25642
25643 @smallexample
25644 (gdb)
25645 -break-watch C
25646 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25647 (gdb)
25648 -break-list
25649 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25650 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25651 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25652 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25653 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25654 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25655 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25656 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25657 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25658 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25659 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25660 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25661 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25662 (gdb)
25663 -exec-continue
25664 ^running
25665 (gdb)
25666 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25667 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25668 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25669 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25670 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25671 (gdb)
25672 -break-list
25673 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25674 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25675 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25676 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25677 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25678 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25679 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25680 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25681 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25682 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25683 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25684 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25685 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25686 (gdb)
25687 -exec-continue
25688 ^running
25689 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25690 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25691 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25692 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25693 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25694 (gdb)
25695 -break-list
25696 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25697 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25698 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25699 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25700 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25701 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25702 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25703 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25704 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25705 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25706 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
25707 times="1"@}]@}
25708 (gdb)
25709 @end smallexample
25710
25711 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25712 @node GDB/MI Program Context
25713 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
25714
25715 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
25716 @findex -exec-arguments
25717
25718
25719 @subsubheading Synopsis
25720
25721 @smallexample
25722 -exec-arguments @var{args}
25723 @end smallexample
25724
25725 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
25726 @samp{-exec-run}.
25727
25728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25729
25730 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
25731
25732 @subsubheading Example
25733
25734 @smallexample
25735 (gdb)
25736 -exec-arguments -v word
25737 ^done
25738 (gdb)
25739 @end smallexample
25740
25741
25742 @ignore
25743 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
25744 @findex -exec-show-arguments
25745
25746 @subsubheading Synopsis
25747
25748 @smallexample
25749 -exec-show-arguments
25750 @end smallexample
25751
25752 Print the arguments of the program.
25753
25754 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25755
25756 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
25757
25758 @subsubheading Example
25759 N.A.
25760 @end ignore
25761
25762
25763 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
25764 @findex -environment-cd
25765
25766 @subsubheading Synopsis
25767
25768 @smallexample
25769 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
25770 @end smallexample
25771
25772 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
25773
25774 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25775
25776 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
25777
25778 @subsubheading Example
25779
25780 @smallexample
25781 (gdb)
25782 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25783 ^done
25784 (gdb)
25785 @end smallexample
25786
25787
25788 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
25789 @findex -environment-directory
25790
25791 @subsubheading Synopsis
25792
25793 @smallexample
25794 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25795 @end smallexample
25796
25797 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
25798 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
25799 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
25800 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25801 occurs as normal.
25802 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25803 multiple directories in a single command
25804 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25805 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25806 If blanks are needed as
25807 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25808 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25809 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25810 character must not be used
25811 in any directory name.
25812 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
25813
25814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25815
25816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
25817
25818 @subsubheading Example
25819
25820 @smallexample
25821 (gdb)
25822 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25823 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25824 (gdb)
25825 -environment-directory ""
25826 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25827 (gdb)
25828 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
25829 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
25830 (gdb)
25831 -environment-directory -r
25832 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
25833 (gdb)
25834 @end smallexample
25835
25836
25837 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
25838 @findex -environment-path
25839
25840 @subsubheading Synopsis
25841
25842 @smallexample
25843 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25844 @end smallexample
25845
25846 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
25847 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
25848 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
25849 supplied in addition to the
25850 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25851 occurs as normal.
25852 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25853 multiple directories in a single command
25854 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25855 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25856 If blanks are needed as
25857 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25858 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25859 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25860 character must not be used
25861 in any directory name.
25862 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
25863
25864
25865 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25866
25867 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
25868
25869 @subsubheading Example
25870
25871 @smallexample
25872 (gdb)
25873 -environment-path
25874 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
25875 (gdb)
25876 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
25877 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
25878 (gdb)
25879 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
25880 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
25881 (gdb)
25882 @end smallexample
25883
25884
25885 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
25886 @findex -environment-pwd
25887
25888 @subsubheading Synopsis
25889
25890 @smallexample
25891 -environment-pwd
25892 @end smallexample
25893
25894 Show the current working directory.
25895
25896 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25897
25898 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
25899
25900 @subsubheading Example
25901
25902 @smallexample
25903 (gdb)
25904 -environment-pwd
25905 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
25906 (gdb)
25907 @end smallexample
25908
25909 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25910 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
25911 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
25912
25913
25914 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
25915 @findex -thread-info
25916
25917 @subsubheading Synopsis
25918
25919 @smallexample
25920 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
25921 @end smallexample
25922
25923 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
25924 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
25925 threads. When printing information about all threads,
25926 also reports the current thread.
25927
25928 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25929
25930 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
25931 about all threads.
25932
25933 @subsubheading Result
25934
25935 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
25936 defined for a given thread:
25937
25938 @table @samp
25939 @item current
25940 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
25941
25942 @item id
25943 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
25944
25945 @item target-id
25946 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
25947
25948 @item details
25949 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
25950 field is optional.
25951
25952 @item name
25953 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
25954 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
25955 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
25956 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
25957 field is omitted.
25958
25959 @item frame
25960 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
25961
25962 @item state
25963 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
25964 values:
25965
25966 @table @code
25967 @item stopped
25968 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
25969 threads.
25970
25971 @item running
25972 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
25973 threads.
25974
25975 @end table
25976
25977 @item core
25978 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
25979 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
25980
25981 @end table
25982
25983 @subsubheading Example
25984
25985 @smallexample
25986 -thread-info
25987 ^done,threads=[
25988 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25989 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
25990 args=[]@},state="running"@},
25991 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25992 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
25993 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25994 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
25995 state="running"@}],
25996 current-thread-id="1"
25997 (gdb)
25998 @end smallexample
25999
26000 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26001 @findex -thread-list-ids
26002
26003 @subsubheading Synopsis
26004
26005 @smallexample
26006 -thread-list-ids
26007 @end smallexample
26008
26009 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26010 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26011
26012 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26013 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26014
26015 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26016
26017 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26018
26019 @subsubheading Example
26020
26021 @smallexample
26022 (gdb)
26023 -thread-list-ids
26024 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26025 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26026 (gdb)
26027 @end smallexample
26028
26029
26030 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26031 @findex -thread-select
26032
26033 @subsubheading Synopsis
26034
26035 @smallexample
26036 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26037 @end smallexample
26038
26039 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26040 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26041
26042 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26043 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
26044
26045 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26046
26047 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26048
26049 @subsubheading Example
26050
26051 @smallexample
26052 (gdb)
26053 -exec-next
26054 ^running
26055 (gdb)
26056 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26057 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26058 (gdb)
26059 -thread-list-ids
26060 ^done,
26061 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26062 number-of-threads="3"
26063 (gdb)
26064 -thread-select 3
26065 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
26066 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26067 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26068 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26069 (gdb)
26070 @end smallexample
26071
26072 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26073 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
26074 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26075
26076 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26077 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26078 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26079 other cases.
26080
26081 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26082 @findex -exec-continue
26083
26084 @subsubheading Synopsis
26085
26086 @smallexample
26087 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26088 @end smallexample
26089
26090 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26091 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26092 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26093 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26094 @itemize @bullet
26095 @item
26096 breakpoints or watchpoints
26097 @item
26098 signals or exceptions
26099 @item
26100 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26101 @item
26102 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26103 @end itemize
26104 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26105 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26106 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26107 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26108 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26109 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26110
26111 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26112
26113 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26114
26115 @subsubheading Example
26116
26117 @smallexample
26118 -exec-continue
26119 ^running
26120 (gdb)
26121 @@Hello world
26122 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26123 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26124 line="13"@}
26125 (gdb)
26126 @end smallexample
26127
26128
26129 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26130 @findex -exec-finish
26131
26132 @subsubheading Synopsis
26133
26134 @smallexample
26135 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26136 @end smallexample
26137
26138 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26139 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26140 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26141 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26142 function was called.
26143
26144 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26145
26146 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26147
26148 @subsubheading Example
26149
26150 Function returning @code{void}.
26151
26152 @smallexample
26153 -exec-finish
26154 ^running
26155 (gdb)
26156 @@hello from foo
26157 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26158 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26159 (gdb)
26160 @end smallexample
26161
26162 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26163 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26164 value itself.
26165
26166 @smallexample
26167 -exec-finish
26168 ^running
26169 (gdb)
26170 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26171 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26172 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26173 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26174 (gdb)
26175 @end smallexample
26176
26177
26178 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26179 @findex -exec-interrupt
26180
26181 @subsubheading Synopsis
26182
26183 @smallexample
26184 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26185 @end smallexample
26186
26187 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26188 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26189 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26190 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26191 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26192
26193 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26194 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26195 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26196 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26197
26198 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26199 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26200 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26201 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26202
26203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26204
26205 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26206
26207 @subsubheading Example
26208
26209 @smallexample
26210 (gdb)
26211 111-exec-continue
26212 111^running
26213
26214 (gdb)
26215 222-exec-interrupt
26216 222^done
26217 (gdb)
26218 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26219 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26220 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26221 (gdb)
26222
26223 (gdb)
26224 -exec-interrupt
26225 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26226 (gdb)
26227 @end smallexample
26228
26229 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26230 @findex -exec-jump
26231
26232 @subsubheading Synopsis
26233
26234 @smallexample
26235 -exec-jump @var{location}
26236 @end smallexample
26237
26238 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26239 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26240 different forms of @var{location}.
26241
26242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26243
26244 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26245
26246 @subsubheading Example
26247
26248 @smallexample
26249 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26250 *running,thread-id="all"
26251 ^running
26252 @end smallexample
26253
26254
26255 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26256 @findex -exec-next
26257
26258 @subsubheading Synopsis
26259
26260 @smallexample
26261 -exec-next [--reverse]
26262 @end smallexample
26263
26264 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26265 of the next source line is reached.
26266
26267 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26268 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26269 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26270 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26271 source line where the function was called.
26272
26273
26274 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26275
26276 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26277
26278 @subsubheading Example
26279
26280 @smallexample
26281 -exec-next
26282 ^running
26283 (gdb)
26284 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26285 (gdb)
26286 @end smallexample
26287
26288
26289 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26290 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26291
26292 @subsubheading Synopsis
26293
26294 @smallexample
26295 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26296 @end smallexample
26297
26298 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26299 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26300 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26301 printed as well.
26302
26303 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26304 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26305 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26306 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26307 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26308
26309 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26310
26311 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26312
26313 @subsubheading Example
26314
26315 @smallexample
26316 (gdb)
26317 -exec-next-instruction
26318 ^running
26319
26320 (gdb)
26321 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26322 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26323 (gdb)
26324 @end smallexample
26325
26326
26327 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26328 @findex -exec-return
26329
26330 @subsubheading Synopsis
26331
26332 @smallexample
26333 -exec-return
26334 @end smallexample
26335
26336 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26337 Displays the new current frame.
26338
26339 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26340
26341 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26342
26343 @subsubheading Example
26344
26345 @smallexample
26346 (gdb)
26347 200-break-insert callee4
26348 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26349 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26350 (gdb)
26351 000-exec-run
26352 000^running
26353 (gdb)
26354 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26355 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26356 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26357 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26358 (gdb)
26359 205-break-delete
26360 205^done
26361 (gdb)
26362 111-exec-return
26363 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26364 args=[@{name="strarg",
26365 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26366 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26367 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26368 (gdb)
26369 @end smallexample
26370
26371
26372 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26373 @findex -exec-run
26374
26375 @subsubheading Synopsis
26376
26377 @smallexample
26378 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26379 @end smallexample
26380
26381 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26382 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26383 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26384 the program has exited exceptionally.
26385
26386 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26387 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26388 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26389 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26390
26391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26392
26393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26394
26395 @subsubheading Examples
26396
26397 @smallexample
26398 (gdb)
26399 -break-insert main
26400 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26401 (gdb)
26402 -exec-run
26403 ^running
26404 (gdb)
26405 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26406 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26407 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26408 (gdb)
26409 @end smallexample
26410
26411 @noindent
26412 Program exited normally:
26413
26414 @smallexample
26415 (gdb)
26416 -exec-run
26417 ^running
26418 (gdb)
26419 x = 55
26420 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26421 (gdb)
26422 @end smallexample
26423
26424 @noindent
26425 Program exited exceptionally:
26426
26427 @smallexample
26428 (gdb)
26429 -exec-run
26430 ^running
26431 (gdb)
26432 x = 55
26433 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26434 (gdb)
26435 @end smallexample
26436
26437 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26438 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26439
26440 @smallexample
26441 (gdb)
26442 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26443 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26444 @end smallexample
26445
26446
26447 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26448
26449
26450 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26451 @findex -exec-step
26452
26453 @subsubheading Synopsis
26454
26455 @smallexample
26456 -exec-step [--reverse]
26457 @end smallexample
26458
26459 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26460 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26461 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26462 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26463 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26464 previously executed source line.
26465
26466 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26467
26468 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26469
26470 @subsubheading Example
26471
26472 Stepping into a function:
26473
26474 @smallexample
26475 -exec-step
26476 ^running
26477 (gdb)
26478 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26479 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26480 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26481 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26482 (gdb)
26483 @end smallexample
26484
26485 Regular stepping:
26486
26487 @smallexample
26488 -exec-step
26489 ^running
26490 (gdb)
26491 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26492 (gdb)
26493 @end smallexample
26494
26495
26496 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26497 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26498
26499 @subsubheading Synopsis
26500
26501 @smallexample
26502 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26503 @end smallexample
26504
26505 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26506 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26507 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26508 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26509 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26510 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26511 as well.
26512
26513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26514
26515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26516
26517 @subsubheading Example
26518
26519 @smallexample
26520 (gdb)
26521 -exec-step-instruction
26522 ^running
26523
26524 (gdb)
26525 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26526 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26527 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26528 (gdb)
26529 -exec-step-instruction
26530 ^running
26531
26532 (gdb)
26533 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26534 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26535 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26536 (gdb)
26537 @end smallexample
26538
26539
26540 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26541 @findex -exec-until
26542
26543 @subsubheading Synopsis
26544
26545 @smallexample
26546 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26547 @end smallexample
26548
26549 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26550 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26551 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26552 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26553
26554 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26555
26556 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26557
26558 @subsubheading Example
26559
26560 @smallexample
26561 (gdb)
26562 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26563 ^running
26564 (gdb)
26565 x = 55
26566 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26567 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26568 (gdb)
26569 @end smallexample
26570
26571 @ignore
26572 @subheading -file-clear
26573 Is this going away????
26574 @end ignore
26575
26576 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26577 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26578 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26579
26580
26581 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26582 @findex -stack-info-frame
26583
26584 @subsubheading Synopsis
26585
26586 @smallexample
26587 -stack-info-frame
26588 @end smallexample
26589
26590 Get info on the selected frame.
26591
26592 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26593
26594 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26595 (without arguments).
26596
26597 @subsubheading Example
26598
26599 @smallexample
26600 (gdb)
26601 -stack-info-frame
26602 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26603 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26604 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26605 (gdb)
26606 @end smallexample
26607
26608 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26609 @findex -stack-info-depth
26610
26611 @subsubheading Synopsis
26612
26613 @smallexample
26614 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26615 @end smallexample
26616
26617 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26618 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26619
26620 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26621
26622 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26623
26624 @subsubheading Example
26625
26626 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26627
26628 @smallexample
26629 (gdb)
26630 -stack-info-depth
26631 ^done,depth="12"
26632 (gdb)
26633 -stack-info-depth 4
26634 ^done,depth="4"
26635 (gdb)
26636 -stack-info-depth 12
26637 ^done,depth="12"
26638 (gdb)
26639 -stack-info-depth 11
26640 ^done,depth="11"
26641 (gdb)
26642 -stack-info-depth 13
26643 ^done,depth="12"
26644 (gdb)
26645 @end smallexample
26646
26647 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26648 @findex -stack-list-arguments
26649
26650 @subsubheading Synopsis
26651
26652 @smallexample
26653 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26654 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26655 @end smallexample
26656
26657 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26658 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26659 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26660 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26661 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26662 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26663 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26664 which case only existing frames will be returned.
26665
26666 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26667 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26668 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26669 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26670 structures and unions.
26671
26672 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26673 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26674
26675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26676
26677 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26678 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26679 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26680
26681 @subsubheading Example
26682
26683 @smallexample
26684 (gdb)
26685 -stack-list-frames
26686 ^done,
26687 stack=[
26688 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26689 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26690 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26691 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26692 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26693 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26694 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26695 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26696 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26697 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26698 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26699 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
26700 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
26701 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26702 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
26703 (gdb)
26704 -stack-list-arguments 0
26705 ^done,
26706 stack-args=[
26707 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26708 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
26709 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
26710 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
26711 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26712 (gdb)
26713 -stack-list-arguments 1
26714 ^done,
26715 stack-args=[
26716 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26717 frame=@{level="1",
26718 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26719 frame=@{level="2",args=[
26720 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26721 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26722 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
26723 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26724 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
26725 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
26726 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26727 (gdb)
26728 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
26729 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
26730 (gdb)
26731 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
26732 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
26733 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26734 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
26735 (gdb)
26736 @end smallexample
26737
26738 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
26739
26740
26741 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
26742 @findex -stack-list-frames
26743
26744 @subsubheading Synopsis
26745
26746 @smallexample
26747 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26748 @end smallexample
26749
26750 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
26751 following info:
26752
26753 @table @samp
26754 @item @var{level}
26755 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
26756 @item @var{addr}
26757 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
26758 @item @var{func}
26759 Function name.
26760 @item @var{file}
26761 File name of the source file where the function lives.
26762 @item @var{fullname}
26763 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
26764 @item @var{line}
26765 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
26766 @item @var{from}
26767 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
26768 if the frame's function is not known.
26769 @end table
26770
26771 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
26772 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
26773 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
26774 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
26775 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
26776 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
26777 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
26778
26779 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26780
26781 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
26782
26783 @subsubheading Example
26784
26785 Full stack backtrace:
26786
26787 @smallexample
26788 (gdb)
26789 -stack-list-frames
26790 ^done,stack=
26791 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
26792 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
26793 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26794 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26795 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26796 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26797 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26798 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26799 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26800 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26801 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26802 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26803 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26804 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26805 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26806 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26807 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26808 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26809 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26810 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26811 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26812 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26813 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
26814 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
26815 (gdb)
26816 @end smallexample
26817
26818 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
26819
26820 @smallexample
26821 (gdb)
26822 -stack-list-frames 3 5
26823 ^done,stack=
26824 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26825 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26826 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26827 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26828 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26829 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26830 (gdb)
26831 @end smallexample
26832
26833 Show a single frame:
26834
26835 @smallexample
26836 (gdb)
26837 -stack-list-frames 3 3
26838 ^done,stack=
26839 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26840 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26841 (gdb)
26842 @end smallexample
26843
26844
26845 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
26846 @findex -stack-list-locals
26847
26848 @subsubheading Synopsis
26849
26850 @smallexample
26851 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
26852 @end smallexample
26853
26854 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
26855 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26856 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26857 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26858 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26859 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
26860 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
26861 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
26862 more detail.
26863
26864 This command is deprecated in favor of the
26865 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26866
26867 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26868
26869 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
26870
26871 @subsubheading Example
26872
26873 @smallexample
26874 (gdb)
26875 -stack-list-locals 0
26876 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
26877 (gdb)
26878 -stack-list-locals --all-values
26879 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
26880 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
26881 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
26882 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
26883 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
26884 (gdb)
26885 @end smallexample
26886
26887 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
26888 @findex -stack-list-variables
26889
26890 @subsubheading Synopsis
26891
26892 @smallexample
26893 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
26894 @end smallexample
26895
26896 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
26897 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26898 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26899 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26900 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26901 structures and unions.
26902
26903 @subsubheading Example
26904
26905 @smallexample
26906 (gdb)
26907 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
26908 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
26909 (gdb)
26910 @end smallexample
26911
26912
26913 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
26914 @findex -stack-select-frame
26915
26916 @subsubheading Synopsis
26917
26918 @smallexample
26919 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
26920 @end smallexample
26921
26922 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
26923 the stack.
26924
26925 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
26926 option to every command.
26927
26928 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26929
26930 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
26931 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
26932
26933 @subsubheading Example
26934
26935 @smallexample
26936 (gdb)
26937 -stack-select-frame 2
26938 ^done
26939 (gdb)
26940 @end smallexample
26941
26942 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26943 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
26944 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
26945
26946 @ignore
26947
26948 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26949
26950 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
26951 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
26952 used by @code{Insight}.
26953
26954 The two main reasons for that are:
26955
26956 @enumerate 1
26957 @item
26958 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
26959
26960 @item
26961 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
26962 now).
26963 @end enumerate
26964
26965 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
26966 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
26967 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
26968 hints about their use.
26969
26970 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
26971 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
26972 least, the following operations:
26973
26974 @itemize @bullet
26975 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
26976 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
26977 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
26978 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
26979 @end itemize
26980
26981 @end ignore
26982
26983 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
26984
26985 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26986
26987 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
26988 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
26989 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
26990 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
26991 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
26992 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
26993 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
26994 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
26995 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
26996 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
26997 object, or to change display format.
26998
26999 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27000 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27001 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27002 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27003 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27004 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27005 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27006 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27007 child will be created.
27008
27009 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27010 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27011 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27012 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27013 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27014
27015 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27016 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27017 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27018 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27019 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27020 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27021 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27022 variables that frontend has created.
27023
27024 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27025 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27026 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27027 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27028 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27029 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27030 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27031 implicitly updated.
27032
27033 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27034 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27035 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27036 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27037 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27038 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27039 frame. Consider this example:
27040
27041 @smallexample
27042 void do_work(...)
27043 @{
27044 struct work_state state;
27045
27046 if (...)
27047 do_work(...);
27048 @}
27049 @end smallexample
27050
27051 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27052 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
27053 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27054 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27055 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27056
27057 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27058 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27059 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27060 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27061 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27062 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27063
27064 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27065 access this functionality:
27066
27067 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27068 @item @strong{Operation}
27069 @tab @strong{Description}
27070
27071 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27072 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27073 @item @code{-var-create}
27074 @tab create a variable object
27075 @item @code{-var-delete}
27076 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27077 @item @code{-var-set-format}
27078 @tab set the display format of this variable
27079 @item @code{-var-show-format}
27080 @tab show the display format of this variable
27081 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27082 @tab tells how many children this object has
27083 @item @code{-var-list-children}
27084 @tab return a list of the object's children
27085 @item @code{-var-info-type}
27086 @tab show the type of this variable object
27087 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
27088 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27089 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27090 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27091 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27092 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27093 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27094 @tab get the value of this variable
27095 @item @code{-var-assign}
27096 @tab set the value of this variable
27097 @item @code{-var-update}
27098 @tab update the variable and its children
27099 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27100 @tab set frozeness attribute
27101 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27102 @tab set range of children to display on update
27103 @end multitable
27104
27105 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27106 how it can be used.
27107
27108 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27109
27110 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27111 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
27112
27113 @smallexample
27114 -enable-pretty-printing
27115 @end smallexample
27116
27117 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27118 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27119 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27120 request that this functionality be enabled.
27121
27122 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27123
27124 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27125 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27126
27127 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27128 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27129
27130 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27131 @findex -var-create
27132
27133 @subsubheading Synopsis
27134
27135 @smallexample
27136 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27137 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27138 @end smallexample
27139
27140 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27141 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27142 register.
27143
27144 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27145 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27146 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27147 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27148 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27149
27150 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27151 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27152 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27153 object must be created.
27154
27155 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27156 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27157
27158 @itemize @bullet
27159 @item
27160 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27161
27162 @item
27163 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27164
27165 @item
27166 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27167 @end itemize
27168
27169 @cindex dynamic varobj
27170 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27171 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27172 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27173 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27174 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27175 compatibility for existing clients.
27176
27177 @subsubheading Result
27178
27179 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27180 are:
27181
27182 @table @samp
27183 @item name
27184 The name of the varobj.
27185
27186 @item numchild
27187 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27188 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27189 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27190
27191 @item value
27192 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27193 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27194 will not be interesting.
27195
27196 @item type
27197 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27198 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27199
27200 @item thread-id
27201 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27202 thread's identifier.
27203
27204 @item has_more
27205 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27206 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27207
27208 @item dynamic
27209 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27210 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27211 then this attribute will not be present.
27212
27213 @item displayhint
27214 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27215 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27216 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27217 @end table
27218
27219 Typical output will look like this:
27220
27221 @smallexample
27222 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27223 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27224 @end smallexample
27225
27226
27227 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27228 @findex -var-delete
27229
27230 @subsubheading Synopsis
27231
27232 @smallexample
27233 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27234 @end smallexample
27235
27236 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27237 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27238
27239 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27240
27241
27242 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27243 @findex -var-set-format
27244
27245 @subsubheading Synopsis
27246
27247 @smallexample
27248 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27249 @end smallexample
27250
27251 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27252 @var{format-spec}.
27253
27254 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27255 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27256
27257 @smallexample
27258 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27259 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27260 @end smallexample
27261
27262 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27263 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27264 for pointers, etc.).
27265
27266 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27267 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27268
27269 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27270 @findex -var-show-format
27271
27272 @subsubheading Synopsis
27273
27274 @smallexample
27275 -var-show-format @var{name}
27276 @end smallexample
27277
27278 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27279
27280 @smallexample
27281 @var{format} @expansion{}
27282 @var{format-spec}
27283 @end smallexample
27284
27285
27286 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27287 @findex -var-info-num-children
27288
27289 @subsubheading Synopsis
27290
27291 @smallexample
27292 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27293 @end smallexample
27294
27295 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27296
27297 @smallexample
27298 numchild=@var{n}
27299 @end smallexample
27300
27301 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27302 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27303 be available.
27304
27305
27306 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27307 @findex -var-list-children
27308
27309 @subsubheading Synopsis
27310
27311 @smallexample
27312 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27313 @end smallexample
27314 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27315
27316 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27317 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27318 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27319 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27320 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27321 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27322 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27323 and unions.
27324
27325 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27326 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27327 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27328 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27329 reported.
27330
27331 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27332 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27333 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27334 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27335 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27336 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27337 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27338 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27339 the visible items.
27340
27341 For each child the following results are returned:
27342
27343 @table @var
27344
27345 @item name
27346 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27347
27348 @item exp
27349 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27350 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27351
27352 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27353 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27354
27355 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27356 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27357 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27358 type and value are not present.
27359
27360 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27361 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27362 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27363
27364 @item numchild
27365 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27366 0.
27367
27368 @item type
27369 The type of the child.
27370
27371 @item value
27372 If values were requested, this is the value.
27373
27374 @item thread-id
27375 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27376 Otherwise this result is not present.
27377
27378 @item frozen
27379 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27380 @end table
27381
27382 The result may have its own attributes:
27383
27384 @table @samp
27385 @item displayhint
27386 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27387 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27388 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27389
27390 @item has_more
27391 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27392 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27393 @end table
27394
27395 @subsubheading Example
27396
27397 @smallexample
27398 (gdb)
27399 -var-list-children n
27400 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27401 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27402 (gdb)
27403 -var-list-children --all-values n
27404 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27405 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27406 @end smallexample
27407
27408
27409 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27410 @findex -var-info-type
27411
27412 @subsubheading Synopsis
27413
27414 @smallexample
27415 -var-info-type @var{name}
27416 @end smallexample
27417
27418 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27419 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27420 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27421
27422 @smallexample
27423 type=@var{typename}
27424 @end smallexample
27425
27426
27427 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27428 @findex -var-info-expression
27429
27430 @subsubheading Synopsis
27431
27432 @smallexample
27433 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27434 @end smallexample
27435
27436 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27437 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27438 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27439
27440 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27441 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27442
27443 @smallexample
27444 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27445 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27446 @end smallexample
27447
27448 @noindent
27449 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27450
27451 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27452 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27453 is of limited use.
27454
27455 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27456 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27457
27458 @subsubheading Synopsis
27459
27460 @smallexample
27461 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27462 @end smallexample
27463
27464 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27465 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27466 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27467 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27468 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27469 watchpoint from a variable object.
27470
27471 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27472 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27473
27474 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27475 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27476 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27477 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27478 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27479 @smallexample
27480 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27481 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27482 @end smallexample
27483
27484 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27485 @findex -var-show-attributes
27486
27487 @subsubheading Synopsis
27488
27489 @smallexample
27490 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27491 @end smallexample
27492
27493 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27494
27495 @smallexample
27496 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27497 @end smallexample
27498
27499 @noindent
27500 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27501
27502 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27503 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27504
27505 @subsubheading Synopsis
27506
27507 @smallexample
27508 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27509 @end smallexample
27510
27511 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27512 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27513 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27514 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27515 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27516 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27517 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27518
27519 @smallexample
27520 value=@var{value}
27521 @end smallexample
27522
27523 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27524 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27525
27526 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27527 @findex -var-assign
27528
27529 @subsubheading Synopsis
27530
27531 @smallexample
27532 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27533 @end smallexample
27534
27535 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27536 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27537 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27538 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27539
27540 @subsubheading Example
27541
27542 @smallexample
27543 (gdb)
27544 -var-assign var1 3
27545 ^done,value="3"
27546 (gdb)
27547 -var-update *
27548 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27549 (gdb)
27550 @end smallexample
27551
27552 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27553 @findex -var-update
27554
27555 @subsubheading Synopsis
27556
27557 @smallexample
27558 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27559 @end smallexample
27560
27561 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27562 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27563 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27564 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27565 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27566 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27567 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27568 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27569 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27570 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27571 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27572 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27573 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27574
27575 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27576 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27577 diagnostic.
27578
27579 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27580 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27581
27582 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27583 @samp{changelist}.
27584
27585 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27586
27587 @table @samp
27588 @item name
27589 The name of the varobj.
27590
27591 @item value
27592 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27593 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27594
27595 @item in_scope
27596 @anchor{-var-update}
27597 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27598
27599 @table @code
27600 @item "true"
27601 The variable object's current value is valid.
27602
27603 @item "false"
27604 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27605 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27606 scope.
27607
27608 @item "invalid"
27609 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27610 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27611 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27612 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27613 objects.
27614 @end table
27615
27616 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27617 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27618
27619 @item type_changed
27620 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27621 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27622 be @samp{false}.
27623
27624 @item new_type
27625 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27626 hold the new type.
27627
27628 @item new_num_children
27629 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27630 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27631
27632 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27633 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27634 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27635 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27636 children which may be available.
27637
27638 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27639 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27640 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27641 only happen at the end of the update range).
27642
27643 @item displayhint
27644 The display hint, if any.
27645
27646 @item has_more
27647 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27648 available outside the varobj's update range.
27649
27650 @item dynamic
27651 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27652 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27653 then this attribute will not be present.
27654
27655 @item new_children
27656 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27657 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27658 be listed in this attribute.
27659 @end table
27660
27661 @subsubheading Example
27662
27663 @smallexample
27664 (gdb)
27665 -var-assign var1 3
27666 ^done,value="3"
27667 (gdb)
27668 -var-update --all-values var1
27669 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27670 type_changed="false"@}]
27671 (gdb)
27672 @end smallexample
27673
27674 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27675 @findex -var-set-frozen
27676 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27677
27678 @subsubheading Synopsis
27679
27680 @smallexample
27681 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27682 @end smallexample
27683
27684 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27685 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27686 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27687 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27688 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27689 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27690 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27691 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27692 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27693 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27694 @code{-var-update} does.
27695
27696 @subsubheading Example
27697
27698 @smallexample
27699 (gdb)
27700 -var-set-frozen V 1
27701 ^done
27702 (gdb)
27703 @end smallexample
27704
27705 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
27706 @findex -var-set-update-range
27707 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
27708
27709 @subsubheading Synopsis
27710
27711 @smallexample
27712 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
27713 @end smallexample
27714
27715 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
27716 @code{-var-update}.
27717
27718 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
27719 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
27720 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
27721 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
27722
27723 @subsubheading Example
27724
27725 @smallexample
27726 (gdb)
27727 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
27728 ^done
27729 @end smallexample
27730
27731 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
27732 @findex -var-set-visualizer
27733 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
27734
27735 @subsubheading Synopsis
27736
27737 @smallexample
27738 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
27739 @end smallexample
27740
27741 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
27742
27743 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
27744 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
27745
27746 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
27747 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
27748 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
27749 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
27750 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
27751 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
27752 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
27753
27754 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
27755 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
27756 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
27757 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
27758
27759 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
27760 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
27761 can be used to check this.
27762
27763 @subsubheading Example
27764
27765 Resetting the visualizer:
27766
27767 @smallexample
27768 (gdb)
27769 -var-set-visualizer V None
27770 ^done
27771 @end smallexample
27772
27773 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
27774
27775 @smallexample
27776 (gdb)
27777 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
27778 ^done
27779 @end smallexample
27780
27781 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
27782 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
27783
27784 @smallexample
27785 (gdb)
27786 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
27787 ^done
27788 @end smallexample
27789
27790 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27791 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
27792 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
27793
27794 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
27795 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
27796 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
27797 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
27798
27799 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
27800 @c @subheading -data-assign
27801 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
27802 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
27803 @c set variable
27804 @c @subsubheading Example
27805 @c N.A.
27806
27807 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
27808 @findex -data-disassemble
27809
27810 @subsubheading Synopsis
27811
27812 @smallexample
27813 -data-disassemble
27814 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
27815 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
27816 -- @var{mode}
27817 @end smallexample
27818
27819 @noindent
27820 Where:
27821
27822 @table @samp
27823 @item @var{start-addr}
27824 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
27825 @item @var{end-addr}
27826 is the end address
27827 @item @var{filename}
27828 is the name of the file to disassemble
27829 @item @var{linenum}
27830 is the line number to disassemble around
27831 @item @var{lines}
27832 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
27833 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
27834 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
27835 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
27836 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
27837 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
27838 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
27839 are displayed.
27840 @item @var{mode}
27841 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
27842 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
27843 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
27844 @end table
27845
27846 @subsubheading Result
27847
27848 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
27849
27850 @itemize @bullet
27851 @item Address
27852 @item Func-name
27853 @item Offset
27854 @item Instruction
27855 @end itemize
27856
27857 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
27858 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
27859
27860 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27861
27862 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
27863
27864 @subsubheading Example
27865
27866 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
27867
27868 @smallexample
27869 (gdb)
27870 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
27871 ^done,
27872 asm_insns=[
27873 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27874 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27875 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27876 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27877 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
27878 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
27879 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
27880 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27881 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
27882 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
27883 (gdb)
27884 @end smallexample
27885
27886 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
27887 @code{main}.
27888
27889 @smallexample
27890 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
27891 ^done,asm_insns=[
27892 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27893 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27894 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27895 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27896 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27897 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27898 [@dots{}]
27899 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
27900 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
27901 (gdb)
27902 @end smallexample
27903
27904 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
27905
27906 @smallexample
27907 (gdb)
27908 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
27909 ^done,asm_insns=[
27910 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27911 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27912 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27913 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27914 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27915 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
27916 (gdb)
27917 @end smallexample
27918
27919 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
27920
27921 @smallexample
27922 (gdb)
27923 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
27924 ^done,asm_insns=[
27925 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
27926 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27927 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27928 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27929 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
27930 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
27931 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27932 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27933 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27934 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27935 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27936 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
27937 (gdb)
27938 @end smallexample
27939
27940
27941 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
27942 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
27943
27944 @subsubheading Synopsis
27945
27946 @smallexample
27947 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
27948 @end smallexample
27949
27950 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
27951 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
27952 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
27953
27954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27955
27956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
27957 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
27958 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
27959
27960 @subsubheading Example
27961
27962 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
27963 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
27964 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
27965 output.
27966
27967 @smallexample
27968 211-data-evaluate-expression A
27969 211^done,value="1"
27970 (gdb)
27971 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
27972 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
27973 (gdb)
27974 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
27975 411^done,value="4"
27976 (gdb)
27977 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
27978 511^done,value="4"
27979 (gdb)
27980 @end smallexample
27981
27982
27983 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
27984 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
27985
27986 @subsubheading Synopsis
27987
27988 @smallexample
27989 -data-list-changed-registers
27990 @end smallexample
27991
27992 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
27993
27994 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27995
27996 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
27997 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
27998
27999 @subsubheading Example
28000
28001 On a PPC MBX board:
28002
28003 @smallexample
28004 (gdb)
28005 -exec-continue
28006 ^running
28007
28008 (gdb)
28009 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28010 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28011 line="5"@}
28012 (gdb)
28013 -data-list-changed-registers
28014 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28015 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28016 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28017 (gdb)
28018 @end smallexample
28019
28020
28021 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28022 @findex -data-list-register-names
28023
28024 @subsubheading Synopsis
28025
28026 @smallexample
28027 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28028 @end smallexample
28029
28030 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28031 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28032 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28033 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28034 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28035 include empty register names.
28036
28037 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28038
28039 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28040 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28041 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28042
28043 @subsubheading Example
28044
28045 For the PPC MBX board:
28046 @smallexample
28047 (gdb)
28048 -data-list-register-names
28049 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28050 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28051 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28052 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28053 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28054 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28055 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28056 (gdb)
28057 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28058 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28059 (gdb)
28060 @end smallexample
28061
28062 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28063 @findex -data-list-register-values
28064
28065 @subsubheading Synopsis
28066
28067 @smallexample
28068 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28069 @end smallexample
28070
28071 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28072 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28073 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28074 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28075
28076 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28077
28078 @table @code
28079 @item x
28080 Hexadecimal
28081 @item o
28082 Octal
28083 @item t
28084 Binary
28085 @item d
28086 Decimal
28087 @item r
28088 Raw
28089 @item N
28090 Natural
28091 @end table
28092
28093 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28094
28095 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28096 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28097
28098 @subsubheading Example
28099
28100 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28101 don't appear in the actual output):
28102
28103 @smallexample
28104 (gdb)
28105 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
28106 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28107 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28108 (gdb)
28109 -data-list-register-values x
28110 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28111 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28112 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28113 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28114 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28115 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28116 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28117 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28118 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28119 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28120 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28121 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28122 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28123 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28124 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28125 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28126 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28127 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28128 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28129 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28130 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28131 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28132 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28133 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28134 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28135 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28136 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28137 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28138 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28139 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28140 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28141 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28142 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28143 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28144 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28145 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28146 (gdb)
28147 @end smallexample
28148
28149
28150 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28151 @findex -data-read-memory
28152
28153 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28154
28155 @subsubheading Synopsis
28156
28157 @smallexample
28158 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28159 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28160 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28161 @end smallexample
28162
28163 @noindent
28164 where:
28165
28166 @table @samp
28167 @item @var{address}
28168 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28169 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28170 quoted using the C convention.
28171
28172 @item @var{word-format}
28173 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28174 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28175 ,Output Formats}).
28176
28177 @item @var{word-size}
28178 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28179
28180 @item @var{nr-rows}
28181 The number of rows in the output table.
28182
28183 @item @var{nr-cols}
28184 The number of columns in the output table.
28185
28186 @item @var{aschar}
28187 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28188 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28189 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28190 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28191
28192 @item @var{byte-offset}
28193 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28194 @end table
28195
28196 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28197 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28198 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28199 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28200 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28201 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28202 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28203 @samp{addr}.
28204
28205 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28206 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28207 @samp{prev-page}.
28208
28209 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28210
28211 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28212 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28213
28214 @subsubheading Example
28215
28216 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28217 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28218 word. Display each word in hex.
28219
28220 @smallexample
28221 (gdb)
28222 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28223 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28224 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28225 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28226 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28227 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28228 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28229 (gdb)
28230 @end smallexample
28231
28232 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28233 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28234
28235 @smallexample
28236 (gdb)
28237 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28238 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28239 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28240 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28241 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28242 (gdb)
28243 @end smallexample
28244
28245 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28246 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28247 used as the non-printable character.
28248
28249 @smallexample
28250 (gdb)
28251 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28252 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28253 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28254 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28255 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28256 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28257 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28258 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28259 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28260 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28261 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28262 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28263 (gdb)
28264 @end smallexample
28265
28266 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28267 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28268
28269 @subsubheading Synopsis
28270
28271 @smallexample
28272 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28273 @var{address} @var{count}
28274 @end smallexample
28275
28276 @noindent
28277 where:
28278
28279 @table @samp
28280 @item @var{address}
28281 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28282 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28283 quoted using the C convention.
28284
28285 @item @var{count}
28286 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28287
28288 @item @var{byte-offset}
28289 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28290 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28291 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28292 perform address arithmetics itself.
28293
28294 @end table
28295
28296 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28297 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28298 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28299 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28300 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28301 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28302
28303 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28304 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28305 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28306 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28307 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28308 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28309 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28310 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28311
28312 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28313 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28314 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28315 and has the following fields:
28316
28317 @table @code
28318 @item begin
28319 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28320
28321 @item end
28322 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28323
28324 @item offset
28325 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28326 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28327
28328 @item contents
28329 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28330
28331 @end table
28332
28333
28334
28335 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28336
28337 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28338
28339 @subsubheading Example
28340
28341 @smallexample
28342 (gdb)
28343 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28344 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28345 end="0xbffff15e",
28346 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28347 (gdb)
28348 @end smallexample
28349
28350
28351 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28352 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28353
28354 @subsubheading Synopsis
28355
28356 @smallexample
28357 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28358 @end smallexample
28359
28360 @noindent
28361 where:
28362
28363 @table @samp
28364 @item @var{address}
28365 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28366 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28367 quoted using the C convention.
28368
28369 @item @var{contents}
28370 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28371
28372 @end table
28373
28374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28375
28376 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28377
28378 @subsubheading Example
28379
28380 @smallexample
28381 (gdb)
28382 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28383 ^done
28384 (gdb)
28385 @end smallexample
28386
28387
28388 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28389 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28390 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28391
28392 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28393 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28394
28395 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28396 @findex -trace-find
28397
28398 @subsubheading Synopsis
28399
28400 @smallexample
28401 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28402 @end smallexample
28403
28404 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28405 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28406 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28407
28408 @table @samp
28409
28410 @item none
28411 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28412
28413 @item frame-number
28414 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28415 that index.
28416
28417 @item tracepoint-number
28418 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28419 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28420
28421 @item pc
28422 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28423 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28424 address.
28425
28426 @item pc-inside-range
28427 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28428 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28429 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28430
28431 @item pc-outside-range
28432 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28433 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28434 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28435
28436 @item line
28437 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28438 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28439 the specified location.
28440
28441 @end table
28442
28443 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28444 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28445
28446 @table @samp
28447 @item found
28448 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28449 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28450
28451 @item traceframe
28452 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28453 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28454
28455 @item tracepoint
28456 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28457 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28458
28459 @item frame
28460 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28461 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28462 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28463
28464 @end table
28465
28466 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28467
28468 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28469
28470 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28471 @findex -trace-define-variable
28472
28473 @subsubheading Synopsis
28474
28475 @smallexample
28476 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28477 @end smallexample
28478
28479 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28480 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28481 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28482 with the @samp{$} character.
28483
28484 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28485
28486 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28487
28488 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28489 @findex -trace-list-variables
28490
28491 @subsubheading Synopsis
28492
28493 @smallexample
28494 -trace-list-variables
28495 @end smallexample
28496
28497 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28498 table has the following fields:
28499
28500 @table @samp
28501 @item name
28502 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28503
28504 @item initial
28505 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28506 field is always present.
28507
28508 @item current
28509 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28510 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28511 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28512 presently running.
28513
28514 @end table
28515
28516 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28517
28518 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28519
28520 @subsubheading Example
28521
28522 @smallexample
28523 (gdb)
28524 -trace-list-variables
28525 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28526 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28527 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28528 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28529 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28530 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28531 (gdb)
28532 @end smallexample
28533
28534 @subheading -trace-save
28535 @findex -trace-save
28536
28537 @subsubheading Synopsis
28538
28539 @smallexample
28540 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28541 @end smallexample
28542
28543 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28544 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28545 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28546 to perform the save.
28547
28548 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28549
28550 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28551
28552
28553 @subheading -trace-start
28554 @findex -trace-start
28555
28556 @subsubheading Synopsis
28557
28558 @smallexample
28559 -trace-start
28560 @end smallexample
28561
28562 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28563 have any fields.
28564
28565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28566
28567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28568
28569 @subheading -trace-status
28570 @findex -trace-status
28571
28572 @subsubheading Synopsis
28573
28574 @smallexample
28575 -trace-status
28576 @end smallexample
28577
28578 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28579 the following fields:
28580
28581 @table @samp
28582
28583 @item supported
28584 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28585 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28586 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28587 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28588 started. This field is always present.
28589
28590 @item running
28591 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28592 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28593 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28594
28595 @item stop-reason
28596 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28597 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28598 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28599 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28600 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28601 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28602 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28603 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28604 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28605
28606 @item stopping-tracepoint
28607 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28608 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28609 @samp{passcount}.
28610
28611 @item frames
28612 @itemx frames-created
28613 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28614 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28615 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28616 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28617
28618 @item buffer-size
28619 @itemx buffer-free
28620 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28621 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28622
28623 @item circular
28624 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28625 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28626 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28627 and may fill up.
28628
28629 @item disconnected
28630 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28631 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28632 that the trace run will stop.
28633
28634 @end table
28635
28636 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28637
28638 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28639
28640 @subheading -trace-stop
28641 @findex -trace-stop
28642
28643 @subsubheading Synopsis
28644
28645 @smallexample
28646 -trace-stop
28647 @end smallexample
28648
28649 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28650 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28651 @samp{running} fields are not output.
28652
28653 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28654
28655 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28656
28657
28658 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28659 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28660 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28661
28662
28663 @ignore
28664 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28665 @findex -symbol-info-address
28666
28667 @subsubheading Synopsis
28668
28669 @smallexample
28670 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28671 @end smallexample
28672
28673 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28674
28675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28676
28677 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28678
28679 @subsubheading Example
28680 N.A.
28681
28682
28683 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28684 @findex -symbol-info-file
28685
28686 @subsubheading Synopsis
28687
28688 @smallexample
28689 -symbol-info-file
28690 @end smallexample
28691
28692 Show the file for the symbol.
28693
28694 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28695
28696 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28697 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
28698
28699 @subsubheading Example
28700 N.A.
28701
28702
28703 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
28704 @findex -symbol-info-function
28705
28706 @subsubheading Synopsis
28707
28708 @smallexample
28709 -symbol-info-function
28710 @end smallexample
28711
28712 Show which function the symbol lives in.
28713
28714 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28715
28716 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
28717
28718 @subsubheading Example
28719 N.A.
28720
28721
28722 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
28723 @findex -symbol-info-line
28724
28725 @subsubheading Synopsis
28726
28727 @smallexample
28728 -symbol-info-line
28729 @end smallexample
28730
28731 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
28732
28733 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28734
28735 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
28736 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
28737
28738 @subsubheading Example
28739 N.A.
28740
28741
28742 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
28743 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
28744
28745 @subsubheading Synopsis
28746
28747 @smallexample
28748 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
28749 @end smallexample
28750
28751 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
28752
28753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28754
28755 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
28756
28757 @subsubheading Example
28758 N.A.
28759
28760
28761 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
28762 @findex -symbol-list-functions
28763
28764 @subsubheading Synopsis
28765
28766 @smallexample
28767 -symbol-list-functions
28768 @end smallexample
28769
28770 List the functions in the executable.
28771
28772 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28773
28774 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
28775 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28776
28777 @subsubheading Example
28778 N.A.
28779 @end ignore
28780
28781
28782 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
28783 @findex -symbol-list-lines
28784
28785 @subsubheading Synopsis
28786
28787 @smallexample
28788 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
28789 @end smallexample
28790
28791 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
28792 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
28793 ascending PC order.
28794
28795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28796
28797 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28798
28799 @subsubheading Example
28800 @smallexample
28801 (gdb)
28802 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
28803 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
28804 (gdb)
28805 @end smallexample
28806
28807
28808 @ignore
28809 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
28810 @findex -symbol-list-types
28811
28812 @subsubheading Synopsis
28813
28814 @smallexample
28815 -symbol-list-types
28816 @end smallexample
28817
28818 List all the type names.
28819
28820 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28821
28822 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
28823 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28824
28825 @subsubheading Example
28826 N.A.
28827
28828
28829 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
28830 @findex -symbol-list-variables
28831
28832 @subsubheading Synopsis
28833
28834 @smallexample
28835 -symbol-list-variables
28836 @end smallexample
28837
28838 List all the global and static variable names.
28839
28840 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28841
28842 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28843
28844 @subsubheading Example
28845 N.A.
28846
28847
28848 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
28849 @findex -symbol-locate
28850
28851 @subsubheading Synopsis
28852
28853 @smallexample
28854 -symbol-locate
28855 @end smallexample
28856
28857 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28858
28859 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
28860
28861 @subsubheading Example
28862 N.A.
28863
28864
28865 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
28866 @findex -symbol-type
28867
28868 @subsubheading Synopsis
28869
28870 @smallexample
28871 -symbol-type @var{variable}
28872 @end smallexample
28873
28874 Show type of @var{variable}.
28875
28876 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28877
28878 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
28879 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
28880
28881 @subsubheading Example
28882 N.A.
28883 @end ignore
28884
28885
28886 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28887 @node GDB/MI File Commands
28888 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
28889
28890 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
28891 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
28892
28893 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
28894 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
28895
28896 @subsubheading Synopsis
28897
28898 @smallexample
28899 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
28900 @end smallexample
28901
28902 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
28903 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
28904 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
28905 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
28906 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
28907 notification.
28908
28909 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28910
28911 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
28912
28913 @subsubheading Example
28914
28915 @smallexample
28916 (gdb)
28917 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28918 ^done
28919 (gdb)
28920 @end smallexample
28921
28922
28923 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
28924 @findex -file-exec-file
28925
28926 @subsubheading Synopsis
28927
28928 @smallexample
28929 -file-exec-file @var{file}
28930 @end smallexample
28931
28932 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
28933 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
28934 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
28935 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
28936 notification.
28937
28938 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28939
28940 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
28941
28942 @subsubheading Example
28943
28944 @smallexample
28945 (gdb)
28946 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28947 ^done
28948 (gdb)
28949 @end smallexample
28950
28951
28952 @ignore
28953 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
28954 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
28955
28956 @subsubheading Synopsis
28957
28958 @smallexample
28959 -file-list-exec-sections
28960 @end smallexample
28961
28962 List the sections of the current executable file.
28963
28964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28965
28966 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
28967 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
28968 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
28969
28970 @subsubheading Example
28971 N.A.
28972 @end ignore
28973
28974
28975 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
28976 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
28977
28978 @subsubheading Synopsis
28979
28980 @smallexample
28981 -file-list-exec-source-file
28982 @end smallexample
28983
28984 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
28985 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
28986 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
28987 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
28988
28989 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28990
28991 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
28992
28993 @subsubheading Example
28994
28995 @smallexample
28996 (gdb)
28997 123-file-list-exec-source-file
28998 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
28999 (gdb)
29000 @end smallexample
29001
29002
29003 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29004 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29005
29006 @subsubheading Synopsis
29007
29008 @smallexample
29009 -file-list-exec-source-files
29010 @end smallexample
29011
29012 List the source files for the current executable.
29013
29014 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29015 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29016
29017 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29018
29019 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29020 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29021
29022 @subsubheading Example
29023 @smallexample
29024 (gdb)
29025 -file-list-exec-source-files
29026 ^done,files=[
29027 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29028 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29029 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29030 (gdb)
29031 @end smallexample
29032
29033 @ignore
29034 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29035 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29036
29037 @subsubheading Synopsis
29038
29039 @smallexample
29040 -file-list-shared-libraries
29041 @end smallexample
29042
29043 List the shared libraries in the program.
29044
29045 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29046
29047 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29048
29049 @subsubheading Example
29050 N.A.
29051
29052
29053 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29054 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
29055
29056 @subsubheading Synopsis
29057
29058 @smallexample
29059 -file-list-symbol-files
29060 @end smallexample
29061
29062 List symbol files.
29063
29064 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29065
29066 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29067
29068 @subsubheading Example
29069 N.A.
29070 @end ignore
29071
29072
29073 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29074 @findex -file-symbol-file
29075
29076 @subsubheading Synopsis
29077
29078 @smallexample
29079 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29080 @end smallexample
29081
29082 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29083 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29084 produced, except for a completion notification.
29085
29086 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29087
29088 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29089
29090 @subsubheading Example
29091
29092 @smallexample
29093 (gdb)
29094 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29095 ^done
29096 (gdb)
29097 @end smallexample
29098
29099 @ignore
29100 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29101 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29102 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29103
29104 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29105
29106 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
29107
29108 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29109
29110 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29111
29112 @c @subheading -overlay-map
29113
29114 @c @subheading -overlay-off
29115
29116 @c @subheading -overlay-on
29117
29118 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29119
29120 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29121 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29122 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29123
29124 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29125
29126 @c @subheading -signal-handle
29127
29128 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29129
29130 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29131 @end ignore
29132
29133
29134 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29135 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29136 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29137
29138
29139 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29140 @findex -target-attach
29141
29142 @subsubheading Synopsis
29143
29144 @smallexample
29145 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29146 @end smallexample
29147
29148 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29149 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29150 group, the id previously returned by
29151 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29152
29153 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29154
29155 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29156
29157 @subsubheading Example
29158 @smallexample
29159 (gdb)
29160 -target-attach 34
29161 =thread-created,id="1"
29162 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29163 ^done
29164 (gdb)
29165 @end smallexample
29166
29167 @ignore
29168 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29169 @findex -target-compare-sections
29170
29171 @subsubheading Synopsis
29172
29173 @smallexample
29174 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29175 @end smallexample
29176
29177 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29178 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29179
29180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29181
29182 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29183
29184 @subsubheading Example
29185 N.A.
29186 @end ignore
29187
29188
29189 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29190 @findex -target-detach
29191
29192 @subsubheading Synopsis
29193
29194 @smallexample
29195 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29196 @end smallexample
29197
29198 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29199 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29200 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29201
29202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29203
29204 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29205
29206 @subsubheading Example
29207
29208 @smallexample
29209 (gdb)
29210 -target-detach
29211 ^done
29212 (gdb)
29213 @end smallexample
29214
29215
29216 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29217 @findex -target-disconnect
29218
29219 @subsubheading Synopsis
29220
29221 @smallexample
29222 -target-disconnect
29223 @end smallexample
29224
29225 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29226 generally not resumed.
29227
29228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29229
29230 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29231
29232 @subsubheading Example
29233
29234 @smallexample
29235 (gdb)
29236 -target-disconnect
29237 ^done
29238 (gdb)
29239 @end smallexample
29240
29241
29242 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29243 @findex -target-download
29244
29245 @subsubheading Synopsis
29246
29247 @smallexample
29248 -target-download
29249 @end smallexample
29250
29251 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29252 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29253
29254 @table @samp
29255 @item section
29256 The name of the section.
29257 @item section-sent
29258 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29259 @item section-size
29260 The size of the section.
29261 @item total-sent
29262 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29263 @item total-size
29264 The size of the overall executable to download.
29265 @end table
29266
29267 @noindent
29268 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29269 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29270
29271 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29272 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29273
29274 @table @samp
29275 @item section
29276 The name of the section.
29277 @item section-size
29278 The size of the section.
29279 @item total-size
29280 The size of the overall executable to download.
29281 @end table
29282
29283 @noindent
29284 At the end, a summary is printed.
29285
29286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29287
29288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29289
29290 @subsubheading Example
29291
29292 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29293 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29294
29295 @smallexample
29296 (gdb)
29297 -target-download
29298 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29299 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29300 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29301 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29302 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29303 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29304 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29305 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29306 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29307 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29308 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29309 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29310 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29311 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29312 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29313 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29314 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29315 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29316 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29317 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29318 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29319 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29320 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29321 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29322 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29323 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29324 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29325 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29326 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29327 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29328 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29329 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29330 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29331 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29332 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29333 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29334 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29335 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29336 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29337 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29338 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29339 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29340 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29341 write-rate="429"
29342 (gdb)
29343 @end smallexample
29344
29345
29346 @ignore
29347 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29348 @findex -target-exec-status
29349
29350 @subsubheading Synopsis
29351
29352 @smallexample
29353 -target-exec-status
29354 @end smallexample
29355
29356 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29357 not, for instance).
29358
29359 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29360
29361 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29362
29363 @subsubheading Example
29364 N.A.
29365
29366
29367 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29368 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29369
29370 @subsubheading Synopsis
29371
29372 @smallexample
29373 -target-list-available-targets
29374 @end smallexample
29375
29376 List the possible targets to connect to.
29377
29378 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29379
29380 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29381
29382 @subsubheading Example
29383 N.A.
29384
29385
29386 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29387 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29388
29389 @subsubheading Synopsis
29390
29391 @smallexample
29392 -target-list-current-targets
29393 @end smallexample
29394
29395 Describe the current target.
29396
29397 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29398
29399 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29400 other things).
29401
29402 @subsubheading Example
29403 N.A.
29404
29405
29406 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29407 @findex -target-list-parameters
29408
29409 @subsubheading Synopsis
29410
29411 @smallexample
29412 -target-list-parameters
29413 @end smallexample
29414
29415 @c ????
29416 @end ignore
29417
29418 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29419
29420 No equivalent.
29421
29422 @subsubheading Example
29423 N.A.
29424
29425
29426 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29427 @findex -target-select
29428
29429 @subsubheading Synopsis
29430
29431 @smallexample
29432 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29433 @end smallexample
29434
29435 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29436
29437 @table @samp
29438 @item @var{type}
29439 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29440 @item @var{parameters}
29441 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29442 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29443 @end table
29444
29445 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29446 which the target program is, in the following form:
29447
29448 @smallexample
29449 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29450 args=[@var{arg list}]
29451 @end smallexample
29452
29453 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29454
29455 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29456
29457 @subsubheading Example
29458
29459 @smallexample
29460 (gdb)
29461 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29462 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29463 (gdb)
29464 @end smallexample
29465
29466 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29467 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29468 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29469
29470
29471 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29472 @findex -target-file-put
29473
29474 @subsubheading Synopsis
29475
29476 @smallexample
29477 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29478 @end smallexample
29479
29480 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29481 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29482
29483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29484
29485 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29486
29487 @subsubheading Example
29488
29489 @smallexample
29490 (gdb)
29491 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29492 ^done
29493 (gdb)
29494 @end smallexample
29495
29496
29497 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29498 @findex -target-file-get
29499
29500 @subsubheading Synopsis
29501
29502 @smallexample
29503 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29504 @end smallexample
29505
29506 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29507 on the host system.
29508
29509 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29510
29511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29512
29513 @subsubheading Example
29514
29515 @smallexample
29516 (gdb)
29517 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29518 ^done
29519 (gdb)
29520 @end smallexample
29521
29522
29523 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29524 @findex -target-file-delete
29525
29526 @subsubheading Synopsis
29527
29528 @smallexample
29529 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29530 @end smallexample
29531
29532 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29533
29534 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29535
29536 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29537
29538 @subsubheading Example
29539
29540 @smallexample
29541 (gdb)
29542 -target-file-delete remotefile
29543 ^done
29544 (gdb)
29545 @end smallexample
29546
29547
29548 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29549 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29550 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29551
29552 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29553
29554 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29555 @findex -gdb-exit
29556
29557 @subsubheading Synopsis
29558
29559 @smallexample
29560 -gdb-exit
29561 @end smallexample
29562
29563 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29564
29565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29566
29567 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29568
29569 @subsubheading Example
29570
29571 @smallexample
29572 (gdb)
29573 -gdb-exit
29574 ^exit
29575 @end smallexample
29576
29577
29578 @ignore
29579 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29580 @findex -exec-abort
29581
29582 @subsubheading Synopsis
29583
29584 @smallexample
29585 -exec-abort
29586 @end smallexample
29587
29588 Kill the inferior running program.
29589
29590 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29591
29592 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29593
29594 @subsubheading Example
29595 N.A.
29596 @end ignore
29597
29598
29599 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29600 @findex -gdb-set
29601
29602 @subsubheading Synopsis
29603
29604 @smallexample
29605 -gdb-set
29606 @end smallexample
29607
29608 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29609 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29610
29611 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29612
29613 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29614
29615 @subsubheading Example
29616
29617 @smallexample
29618 (gdb)
29619 -gdb-set $foo=3
29620 ^done
29621 (gdb)
29622 @end smallexample
29623
29624
29625 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29626 @findex -gdb-show
29627
29628 @subsubheading Synopsis
29629
29630 @smallexample
29631 -gdb-show
29632 @end smallexample
29633
29634 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29635
29636 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29637
29638 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29639
29640 @subsubheading Example
29641
29642 @smallexample
29643 (gdb)
29644 -gdb-show annotate
29645 ^done,value="0"
29646 (gdb)
29647 @end smallexample
29648
29649 @c @subheading -gdb-source
29650
29651
29652 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29653 @findex -gdb-version
29654
29655 @subsubheading Synopsis
29656
29657 @smallexample
29658 -gdb-version
29659 @end smallexample
29660
29661 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29662
29663 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29664
29665 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29666 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29667
29668 @subsubheading Example
29669
29670 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29671 @c box in TeX.
29672 @smallexample
29673 (gdb)
29674 -gdb-version
29675 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
29676 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29677 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29678 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29679 ~ certain conditions.
29680 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29681 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29682 ~ details.
29683 ~This GDB was configured as
29684 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29685 ^done
29686 (gdb)
29687 @end smallexample
29688
29689 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29690 @findex -list-features
29691
29692 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29693 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29694 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29695 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29696 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29697 startup.
29698
29699 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
29700 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
29701 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
29702 is given below.
29703
29704 Example output:
29705
29706 @smallexample
29707 (gdb) -list-features
29708 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
29709 @end smallexample
29710
29711 The current list of features is:
29712
29713 @table @samp
29714 @item frozen-varobjs
29715 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
29716 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
29717 of @code{-varobj-create}.
29718 @item pending-breakpoints
29719 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
29720 @item python
29721 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
29722 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
29723 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
29724 @item thread-info
29725 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
29726 @item data-read-memory-bytes
29727 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
29728 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
29729
29730 @end table
29731
29732 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
29733 @findex -list-target-features
29734
29735 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
29736 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
29737 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
29738 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
29739 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
29740 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
29741 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
29742 Example output:
29743
29744 @smallexample
29745 (gdb) -list-features
29746 ^done,result=["async"]
29747 @end smallexample
29748
29749 The current list of features is:
29750
29751 @table @samp
29752 @item async
29753 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
29754 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
29755 while the target is running.
29756
29757 @item reverse
29758 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
29759 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29760
29761 @end table
29762
29763 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
29764 @findex -list-thread-groups
29765
29766 @subheading Synopsis
29767
29768 @smallexample
29769 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
29770 @end smallexample
29771
29772 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
29773 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
29774 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
29775 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
29776 top-level thread groups.
29777
29778 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
29779 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
29780 available on the target.
29781
29782 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
29783 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
29784 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
29785 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
29786 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
29787 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
29788 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
29789 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
29790
29791 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
29792 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
29793 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
29794 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
29795 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
29796 @samp{threads} field.
29797
29798 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
29799 the following caveats:
29800
29801 @itemize @bullet
29802 @item
29803 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
29804 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
29805 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
29806
29807 @item
29808 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
29809 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
29810 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
29811 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
29812 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
29813 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
29814
29815 @end itemize
29816
29817 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
29818 have the following fields:
29819
29820 @table @code
29821 @item id
29822 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
29823 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
29824 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
29825
29826 @item type
29827 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
29828 valid type.
29829
29830 @item pid
29831 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
29832 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
29833
29834 @item num_children
29835 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
29836 absent for an available thread group.
29837
29838 @item threads
29839 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
29840 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
29841 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
29842
29843 @item cores
29844 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
29845 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
29846 such information is not available.
29847
29848 @item executable
29849 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
29850 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
29851 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
29852
29853 @end table
29854
29855 @subheading Example
29856
29857 @smallexample
29858 @value{GDBP}
29859 -list-thread-groups
29860 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
29861 -list-thread-groups 17
29862 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29863 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
29864 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29865 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29866 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
29867 -list-thread-groups --available
29868 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
29869 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
29870 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29871 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29872 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
29873 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
29874 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29875 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29876 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
29877 @end smallexample
29878
29879
29880 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
29881 @findex -add-inferior
29882
29883 @subheading Synopsis
29884
29885 @smallexample
29886 -add-inferior
29887 @end smallexample
29888
29889 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
29890 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
29891 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
29892 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
29893 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
29894 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
29895
29896 @subheading Example
29897
29898 @smallexample
29899 @value{GDBP}
29900 -add-inferior
29901 ^done,thread-group="i3"
29902 @end smallexample
29903
29904 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
29905 @findex -interpreter-exec
29906
29907 @subheading Synopsis
29908
29909 @smallexample
29910 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
29911 @end smallexample
29912 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
29913
29914 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
29915
29916 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29917
29918 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
29919
29920 @subheading Example
29921
29922 @smallexample
29923 (gdb)
29924 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
29925 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
29926 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
29927 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
29928 ^done
29929 (gdb)
29930 @end smallexample
29931
29932 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
29933 @findex -inferior-tty-set
29934
29935 @subheading Synopsis
29936
29937 @smallexample
29938 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29939 @end smallexample
29940
29941 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
29942
29943 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29944
29945 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
29946
29947 @subheading Example
29948
29949 @smallexample
29950 (gdb)
29951 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29952 ^done
29953 (gdb)
29954 @end smallexample
29955
29956 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
29957 @findex -inferior-tty-show
29958
29959 @subheading Synopsis
29960
29961 @smallexample
29962 -inferior-tty-show
29963 @end smallexample
29964
29965 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
29966
29967 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29968
29969 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
29970
29971 @subheading Example
29972
29973 @smallexample
29974 (gdb)
29975 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29976 ^done
29977 (gdb)
29978 -inferior-tty-show
29979 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
29980 (gdb)
29981 @end smallexample
29982
29983 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
29984 @findex -enable-timings
29985
29986 @subheading Synopsis
29987
29988 @smallexample
29989 -enable-timings [yes | no]
29990 @end smallexample
29991
29992 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
29993 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
29994 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
29995 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
29996
29997 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29998
29999 No equivalent.
30000
30001 @subheading Example
30002
30003 @smallexample
30004 (gdb)
30005 -enable-timings
30006 ^done
30007 (gdb)
30008 -break-insert main
30009 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30010 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30011 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30012 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30013 (gdb)
30014 -enable-timings no
30015 ^done
30016 (gdb)
30017 -exec-run
30018 ^running
30019 (gdb)
30020 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30021 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30022 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30023 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30024 (gdb)
30025 @end smallexample
30026
30027 @node Annotations
30028 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30029
30030 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30031 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30032 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30033 relatively high level.
30034
30035 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30036 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30037
30038 @ignore
30039 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30040 @end ignore
30041
30042 @menu
30043 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30044 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30045 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30046 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30047 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30048 * Annotations for Running::
30049 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30050 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30051 @end menu
30052
30053 @node Annotations Overview
30054 @section What is an Annotation?
30055 @cindex annotations
30056
30057 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30058 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30059 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30060 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30061 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30062 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30063 cannot contain newline characters.
30064
30065 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30066 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30067 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30068 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30069 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30070 means those three characters as output.
30071
30072 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30073 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30074 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30075 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30076 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30077 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30078 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30079 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30080 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30081
30082 @table @code
30083 @kindex set annotate
30084 @item set annotate @var{level}
30085 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30086 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30087
30088 @item show annotate
30089 @kindex show annotate
30090 Show the current annotation level.
30091 @end table
30092
30093 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30094
30095 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30096
30097 @smallexample
30098 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30099 GNU gdb 6.0
30100 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30101 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30102 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30103 under certain conditions.
30104 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30105 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30106 for details.
30107 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30108
30109 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30110 (@value{GDBP})
30111 ^Z^Zprompt
30112 @kbd{quit}
30113
30114 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30115 $
30116 @end smallexample
30117
30118 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30119 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30120 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30121 output from @value{GDBN}.
30122
30123 @node Server Prefix
30124 @section The Server Prefix
30125 @cindex server prefix
30126
30127 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30128 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30129 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30130 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30131 a transparent manner.
30132
30133 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30134 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30135 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30136 @code{print} command.
30137
30138 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30139 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30140
30141 @node Prompting
30142 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30143
30144 @cindex annotations for prompts
30145 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30146 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30147 over, etc.
30148
30149 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30150 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30151 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30152 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30153 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30154 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30155 features the following annotations:
30156
30157 @smallexample
30158 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30159 ^Z^Zprompt
30160 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30161 @end smallexample
30162
30163 The input types are
30164
30165 @table @code
30166 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30167 @findex prompt annotation
30168 @findex post-prompt annotation
30169 @item prompt
30170 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30171
30172 @findex pre-commands annotation
30173 @findex commands annotation
30174 @findex post-commands annotation
30175 @item commands
30176 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30177 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30178
30179 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30180 @findex overload-choice annotation
30181 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30182 @item overload-choice
30183 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30184
30185 @findex pre-query annotation
30186 @findex query annotation
30187 @findex post-query annotation
30188 @item query
30189 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30190
30191 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30192 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30193 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30194 @item prompt-for-continue
30195 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30196 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30197 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30198 presence of annotations.
30199 @end table
30200
30201 @node Errors
30202 @section Errors
30203 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30204
30205 @findex quit annotation
30206 @smallexample
30207 ^Z^Zquit
30208 @end smallexample
30209
30210 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30211
30212 @findex error annotation
30213 @smallexample
30214 ^Z^Zerror
30215 @end smallexample
30216
30217 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30218
30219 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30220 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30221 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30222 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30223 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30224 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30225 to the top level.
30226
30227 @findex error-begin annotation
30228 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30229
30230 @smallexample
30231 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30232 @end smallexample
30233
30234 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30235 message.
30236
30237 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30238 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30239 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30240
30241 @node Invalidation
30242 @section Invalidation Notices
30243
30244 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30245 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30246 changed.
30247
30248 @table @code
30249 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30250 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30251
30252 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30253 have changed.
30254
30255 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30256 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30257
30258 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30259 deleted a breakpoint.
30260 @end table
30261
30262 @node Annotations for Running
30263 @section Running the Program
30264 @cindex annotations for running programs
30265
30266 @findex starting annotation
30267 @findex stopping annotation
30268 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30269 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30270
30271 @smallexample
30272 ^Z^Zstarting
30273 @end smallexample
30274
30275 is output. When the program stops,
30276
30277 @smallexample
30278 ^Z^Zstopped
30279 @end smallexample
30280
30281 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30282 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30283
30284 @table @code
30285 @findex exited annotation
30286 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30287 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30288 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30289
30290 @findex signalled annotation
30291 @findex signal-name annotation
30292 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30293 @findex signal-string annotation
30294 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30295 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30296 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30297 annotation continues:
30298
30299 @smallexample
30300 @var{intro-text}
30301 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30302 @var{name}
30303 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30304 @var{middle-text}
30305 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30306 @var{string}
30307 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30308 @var{end-text}
30309 @end smallexample
30310
30311 @noindent
30312 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30313 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30314 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30315 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30316 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30317
30318 @findex signal annotation
30319 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30320 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30321 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30322 terminated with it.
30323
30324 @findex breakpoint annotation
30325 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30326 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30327
30328 @findex watchpoint annotation
30329 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30330 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30331 @end table
30332
30333 @node Source Annotations
30334 @section Displaying Source
30335 @cindex annotations for source display
30336
30337 @findex source annotation
30338 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30339
30340 @smallexample
30341 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30342 @end smallexample
30343
30344 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30345 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30346 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30347 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30348 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30349 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30350 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30351 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30352 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30353 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30354 depend on the language).
30355
30356 @node JIT Interface
30357 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30358 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30359 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30360
30361 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30362 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30363 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30364 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30365
30366 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30367 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30368 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30369 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30370 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30371 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30372
30373 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30374 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30375 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30376 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30377 LLVM JIT.
30378
30379 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30380 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30381 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30382 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30383 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30384 out about additional code.
30385
30386 @menu
30387 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30388 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30389 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30390 @end menu
30391
30392 @node Declarations
30393 @section JIT Declarations
30394
30395 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30396 implement the interface:
30397
30398 @smallexample
30399 typedef enum
30400 @{
30401 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30402 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30403 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30404 @} jit_actions_t;
30405
30406 struct jit_code_entry
30407 @{
30408 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30409 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30410 const char *symfile_addr;
30411 uint64_t symfile_size;
30412 @};
30413
30414 struct jit_descriptor
30415 @{
30416 uint32_t version;
30417 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30418 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30419 uint32_t action_flag;
30420 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30421 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30422 @};
30423
30424 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30425 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30426
30427 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30428 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30429 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30430 @end smallexample
30431
30432 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30433 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30434 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30435
30436 @node Registering Code
30437 @section Registering Code
30438
30439 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30440
30441 @itemize @bullet
30442 @item
30443 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30444 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30445
30446 @item
30447 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30448 file.
30449
30450 @item
30451 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30452
30453 @item
30454 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30455
30456 @item
30457 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30458 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30459 @end itemize
30460
30461 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30462 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30463 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30464 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30465
30466 @node Unregistering Code
30467 @section Unregistering Code
30468
30469 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30470
30471 @itemize @bullet
30472 @item
30473 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30474
30475 @item
30476 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30477
30478 @item
30479 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30480 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30481 @end itemize
30482
30483 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30484 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30485
30486 @node GDB Bugs
30487 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30488 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30489 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30490
30491 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30492
30493 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30494 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30495 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30496 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30497
30498 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30499 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30500
30501 @menu
30502 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30503 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30504 @end menu
30505
30506 @node Bug Criteria
30507 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30508 @cindex bug criteria
30509
30510 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30511
30512 @itemize @bullet
30513 @cindex fatal signal
30514 @cindex debugger crash
30515 @cindex crash of debugger
30516 @item
30517 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30518 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30519
30520 @cindex error on valid input
30521 @item
30522 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30523 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30524 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30525
30526 @cindex invalid input
30527 @item
30528 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30529 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30530 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30531 for traditional practice''.
30532
30533 @item
30534 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30535 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30536 @end itemize
30537
30538 @node Bug Reporting
30539 @section How to Report Bugs
30540 @cindex bug reports
30541 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30542
30543 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30544 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30545 contact that organization first.
30546
30547 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30548 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30549 distribution.
30550 @c should add a web page ref...
30551
30552 @ifset BUGURL
30553 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30554 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30555 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30556 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30557 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30558 be used.
30559
30560 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30561 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30562 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30563 @samp{bug-gdb}.
30564
30565 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30566 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30567 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30568 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30569 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30570 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30571 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30572 bug reports to the mailing list.
30573 @end ifset
30574 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30575 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30576 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30577 @end ifclear
30578 @end ifset
30579
30580 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30581 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30582 fact or leave it out, state it!
30583
30584 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30585 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30586 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30587 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30588 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30589 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30590 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30591 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30592 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30593
30594 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30595 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30596 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30597 self-contained.
30598
30599 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30600 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30601 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30602 bugs properly.
30603
30604 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30605
30606 @itemize @bullet
30607 @item
30608 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30609 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30610 version}.
30611
30612 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30613 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30614
30615 @item
30616 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30617 version number.
30618
30619 @item
30620 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30621 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30622
30623 @item
30624 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30625 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30626 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30627 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30628 those compilers.
30629
30630 @item
30631 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30632 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30633 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30634 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30635
30636 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30637 and then we might not encounter the bug.
30638
30639 @item
30640 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30641 reproduce the bug.
30642
30643 @item
30644 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30645 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30646
30647 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30648 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30649 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30650 a chance to make a mistake.
30651
30652 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30653 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30654 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30655 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30656 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30657 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30658 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30659 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30660
30661 @pindex script
30662 @cindex recording a session script
30663 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30664 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30665 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30666 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30667
30668 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30669 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30670
30671 @item
30672 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30673 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30674 it by context, not by line number.
30675
30676 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30677 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30678
30679 @end itemize
30680
30681 Here are some things that are not necessary:
30682
30683 @itemize @bullet
30684 @item
30685 A description of the envelope of the bug.
30686
30687 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30688 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30689 changes will not affect it.
30690
30691 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30692 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30693 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30694 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30695
30696 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30697 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30698 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
30699 less time, and so on.
30700
30701 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
30702 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
30703
30704 @item
30705 A patch for the bug.
30706
30707 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
30708 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
30709 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
30710 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
30711
30712 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
30713 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
30714 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
30715 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
30716
30717 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
30718 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
30719 help us to understand.
30720
30721 @item
30722 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
30723
30724 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
30725 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
30726 @end itemize
30727
30728 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
30729 @c and consists of the two following files:
30730 @c rluser.texinfo
30731 @c inc-hist.texinfo
30732 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
30733 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
30734 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
30735 @include rluser.texi
30736 @include inc-hist.texinfo
30737 @end ifclear
30738
30739
30740 @node Formatting Documentation
30741 @appendix Formatting Documentation
30742
30743 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
30744 @cindex reference card
30745 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
30746 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
30747 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
30748 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
30749 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
30750 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
30751
30752 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
30753 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
30754
30755 @smallexample
30756 make refcard.dvi
30757 @end smallexample
30758
30759 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
30760 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
30761 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
30762 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
30763 your @sc{dvi} output program.
30764
30765 @cindex documentation
30766
30767 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
30768 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
30769 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
30770 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
30771 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
30772 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
30773
30774 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
30775 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
30776 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
30777 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
30778 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
30779 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
30780 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
30781 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
30782
30783 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
30784 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
30785 @code{makeinfo}.
30786
30787 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
30788 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
30789 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
30790
30791 @smallexample
30792 cd gdb
30793 make gdb.info
30794 @end smallexample
30795
30796 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
30797 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
30798 Texinfo definitions file.
30799
30800 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
30801 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
30802 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
30803 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
30804 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
30805 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
30806 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
30807
30808 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
30809 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
30810 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
30811 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
30812 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
30813 directory.
30814
30815 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
30816 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
30817 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
30818 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
30819
30820 @smallexample
30821 make gdb.dvi
30822 @end smallexample
30823
30824 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
30825
30826 @node Installing GDB
30827 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
30828 @cindex installation
30829
30830 @menu
30831 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
30832 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
30833 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
30834 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
30835 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
30836 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
30837 @end menu
30838
30839 @node Requirements
30840 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
30841 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
30842
30843 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
30844 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
30845
30846 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
30847 @table @asis
30848 @item ISO C90 compiler
30849 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
30850 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
30851
30852 @end table
30853
30854 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
30855 @table @asis
30856 @item Expat
30857 @anchor{Expat}
30858 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
30859 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
30860 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
30861 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
30862 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
30863 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
30864
30865 Expat is used for:
30866
30867 @itemize @bullet
30868 @item
30869 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
30870 @item
30871 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
30872 @item
30873 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
30874 @item
30875 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
30876 @item
30877 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
30878 @end itemize
30879
30880 @item zlib
30881 @cindex compressed debug sections
30882 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
30883 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
30884 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
30885 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
30886 information in such binaries.
30887
30888 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
30889 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
30890 @url{http://zlib.net}.
30891
30892 @item iconv
30893 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
30894 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
30895 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
30896 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
30897
30898 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
30899 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
30900 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
30901
30902 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
30903 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
30904 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
30905 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
30906 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
30907 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
30908 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
30909 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
30910 @end table
30911
30912 @node Running Configure
30913 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
30914 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
30915 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
30916 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
30917 build the @code{gdb} program.
30918 @iftex
30919 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
30920 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
30921 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
30922 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
30923 @end iftex
30924
30925 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
30926 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
30927 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
30928
30929 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
30930 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
30931
30932 @table @code
30933 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
30934 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
30935
30936 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
30937 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
30938
30939 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
30940 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
30941
30942 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
30943 @sc{gnu} include files
30944
30945 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
30946 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
30947
30948 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
30949 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
30950
30951 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
30952 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
30953
30954 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
30955 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
30956
30957 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
30958 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
30959 @end table
30960
30961 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
30962 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
30963 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
30964
30965 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
30966 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
30967 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
30968 argument.
30969
30970 For example:
30971
30972 @smallexample
30973 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30974 ./configure @var{host}
30975 make
30976 @end smallexample
30977
30978 @noindent
30979 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
30980 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
30981 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
30982 correct value by examining your system.)
30983
30984 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
30985 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
30986 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
30987 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
30988
30989 @need 750
30990 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
30991 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
30992 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
30993
30994 @smallexample
30995 sh configure @var{host}
30996 @end smallexample
30997
30998 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
30999 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31000 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31001 @file{configure}
31002 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31003 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31004
31005 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31006 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31007 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31008 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31009 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31010 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31011 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31012 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31013 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31014
31015 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31016 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31017 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31018 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31019 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31020
31021 @node Separate Objdir
31022 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31023
31024 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31025 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31026 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31027 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31028 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31029 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31030 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31031 program specified there.
31032
31033 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31034 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31035 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31036 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31037 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31038 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31039
31040 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31041 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31042
31043 @smallexample
31044 @group
31045 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31046 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31047 cd ../gdb-sun4
31048 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31049 make
31050 @end group
31051 @end smallexample
31052
31053 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31054 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31055 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31056 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31057 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31058 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31059
31060 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31061 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31062 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31063 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31064 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31065
31066 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31067 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31068 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31069 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31070 You specify a cross-debugging target by
31071 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31072
31073 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31074 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31075 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31076
31077 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31078 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31079 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31080 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31081 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31082
31083 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31084 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31085 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31086 with each other.
31087
31088 @node Config Names
31089 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31090
31091 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31092 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31093 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31094 of information in the following pattern:
31095
31096 @smallexample
31097 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31098 @end smallexample
31099
31100 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31101 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31102 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31103
31104 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31105 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31106 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31107 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31108 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31109 abbreviations---for example:
31110
31111 @smallexample
31112 % sh config.sub i386-linux
31113 i386-pc-linux-gnu
31114 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
31115 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31116 % sh config.sub hp9k700
31117 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31118 % sh config.sub sun4
31119 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31120 % sh config.sub sun3
31121 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31122 % sh config.sub i986v
31123 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31124 @end smallexample
31125
31126 @noindent
31127 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31128 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31129
31130 @node Configure Options
31131 @section @file{configure} Options
31132
31133 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31134 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31135 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31136 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31137
31138 @smallexample
31139 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31140 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31141 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31142 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31143 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31144 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31145 @var{host}
31146 @end smallexample
31147
31148 @noindent
31149 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31150 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31151 @samp{--}.
31152
31153 @table @code
31154 @item --help
31155 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31156
31157 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
31158 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31159 @file{@var{dir}}.
31160
31161 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31162 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31163 @file{@var{dir}}.
31164
31165 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31166 @need 2000
31167 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31168 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31169 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31170 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31171 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31172 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31173 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31174 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31175 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31176 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31177 @var{dirname}.
31178
31179 @item --norecursion
31180 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31181 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31182
31183 @item --target=@var{target}
31184 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31185 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31186 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31187
31188 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31189
31190 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31191 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31192
31193 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31194 @end table
31195
31196 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31197 needed for special purposes only.
31198
31199 @node System-wide configuration
31200 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31201 @cindex system-wide init file
31202
31203 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31204 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31205 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31206
31207 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31208
31209 @table @code
31210 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31211 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31212 @var{file}.
31213 @end table
31214
31215 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31216 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31217
31218 @itemize @bullet
31219 @item
31220 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31221 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31222 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31223 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31224 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31225 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31226
31227 @item
31228 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31229 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31230 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31231 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31232 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31233 @end itemize
31234
31235 @node Maintenance Commands
31236 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31237 @cindex maintenance commands
31238 @cindex internal commands
31239
31240 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31241 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31242 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31243 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31244 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31245
31246 @table @code
31247 @kindex maint agent
31248 @kindex maint agent-eval
31249 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31250 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31251 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31252 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31253 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31254 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31255 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31256 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31257 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31258 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31259 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31260 addition and return the sum.
31261
31262 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31263 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31264 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31265 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31266 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31267 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31268 is shown:
31269
31270 @table @code
31271 @item breakpoint
31272 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31273
31274 @item watchpoint
31275 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31276
31277 @item longjmp
31278 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31279 @code{longjmp} calls.
31280
31281 @item longjmp resume
31282 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31283
31284 @item until
31285 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31286
31287 @item finish
31288 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31289
31290 @item shlib events
31291 Shared library events.
31292
31293 @end table
31294
31295 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31296 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31297 @cindex displaced stepping support
31298 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31299 @item set displaced-stepping
31300 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31301 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31302 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31303 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31304 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31305 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31306
31307 @table @code
31308 @item set displaced-stepping on
31309 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31310 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31311
31312 @item set displaced-stepping off
31313 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31314 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31315
31316 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31317 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31318 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31319 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31320 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31321 @end table
31322
31323 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31324 @item maint check-symtabs
31325 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31326
31327 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31328 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31329 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31330
31331 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31332 @item maint cplus namespace
31333 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31334
31335 @kindex maint demangle
31336 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31337 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31338
31339 @kindex maint deprecate
31340 @kindex maint undeprecate
31341 @cindex deprecated commands
31342 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31343 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31344 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31345 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31346 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31347 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31348 the replacement as part of the warning.
31349
31350 @kindex maint dump-me
31351 @item maint dump-me
31352 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31353 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31354 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31355 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31356
31357 @kindex maint internal-error
31358 @kindex maint internal-warning
31359 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31360 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31361 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31362 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31363 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31364 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31365 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31366 @value{GDBN} session.
31367
31368 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31369 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31370
31371 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31372
31373 @smallexample
31374 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31375 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31376 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31377 debugging may prove unreliable.
31378 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31379 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31380 (@value{GDBP})
31381 @end smallexample
31382
31383 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31384 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31385
31386 @kindex maint set internal-error
31387 @kindex maint show internal-error
31388 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31389 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31390 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31391 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31392 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31393 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31394 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31395 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31396 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31397 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31398 described in the table below.
31399
31400 @table @samp
31401 @item quit
31402 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31403 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31404
31405 @item corefile
31406 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31407 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31408 @end table
31409
31410 @kindex maint packet
31411 @item maint packet @var{text}
31412 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31413 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31414 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31415 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31416 checksum.
31417
31418 @kindex maint print architecture
31419 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31420 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31421 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31422
31423 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31424 @item maint print c-tdesc
31425 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31426 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31427 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31428
31429 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31430 @item maint print dummy-frames
31431 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31432
31433 @smallexample
31434 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31435 @dots{}
31436 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31437 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31438 58 return (a + b);
31439 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31440 @dots{}
31441 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31442 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31443 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31444 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31445 (@value{GDBP})
31446 @end smallexample
31447
31448 Takes an optional file parameter.
31449
31450 @kindex maint print registers
31451 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31452 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31453 @kindex maint print register-groups
31454 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31455 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31456 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31457 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31458 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31459
31460 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31461 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
31462 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
31463 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
31464 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
31465 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31466 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31467
31468 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31469 write the information.
31470
31471 @kindex maint print reggroups
31472 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31473 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31474 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31475 information.
31476
31477 The register groups info looks like this:
31478
31479 @smallexample
31480 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31481 Group Type
31482 general user
31483 float user
31484 all user
31485 vector user
31486 system user
31487 save internal
31488 restore internal
31489 @end smallexample
31490
31491 @kindex flushregs
31492 @item flushregs
31493 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31494
31495 @kindex maint print objfiles
31496 @cindex info for known object files
31497 @item maint print objfiles
31498 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31499 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31500 and symtabs.
31501
31502 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31503 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31504 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31505 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31506 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31507 matching @var{regexp}.
31508 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31509 and the full path if known.
31510 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31511
31512 @kindex maint print statistics
31513 @cindex bcache statistics
31514 @item maint print statistics
31515 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31516 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31517 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31518 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31519 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31520 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31521 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31522 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31523 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31524 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31525 lengths.
31526
31527 @kindex maint print target-stack
31528 @cindex target stack description
31529 @item maint print target-stack
31530 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31531 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31532 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31533 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31534 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31535 address.
31536
31537 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31538 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31539
31540 @kindex maint print type
31541 @cindex type chain of a data type
31542 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31543 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31544 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31545 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31546 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31547 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31548
31549 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31550 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31551 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31552 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31553 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31554 information.
31555
31556 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31557 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31558 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31559 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31560 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31561 always see the disassembly form.
31562
31563 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31564
31565 @smallexample
31566 (gdb) info addr argc
31567 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31568 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31569 @end smallexample
31570
31571 For more information on these expressions, see
31572 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31573
31574 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31575 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31576 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31577 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31578 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31579
31580 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31581 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31582 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31583 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31584 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31585 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31586 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31587 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31588 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31589
31590 @kindex maint set profile
31591 @kindex maint show profile
31592 @cindex profiling GDB
31593 @item maint set profile
31594 @itemx maint show profile
31595 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31596
31597 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31598 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31599 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31600 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31601 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31602 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31603 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31604
31605 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31606 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31607
31608 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31609 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31610 @cindex hardware debug registers
31611 @item maint set show-debug-regs
31612 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31613 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31614 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31615 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31616 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31617 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31618
31619 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
31620 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
31621 @item maint set show-all-tib
31622 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
31623 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31624 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31625 command.
31626
31627 @kindex maint space
31628 @cindex memory used by commands
31629 @item maint space
31630 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31631 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31632 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31633 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31634 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31635
31636 @kindex maint time
31637 @cindex time of command execution
31638 @item maint time
31639 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31640 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31641 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31642 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31643 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31644 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31645 it's not possibly currently
31646 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31647 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31648
31649 @kindex maint translate-address
31650 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31651 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31652 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31653 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31654 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31655 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31656 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31657
31658 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31659 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31660 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31661
31662 @end table
31663
31664 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31665 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31666
31667 @table @code
31668 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
31669 @kindex set watchdog
31670 @cindex watchdog timer
31671 @cindex timeout for commands
31672 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
31673 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
31674 reports and error and the command is aborted.
31675
31676 @item show watchdog
31677 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
31678 @end table
31679
31680 @node Remote Protocol
31681 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
31682
31683 @menu
31684 * Overview::
31685 * Packets::
31686 * Stop Reply Packets::
31687 * General Query Packets::
31688 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
31689 * Tracepoint Packets::
31690 * Host I/O Packets::
31691 * Interrupts::
31692 * Notification Packets::
31693 * Remote Non-Stop::
31694 * Packet Acknowledgment::
31695 * Examples::
31696 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
31697 * Library List Format::
31698 * Memory Map Format::
31699 * Thread List Format::
31700 * Traceframe Info Format::
31701 @end menu
31702
31703 @node Overview
31704 @section Overview
31705
31706 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
31707 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
31708 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
31709 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
31710
31711 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
31712 transmitted and received data, respectively.
31713
31714 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
31715 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
31716 @cindex remote serial protocol
31717 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
31718 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
31719 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
31720 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
31721 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
31722
31723 @smallexample
31724 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31725 @end smallexample
31726 @noindent
31727
31728 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
31729 @noindent
31730 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
31731 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
31732 eight bit unsigned checksum).
31733
31734 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
31735 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
31736
31737 @smallexample
31738 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31739 @end smallexample
31740
31741 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
31742 @noindent
31743 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
31744 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
31745 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
31746
31747 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
31748 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31749 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
31750 retransmission):
31751
31752 @smallexample
31753 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31754 <- @code{+}
31755 @end smallexample
31756 @noindent
31757
31758 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
31759 once a connection is established.
31760 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
31761
31762 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
31763 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
31764 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
31765 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
31766 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
31767 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
31768 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
31769
31770 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
31771 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
31772 exceptions).
31773
31774 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
31775 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
31776 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
31777 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
31778
31779 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
31780 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
31781 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
31782
31783 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
31784 @anchor{Binary Data}
31785 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
31786 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
31787 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
31788 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
31789 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
31790 binary data.
31791
31792 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
31793 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
31794 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
31795 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
31796 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
31797 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
31798 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
31799 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
31800 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
31801 (described next).
31802
31803 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
31804 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
31805 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
31806 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
31807 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
31808 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
31809 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
31810 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
31811 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
31812 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
31813 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
31814 3}} more times.
31815
31816 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
31817 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
31818 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
31819 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
31820 @samp{0*"00}.
31821
31822 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
31823 error number. That number is not well defined.
31824
31825 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
31826 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
31827 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
31828 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
31829 on that response.
31830
31831 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
31832 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
31833 optional.
31834
31835 @node Packets
31836 @section Packets
31837
31838 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
31839 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
31840 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
31841 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
31842
31843 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
31844 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
31845 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
31846 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
31847 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
31848 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
31849 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
31850 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
31851 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
31852 @var{baz}.
31853
31854 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
31855 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
31856 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
31857 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
31858 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
31859 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
31860 pick any thread.
31861
31862 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
31863 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
31864 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
31865 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
31866 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
31867 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
31868 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
31869 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
31870 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
31871 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
31872 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
31873 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
31874 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
31875
31876 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
31877 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
31878 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
31879 more information.
31880
31881 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
31882 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
31883
31884 Here are the packet descriptions.
31885
31886 @table @samp
31887
31888 @item !
31889 @cindex @samp{!} packet
31890 @anchor{extended mode}
31891 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
31892 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
31893 debugged.
31894
31895 Reply:
31896 @table @samp
31897 @item OK
31898 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
31899 @end table
31900
31901 @item ?
31902 @cindex @samp{?} packet
31903 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
31904 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
31905 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
31906
31907 Reply:
31908 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31909
31910 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
31911 @cindex @samp{A} packet
31912 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
31913 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
31914 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
31915
31916 Reply:
31917 @table @samp
31918 @item OK
31919 The arguments were set.
31920 @item E @var{NN}
31921 An error occurred.
31922 @end table
31923
31924 @item b @var{baud}
31925 @cindex @samp{b} packet
31926 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
31927 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
31928
31929 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
31930 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
31931 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
31932
31933 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
31934 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
31935 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
31936 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
31937 of view, nothing actually happened.}
31938
31939 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
31940 @cindex @samp{B} packet
31941 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
31942 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
31943
31944 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
31945 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
31946
31947 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
31948 @anchor{bc}
31949 @item bc
31950 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
31951 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31952
31953 Reply:
31954 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31955
31956 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
31957 @anchor{bs}
31958 @item bs
31959 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
31960 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31961
31962 Reply:
31963 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31964
31965 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31966 @cindex @samp{c} packet
31967 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
31968 resume at current address.
31969
31970 Reply:
31971 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31972
31973 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31974 @cindex @samp{C} packet
31975 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
31976 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
31977
31978 Reply:
31979 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31980
31981 @item d
31982 @cindex @samp{d} packet
31983 Toggle debug flag.
31984
31985 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
31986 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
31987
31988 @item D
31989 @itemx D;@var{pid}
31990 @cindex @samp{D} packet
31991 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
31992 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
31993 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
31994
31995 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
31996 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
31997 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
31998 big-endian hex string.
31999
32000 Reply:
32001 @table @samp
32002 @item OK
32003 for success
32004 @item E @var{NN}
32005 for an error
32006 @end table
32007
32008 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32009 @cindex @samp{F} packet
32010 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32011 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32012 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32013
32014 @item g
32015 @anchor{read registers packet}
32016 @cindex @samp{g} packet
32017 Read general registers.
32018
32019 Reply:
32020 @table @samp
32021 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32022 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32023 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32024 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32025 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32026 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32027 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32028
32029 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32030 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32031 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32032 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32033 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
32034 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32035 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32036 have been collected, and both have zero value:
32037
32038 @smallexample
32039 -> @code{g}
32040 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32041 @end smallexample
32042
32043 @item E @var{NN}
32044 for an error.
32045 @end table
32046
32047 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32048 @cindex @samp{G} packet
32049 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32050 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32051
32052 Reply:
32053 @table @samp
32054 @item OK
32055 for success
32056 @item E @var{NN}
32057 for an error
32058 @end table
32059
32060 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
32061 @cindex @samp{H} packet
32062 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32063 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
32064 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
32065 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
32066 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32067
32068 Reply:
32069 @table @samp
32070 @item OK
32071 for success
32072 @item E @var{NN}
32073 for an error
32074 @end table
32075
32076 @c FIXME: JTC:
32077 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32078 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32079 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32080 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32081 @c described. For example:
32082 @c
32083 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32084 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32085 @c otherwise returns current registers.
32086 @c
32087 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32088 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32089 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32090
32091 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32092 @anchor{cycle step packet}
32093 @cindex @samp{i} packet
32094 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32095 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32096 step starting at that address.
32097
32098 @item I
32099 @cindex @samp{I} packet
32100 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32101 step packet}.
32102
32103 @item k
32104 @cindex @samp{k} packet
32105 Kill request.
32106
32107 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32108 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32109 thread?)}.
32110
32111 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32112 @cindex @samp{m} packet
32113 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32114 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32115
32116 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32117 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32118 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32119 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32120 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32121 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32122 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
32123 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32124
32125 Reply:
32126 @table @samp
32127 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32128 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32129 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32130 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32131 @item E @var{NN}
32132 @var{NN} is errno
32133 @end table
32134
32135 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32136 @cindex @samp{M} packet
32137 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32138 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32139 hexadecimal number.
32140
32141 Reply:
32142 @table @samp
32143 @item OK
32144 for success
32145 @item E @var{NN}
32146 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32147 written).
32148 @end table
32149
32150 @item p @var{n}
32151 @cindex @samp{p} packet
32152 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32153 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32154 register value is encoded.
32155
32156 Reply:
32157 @table @samp
32158 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32159 the register's value
32160 @item E @var{NN}
32161 for an error
32162 @item
32163 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32164 @end table
32165
32166 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32167 @anchor{write register packet}
32168 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32169 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32170 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32171 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32172
32173 Reply:
32174 @table @samp
32175 @item OK
32176 for success
32177 @item E @var{NN}
32178 for an error
32179 @end table
32180
32181 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32182 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32183 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32184 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32185 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32186 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32187
32188 @item r
32189 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32190 Reset the entire system.
32191
32192 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32193
32194 @item R @var{XX}
32195 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32196 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32197 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32198
32199 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32200
32201 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32202 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32203 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32204 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32205
32206 Reply:
32207 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32208
32209 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32210 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32211 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32212 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32213 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32214
32215 Reply:
32216 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32217
32218 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32219 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32220 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32221 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32222 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32223
32224 @item T @var{thread-id}
32225 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32226 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32227
32228 Reply:
32229 @table @samp
32230 @item OK
32231 thread is still alive
32232 @item E @var{NN}
32233 thread is dead
32234 @end table
32235
32236 @item v
32237 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32238 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32239
32240 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32241 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32242 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32243 The process ID is a
32244 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32245 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32246 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32247
32248 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32249 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32250 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32251 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32252 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32253 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32254 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32255 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32256
32257 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32258
32259 Reply:
32260 @table @samp
32261 @item E @var{nn}
32262 for an error
32263 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32264 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32265 @item OK
32266 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32267 @end table
32268
32269 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32270 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32271 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32272 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32273 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32274 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32275 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32276 Specifying multiple
32277 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32278 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32279
32280 Currently supported actions are:
32281
32282 @table @samp
32283 @item c
32284 Continue.
32285 @item C @var{sig}
32286 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32287 @item s
32288 Step.
32289 @item S @var{sig}
32290 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32291 @item t
32292 Stop.
32293 @end table
32294
32295 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32296 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32297 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32298
32299 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32300 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32301 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32302 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32303 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32304 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32305 as an implementation detail.
32306
32307 Reply:
32308 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32309
32310 @item vCont?
32311 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32312 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32313
32314 Reply:
32315 @table @samp
32316 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32317 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32318 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32319 @item
32320 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32321 @end table
32322
32323 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32324 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32325 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32326 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32327
32328 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32329 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32330 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32331 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32332 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32333 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32334 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32335 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32336 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32337 packet is received.
32338
32339 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32340 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32341 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32342 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32343 @var{thread-id}.
32344
32345 Reply:
32346 @table @samp
32347 @item OK
32348 for success
32349 @item E @var{NN}
32350 for an error
32351 @end table
32352
32353 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32354 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32355 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32356 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32357 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32358 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32359 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32360 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32361 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32362 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32363 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32364 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32365
32366
32367 Reply:
32368 @table @samp
32369 @item OK
32370 for success
32371 @item E.memtype
32372 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32373 @item E @var{NN}
32374 for an error
32375 @end table
32376
32377 @item vFlashDone
32378 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32379 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32380 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32381 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32382 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32383 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32384 request is completed.
32385
32386 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32387 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32388 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32389 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32390 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32391 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32392
32393 Reply:
32394 @table @samp
32395 @item E @var{nn}
32396 for an error
32397 @item OK
32398 for success
32399 @end table
32400
32401 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32402 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32403 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32404 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32405 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32406 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32407 state.
32408
32409 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32410
32411 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32412
32413 Reply:
32414 @table @samp
32415 @item E @var{nn}
32416 for an error
32417 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32418 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32419 @end table
32420
32421 @item vStopped
32422 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32423 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32424
32425 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32426 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32427
32428 Reply:
32429 @table @samp
32430 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32431 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32432 @item OK
32433 if there are no unreported stop events
32434 @end table
32435
32436 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32437 @anchor{X packet}
32438 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32439 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32440 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32441 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32442
32443 Reply:
32444 @table @samp
32445 @item OK
32446 for success
32447 @item E @var{NN}
32448 for an error
32449 @end table
32450
32451 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32452 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32453 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32454 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32455 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32456 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32457 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32458
32459 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32460 separately.
32461
32462 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32463 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32464 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32465 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32466 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32467 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32468
32469 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32470 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32471 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32472 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32473 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32474 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32475
32476 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32477 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32478 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32479 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32480 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32481 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32482 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32483
32484 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32485 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32486 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32487 target, is not defined.}
32488
32489 Reply:
32490 @table @samp
32491 @item OK
32492 success
32493 @item
32494 not supported
32495 @item E @var{NN}
32496 for an error
32497 @end table
32498
32499 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32500 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32501 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32502 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32503 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32504 address @var{addr}.
32505
32506 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32507 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32508 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32509
32510 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32511 movement.}
32512
32513 Reply:
32514 @table @samp
32515 @item OK
32516 success
32517 @item
32518 not supported
32519 @item E @var{NN}
32520 for an error
32521 @end table
32522
32523 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32524 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32525 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32526 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32527 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32528 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32529
32530 Reply:
32531 @table @samp
32532 @item OK
32533 success
32534 @item
32535 not supported
32536 @item E @var{NN}
32537 for an error
32538 @end table
32539
32540 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32541 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32542 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32543 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32544 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32545 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32546
32547 Reply:
32548 @table @samp
32549 @item OK
32550 success
32551 @item
32552 not supported
32553 @item E @var{NN}
32554 for an error
32555 @end table
32556
32557 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32558 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32559 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32560 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32561 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32562 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32563
32564 Reply:
32565 @table @samp
32566 @item OK
32567 success
32568 @item
32569 not supported
32570 @item E @var{NN}
32571 for an error
32572 @end table
32573
32574 @end table
32575
32576 @node Stop Reply Packets
32577 @section Stop Reply Packets
32578 @cindex stop reply packets
32579
32580 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32581 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32582 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32583 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32584 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32585 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32586 @value{GDBN} source code.
32587
32588 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32589 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32590 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32591 components.
32592
32593 @table @samp
32594
32595 @item S @var{AA}
32596 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32597 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32598 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32599
32600 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32601 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32602 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32603 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32604 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32605 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32606 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32607 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32608
32609 @itemize @bullet
32610 @item
32611 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32612 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32613 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32614 two-digit hex number.
32615
32616 @item
32617 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32618 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32619
32620 @item
32621 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32622 the core on which the stop event was detected.
32623
32624 @item
32625 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32626 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32627 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32628 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32629
32630 @item
32631 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32632 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32633 future.
32634 @end itemize
32635
32636 The currently defined stop reasons are:
32637
32638 @table @samp
32639 @item watch
32640 @itemx rwatch
32641 @itemx awatch
32642 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32643 hex.
32644
32645 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
32646 @item library
32647 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32648 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32649 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32650
32651 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
32652 @item replaylog
32653 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32654 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32655 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32656 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32657 for more information.
32658 @end table
32659
32660 @item W @var{AA}
32661 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32662 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32663 applicable to certain targets.
32664
32665 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32666 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32667 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32668 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32669
32670 @item X @var{AA}
32671 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32672 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
32673
32674 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
32675 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
32676 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
32677 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32678
32679 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
32680 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
32681 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
32682 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
32683 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
32684
32685 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
32686 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
32687 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
32688 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
32689 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
32690 system calls.
32691
32692 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
32693 this very system call.
32694
32695 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
32696 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
32697 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
32698 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32699 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
32700 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
32701
32702 @end table
32703
32704 @node General Query Packets
32705 @section General Query Packets
32706 @cindex remote query requests
32707
32708 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
32709 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
32710 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
32711 sending information to and from the stub.
32712
32713 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
32714 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
32715 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
32716 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
32717 conventions:
32718
32719 @itemize @bullet
32720 @item
32721 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
32722 @item
32723 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
32724 letter.
32725 @item
32726 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
32727 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
32728 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
32729 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
32730 @end itemize
32731
32732 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
32733 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
32734 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
32735 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
32736 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
32737 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
32738 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
32739 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
32740 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
32741 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
32742 packet.}.
32743
32744 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
32745 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
32746 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
32747 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
32748 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
32749
32750 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
32751
32752 @table @samp
32753
32754 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
32755 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
32756 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
32757 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
32758 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
32759 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
32760 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
32761 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
32762 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
32763 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
32764 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
32765
32766 @item qC
32767 @cindex current thread, remote request
32768 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
32769 Return the current thread ID.
32770
32771 Reply:
32772 @table @samp
32773 @item QC @var{thread-id}
32774 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
32775 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32776 @item @r{(anything else)}
32777 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
32778 @end table
32779
32780 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
32781 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
32782 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
32783 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
32784 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
32785 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
32786 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
32787
32788 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
32789 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
32790 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
32791 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
32792 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
32793 detect trailing zeros.
32794
32795 Reply:
32796 @table @samp
32797 @item E @var{NN}
32798 An error (such as memory fault)
32799 @item C @var{crc32}
32800 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
32801 @end table
32802
32803 @item qfThreadInfo
32804 @itemx qsThreadInfo
32805 @cindex list active threads, remote request
32806 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
32807 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
32808 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
32809 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
32810 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
32811 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
32812 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
32813 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
32814
32815 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
32816
32817 Reply:
32818 @table @samp
32819 @item m @var{thread-id}
32820 A single thread ID
32821 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
32822 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
32823 @item l
32824 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
32825 @end table
32826
32827 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
32828 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
32829 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
32830 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
32831 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
32832 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
32833 fields.
32834
32835 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
32836 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
32837 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
32838 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
32839 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
32840
32841 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
32842 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32843
32844 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
32845 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
32846 information associated with the variable.)
32847
32848 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
32849 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
32850 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
32851 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
32852 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
32853 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
32854
32855 Reply:
32856 @table @samp
32857 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32858 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
32859 local storage requested.
32860
32861 @item E @var{nn}
32862 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32863
32864 @item
32865 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32866 @end table
32867
32868 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
32869 @cindex get thread information block address
32870 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
32871 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
32872
32873 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
32874
32875 Reply:
32876 @table @samp
32877 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32878 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
32879 thread information block.
32880
32881 @item E @var{nn}
32882 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
32883 address could not be retrieved.
32884
32885 @item
32886 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32887 @end table
32888
32889 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
32890 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
32891 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
32892 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
32893 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
32894 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
32895 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
32896
32897 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
32898
32899 Reply:
32900 @table @samp
32901 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
32902 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
32903 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
32904 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
32905 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
32906 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
32907 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
32908 @end table
32909
32910 @item qOffsets
32911 @cindex section offsets, remote request
32912 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
32913 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
32914 image.
32915
32916 Reply:
32917 @table @samp
32918 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
32919 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
32920 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
32921 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
32922 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
32923 segments by the supplied offsets.
32924
32925 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
32926 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
32927 to the @code{Bss} section.}
32928
32929 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
32930 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
32931 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
32932 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
32933 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
32934 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
32935 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
32936 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
32937 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
32938 @end table
32939
32940 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
32941 @cindex thread information, remote request
32942 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
32943 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
32944 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
32945 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
32946
32947 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
32948 (see below).
32949
32950 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
32951
32952 @item QNonStop:1
32953 @item QNonStop:0
32954 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
32955 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
32956 @anchor{QNonStop}
32957 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
32958 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
32959
32960 Reply:
32961 @table @samp
32962 @item OK
32963 The request succeeded.
32964
32965 @item E @var{nn}
32966 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32967
32968 @item
32969 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
32970 the stub.
32971 @end table
32972
32973 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32974 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32975 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
32976 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
32977
32978 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
32979 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
32980 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
32981 @anchor{QPassSignals}
32982 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
32983 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
32984 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
32985 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
32986 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
32987 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
32988 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
32989 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
32990 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
32991
32992 Reply:
32993 @table @samp
32994 @item OK
32995 The request succeeded.
32996
32997 @item E @var{nn}
32998 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32999
33000 @item
33001 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33002 the stub.
33003 @end table
33004
33005 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33006 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33007 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33008 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33009
33010 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
33011 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
33012 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33013 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33014 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33015 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33016 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33017 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33018 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33019
33020 Reply:
33021 @table @samp
33022 @item OK
33023 A command response with no output.
33024 @item @var{OUTPUT}
33025 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33026 @item E @var{NN}
33027 Indicate a badly formed request.
33028 @item
33029 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33030 @end table
33031
33032 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33033 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33034 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33035 packets.)
33036
33037 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33038 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33039 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33040 @anchor{qSearch memory}
33041 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33042 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33043 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33044
33045 Reply:
33046 @table @samp
33047 @item 0
33048 The pattern was not found.
33049 @item 1,address
33050 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33051 @item E @var{NN}
33052 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33053 @item
33054 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33055 @end table
33056
33057 @item QStartNoAckMode
33058 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33059 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33060 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33061 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33062
33063 Reply:
33064 @table @samp
33065 @item OK
33066 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33067 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33068 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33069 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33070 @item
33071 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33072 @end table
33073
33074 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33075 @cindex supported packets, remote query
33076 @cindex features of the remote protocol
33077 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33078 @anchor{qSupported}
33079 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33080 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33081 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33082 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33083 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33084 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33085 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33086 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33087 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33088 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33089 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33090 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33091 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33092 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33093
33094 Reply:
33095 @table @samp
33096 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33097 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33098 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33099 possible forms).
33100 @item
33101 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33102 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33103 @end table
33104
33105 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33106 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33107 are:
33108
33109 @table @samp
33110 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
33111 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33112 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33113 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33114 @item @var{name}+
33115 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33116 need an associated value.
33117 @item @var{name}-
33118 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33119 @item @var{name}?
33120 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33121 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33122 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33123 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33124 @end table
33125
33126 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33127 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33128 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33129 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33130 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33131
33132 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33133 are defined:
33134
33135 @table @samp
33136 @item multiprocess
33137 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33138 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33139 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33140 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33141 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33142
33143 @item xmlRegisters
33144 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33145 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33146 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33147 description.
33148
33149 @item qRelocInsn
33150 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33151 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33152 instruction reply packet}).
33153 @end table
33154
33155 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33156 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33157 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33158 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33159 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33160 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33161 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33162 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33163 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33164 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33165 all the features it supports.
33166
33167 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33168 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33169
33170 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33171 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33172 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33173 form response.
33174
33175 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33176 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33177 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33178 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33179
33180 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33181 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33182 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33183 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33184 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33185
33186 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33187
33188 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33189 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33190 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33191 @item Feature Name
33192 @tab Value Required
33193 @tab Default
33194 @tab Probe Allowed
33195
33196 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33197 @tab Yes
33198 @tab @samp{-}
33199 @tab No
33200
33201 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33202 @tab No
33203 @tab @samp{-}
33204 @tab Yes
33205
33206 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33207 @tab No
33208 @tab @samp{-}
33209 @tab Yes
33210
33211 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33212 @tab No
33213 @tab @samp{-}
33214 @tab Yes
33215
33216 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33217 @tab No
33218 @tab @samp{-}
33219 @tab Yes
33220
33221 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33222 @tab No
33223 @tab @samp{-}
33224 @tab Yes
33225
33226 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33227 @tab No
33228 @tab @samp{-}
33229 @tab Yes
33230
33231 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33232 @tab No
33233 @tab @samp{-}
33234 @tab Yes
33235
33236 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33237 @tab No
33238 @tab @samp{-}
33239 @tab Yes
33240
33241 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33242 @tab No
33243 @tab @samp{-}
33244 @tab Yes
33245
33246 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33247 @tab No
33248 @tab @samp{-}
33249 @tab Yes
33250
33251 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33252 @tab No
33253 @tab @samp{-}
33254 @tab Yes
33255
33256
33257 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33258 @tab No
33259 @tab @samp{-}
33260 @tab Yes
33261
33262 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33263 @tab No
33264 @tab @samp{-}
33265 @tab Yes
33266
33267 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33268 @tab No
33269 @tab @samp{-}
33270 @tab Yes
33271
33272 @item @samp{multiprocess}
33273 @tab No
33274 @tab @samp{-}
33275 @tab No
33276
33277 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33278 @tab No
33279 @tab @samp{-}
33280 @tab No
33281
33282 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33283 @tab No
33284 @tab @samp{-}
33285 @tab No
33286
33287 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
33288 @tab No
33289 @tab @samp{-}
33290 @tab No
33291
33292 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
33293 @tab No
33294 @tab @samp{-}
33295 @tab No
33296
33297 @item @samp{QAllow}
33298 @tab No
33299 @tab @samp{-}
33300 @tab No
33301
33302 @end multitable
33303
33304 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33305
33306 @table @samp
33307 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
33308 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33309 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33310 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33311 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33312 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33313 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33314 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33315 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33316 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33317
33318 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33319 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33320 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33321
33322 @item qXfer:features:read
33323 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33324 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33325
33326 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33327 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33328 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33329
33330 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33331 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33332 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33333
33334 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33335 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33336 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33337
33338 @item qXfer:spu:read
33339 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33340 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33341
33342 @item qXfer:spu:write
33343 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33344 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33345
33346 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33347 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33348 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33349
33350 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33351 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33352 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33353
33354 @item qXfer:threads:read
33355 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33356 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33357
33358 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
33359 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33360 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
33361
33362 @item QNonStop
33363 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33364 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33365
33366 @item QPassSignals
33367 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33368 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33369
33370 @item QStartNoAckMode
33371 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33372 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33373
33374 @item multiprocess
33375 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33376 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33377 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33378 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33379 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33380 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33381 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33382 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33383 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33384 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33385 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33386
33387 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33388 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33389 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33390
33391 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33392 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33393 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33394
33395 @item ReverseContinue
33396 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33397 (@pxref{bc}).
33398
33399 @item ReverseStep
33400 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33401 (@pxref{bs}).
33402
33403 @item TracepointSource
33404 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33405 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33406
33407 @item QAllow
33408 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33409
33410 @item StaticTracepoint
33411 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33412 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33413
33414 @end table
33415
33416 @item qSymbol::
33417 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33418 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33419 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33420 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33421
33422 Reply:
33423 @table @samp
33424 @item OK
33425 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33426 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33427 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33428 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33429 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33430 below.
33431 @end table
33432
33433 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33434 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33435
33436 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33437 target has previously requested.
33438
33439 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33440 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33441 will be empty.
33442
33443 Reply:
33444 @table @samp
33445 @item OK
33446 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33447 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33448 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33449 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33450 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33451 @end table
33452
33453 @item qTBuffer
33454 @item QTBuffer
33455 @item QTDisconnected
33456 @itemx QTDP
33457 @itemx QTDPsrc
33458 @itemx QTDV
33459 @itemx qTfP
33460 @itemx qTfV
33461 @itemx QTFrame
33462 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33463
33464 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33465 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33466 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33467 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33468 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33469 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33470 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33471 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33472 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33473 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33474 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33475
33476 Reply:
33477 @table @samp
33478 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33479 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33480 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33481 the thread's attributes.
33482 @end table
33483
33484 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33485 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33486 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33487 packets.)
33488
33489 @item QTSave
33490 @item qTsP
33491 @item qTsV
33492 @itemx QTStart
33493 @itemx QTStop
33494 @itemx QTinit
33495 @itemx QTro
33496 @itemx qTStatus
33497 @itemx qTV
33498 @itemx qTfSTM
33499 @itemx qTsSTM
33500 @itemx qTSTMat
33501 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33502
33503 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33504 @cindex read special object, remote request
33505 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33506 @anchor{qXfer read}
33507 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33508 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33509 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33510 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33511 additional details about what data to access.
33512
33513 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33514 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33515 formats, listed below.
33516
33517 @table @samp
33518 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33519 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33520 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33521 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33522
33523 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33524 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33525
33526 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33527 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33528 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33529 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33530 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33531
33532 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33533 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33534
33535 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33536 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33537 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33538 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33539 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33540
33541 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33542 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33543 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33544
33545 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33546 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33547
33548 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33549 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33550 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33551 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33552 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33553
33554 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33555 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33556
33557 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33558 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33559
33560 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33561 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33562 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33563 Action Lists}.
33564
33565 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33566 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33567 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33568
33569 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33570 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33571 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33572 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33573 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33574
33575 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33576 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33577 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33578
33579 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33580 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
33581 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33582 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33583 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33584 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33585 in that context to be accessed.
33586
33587 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33588 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33589 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33590
33591 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33592 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
33593 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33594 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33595 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33596
33597 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33598 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33599
33600 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33601 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
33602
33603 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
33604 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
33605 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33606
33607 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33608 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33609
33610 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33611 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33612 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33613 @xref{Operating System Information}.
33614
33615 @end table
33616
33617 Reply:
33618 @table @samp
33619 @item m @var{data}
33620 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33621 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33622 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33623 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33624 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33625 request.
33626
33627 @item l @var{data}
33628 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33629 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33630 than the @var{length} in the request.
33631
33632 @item l
33633 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33634 There is no more data to be read.
33635
33636 @item E00
33637 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33638
33639 @item E @var{nn}
33640 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33641 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33642
33643 @item
33644 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33645 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33646 @end table
33647
33648 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33649 @cindex write data into object, remote request
33650 @anchor{qXfer write}
33651 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33652 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33653 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33654 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33655 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33656 to access.
33657
33658 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33659 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33660 formats, listed below.
33661
33662 @table @samp
33663 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33664 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
33665 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
33666 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33667 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
33668
33669 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33670 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33671 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33672
33673 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33674 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
33675 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33676 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
33677 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33678 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33679 in that context to be accessed.
33680
33681 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33682 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33683 @end table
33684
33685 Reply:
33686 @table @samp
33687 @item @var{nn}
33688 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
33689 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
33690
33691 @item E00
33692 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33693
33694 @item E @var{nn}
33695 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
33696 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33697
33698 @item
33699 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
33700 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
33701 @end table
33702
33703 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
33704 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
33705 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
33706 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
33707 must respond with an empty packet.
33708
33709 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
33710 @cindex query attached, remote request
33711 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
33712 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
33713 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
33714 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
33715 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
33716 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
33717 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
33718
33719 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
33720 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
33721 the @code{quit} command.
33722
33723 Reply:
33724 @table @samp
33725 @item 1
33726 The remote server attached to an existing process.
33727 @item 0
33728 The remote server created a new process.
33729 @item E @var{NN}
33730 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
33731 @end table
33732
33733 @end table
33734
33735 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33736 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33737
33738 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
33739 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
33740 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
33741
33742 @subsection ARM
33743
33744 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
33745
33746 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
33747
33748 @table @r
33749
33750 @item 2
33751 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
33752
33753 @item 3
33754 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
33755
33756 @item 4
33757 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
33758
33759 @end table
33760
33761 @subsection MIPS
33762
33763 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
33764
33765 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
33766 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
33767 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
33768 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
33769 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
33770 most-significant - least-significant.
33771
33772 @table @r
33773
33774 @item MIPS32
33775
33776 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
33777 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
33778 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
33779
33780 @item MIPS64
33781
33782 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
33783 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
33784 as @code{MIPS32}.
33785
33786 @end table
33787
33788 @node Tracepoint Packets
33789 @section Tracepoint Packets
33790 @cindex tracepoint packets
33791 @cindex packets, tracepoint
33792
33793 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
33794 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33795
33796 @table @samp
33797
33798 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
33799 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
33800 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
33801 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
33802 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
33803 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
33804 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
33805 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
33806 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
33807 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
33808 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
33809 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
33810 actions.
33811
33812 Replies:
33813 @table @samp
33814 @item OK
33815 The packet was understood and carried out.
33816 @item qRelocInsn
33817 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33818 @item
33819 The packet was not recognized.
33820 @end table
33821
33822 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
33823 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
33824 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
33825 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
33826 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
33827 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
33828 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
33829
33830 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
33831 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
33832 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
33833 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
33834 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
33835 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
33836 tracepoint actions.
33837
33838 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
33839 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
33840 following forms:
33841
33842 @table @samp
33843
33844 @item R @var{mask}
33845 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
33846 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
33847 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
33848 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
33849 not fit in a 32-bit word.
33850
33851 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
33852 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
33853 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
33854 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
33855 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
33856 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
33857 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
33858
33859 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
33860 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
33861 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
33862 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
33863 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
33864 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
33865 packet).
33866
33867 @end table
33868
33869 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
33870 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
33871 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
33872 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
33873 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
33874 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
33875 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
33876 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
33877
33878 Replies:
33879 @table @samp
33880 @item OK
33881 The packet was understood and carried out.
33882 @item qRelocInsn
33883 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33884 @item
33885 The packet was not recognized.
33886 @end table
33887
33888 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
33889 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
33890 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
33891 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
33892 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
33893 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
33894 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
33895 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
33896
33897 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
33898 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
33899 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
33900 fit in a single packet.
33901 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
33902 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
33903
33904 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
33905 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
33906 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
33907 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
33908
33909 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
33910 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
33911 query packets.
33912
33913 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
33914 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
33915 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
33916 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
33917 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
33918 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
33919 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
33920 be found.
33921
33922 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
33923 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
33924 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
33925 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
33926 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
33927 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
33928 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
33929 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
33930 mentioned in expressions.
33931
33932 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
33933 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
33934 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
33935 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
33936
33937 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
33938 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
33939 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
33940 one of the following forms:
33941
33942 @table @samp
33943 @item F @var{f}
33944 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
33945 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
33946 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
33947
33948 @item T @var{t}
33949 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
33950 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
33951
33952 @end table
33953
33954 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
33955 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33956 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
33957 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
33958
33959 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
33960 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33961 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
33962 is a hexadecimal number.
33963
33964 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
33965 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33966 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
33967 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
33968 numbers.
33969
33970 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
33971 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
33972 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
33973
33974 @item QTStart
33975 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
33976 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
33977 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33978 instruction reply packet}).
33979
33980 @item QTStop
33981 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
33982
33983 @item QTinit
33984 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
33985
33986 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
33987 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
33988 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
33989 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
33990
33991 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
33992 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
33993 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
33994 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
33995
33996 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
33997 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
33998 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
33999 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34000 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34001
34002 @item qTStatus
34003 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34004
34005 The reply has the form:
34006
34007 @table @samp
34008
34009 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34010 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34011 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34012 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34013
34014 @end table
34015
34016 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34017 explanations as one of the optional fields:
34018
34019 @table @samp
34020
34021 @item tnotrun:0
34022 No trace has been run yet.
34023
34024 @item tstop:0
34025 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34026
34027 @item tfull:0
34028 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34029
34030 @item tdisconnected:0
34031 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34032
34033 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34034 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34035
34036 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34037 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34038 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34039 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34040 @var{text} is hex encoded.
34041
34042 @item tunknown:0
34043 The trace stopped for some other reason.
34044
34045 @end table
34046
34047 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34048 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34049 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34050 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34051 trace.
34052
34053 @table @samp
34054
34055 @item tframes:@var{n}
34056 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34057
34058 @item tcreated:@var{n}
34059 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34060 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34061
34062 @item tsize:@var{n}
34063 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34064
34065 @item tfree:@var{n}
34066 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34067
34068 @item circular:@var{n}
34069 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34070 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34071 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34072 and may fill up.
34073
34074 @item disconn:@var{n}
34075 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34076 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34077 that the trace run will stop.
34078
34079 @end table
34080
34081 @item qTV:@var{var}
34082 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34083 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34084 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34085
34086 Replies:
34087 @table @samp
34088 @item V@var{value}
34089 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34090 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34091 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34092 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34093 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34094 program is running.
34095
34096 @item U
34097 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34098 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34099 was not collected.
34100 @end table
34101
34102 @item qTfP
34103 @itemx qTsP
34104 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34105 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34106 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34107 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34108 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34109
34110 @item qTfV
34111 @itemx qTsV
34112 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34113 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34114 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34115 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34116 trace state variables.
34117
34118 @item qTfSTM
34119 @itemx qTsSTM
34120 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34121 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34122 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34123 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34124
34125 Reply:
34126 @table @samp
34127 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34128 A single marker
34129 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34130 a comma-separated list of markers
34131 @item l
34132 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34133 @item E @var{nn}
34134 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34135 @item
34136 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34137 stub.
34138 @end table
34139
34140 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
34141 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34142
34143 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34144 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34145 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34146 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34147 @dfn{last}).
34148
34149 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34150 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34151 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34152 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34153 tracepoint markers.
34154
34155 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
34156 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34157 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34158 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34159 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34160
34161 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34162 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34163 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34164 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34165 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34166 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34167 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34168 available.
34169
34170 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34171 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34172 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34173
34174 @end table
34175
34176 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34177 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34178 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34179 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34180 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34181 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34182 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34183 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34184 it had executed in the original location.
34185
34186 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34187 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34188 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34189 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34190 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34191 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34192 format of the request is:
34193
34194 @table @samp
34195 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34196
34197 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34198 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34199 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34200 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34201 memory starting at @var{to}.
34202 @end table
34203
34204 Replies:
34205 @table @samp
34206 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34207 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34208 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34209 @item E @var{NN}
34210 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34211 relocating the instruction.
34212 @end table
34213
34214 @node Host I/O Packets
34215 @section Host I/O Packets
34216 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34217 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34218
34219 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34220 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34221 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34222 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34223 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34224 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34225 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34226 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34227 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34228 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34229
34230 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34231 its arguments. They have this format:
34232
34233 @table @samp
34234
34235 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34236 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34237 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34238 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34239 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34240 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34241 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34242 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34243 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34244
34245 @end table
34246
34247 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34248
34249 @table @samp
34250
34251 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34252 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34253 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34254 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34255 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34256 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34257 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34258 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34259 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34260 @var{attachment}.
34261
34262 @item
34263 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34264
34265 @end table
34266
34267 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34268
34269 @table @samp
34270 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34271 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34272 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34273 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34274 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34275 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34276 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34277
34278 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34279 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34280 -1 if an error occurs.
34281
34282 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34283 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34284 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34285 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34286 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34287 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34288 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34289 @var{count} was zero.
34290
34291 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34292 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34293 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34294 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34295 some characters were escaped.
34296
34297 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34298 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34299 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34300 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34301 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34302 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34303 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34304 error occurred.
34305
34306 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34307 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34308 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34309
34310 @end table
34311
34312 @node Interrupts
34313 @section Interrupts
34314 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34315
34316 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34317 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34318 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34319 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34320
34321 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34322 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34323 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34324 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34325 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34326
34327 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34328 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34329 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34330 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34331 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34332 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34333 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34334 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34335
34336 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34337 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34338 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34339
34340 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34341 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34342 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34343 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34344 currently-executing threads and processes.
34345 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34346 running program, it should send one of the stop
34347 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34348 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34349 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34350 Interrupts received while the
34351 program is stopped are discarded.
34352
34353 @node Notification Packets
34354 @section Notification Packets
34355 @cindex notification packets
34356 @cindex packets, notification
34357
34358 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34359 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34360 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34361 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34362 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34363 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34364 is not a problem.
34365
34366 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34367 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34368 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34369 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34370 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34371 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34372 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34373
34374 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34375 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34376
34377 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34378 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34379 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34380 not they understand it.
34381
34382 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34383 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34384 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34385 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34386 recipients.
34387
34388 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34389 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34390 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34391 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34392 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34393
34394 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34395 defined:
34396
34397 @table @samp
34398 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34399 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34400 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34401 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34402 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34403 @value{GDBN}.
34404 @end table
34405
34406 @node Remote Non-Stop
34407 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34408
34409 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34410 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34411 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34412 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34413
34414 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34415 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34416 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34417 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34418 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34419 probe the target state after a mode change.
34420
34421 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34422 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34423 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34424 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34425 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34426 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34427 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34428 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34429 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34430 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34431 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34432
34433 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34434 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34435 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34436 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34437 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34438 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34439 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34440 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34441 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34442 sending any queued stop events.
34443
34444 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34445 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34446 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34447 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34448 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34449 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34450 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34451
34452 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34453 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34454 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34455 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34456 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34457 process normally.
34458
34459 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34460 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34461 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34462 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34463 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34464 should process normally.
34465
34466 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34467 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34468 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34469 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34470 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34471
34472 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34473 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34474 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34475 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34476 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34477 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34478 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34479 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34480 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34481 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34482 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34483 @samp{OK}.
34484
34485 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34486 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34487
34488 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34489 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34490 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34491 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34492 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34493 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34494 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34495
34496 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34497 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34498 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34499 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34500 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34501
34502 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34503 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34504 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34505 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34506
34507 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34508 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34509 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34510 @pxref{qSupported}.
34511 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34512 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34513 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34514 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34515 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34516 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34517 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34518
34519 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34520 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34521 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34522 connection.
34523 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34524 new connection is established,
34525 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34526 for the current connection, once disabled.
34527
34528 @node Examples
34529 @section Examples
34530
34531 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34532 does not get any direct output:
34533
34534 @smallexample
34535 -> @code{R00}
34536 <- @code{+}
34537 @emph{target restarts}
34538 -> @code{?}
34539 <- @code{+}
34540 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34541 -> @code{+}
34542 @end smallexample
34543
34544 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34545
34546 @smallexample
34547 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34548 <- @code{+}
34549 -> @code{s}
34550 <- @code{+}
34551 @emph{time passes}
34552 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34553 -> @code{+}
34554 -> @code{g}
34555 <- @code{+}
34556 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
34557 -> @code{+}
34558 @end smallexample
34559
34560 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34561 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34562 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34563
34564 @menu
34565 * File-I/O Overview::
34566 * Protocol Basics::
34567 * The F Request Packet::
34568 * The F Reply Packet::
34569 * The Ctrl-C Message::
34570 * Console I/O::
34571 * List of Supported Calls::
34572 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34573 * Constants::
34574 * File-I/O Examples::
34575 @end menu
34576
34577 @node File-I/O Overview
34578 @subsection File-I/O Overview
34579 @cindex file-i/o overview
34580
34581 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34582 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34583 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34584 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34585 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34586 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34587
34588 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34589 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34590 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34591 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34592 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34593
34594 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34595 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34596 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34597 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34598 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34599 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34600 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34601
34602 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34603 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34604 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34605 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34606 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34607
34608 @smallexample
34609 (@value{GDBP}) continue
34610 <- target requests 'system call X'
34611 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34612 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34613 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34614 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34615 @end smallexample
34616
34617 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34618 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34619 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34620 system are not supported by this protocol.
34621
34622 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34623
34624 @node Protocol Basics
34625 @subsection Protocol Basics
34626 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34627
34628 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34629 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34630 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34631 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34632 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34633 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34634 to call the appropriate host system call:
34635
34636 @itemize @bullet
34637 @item
34638 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34639
34640 @item
34641 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34642 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34643 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34644 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
34645
34646 @end itemize
34647
34648 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
34649
34650 @itemize @bullet
34651 @item
34652 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
34653 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
34654 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
34655 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
34656 packet.
34657
34658 @item
34659 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
34660 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
34661
34662 @item
34663 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
34664
34665 @item
34666 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
34667
34668 @item
34669 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
34670 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
34671 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
34672 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
34673 packet.
34674
34675 @end itemize
34676
34677 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
34678 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
34679
34680 @itemize @bullet
34681 @item
34682 Return value.
34683
34684 @item
34685 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
34686
34687 @item
34688 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
34689
34690 @end itemize
34691
34692 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
34693 the latest continue or step action.
34694
34695 @node The F Request Packet
34696 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
34697 @cindex file-i/o request packet
34698 @cindex @code{F} request packet
34699
34700 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
34701
34702 @table @samp
34703 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
34704
34705 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
34706 This is just the name of the function.
34707
34708 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
34709 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
34710 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
34711 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
34712 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
34713 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
34714 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
34715
34716 @end table
34717
34718
34719
34720 @node The F Reply Packet
34721 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
34722 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
34723 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
34724
34725 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
34726
34727 @table @samp
34728
34729 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
34730
34731 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
34732
34733 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
34734 representation.
34735 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
34736
34737 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
34738 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
34739 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
34740
34741 @smallexample
34742 F0,0,C
34743 @end smallexample
34744
34745 @noindent
34746 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
34747
34748 @smallexample
34749 F-1,4,C
34750 @end smallexample
34751
34752 @noindent
34753 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
34754
34755 @end table
34756
34757
34758 @node The Ctrl-C Message
34759 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
34760 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
34761
34762 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
34763 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
34764 the target should behave as if it had
34765 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
34766 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
34767 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
34768 packet.
34769
34770 It's important for the target to know in which
34771 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
34772
34773 @itemize @bullet
34774 @item
34775 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
34776
34777 @item
34778 The system call on the host has been finished.
34779
34780 @end itemize
34781
34782 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
34783 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
34784 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
34785 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
34786 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
34787 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
34788
34789 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
34790 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
34791 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
34792 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
34793 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
34794 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
34795 or the full action has been completed.
34796
34797 @node Console I/O
34798 @subsection Console I/O
34799 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
34800
34801 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
34802 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
34803 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
34804 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
34805 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
34806 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
34807 conditions is met:
34808
34809 @itemize @bullet
34810 @item
34811 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
34812 @code{read}
34813 system call is treated as finished.
34814
34815 @item
34816 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
34817 newline.
34818
34819 @item
34820 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
34821 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
34822
34823 @end itemize
34824
34825 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
34826 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
34827 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
34828 is stopped at the user's request.
34829
34830
34831 @node List of Supported Calls
34832 @subsection List of Supported Calls
34833 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
34834
34835 @menu
34836 * open::
34837 * close::
34838 * read::
34839 * write::
34840 * lseek::
34841 * rename::
34842 * unlink::
34843 * stat/fstat::
34844 * gettimeofday::
34845 * isatty::
34846 * system::
34847 @end menu
34848
34849 @node open
34850 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
34851 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
34852
34853 @table @asis
34854 @item Synopsis:
34855 @smallexample
34856 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
34857 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
34858 @end smallexample
34859
34860 @item Request:
34861 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
34862
34863 @noindent
34864 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34865
34866 @table @code
34867 @item O_CREAT
34868 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
34869 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
34870 are concerned.
34871
34872 @item O_EXCL
34873 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
34874 an error and open() fails.
34875
34876 @item O_TRUNC
34877 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
34878 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
34879 truncated to zero length.
34880
34881 @item O_APPEND
34882 The file is opened in append mode.
34883
34884 @item O_RDONLY
34885 The file is opened for reading only.
34886
34887 @item O_WRONLY
34888 The file is opened for writing only.
34889
34890 @item O_RDWR
34891 The file is opened for reading and writing.
34892 @end table
34893
34894 @noindent
34895 Other bits are silently ignored.
34896
34897
34898 @noindent
34899 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34900
34901 @table @code
34902 @item S_IRUSR
34903 User has read permission.
34904
34905 @item S_IWUSR
34906 User has write permission.
34907
34908 @item S_IRGRP
34909 Group has read permission.
34910
34911 @item S_IWGRP
34912 Group has write permission.
34913
34914 @item S_IROTH
34915 Others have read permission.
34916
34917 @item S_IWOTH
34918 Others have write permission.
34919 @end table
34920
34921 @noindent
34922 Other bits are silently ignored.
34923
34924
34925 @item Return value:
34926 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
34927 occurred.
34928
34929 @item Errors:
34930
34931 @table @code
34932 @item EEXIST
34933 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
34934
34935 @item EISDIR
34936 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
34937
34938 @item EACCES
34939 The requested access is not allowed.
34940
34941 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34942 @var{pathname} was too long.
34943
34944 @item ENOENT
34945 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34946
34947 @item ENODEV
34948 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
34949
34950 @item EROFS
34951 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
34952 write access was requested.
34953
34954 @item EFAULT
34955 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
34956
34957 @item ENOSPC
34958 No space on device to create the file.
34959
34960 @item EMFILE
34961 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
34962
34963 @item ENFILE
34964 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
34965 has been reached.
34966
34967 @item EINTR
34968 The call was interrupted by the user.
34969 @end table
34970
34971 @end table
34972
34973 @node close
34974 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
34975 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
34976
34977 @table @asis
34978 @item Synopsis:
34979 @smallexample
34980 int close(int fd);
34981 @end smallexample
34982
34983 @item Request:
34984 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
34985
34986 @item Return value:
34987 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
34988
34989 @item Errors:
34990
34991 @table @code
34992 @item EBADF
34993 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
34994
34995 @item EINTR
34996 The call was interrupted by the user.
34997 @end table
34998
34999 @end table
35000
35001 @node read
35002 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
35003 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
35004
35005 @table @asis
35006 @item Synopsis:
35007 @smallexample
35008 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35009 @end smallexample
35010
35011 @item Request:
35012 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35013
35014 @item Return value:
35015 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35016 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35017 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35018
35019 @item Errors:
35020
35021 @table @code
35022 @item EBADF
35023 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35024 reading.
35025
35026 @item EFAULT
35027 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35028
35029 @item EINTR
35030 The call was interrupted by the user.
35031 @end table
35032
35033 @end table
35034
35035 @node write
35036 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
35037 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
35038
35039 @table @asis
35040 @item Synopsis:
35041 @smallexample
35042 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35043 @end smallexample
35044
35045 @item Request:
35046 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35047
35048 @item Return value:
35049 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35050 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35051 is returned.
35052
35053 @item Errors:
35054
35055 @table @code
35056 @item EBADF
35057 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35058 writing.
35059
35060 @item EFAULT
35061 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35062
35063 @item EFBIG
35064 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35065 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35066
35067 @item ENOSPC
35068 No space on device to write the data.
35069
35070 @item EINTR
35071 The call was interrupted by the user.
35072 @end table
35073
35074 @end table
35075
35076 @node lseek
35077 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35078 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35079
35080 @table @asis
35081 @item Synopsis:
35082 @smallexample
35083 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35084 @end smallexample
35085
35086 @item Request:
35087 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35088
35089 @var{flag} is one of:
35090
35091 @table @code
35092 @item SEEK_SET
35093 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35094
35095 @item SEEK_CUR
35096 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35097 bytes.
35098
35099 @item SEEK_END
35100 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35101 bytes.
35102 @end table
35103
35104 @item Return value:
35105 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35106 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35107 value of -1 is returned.
35108
35109 @item Errors:
35110
35111 @table @code
35112 @item EBADF
35113 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35114
35115 @item ESPIPE
35116 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35117
35118 @item EINVAL
35119 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
35120
35121 @item EINTR
35122 The call was interrupted by the user.
35123 @end table
35124
35125 @end table
35126
35127 @node rename
35128 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35129 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35130
35131 @table @asis
35132 @item Synopsis:
35133 @smallexample
35134 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35135 @end smallexample
35136
35137 @item Request:
35138 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35139
35140 @item Return value:
35141 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35142
35143 @item Errors:
35144
35145 @table @code
35146 @item EISDIR
35147 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35148 directory.
35149
35150 @item EEXIST
35151 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35152
35153 @item EBUSY
35154 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35155 process.
35156
35157 @item EINVAL
35158 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35159 of itself.
35160
35161 @item ENOTDIR
35162 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35163 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35164 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35165
35166 @item EFAULT
35167 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35168
35169 @item EACCES
35170 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35171
35172 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35173
35174 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35175
35176 @item ENOENT
35177 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35178
35179 @item EROFS
35180 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35181
35182 @item ENOSPC
35183 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35184 directory entry.
35185
35186 @item EINTR
35187 The call was interrupted by the user.
35188 @end table
35189
35190 @end table
35191
35192 @node unlink
35193 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35194 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35195
35196 @table @asis
35197 @item Synopsis:
35198 @smallexample
35199 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35200 @end smallexample
35201
35202 @item Request:
35203 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35204
35205 @item Return value:
35206 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35207
35208 @item Errors:
35209
35210 @table @code
35211 @item EACCES
35212 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35213
35214 @item EPERM
35215 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35216
35217 @item EBUSY
35218 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35219 being used by another process.
35220
35221 @item EFAULT
35222 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35223
35224 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35225 @var{pathname} was too long.
35226
35227 @item ENOENT
35228 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35229
35230 @item ENOTDIR
35231 A component of the path is not a directory.
35232
35233 @item EROFS
35234 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35235
35236 @item EINTR
35237 The call was interrupted by the user.
35238 @end table
35239
35240 @end table
35241
35242 @node stat/fstat
35243 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35244 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35245 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35246
35247 @table @asis
35248 @item Synopsis:
35249 @smallexample
35250 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35251 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35252 @end smallexample
35253
35254 @item Request:
35255 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35256 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35257
35258 @item Return value:
35259 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35260
35261 @item Errors:
35262
35263 @table @code
35264 @item EBADF
35265 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35266
35267 @item ENOENT
35268 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35269 path is an empty string.
35270
35271 @item ENOTDIR
35272 A component of the path is not a directory.
35273
35274 @item EFAULT
35275 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35276
35277 @item EACCES
35278 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35279
35280 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35281 @var{pathname} was too long.
35282
35283 @item EINTR
35284 The call was interrupted by the user.
35285 @end table
35286
35287 @end table
35288
35289 @node gettimeofday
35290 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35291 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35292
35293 @table @asis
35294 @item Synopsis:
35295 @smallexample
35296 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35297 @end smallexample
35298
35299 @item Request:
35300 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35301
35302 @item Return value:
35303 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35304
35305 @item Errors:
35306
35307 @table @code
35308 @item EINVAL
35309 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35310
35311 @item EFAULT
35312 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35313 @end table
35314
35315 @end table
35316
35317 @node isatty
35318 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35319 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35320
35321 @table @asis
35322 @item Synopsis:
35323 @smallexample
35324 int isatty(int fd);
35325 @end smallexample
35326
35327 @item Request:
35328 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35329
35330 @item Return value:
35331 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35332
35333 @item Errors:
35334
35335 @table @code
35336 @item EINTR
35337 The call was interrupted by the user.
35338 @end table
35339
35340 @end table
35341
35342 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35343 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35344 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35345 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35346 needed.
35347
35348
35349 @node system
35350 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35351 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35352
35353 @table @asis
35354 @item Synopsis:
35355 @smallexample
35356 int system(const char *command);
35357 @end smallexample
35358
35359 @item Request:
35360 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35361
35362 @item Return value:
35363 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35364 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35365 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35366 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35367 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35368 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35369 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35370
35371 @item Errors:
35372
35373 @table @code
35374 @item EINTR
35375 The call was interrupted by the user.
35376 @end table
35377
35378 @end table
35379
35380 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35381 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35382 the host is simplified before it's returned
35383 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35384 is discarded, and the return value consists
35385 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35386
35387 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35388 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35389 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35390
35391 @table @code
35392 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35393 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35394 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35395 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35396
35397 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35398 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35399 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35400 protocol.
35401 @end table
35402
35403 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35404 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35405 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35406
35407 @menu
35408 * Integral Datatypes::
35409 * Pointer Values::
35410 * Memory Transfer::
35411 * struct stat::
35412 * struct timeval::
35413 @end menu
35414
35415 @node Integral Datatypes
35416 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35417 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35418
35419 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35420 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35421 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35422
35423 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35424 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35425
35426 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35427
35428 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35429 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35430
35431 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35432
35433 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35434 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35435 byte order.
35436
35437 @node Pointer Values
35438 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35439 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35440
35441 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35442 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35443 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35444 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35445
35446 @smallexample
35447 @code{1aaf/12}
35448 @end smallexample
35449
35450 @noindent
35451 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35452 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35453 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35454 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35455
35456 @smallexample
35457 @code{123456/d}
35458 @end smallexample
35459
35460 @node Memory Transfer
35461 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35462 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35463
35464 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35465 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35466 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35467 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35468 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35469 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35470 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35471
35472
35473 @node struct stat
35474 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35475 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35476
35477 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35478 is defined as follows:
35479
35480 @smallexample
35481 struct stat @{
35482 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35483 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35484 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35485 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35486 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35487 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35488 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35489 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35490 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35491 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35492 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35493 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35494 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35495 @};
35496 @end smallexample
35497
35498 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35499 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35500 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35501
35502 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35503 range of values.
35504
35505 @table @code
35506
35507 @item st_dev
35508 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35509
35510 @item st_ino
35511 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35512
35513 @item st_mode
35514 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35515 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35516
35517 @item st_uid
35518 @itemx st_gid
35519 @itemx st_rdev
35520 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35521
35522 @item st_atime
35523 @itemx st_mtime
35524 @itemx st_ctime
35525 These values have a host and file system dependent
35526 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35527 support exact timing values.
35528 @end table
35529
35530 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35531 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35532 continuing.
35533
35534 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35535 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35536 get truncated on the target.
35537
35538 @node struct timeval
35539 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35540 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35541
35542 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35543 is defined as follows:
35544
35545 @smallexample
35546 struct timeval @{
35547 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35548 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35549 @};
35550 @end smallexample
35551
35552 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35553 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35554 structure is of size 8 bytes.
35555
35556 @node Constants
35557 @subsection Constants
35558 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35559
35560 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35561 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35562 values before and after the call as needed.
35563
35564 @menu
35565 * Open Flags::
35566 * mode_t Values::
35567 * Errno Values::
35568 * Lseek Flags::
35569 * Limits::
35570 @end menu
35571
35572 @node Open Flags
35573 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35574 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35575
35576 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35577
35578 @smallexample
35579 O_RDONLY 0x0
35580 O_WRONLY 0x1
35581 O_RDWR 0x2
35582 O_APPEND 0x8
35583 O_CREAT 0x200
35584 O_TRUNC 0x400
35585 O_EXCL 0x800
35586 @end smallexample
35587
35588 @node mode_t Values
35589 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35590 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35591
35592 All values are given in octal representation.
35593
35594 @smallexample
35595 S_IFREG 0100000
35596 S_IFDIR 040000
35597 S_IRUSR 0400
35598 S_IWUSR 0200
35599 S_IXUSR 0100
35600 S_IRGRP 040
35601 S_IWGRP 020
35602 S_IXGRP 010
35603 S_IROTH 04
35604 S_IWOTH 02
35605 S_IXOTH 01
35606 @end smallexample
35607
35608 @node Errno Values
35609 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35610 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35611
35612 All values are given in decimal representation.
35613
35614 @smallexample
35615 EPERM 1
35616 ENOENT 2
35617 EINTR 4
35618 EBADF 9
35619 EACCES 13
35620 EFAULT 14
35621 EBUSY 16
35622 EEXIST 17
35623 ENODEV 19
35624 ENOTDIR 20
35625 EISDIR 21
35626 EINVAL 22
35627 ENFILE 23
35628 EMFILE 24
35629 EFBIG 27
35630 ENOSPC 28
35631 ESPIPE 29
35632 EROFS 30
35633 ENAMETOOLONG 91
35634 EUNKNOWN 9999
35635 @end smallexample
35636
35637 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35638 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35639
35640 @node Lseek Flags
35641 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35642 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35643
35644 @smallexample
35645 SEEK_SET 0
35646 SEEK_CUR 1
35647 SEEK_END 2
35648 @end smallexample
35649
35650 @node Limits
35651 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
35652 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
35653
35654 All values are given in decimal representation.
35655
35656 @smallexample
35657 INT_MIN -2147483648
35658 INT_MAX 2147483647
35659 UINT_MAX 4294967295
35660 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
35661 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
35662 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
35663 @end smallexample
35664
35665 @node File-I/O Examples
35666 @subsection File-I/O Examples
35667 @cindex file-i/o examples
35668
35669 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35670 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
35671
35672 @smallexample
35673 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
35674 @emph{request memory read from target}
35675 -> @code{m1234,6}
35676 <- XXXXXX
35677 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
35678 -> @code{F6}
35679 @end smallexample
35680
35681 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35682 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
35683
35684 @smallexample
35685 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35686 @emph{request memory write to target}
35687 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35688 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
35689 -> @code{F6}
35690 @end smallexample
35691
35692 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
35693 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
35694
35695 @smallexample
35696 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35697 -> @code{F-1,9}
35698 @end smallexample
35699
35700 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
35701 host is called:
35702
35703 @smallexample
35704 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35705 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
35706 <- @code{T02}
35707 @end smallexample
35708
35709 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
35710 host is called:
35711
35712 @smallexample
35713 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35714 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35715 <- @code{T02}
35716 @end smallexample
35717
35718 @node Library List Format
35719 @section Library List Format
35720 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
35721
35722 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
35723 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
35724 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
35725 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
35726 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
35727 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
35728 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35729 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
35730 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
35731 are loaded.
35732
35733 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
35734 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
35735 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
35736 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
35737
35738 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
35739 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
35740 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
35741 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
35742 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
35743 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
35744
35745 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35746 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
35747
35748 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
35749 offset, looks like this:
35750
35751 @smallexample
35752 <library-list>
35753 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
35754 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
35755 </library>
35756 </library-list>
35757 @end smallexample
35758
35759 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
35760 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
35761
35762 @smallexample
35763 <library-list>
35764 <library name="sharedlib.o">
35765 <section address="0x10000000"/>
35766 <section address="0x20000000"/>
35767 <section address="0x30000000"/>
35768 </library>
35769 </library-list>
35770 @end smallexample
35771
35772 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
35773
35774 @smallexample
35775 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
35776 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
35777 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35778 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
35779 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35780 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
35781 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35782 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
35783 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35784 @end smallexample
35785
35786 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
35787 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
35788 section for each library.
35789
35790 @node Memory Map Format
35791 @section Memory Map Format
35792 @cindex memory map format
35793
35794 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
35795 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
35796 memory map.
35797
35798 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35799 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
35800 lists memory regions.
35801
35802 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35803 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
35804
35805 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
35806
35807 @smallexample
35808 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35809 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
35810 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
35811 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
35812 <memory-map>
35813 region...
35814 </memory-map>
35815 @end smallexample
35816
35817 Each region can be either:
35818
35819 @itemize
35820
35821 @item
35822 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
35823 bytes from there:
35824
35825 @smallexample
35826 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35827 @end smallexample
35828
35829
35830 @item
35831 A region of read-only memory:
35832
35833 @smallexample
35834 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35835 @end smallexample
35836
35837
35838 @item
35839 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
35840 bytes in length:
35841
35842 @smallexample
35843 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
35844 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
35845 </memory>
35846 @end smallexample
35847
35848 @end itemize
35849
35850 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
35851 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
35852 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
35853
35854 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
35855
35856 @smallexample
35857 <!-- ................................................... -->
35858 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
35859 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
35860 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
35861 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
35862 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
35863 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
35864 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
35865 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
35866 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
35867 and its type, or device. -->
35868 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
35869 start CDATA #REQUIRED
35870 length CDATA #REQUIRED
35871 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
35872 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
35873 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
35874 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35875 @end smallexample
35876
35877 @node Thread List Format
35878 @section Thread List Format
35879 @cindex thread list format
35880
35881 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
35882 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35883 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
35884 the following structure:
35885
35886 @smallexample
35887 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35888 <threads>
35889 <thread id="id" core="0">
35890 ... description ...
35891 </thread>
35892 </threads>
35893 @end smallexample
35894
35895 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
35896 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
35897 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
35898 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
35899 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
35900
35901 @node Traceframe Info Format
35902 @section Traceframe Info Format
35903 @cindex traceframe info format
35904
35905 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
35906 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
35907 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
35908 collected in a traceframe.
35909
35910 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35911 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
35912
35913 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35914 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
35915
35916 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
35917
35918 @smallexample
35919 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35920 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
35921 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
35922 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
35923 <traceframe-info>
35924 block...
35925 </traceframe-info>
35926 @end smallexample
35927
35928 Each traceframe block can be either:
35929
35930 @itemize
35931
35932 @item
35933 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
35934 @var{length} bytes from there:
35935
35936 @smallexample
35937 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35938 @end smallexample
35939
35940 @end itemize
35941
35942 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
35943
35944 @smallexample
35945 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
35946 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35947
35948 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
35949 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
35950 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
35951 @end smallexample
35952
35953 @include agentexpr.texi
35954
35955 @node Trace File Format
35956 @appendix Trace File Format
35957 @cindex trace file format
35958
35959 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
35960 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
35961
35962 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
35963 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
35964 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
35965 in the future.
35966
35967 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
35968 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
35969 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
35970 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
35971 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
35972 of this section.
35973
35974 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
35975
35976 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
35977 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
35978 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
35979 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
35980 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
35981 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
35982 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
35983 endianness.
35984
35985 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
35986
35987 @table @code
35988 @item R @var{bytes}
35989 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
35990 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
35991 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
35992 hexadecimal encoding.
35993
35994 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
35995 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
35996 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
35997 @var{length} bytes.
35998
35999 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
36000 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
36001 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
36002
36003 @end table
36004
36005 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
36006 of blocks.
36007
36008 @node Target Descriptions
36009 @appendix Target Descriptions
36010 @cindex target descriptions
36011
36012 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
36013 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
36014 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
36015
36016 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36017 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36018 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36019 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36020 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36021 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36022 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36023
36024 @itemize @bullet
36025 @item
36026 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36027 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36028 @item
36029 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36030 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36031 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36032 @item
36033 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36034 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36035 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36036 @end itemize
36037
36038 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36039 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36040 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36041 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36042 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36043
36044 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36045 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36046
36047 @menu
36048 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36049 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36050 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36051 descriptions.
36052 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36053 @end menu
36054
36055 @node Retrieving Descriptions
36056 @section Retrieving Descriptions
36057
36058 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36059 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36060 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36061 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36062 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36063 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36064 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36065 Format}.
36066
36067 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36068 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36069 specify a file are:
36070
36071 @table @code
36072 @cindex set tdesc filename
36073 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36074 Read the target description from @var{path}.
36075
36076 @cindex unset tdesc filename
36077 @item unset tdesc filename
36078 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36079 will use the description supplied by the current target.
36080
36081 @cindex show tdesc filename
36082 @item show tdesc filename
36083 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36084 @end table
36085
36086
36087 @node Target Description Format
36088 @section Target Description Format
36089 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
36090
36091 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36092 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36093 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36094 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36095 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36096 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36097 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36098
36099 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36100 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36101 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36102 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36103 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36104
36105 Here is a simple target description:
36106
36107 @smallexample
36108 <target version="1.0">
36109 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36110 </target>
36111 @end smallexample
36112
36113 @noindent
36114 This minimal description only says that the target uses
36115 the x86-64 architecture.
36116
36117 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36118 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36119 are explained further below.
36120
36121 @smallexample
36122 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36123 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36124 <target version="1.0">
36125 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36126 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36127 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36128 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36129 </target>
36130 @end smallexample
36131
36132 @noindent
36133 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36134 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36135 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36136 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36137 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36138 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36139 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36140 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36141 the version mismatch.
36142
36143 @subsection Inclusion
36144 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36145 @cindex XInclude
36146 @ifnotinfo
36147 @cindex <xi:include>
36148 @end ifnotinfo
36149
36150 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36151 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36152 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36153 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36154 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36155
36156 @smallexample
36157 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36158 @end smallexample
36159
36160 @noindent
36161 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36162 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36163 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36164 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36165 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36166 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36167 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36168 original description.
36169
36170 @subsection Architecture
36171 @cindex <architecture>
36172
36173 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36174
36175 @smallexample
36176 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36177 @end smallexample
36178
36179 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36180 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36181
36182 @subsection OS ABI
36183 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
36184
36185 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36186 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36187
36188 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36189
36190 @smallexample
36191 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36192 @end smallexample
36193
36194 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36195 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36196
36197 @subsection Compatible Architecture
36198 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
36199
36200 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36201 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36202
36203 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36204
36205 @smallexample
36206 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36207 @end smallexample
36208
36209 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36210 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36211
36212 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36213 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36214 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36215 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36216 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36217 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36218 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36219
36220 @smallexample
36221 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36222 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36223 @end smallexample
36224
36225 @subsection Features
36226 @cindex <feature>
36227
36228 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36229 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36230 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36231 has this form:
36232
36233 @smallexample
36234 <feature name="@var{name}">
36235 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36236 @var{reg}@dots{}
36237 </feature>
36238 @end smallexample
36239
36240 @noindent
36241 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36242 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36243 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36244 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36245
36246 @subsection Types
36247
36248 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36249 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36250 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36251 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36252 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36253
36254 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36255 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36256 Types must be defined before they are used.
36257
36258 @cindex <vector>
36259 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36260 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36261 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36262 @var{count}:
36263
36264 @smallexample
36265 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36266 @end smallexample
36267
36268 @cindex <union>
36269 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36270 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36271 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36272 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36273
36274 @smallexample
36275 <union id="@var{id}">
36276 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36277 @dots{}
36278 </union>
36279 @end smallexample
36280
36281 @cindex <struct>
36282 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36283 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36284 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36285 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36286 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36287 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36288 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36289 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36290
36291 @smallexample
36292 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36293 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36294 @dots{}
36295 </struct>
36296 @end smallexample
36297
36298 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36299 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36300
36301 @smallexample
36302 <struct id="@var{id}">
36303 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36304 @dots{}
36305 </struct>
36306 @end smallexample
36307
36308 @cindex <flags>
36309 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36310 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36311 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36312 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36313 are supported.
36314
36315 @smallexample
36316 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36317 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36318 @dots{}
36319 </flags>
36320 @end smallexample
36321
36322 @subsection Registers
36323 @cindex <reg>
36324
36325 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36326
36327 @smallexample
36328 <reg name="@var{name}"
36329 bitsize="@var{size}"
36330 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36331 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36332 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36333 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36334 @end smallexample
36335
36336 @noindent
36337 The components are as follows:
36338
36339 @table @var
36340
36341 @item name
36342 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36343
36344 @item bitsize
36345 The register's size, in bits.
36346
36347 @item regnum
36348 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36349 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36350 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
36351 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36352 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36353 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36354 in order of increasing register number.
36355
36356 @item save-restore
36357 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36358 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36359 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36360 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36361 ABI.
36362
36363 @item type
36364 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36365 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36366 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36367 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36368 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36369 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36370
36371 @item group
36372 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36373 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36374 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36375 in @code{info registers}.
36376
36377 @end table
36378
36379 @node Predefined Target Types
36380 @section Predefined Target Types
36381 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36382
36383 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36384 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36385 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36386 types. The currently supported types are:
36387
36388 @table @code
36389
36390 @item int8
36391 @itemx int16
36392 @itemx int32
36393 @itemx int64
36394 @itemx int128
36395 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36396
36397 @item uint8
36398 @itemx uint16
36399 @itemx uint32
36400 @itemx uint64
36401 @itemx uint128
36402 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36403
36404 @item code_ptr
36405 @itemx data_ptr
36406 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36407 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36408 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36409 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36410 may be marked as data pointers.
36411
36412 @item ieee_single
36413 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36414
36415 @item ieee_double
36416 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36417
36418 @item arm_fpa_ext
36419 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36420
36421 @item i387_ext
36422 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36423
36424 @item i386_eflags
36425 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36426
36427 @item i386_mxcsr
36428 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36429
36430 @end table
36431
36432 @node Standard Target Features
36433 @section Standard Target Features
36434 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36435
36436 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36437 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36438 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36439 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36440 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36441 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36442 can recognize them.
36443
36444 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36445 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36446 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36447 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36448 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36449 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36450 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36451 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36452
36453 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36454 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36455 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36456
36457 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36458 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36459 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36460 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36461
36462 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36463 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36464 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36465
36466 @menu
36467 * ARM Features::
36468 * i386 Features::
36469 * MIPS Features::
36470 * M68K Features::
36471 * PowerPC Features::
36472 @end menu
36473
36474
36475 @node ARM Features
36476 @subsection ARM Features
36477 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36478
36479 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36480 ARM targets.
36481 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36482 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36483
36484 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36485 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36486 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36487 and @samp{xpsr}.
36488
36489 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36490 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36491
36492 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36493 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36494 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36495 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36496
36497 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36498 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36499 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36500 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36501 halves of the double-precision registers.
36502
36503 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36504 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36505 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36506 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36507 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36508 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36509
36510 @node i386 Features
36511 @subsection i386 Features
36512 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36513
36514 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36515 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36516
36517 @itemize @minus
36518 @item
36519 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36520 @item
36521 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36522 @item
36523 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36524 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36525 @item
36526 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36527 @item
36528 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36529 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36530 @end itemize
36531
36532 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36533
36534 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36535 describe registers:
36536
36537 @itemize @minus
36538 @item
36539 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36540 @item
36541 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36542 @item
36543 @samp{mxcsr}
36544 @end itemize
36545
36546 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36547 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36548 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36549
36550 @itemize @minus
36551 @item
36552 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36553 @item
36554 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36555 @end itemize
36556
36557 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36558 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36559
36560 @node MIPS Features
36561 @subsection MIPS Features
36562 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36563
36564 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36565 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36566 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36567 on the target.
36568
36569 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36570 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36571 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36572
36573 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36574 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36575 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36576 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36577
36578 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36579 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36580 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36581
36582 @node M68K Features
36583 @subsection M68K Features
36584 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36585
36586 @table @code
36587 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36588 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36589 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36590 One of those features must be always present.
36591 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36592 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36593 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36594 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36595
36596 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36597 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36598 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36599 @samp{fpiaddr}.
36600 @end table
36601
36602 @node PowerPC Features
36603 @subsection PowerPC Features
36604 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36605
36606 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36607 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36608 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36609 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36610
36611 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36612 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36613
36614 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36615 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36616 and @samp{vrsave}.
36617
36618 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36619 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36620 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36621 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36622 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36623 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36624
36625 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36626 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36627 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36628 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36629 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36630 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36631 user.
36632
36633 @node Operating System Information
36634 @appendix Operating System Information
36635 @cindex operating system information
36636
36637 @menu
36638 * Process list::
36639 @end menu
36640
36641 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36642 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36643 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36644 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36645 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36646 on a different aspect of target.
36647
36648 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36649 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36650 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36651 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36652
36653 @node Process list
36654 @appendixsection Process list
36655 @cindex operating system information, process list
36656
36657 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36658 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36659 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36660 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36661
36662 An example document is:
36663
36664 @smallexample
36665 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36666 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36667 <osdata type="processes">
36668 <item>
36669 <column name="pid">1</column>
36670 <column name="user">root</column>
36671 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36672 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36673 </item>
36674 </osdata>
36675 @end smallexample
36676
36677 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36678 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36679 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36680 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36681 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36682 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36683 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36684
36685 @include gpl.texi
36686
36687 @node GNU Free Documentation License
36688 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
36689 @include fdl.texi
36690
36691 @node Index
36692 @unnumbered Index
36693
36694 @printindex cp
36695
36696 @tex
36697 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
36698 % meantime:
36699 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
36700 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
36701 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
36702 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
36703 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
36704 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
36705 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
36706 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
36707 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
36708 \page\colophon
36709 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
36710 @end tex
36711
36712 @bye
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