ee035219f25d19a1add4d514ff2bb0d03baffeb7
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-1996, 1998-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @include gdb-cfg.texi
10 @c
11 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
12 @setchapternewpage odd
13 @c %**end of header
14
15 @iftex
16 @c @smallbook
17 @c @cropmarks
18 @end iftex
19
20 @finalout
21 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
22 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
23 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
24 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
25 @syncodeindex ky fn
26 @syncodeindex tp fn
27
28 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
29 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @syncodeindex vr fn
31 @syncodeindex fn fn
32
33 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
34 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
35 @set EDITION Tenth
36
37 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
38 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
39
40 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
41
42 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
43 @c manuals to an info tree.
44 @dircategory Software development
45 @direntry
46 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 @end direntry
48
49 @copying
50 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
51 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
52 2011, 2012
53 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
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 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
187 how you can copy and share GDB
188 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
189 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
190 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
191 functions, and Python data types
192 @end menu
193
194 @end ifnottex
195
196 @contents
197
198 @node Summary
199 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
200
201 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
202 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
203 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
204
205 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
206 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
207
208 @itemize @bullet
209 @item
210 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
211
212 @item
213 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
214
215 @item
216 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
217
218 @item
219 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
220 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
221 @end itemize
222
223 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
224 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
225 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
226
227 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
228 @ref{D,,D}.
229
230 @cindex Modula-2
231 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
232 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
233
234 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
235 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
236
237 @cindex Pascal
238 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
239 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
240 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
241 syntax.
242
243 @cindex Fortran
244 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
245 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
246 underscore.
247
248 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
249 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
250
251 @menu
252 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
253 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
254 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
255 @end menu
256
257 @node Free Software
258 @unnumberedsec Free Software
259
260 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
261 General Public License
262 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
263 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
264 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
265 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
266 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
267 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
268
269 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
270 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
271 from anyone else.
272
273 @node Free Documentation
274 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
275
276 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
277 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
278 include with the free software. Many of our most important
279 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
280 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
281 when an important free software package does not come with a free
282 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
283 gaps today.
284
285 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
286 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
287 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
288 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
289 them from the free software world.
290
291 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
292 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
293 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
294 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
295 contract to make it non-free.
296
297 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
298 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
299 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
300 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
301 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
302 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
303 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
304
305 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
306 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
307 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
308 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
309
310 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
311 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
312 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
313 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
314 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
315 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
316 community.
317
318 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
319 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
320 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
321 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
322 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
323 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
324 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
325 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
326 of the manual.
327
328 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
329 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
330 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
331 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
332 manual to replace it.
333
334 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
335 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
336 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
337 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
338 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
339 the free software community.
340
341 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
342 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
343 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
344 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
345 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
346 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
347 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
348 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
349 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
350
351 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
352 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
353 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
354 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
355 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
356 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
357 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
358 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
359
360 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
361 published by other publishers, at
362 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
363
364 @node Contributors
365 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
366
367 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
368 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
369 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
370 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
371 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
372 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
373 blow-by-blow account.
374
375 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
376
377 @quotation
378 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
379 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
380 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
381 @end quotation
382
383 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
384 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
385 releases:
386 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
387 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
388 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
389 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
390 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
391 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
392 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
393 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
394 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
395
396 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
397 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
398
399 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
400 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
401 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
402 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
403 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
404
405 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
406 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
407 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
408
409 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
410 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
411
412 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
413
414 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
415 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
416 support.
417 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
418 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
419 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
420 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
421 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
422 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
423 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
424 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
425 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
426 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
427 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
428 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
429 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
430 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
431 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
432 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
433
434 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
435
436 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
437 libraries.
438
439 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
440 about several machine instruction sets.
441
442 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
443 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
444 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
445 and RDI targets, respectively.
446
447 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
448 command-line editing and command history.
449
450 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
451 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
452
453 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
454 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
455 symbols.
456
457 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
458 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
459
460 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
461
462 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
463 processors.
464
465 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
466
467 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
468
469 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
470
471 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
472 watchpoints.
473
474 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
475
476 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
477
478 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
479 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
480
481 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
482 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
483 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
484 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
485 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
486 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
487 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
488
489 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
490 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
491
492 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
493 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
494 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
495 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
496 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
497 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
498 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
499 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
500 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
501 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
502 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
503 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
504 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
505 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
506 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
507
508 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
509 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
510
511 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
512 Hat.
513
514 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
515 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
516 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
517 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
518 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
519 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
520
521 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
522 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
523 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
524 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
525 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
526 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
527 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
528 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
529 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
530 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
531 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
532 Weigand.
533
534 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
535 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
536 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
537 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
538
539 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
540 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
541
542 @node Sample Session
543 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
544
545 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
546 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
547 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
548
549 @iftex
550 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
551 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
552 @end iftex
553
554 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
555 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
556
557 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
558 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
559 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
560 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
561 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
562 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
563 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
564 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
565 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
566
567 @smallexample
568 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
569 $ @b{./m4}
570 @b{define(foo,0000)}
571
572 @b{foo}
573 0000
574 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
575
576 @b{bar}
577 0000
578 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
579
580 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
581 @b{baz}
582 @b{Ctrl-d}
583 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
584 @end smallexample
585
586 @noindent
587 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
588
589 @smallexample
590 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
591 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
592 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
593 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
594 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
595 the conditions.
596 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
597 for details.
598
599 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
600 (@value{GDBP})
601 @end smallexample
602
603 @noindent
604 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
605 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
606 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
607 that examples fit in this manual.
608
609 @smallexample
610 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
611 @end smallexample
612
613 @noindent
614 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
615 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
616 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
617 @code{break} command.
618
619 @smallexample
620 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
621 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
622 @end smallexample
623
624 @noindent
625 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
626 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
627 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
628
629 @smallexample
630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
631 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
632 @b{define(foo,0000)}
633
634 @b{foo}
635 0000
636 @end smallexample
637
638 @noindent
639 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
640 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
641 context where it stops.
642
643 @smallexample
644 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
645
646 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
647 at builtin.c:879
648 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
649 @end smallexample
650
651 @noindent
652 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
653 the next line of the current function.
654
655 @smallexample
656 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
657 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
658 : nil,
659 @end smallexample
660
661 @noindent
662 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
663 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
664 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
665 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
666
667 @smallexample
668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
669 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
670 at input.c:530
671 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
672 @end smallexample
673
674 @noindent
675 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
676 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
677 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
678 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
679 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
680 stack frame for each active subroutine.
681
682 @smallexample
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
684 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
685 at input.c:530
686 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
687 at builtin.c:882
688 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
689 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
690 at macro.c:71
691 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
692 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
693 @end smallexample
694
695 @noindent
696 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
697 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
698 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
702 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
704 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
705 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
706 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
707 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
708 : xstrdup(rq);
709 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
710 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
711 @end smallexample
712
713 @noindent
714 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
715 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
716 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
717 (@code{print}) to see their values.
718
719 @smallexample
720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
721 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
723 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
724 @end smallexample
725
726 @noindent
727 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
728 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
729 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
730
731 @smallexample
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
733 533 xfree(rquote);
734 534
735 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
736 : xstrdup (lq);
737 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
738 : xstrdup (rq);
739 537
740 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
741 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
742 540 @}
743 541
744 542 void
745 @end smallexample
746
747 @noindent
748 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
749 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
750
751 @smallexample
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
753 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755 540 @}
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
757 $3 = 9
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
759 $4 = 7
760 @end smallexample
761
762 @noindent
763 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
764 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
765 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
766 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
767 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
768 assignments.
769
770 @smallexample
771 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
772 $5 = 7
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
774 $6 = 9
775 @end smallexample
776
777 @noindent
778 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
779 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
780 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
781 example that caused trouble initially:
782
783 @smallexample
784 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
785 Continuing.
786
787 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
788
789 baz
790 0000
791 @end smallexample
792
793 @noindent
794 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
795 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
796 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
797
798 @smallexample
799 @b{Ctrl-d}
800 Program exited normally.
801 @end smallexample
802
803 @noindent
804 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
805 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
806 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
807
808 @smallexample
809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
810 @end smallexample
811
812 @node Invocation
813 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
814
815 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
816 The essentials are:
817 @itemize @bullet
818 @item
819 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
820 @item
821 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
822 @end itemize
823
824 @menu
825 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
826 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
827 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
828 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
829 @end menu
830
831 @node Invoking GDB
832 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
833
834 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
835 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
836
837 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
838 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
839
840 The command-line options described here are designed
841 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
842 options may effectively be unavailable.
843
844 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
845 specifying an executable program:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 @noindent
852 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
853 specified:
854
855 @smallexample
856 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
857 @end smallexample
858
859 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
860 to debug a running process:
861
862 @smallexample
863 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
864 @end smallexample
865
866 @noindent
867 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
868 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
869
870 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
871 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
872 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
873 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
874 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
875
876 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
877 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
878 option processing.
879 @smallexample
880 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
881 @end smallexample
882 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
883 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
884
885 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
886 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
887
888 @smallexample
889 @value{GDBP} -silent
890 @end smallexample
891
892 @noindent
893 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
894 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
895
896 @noindent
897 Type
898
899 @smallexample
900 @value{GDBP} -help
901 @end smallexample
902
903 @noindent
904 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
905 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
906
907 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
908 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
909 @samp{-x} option is used.
910
911
912 @menu
913 * File Options:: Choosing files
914 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
915 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
916 @end menu
917
918 @node File Options
919 @subsection Choosing Files
920
921 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
922 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
923 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
924 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
925 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
926 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
927 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
928 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
929 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
930 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
931 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
932 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
933 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
934
935 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
936 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
937 argument and ignore it.
938
939 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
940 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
941 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
942 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
943 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
944
945 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
946 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
947 @c it.
948
949 @table @code
950 @item -symbols @var{file}
951 @itemx -s @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--symbols}
953 @cindex @code{-s}
954 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
955
956 @item -exec @var{file}
957 @itemx -e @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--exec}
959 @cindex @code{-e}
960 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
961 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
962
963 @item -se @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--se}
965 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
966 file.
967
968 @item -core @var{file}
969 @itemx -c @var{file}
970 @cindex @code{--core}
971 @cindex @code{-c}
972 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
973
974 @item -pid @var{number}
975 @itemx -p @var{number}
976 @cindex @code{--pid}
977 @cindex @code{-p}
978 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
979
980 @item -command @var{file}
981 @itemx -x @var{file}
982 @cindex @code{--command}
983 @cindex @code{-x}
984 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
985 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
986 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
987
988 @item -eval-command @var{command}
989 @itemx -ex @var{command}
990 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
991 @cindex @code{-ex}
992 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
993
994 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
995 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
996
997 @smallexample
998 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
999 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1000 @end smallexample
1001
1002 @item -init-command @var{file}
1003 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1004 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1005 @cindex @code{-ix}
1006 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1007 after loading gdbinit files).
1008 @xref{Startup}.
1009
1010 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1011 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1012 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1013 @cindex @code{-iex}
1014 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1015 after loading gdbinit files).
1016 @xref{Startup}.
1017
1018 @item -directory @var{directory}
1019 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1020 @cindex @code{--directory}
1021 @cindex @code{-d}
1022 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1023
1024 @item -r
1025 @itemx -readnow
1026 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1027 @cindex @code{-r}
1028 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1029 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1030 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1031
1032 @end table
1033
1034 @node Mode Options
1035 @subsection Choosing Modes
1036
1037 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1038 batch mode or quiet mode.
1039
1040 @table @code
1041 @anchor{-nx}
1042 @item -nx
1043 @itemx -n
1044 @cindex @code{--nx}
1045 @cindex @code{-n}
1046 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1047 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1048 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1049 Files}.
1050
1051 @item -quiet
1052 @itemx -silent
1053 @itemx -q
1054 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1055 @cindex @code{--silent}
1056 @cindex @code{-q}
1057 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1058 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1059
1060 @item -batch
1061 @cindex @code{--batch}
1062 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1063 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1064 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1065 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1066 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1067 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1068 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1069
1070 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1071 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1072 make this more useful, the message
1073
1074 @smallexample
1075 Program exited normally.
1076 @end smallexample
1077
1078 @noindent
1079 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1080 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1081 mode.
1082
1083 @item -batch-silent
1084 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1085 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1086 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1087 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1088 for an interactive session.
1089
1090 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1091 messages, for example.
1092
1093 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1094 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1095
1096 @item -return-child-result
1097 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1098 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1099 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1100
1101 @itemize @bullet
1102 @item
1103 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1104 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1105 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1106 @item
1107 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1108 @item
1109 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1110 the exit code will be -1.
1111 @end itemize
1112
1113 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1114 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1115 interface.
1116
1117 @item -nowindows
1118 @itemx -nw
1119 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1120 @cindex @code{-nw}
1121 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1122 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1123 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1124
1125 @item -windows
1126 @itemx -w
1127 @cindex @code{--windows}
1128 @cindex @code{-w}
1129 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1130 used if possible.
1131
1132 @item -cd @var{directory}
1133 @cindex @code{--cd}
1134 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1135 instead of the current directory.
1136
1137 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1138 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1139 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1140 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1141 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1142
1143 @item -fullname
1144 @itemx -f
1145 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1146 @cindex @code{-f}
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1148 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1149 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1150 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1151 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1152 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1153 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1154 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1155 frame.
1156
1157 @item -epoch
1158 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1159 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1160 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1161 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1162 separate window.
1163
1164 @item -annotate @var{level}
1165 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1166 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1167 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1168 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1169 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1170 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1171 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1172 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1173 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1174
1175 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1176 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1177
1178 @item --args
1179 @cindex @code{--args}
1180 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1181 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1182 This option stops option processing.
1183
1184 @item -baud @var{bps}
1185 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1186 @cindex @code{--baud}
1187 @cindex @code{-b}
1188 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1189 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1190
1191 @item -l @var{timeout}
1192 @cindex @code{-l}
1193 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1194 for remote debugging.
1195
1196 @item -tty @var{device}
1197 @itemx -t @var{device}
1198 @cindex @code{--tty}
1199 @cindex @code{-t}
1200 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1201 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1202
1203 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1204 @item -tui
1205 @cindex @code{--tui}
1206 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1207 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1208 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1209 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1210 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1211 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1212
1213 @c @item -xdb
1214 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1215 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1216 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1217 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1218 @c systems.
1219
1220 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1221 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1222 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1223 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1224 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1225 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1226
1227 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1228 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1229 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1230 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1231 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1232 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1233
1234 @item -write
1235 @cindex @code{--write}
1236 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1237 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1238 (@pxref{Patching}).
1239
1240 @item -statistics
1241 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1242 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1243 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1244
1245 @item -version
1246 @cindex @code{--version}
1247 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1248 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1249
1250 @end table
1251
1252 @node Startup
1253 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1254 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1255
1256 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1257
1258 @enumerate
1259 @item
1260 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1261 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1262
1263 @item
1264 @cindex init file
1265 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1266 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1267 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1268 that file.
1269
1270 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1271 @item
1272 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1273 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1274 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1275 that file.
1276
1277 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1278 @item
1279 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1280 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1281 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1282 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1283 gets loaded.
1284
1285 @item
1286 Processes command line options and operands.
1287
1288 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1289 @item
1290 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1291 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1292 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1293 This is only done if the current directory is
1294 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1295 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1296 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1297 @value{GDBN}.
1298
1299 @item
1300 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1301 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1302 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1303 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1304
1305 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1306 you must do something like the following:
1307
1308 @smallexample
1309 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1310 @end smallexample
1311
1312 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1313 off too late.
1314
1315 @item
1316 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1317 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1318 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1319
1320 @item
1321 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1322 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1323 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1324 @end enumerate
1325
1326 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1327 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1328 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1329 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1330 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1331 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1332
1333 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1334 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1335
1336 @cindex init file name
1337 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1338 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1339 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1340 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1341 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1342 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1343 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1344 the file to the standard name.
1345
1346
1347 @node Quitting GDB
1348 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1349 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1350 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1351
1352 @table @code
1353 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1354 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1355 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1356 @itemx q
1357 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1358 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1359 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1360 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1361 error code.
1362 @end table
1363
1364 @cindex interrupt
1365 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1366 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1367 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1368 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1369 until a time when it is safe.
1370
1371 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1372 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1373 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1374
1375 @node Shell Commands
1376 @section Shell Commands
1377
1378 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1379 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1380 just use the @code{shell} command.
1381
1382 @table @code
1383 @kindex shell
1384 @kindex !
1385 @cindex shell escape
1386 @item shell @var{command-string}
1387 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1388 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1389 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1390 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1391 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1392 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1393 @end table
1394
1395 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1396 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1397 @value{GDBN}:
1398
1399 @table @code
1400 @kindex make
1401 @cindex calling make
1402 @item make @var{make-args}
1403 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1404 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1405 @end table
1406
1407 @node Logging Output
1408 @section Logging Output
1409 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1410 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1411
1412 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1413 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1414
1415 @table @code
1416 @kindex set logging
1417 @item set logging on
1418 Enable logging.
1419 @item set logging off
1420 Disable logging.
1421 @cindex logging file name
1422 @item set logging file @var{file}
1423 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1424 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1425 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1426 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1427 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1428 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1429 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1430 @kindex show logging
1431 @item show logging
1432 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1433 @end table
1434
1435 @node Commands
1436 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1437
1438 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1439 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1440 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1441 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1442 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1443
1444 @menu
1445 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1446 * Completion:: Command completion
1447 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1448 @end menu
1449
1450 @node Command Syntax
1451 @section Command Syntax
1452
1453 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1454 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1455 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1456 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1457 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1458 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1459
1460 @cindex abbreviation
1461 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1462 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1463 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1464 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1465 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1466 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1467 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1468
1469 @cindex repeating commands
1470 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1471 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1472 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1473 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1474 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1475 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1476 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1477
1478 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1479 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1480 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1481
1482 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1483 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1484 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1485 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1486 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1487
1488 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1489 @cindex comment
1490 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1491 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1492 Files,,Command Files}).
1493
1494 @cindex repeating command sequences
1495 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1496 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1497 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1498 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1499 for editing.
1500
1501 @node Completion
1502 @section Command Completion
1503
1504 @cindex completion
1505 @cindex word completion
1506 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1507 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1508 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1509 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1510
1511 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1512 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1513 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1514 enter it). For example, if you type
1515
1516 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1517 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1518 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1519 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1526 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1527
1528 @smallexample
1529 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1530 @end smallexample
1531
1532 @noindent
1533 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1534 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1535 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1536 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1537 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1538 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1539
1540 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1541 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1542 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1543 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1544 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1545 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1546 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1547 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1548 example:
1549
1550 @smallexample
1551 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1552 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1553 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1554 make_abs_section make_function_type
1555 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1556 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1557 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 @noindent
1562 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1563 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1564 command.
1565
1566 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1567 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1568 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1569 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1570 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1571
1572 @cindex quotes in commands
1573 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1574 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1575 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1576 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1577 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1578 @value{GDBN} commands.
1579
1580 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1581 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1582 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1583 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1584 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1585 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1586 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1587 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1588 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1589 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1590 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1591
1592 @smallexample
1593 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1594 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1595 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1596 @end smallexample
1597
1598 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1599 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1600 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1601 place:
1602
1603 @smallexample
1604 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1605 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1606 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1607 @end smallexample
1608
1609 @noindent
1610 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1611 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1612 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1613
1614 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1615 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1616 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1617 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1618
1619 @cindex completion of structure field names
1620 @cindex structure field name completion
1621 @cindex completion of union field names
1622 @cindex union field name completion
1623 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1624 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1625 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1626 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1627 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1628 left-hand-side:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1632 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1633 to_data to_isatty to_write
1634 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1635 to_flush to_read
1636 @end smallexample
1637
1638 @noindent
1639 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1640 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1641 follows:
1642
1643 @smallexample
1644 struct ui_file
1645 @{
1646 int *magic;
1647 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1648 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1649 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1650 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1651 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1652 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1653 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1654 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1655 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1656 void *to_data;
1657 @}
1658 @end smallexample
1659
1660
1661 @node Help
1662 @section Getting Help
1663 @cindex online documentation
1664 @kindex help
1665
1666 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1667 using the command @code{help}.
1668
1669 @table @code
1670 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1671 @item help
1672 @itemx h
1673 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1674 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1675
1676 @smallexample
1677 (@value{GDBP}) help
1678 List of classes of commands:
1679
1680 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1681 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1682 data -- Examining data
1683 files -- Specifying and examining files
1684 internals -- Maintenance commands
1685 obscure -- Obscure features
1686 running -- Running the program
1687 stack -- Examining the stack
1688 status -- Status inquiries
1689 support -- Support facilities
1690 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1691 stopping the program
1692 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1693
1694 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1695 commands in that class.
1696 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1697 documentation.
1698 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1699 (@value{GDBP})
1700 @end smallexample
1701 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1702
1703 @item help @var{class}
1704 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1705 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1706 help display for the class @code{status}:
1707
1708 @smallexample
1709 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1710 Status inquiries.
1711
1712 List of commands:
1713
1714 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1715 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1716 info -- Generic command for showing things
1717 about the program being debugged
1718 show -- Generic command for showing things
1719 about the debugger
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1722 documentation.
1723 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1724 (@value{GDBP})
1725 @end smallexample
1726
1727 @item help @var{command}
1728 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1729 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1730
1731 @kindex apropos
1732 @item apropos @var{args}
1733 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1734 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1735 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1736
1737 @smallexample
1738 apropos alias
1739 @end smallexample
1740
1741 @noindent
1742 results in:
1743
1744 @smallexample
1745 @c @group
1746 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1747 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1748 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1749 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1750 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1751 @c @end group
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @kindex complete
1755 @item complete @var{args}
1756 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1757 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1758 command you want completed. For example:
1759
1760 @smallexample
1761 complete i
1762 @end smallexample
1763
1764 @noindent results in:
1765
1766 @smallexample
1767 @group
1768 if
1769 ignore
1770 info
1771 inspect
1772 @end group
1773 @end smallexample
1774
1775 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1776 @end table
1777
1778 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1779 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1780 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1781 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1782 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1783 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1784 Index}.
1785
1786 @c @group
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex info
1789 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1790 @item info
1791 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1792 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1793 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1794 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1795 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1796 @w{@code{help info}}.
1797
1798 @kindex set
1799 @item set
1800 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1801 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1802 @code{set prompt $}.
1803
1804 @kindex show
1805 @item show
1806 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1807 @value{GDBN} itself.
1808 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1809 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1810 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1811 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1812
1813 @kindex info set
1814 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1815 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1816 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1817 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1818 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1819 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1820 @end table
1821 @c @end group
1822
1823 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1824 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1825
1826 @table @code
1827 @kindex show version
1828 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1829 @item show version
1830 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1831 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1832 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1833 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1834 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1835 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1836 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1837 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1838 @value{GDBN}.
1839
1840 @kindex show copying
1841 @kindex info copying
1842 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1843 @item show copying
1844 @itemx info copying
1845 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1846
1847 @kindex show warranty
1848 @kindex info warranty
1849 @item show warranty
1850 @itemx info warranty
1851 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1852 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1853
1854 @end table
1855
1856 @node Running
1857 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1858
1859 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1860 debugging information when you compile it.
1861
1862 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1863 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1864 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1865 kill a child process.
1866
1867 @menu
1868 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1869 * Starting:: Starting your program
1870 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1871 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1872
1873 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1874 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1875 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1876 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1877
1878 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1879 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1880 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1881 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1882 @end menu
1883
1884 @node Compilation
1885 @section Compiling for Debugging
1886
1887 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1888 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1889 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1890 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1891 and addresses in the executable code.
1892
1893 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1894 the compiler.
1895
1896 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1897 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1898 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1899 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1900 executables containing debugging information.
1901
1902 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1903 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1904 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1905 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1906 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1907
1908 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1909 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1910 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1911
1912 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1913 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1914 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1915 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1916 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1917 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1918
1919 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1920 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1921 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1922
1923 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1924 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1925 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1926 format in @value{GDBN}.
1927
1928 @need 2000
1929 @node Starting
1930 @section Starting your Program
1931 @cindex starting
1932 @cindex running
1933
1934 @table @code
1935 @kindex run
1936 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1937 @item run
1938 @itemx r
1939 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1940 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1941 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1942 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1943 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1944
1945 @end table
1946
1947 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1948 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1949 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1950 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1951 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1952 message like this one:
1953
1954 @smallexample
1955 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1956 Try "help target" or "continue".
1957 @end smallexample
1958
1959 @noindent
1960 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1961 first (@pxref{load}).
1962
1963 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1964 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1965 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1966 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1967 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1968 divided into four categories:
1969
1970 @table @asis
1971 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1972 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1973 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1974 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1975 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1976 the arguments.
1977 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1978 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1979 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1980
1981 @item The @emph{environment.}
1982 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1983 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1984 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1985 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1986
1987 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1988 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1989 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1990 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1991
1992 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1993 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1994 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1995 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1996 set a different device for your program.
1997 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1998
1999 @cindex pipes
2000 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2001 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2002 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2003 wrong program.
2004 @end table
2005
2006 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2007 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2008 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2009 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2010 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2011
2012 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2013 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2014 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2015 your current breakpoints.
2016
2017 @table @code
2018 @kindex start
2019 @item start
2020 @cindex run to main procedure
2021 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2022 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2023 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2024 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2025 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2026 procedure, depending on the language used.
2027
2028 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2029 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2030 the @samp{run} command.
2031
2032 @cindex elaboration phase
2033 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2034 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2035 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2036 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2037 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2038 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2039 will remain to halt execution.
2040
2041 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2042 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2043 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2044 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2045 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2046
2047 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2048 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2049 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2050 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2051 elaboration code before running your program.
2052
2053 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2054 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2055 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2056 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2057 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2058 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2059 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2060 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2061 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2062 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2063 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2064
2065 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2066 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2067 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2068 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2069
2070 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2071 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2072 environment:
2073
2074 @smallexample
2075 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2076 (@value{GDBP}) run
2077 @end smallexample
2078
2079 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2080 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2081
2082 @kindex set disable-randomization
2083 @item set disable-randomization
2084 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2085 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2086 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2087 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2088 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2089
2090 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2091 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2092
2093 @smallexample
2094 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2095 @end smallexample
2096
2097 @item set disable-randomization off
2098 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2099 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2100 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2101 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2102 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2103 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2104
2105 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2106 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2107 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2108 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2109 a code at its expected addresses.
2110
2111 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2112 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2113 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2114 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2115 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2116 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2117 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2118 a randomly chosen address.
2119
2120 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2121 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2122 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2123 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2124 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2125
2126 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2127 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2128
2129 @item show disable-randomization
2130 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2131 the virtual address space of the started program.
2132
2133 @end table
2134
2135 @node Arguments
2136 @section Your Program's Arguments
2137
2138 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2139 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2140 @code{run} command.
2141 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2142 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2143 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2144 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2145 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2146
2147 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2148 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2149 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2150 the program, not by the shell.
2151
2152 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2153 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2154
2155 @table @code
2156 @kindex set args
2157 @item set args
2158 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2159 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2160 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2161 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2162 it again without arguments.
2163
2164 @kindex show args
2165 @item show args
2166 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2167 @end table
2168
2169 @node Environment
2170 @section Your Program's Environment
2171
2172 @cindex environment (of your program)
2173 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2174 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2175 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2176 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2177 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2178 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2179 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2180
2181 @table @code
2182 @kindex path
2183 @item path @var{directory}
2184 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2185 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2186 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2187 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2188 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2189 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2190 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2191
2192 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2193 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2194 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2195 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2196 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2197 @var{directory} to the search path.
2198 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2199 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2200
2201 @kindex show paths
2202 @item show paths
2203 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2204 environment variable).
2205
2206 @kindex show environment
2207 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2208 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2209 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2210 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2211 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2212
2213 @kindex set environment
2214 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2215 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2216 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2217 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2218 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2219 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2220 null value.
2221 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2222 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2223
2224 For example, this command:
2225
2226 @smallexample
2227 set env USER = foo
2228 @end smallexample
2229
2230 @noindent
2231 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2232 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2233 are not actually required.)
2234
2235 @kindex unset environment
2236 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2237 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2238 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2239 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2240 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2241 @end table
2242
2243 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2244 the shell indicated
2245 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2246 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2247 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2248 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2249 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2250 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2251 @file{.profile}.
2252
2253 @node Working Directory
2254 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2255
2256 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2257 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2258 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2259 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2260 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2261 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2262
2263 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2264 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2265 Specify Files}.
2266
2267 @table @code
2268 @kindex cd
2269 @cindex change working directory
2270 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2271 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2272 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2273
2274 @kindex pwd
2275 @item pwd
2276 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2280 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2281 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2282 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2283 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2284 current working directory of the debuggee.
2285
2286 @node Input/Output
2287 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2288
2289 @cindex redirection
2290 @cindex i/o
2291 @cindex terminal
2292 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2293 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2294 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2295 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2296 running your program.
2297
2298 @table @code
2299 @kindex info terminal
2300 @item info terminal
2301 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2302 program is using.
2303 @end table
2304
2305 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2306 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2307
2308 @smallexample
2309 run > outfile
2310 @end smallexample
2311
2312 @noindent
2313 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2314
2315 @kindex tty
2316 @cindex controlling terminal
2317 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2318 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2319 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2320 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2321 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2322
2323 @smallexample
2324 tty /dev/ttyb
2325 @end smallexample
2326
2327 @noindent
2328 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2329 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2330 that as their controlling terminal.
2331
2332 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2333 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2334 terminal.
2335
2336 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2337 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2338 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2339 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2340
2341 @cindex inferior tty
2342 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2343 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2344 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2345 program.
2346
2347 @table @code
2348 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2349 @kindex set inferior-tty
2350 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2351
2352 @item show inferior-tty
2353 @kindex show inferior-tty
2354 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2355 @end table
2356
2357 @node Attach
2358 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2359 @kindex attach
2360 @cindex attach
2361
2362 @table @code
2363 @item attach @var{process-id}
2364 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2365 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2366 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2367 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2368 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2369
2370 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2371 executing the command.
2372 @end table
2373
2374 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2375 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2376 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2377 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2378
2379 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2380 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2381 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2382 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2383 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2384 Specify Files}.
2385
2386 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2387 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2388 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2389 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2390 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2391 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2392 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2393
2394 @table @code
2395 @kindex detach
2396 @item detach
2397 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2398 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2399 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2400 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2401 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2402 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2403 executing the command.
2404 @end table
2405
2406 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2407 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2408 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2409 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2410 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2411 Messages}).
2412
2413 @node Kill Process
2414 @section Killing the Child Process
2415
2416 @table @code
2417 @kindex kill
2418 @item kill
2419 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2420 @end table
2421
2422 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2423 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2424 is running.
2425
2426 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2427 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2428 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2429 outside the debugger.
2430
2431 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2432 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2433 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2434 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2435 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2436 breakpoint settings).
2437
2438 @node Inferiors and Programs
2439 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2440
2441 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2442 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2443 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2444 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2445 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2446 from multiple executables.
2447
2448 @cindex inferior
2449 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2450 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2451 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2452 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2453 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2454 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2455 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2456 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2457 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2458 threads running in it.
2459
2460 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2461 inferiors}}:
2462
2463 @table @code
2464 @kindex info inferiors
2465 @item info inferiors
2466 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2467
2468 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2469
2470 @enumerate
2471 @item
2472 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2473
2474 @item
2475 the target system's inferior identifier
2476
2477 @item
2478 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2479
2480 @end enumerate
2481
2482 @noindent
2483 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2484 indicates the current inferior.
2485
2486 For example,
2487 @end table
2488 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2489
2490 @smallexample
2491 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2492 Num Description Executable
2493 2 process 2307 hello
2494 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2495 @end smallexample
2496
2497 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2501 @item inferior @var{infno}
2502 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2503 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2504 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2505 @end table
2506
2507
2508 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2509 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2510 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2511 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2512 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2513 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex add-inferior
2517 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2518 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2519 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2520 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2521 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2522 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2523
2524 @kindex clone-inferior
2525 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2526 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2527 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2528 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2529 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2530
2531 @smallexample
2532 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2533 Num Description Executable
2534 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2535 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2536 Added inferior 2.
2537 1 inferiors added.
2538 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2539 Num Description Executable
2540 2 <null> helloworld
2541 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2542 @end smallexample
2543
2544 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2545
2546 @kindex remove-inferiors
2547 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2548 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2549 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2550 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2551
2552 @end table
2553
2554 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2555 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2556 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2557 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2558
2559 @table @code
2560 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2561 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2562 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2563 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2564 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2565 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2566
2567 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2568 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2569 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2570 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2571 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2572 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2573 @end table
2574
2575 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2576 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2577 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2578 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2579
2580
2581 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2582 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2583
2584 @table @code
2585 @kindex set print inferior-events
2586 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2587 @item set print inferior-events
2588 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2589 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2590 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2591 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2592 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2593 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2594
2595 @kindex show print inferior-events
2596 @item show print inferior-events
2597 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2598 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2599 @end table
2600
2601 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2602 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2603 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2604
2605
2606 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2607 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2608 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2609 info program-spaces}} command.
2610
2611 @table @code
2612 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2613 @item maint info program-spaces
2614 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2615 @value{GDBN}.
2616
2617 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2618
2619 @enumerate
2620 @item
2621 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2622
2623 @item
2624 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2625 the @code{file} command.
2626
2627 @end enumerate
2628
2629 @noindent
2630 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2631 indicates the current program space.
2632
2633 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2634 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2635 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2636
2637 @smallexample
2638 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2639 Id Executable
2640 2 goodbye
2641 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2642 * 1 hello
2643 @end smallexample
2644
2645 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2646 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2647 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2648 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2649 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2650
2651 @smallexample
2652 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2653 Id Executable
2654 * 1 vfork-test
2655 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2656 @end smallexample
2657
2658 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2659 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2660 @end table
2661
2662 @node Threads
2663 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2664
2665 @cindex threads of execution
2666 @cindex multiple threads
2667 @cindex switching threads
2668 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2669 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2670 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2671 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2672 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2673 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2674 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2675
2676 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2677 programs:
2678
2679 @itemize @bullet
2680 @item automatic notification of new threads
2681 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2682 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2683 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2684 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2685 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2686 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2687 messages on thread start and exit.
2688 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2689 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2690 isn't compatible with the program.
2691 @end itemize
2692
2693 @quotation
2694 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2695 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2696 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2697 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2698 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2699 like this:
2700
2701 @smallexample
2702 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2703 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2704 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2705 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2706 @end smallexample
2707 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2708 @c doesn't support threads"?
2709 @end quotation
2710
2711 @cindex focus of debugging
2712 @cindex current thread
2713 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2714 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2715 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2716 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2717 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2718
2719 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2720 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2721 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2722 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2723 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2724 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2725 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2726 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2727 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2728 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2729
2730 @smallexample
2731 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2732 @end smallexample
2733
2734 @noindent
2735 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2736 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2737 further qualifier.
2738
2739 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2740 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2741 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2742 @c program?
2743 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2744 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2745 @c threads ab initio?
2746
2747 @cindex thread number
2748 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2749 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2750 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @kindex info threads
2754 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2755 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2756 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2757 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2758 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2759
2760 @enumerate
2761 @item
2762 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2763
2764 @item
2765 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2766
2767 @item
2768 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2769 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2770 program itself.
2771
2772 @item
2773 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2774 @end enumerate
2775
2776 @noindent
2777 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2778 indicates the current thread.
2779
2780 For example,
2781 @end table
2782 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2783
2784 @smallexample
2785 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2786 Id Target Id Frame
2787 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2788 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2789 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2790 at threadtest.c:68
2791 @end smallexample
2792
2793 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2794 Solaris-specific command:
2795
2796 @table @code
2797 @item maint info sol-threads
2798 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2799 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2800 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2801 @end table
2802
2803 @table @code
2804 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2805 @item thread @var{threadno}
2806 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2807 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2808 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2809 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2810 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2811
2812 @smallexample
2813 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2814 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2815 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2816 8 printf ("hello\n");
2817 @end smallexample
2818
2819 @noindent
2820 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2821 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2822 threads.
2823
2824 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2825 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2826 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2827 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2828 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2829 information on convenience variables.
2830
2831 @kindex thread apply
2832 @cindex apply command to several threads
2833 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2834 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2835 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2836 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2837 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2838 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2839 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2840 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2841
2842 @kindex thread name
2843 @cindex name a thread
2844 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2845 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2846 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2847 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2848
2849 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2850 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2851 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2852 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2853 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2854
2855 @kindex thread find
2856 @cindex search for a thread
2857 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2858 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2859 matches the supplied regular expression.
2860
2861 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2862 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2863 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2864 is the LWP id.
2865
2866 @smallexample
2867 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2868 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2869 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2870 Id Target Id Frame
2871 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2872 @end smallexample
2873
2874 @kindex set print thread-events
2875 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2876 @item set print thread-events
2877 @itemx set print thread-events on
2878 @itemx set print thread-events off
2879 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2880 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2881 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2882 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2883 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2884
2885 @kindex show print thread-events
2886 @item show print thread-events
2887 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2888 have started and exited.
2889 @end table
2890
2891 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2892 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2893 programs with multiple threads.
2894
2895 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2896 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2897
2898 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2899 @table @code
2900 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2901 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2902 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2903 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2904 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2905 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2906 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2907 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2908 macro.
2909
2910 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2911 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2912 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2913 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2914 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2915 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2916
2917 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2918 refers to the default system directories that are
2919 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2920 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2921 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2922
2923 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2924 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2925 was loaded in the inferior process.
2926
2927 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2928 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2929 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2930 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2931 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2932 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2933 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2934
2935 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2936 only on some platforms.
2937
2938 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2939 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2940 Display current libthread_db search path.
2941
2942 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2943 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2944 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2945 @item set debug libthread-db
2946 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2947 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2948 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2949 @end table
2950
2951 @node Forks
2952 @section Debugging Forks
2953
2954 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2955 @cindex multiple processes
2956 @cindex processes, multiple
2957 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2958 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2959 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2960 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2961 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2962 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2963 will cause it to terminate.
2964
2965 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2966 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2967 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2968 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2969 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2970 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2971 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2972 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2973 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2974 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2975
2976 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2977 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2978 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2979 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2980
2981 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2982 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2983
2984 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2985 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2986
2987 @table @code
2988 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2989 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2990 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2991 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2992 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2993
2994 @table @code
2995 @item parent
2996 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2997 unimpeded. This is the default.
2998
2999 @item child
3000 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3001 unimpeded.
3002
3003 @end table
3004
3005 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3006 @item show follow-fork-mode
3007 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3008 @end table
3009
3010 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3011 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3012 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3013
3014 @table @code
3015 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3016 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3017 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3018 retain debugger control over them both.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @item on
3022 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3023 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3024 independently. This is the default.
3025
3026 @item off
3027 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3028 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3029 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3030 is held suspended.
3031
3032 @end table
3033
3034 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3035 @item show detach-on-fork
3036 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3037 @end table
3038
3039 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3040 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3041 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3042 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3043 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3044 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3045
3046 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3047 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3048 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3049 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3050 and Programs}.
3051
3052 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3053 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3054 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3055 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3056 the child process's @code{main}.
3057
3058 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3059 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3060
3061 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3062 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3063 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3064 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3065 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3066 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3067 command.
3068
3069 @table @code
3070 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3071 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3072
3073 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3074 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3075
3076 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item new
3080 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3081 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3082 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3083 original inferior.
3084
3085 For example:
3086
3087 @smallexample
3088 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3089 (gdb) info inferior
3090 Id Description Executable
3091 * 1 <null> prog1
3092 (@value{GDBP}) run
3093 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3094 Program exited normally.
3095 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3096 Id Description Executable
3097 * 2 <null> prog2
3098 1 <null> prog1
3099 @end smallexample
3100
3101 @item same
3102 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3103 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3104 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3105 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3106 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3107
3108 For example:
3109
3110 @smallexample
3111 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3112 Id Description Executable
3113 * 1 <null> prog1
3114 (@value{GDBP}) run
3115 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3116 Program exited normally.
3117 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3118 Id Description Executable
3119 * 1 <null> prog2
3120 @end smallexample
3121
3122 @end table
3123 @end table
3124
3125 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3126 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3127 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3128
3129 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3130 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3131
3132 @cindex checkpoint
3133 @cindex restart
3134 @cindex bookmark
3135 @cindex snapshot of a process
3136 @cindex rewind program state
3137
3138 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3139 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3140 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3141 later.
3142
3143 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3144 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3145 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3146 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3147 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3148
3149 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3150 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3151 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3152 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3153 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3154 start again from there.
3155
3156 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3157 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3158
3159 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3160
3161 @table @code
3162 @kindex checkpoint
3163 @item checkpoint
3164 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3165 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3166 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3167
3168 @kindex info checkpoints
3169 @item info checkpoints
3170 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3171 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3172 listed:
3173
3174 @table @code
3175 @item Checkpoint ID
3176 @item Process ID
3177 @item Code Address
3178 @item Source line, or label
3179 @end table
3180
3181 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3182 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3183 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3184 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3185 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3186 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3187 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3188
3189 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3190 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3191 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3192 the debugger.
3193
3194 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3195 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3196 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3197
3198 @end table
3199
3200 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3201 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3202 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3203 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3204 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3205 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3206 previously read data can be read again.
3207
3208 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3209 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3210 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3211 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3212 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3213 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3214
3215 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3216 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3217 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3218 different execution path this time.
3219
3220 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3221 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3222 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3223 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3224 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3225 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3226 potentially pose a problem.
3227
3228 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3229
3230 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3231 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3232 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3233 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3234 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3235 next.
3236
3237 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3238 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3239 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3240 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3241 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3242
3243 @node Stopping
3244 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3245
3246 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3247 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3248 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3249
3250 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3251 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3252 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3253 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3254 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3255 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3256 explicitly request this information at any time.
3257
3258 @table @code
3259 @kindex info program
3260 @item info program
3261 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3262 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3263 @end table
3264
3265 @menu
3266 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3267 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3268 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3269 Skipping over functions and files
3270 * Signals:: Signals
3271 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3272 @end menu
3273
3274 @node Breakpoints
3275 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3276
3277 @cindex breakpoints
3278 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3279 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3280 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3281 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3282 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3283 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3284 program.
3285
3286 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3287 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3288 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3289 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3290 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3291 call).
3292
3293 @cindex watchpoints
3294 @cindex data breakpoints
3295 @cindex memory tracing
3296 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3297 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3298 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3299 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3300 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3301 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3302 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3303 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3304 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3305 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3306 same commands.
3307
3308 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3309 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3310 Automatic Display}.
3311
3312 @cindex catchpoints
3313 @cindex breakpoint on events
3314 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3315 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3316 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3317 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3318 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3319 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3320 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3321
3322 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3323 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3324 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3325 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3326 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3327 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3328 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3329 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3330 enable it again.
3331
3332 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3333 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3334 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3335 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3336 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3337 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3338 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3339
3340 @menu
3341 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3342 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3343 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3344 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3345 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3346 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3347 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3348 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3349 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3350 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3351 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3352 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3353 @end menu
3354
3355 @node Set Breaks
3356 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3357
3358 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3359 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3360 @c
3361 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3362
3363 @kindex break
3364 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3365 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3366 @cindex latest breakpoint
3367 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3368 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3369 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3370 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3371 convenience variables.
3372
3373 @table @code
3374 @item break @var{location}
3375 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3376 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3377 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3378 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3379 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3380
3381 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3382 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3383 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3384 that situation.
3385
3386 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3387 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3388 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3389
3390 @item break
3391 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3392 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3393 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3394 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3395 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3396 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3397 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3398 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3399 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3400 inside loops.
3401
3402 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3403 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3404 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3405 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3406 existed when your program stopped.
3407
3408 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3409 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3410 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3411 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3412 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3413 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3414 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3415
3416 @kindex tbreak
3417 @item tbreak @var{args}
3418 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3419 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3420 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3421 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3422
3423 @kindex hbreak
3424 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3425 @item hbreak @var{args}
3426 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3427 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3428 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3429 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3430 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3431 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3432 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3433 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3434 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3435 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3436 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3437 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3438 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3439 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3440 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3441 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3442 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3443 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3444
3445 @kindex thbreak
3446 @item thbreak @var{args}
3447 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3448 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3449 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3450 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3451 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3452 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3453 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3454 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3455
3456 @kindex rbreak
3457 @cindex regular expression
3458 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3459 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3460 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3461 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3462 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3463 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3464 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3465 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3466 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3467
3468 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3469 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3470 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3471 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3472 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3473 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3474
3475 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3476 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3477 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3478 classes.
3479
3480 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3481 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3482 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3483
3484 @smallexample
3485 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3486 @end smallexample
3487
3488 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3489 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3490 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3491 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3492 every function in a given file:
3493
3494 @smallexample
3495 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3496 @end smallexample
3497
3498 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3499 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3500
3501 @kindex info breakpoints
3502 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3503 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3504 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3505 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3506 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3507 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3508 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3509
3510 @table @emph
3511 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3512 @item Type
3513 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3514 @item Disposition
3515 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3516 @item Enabled or Disabled
3517 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3518 that are not enabled.
3519 @item Address
3520 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3521 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3522 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3523 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3524 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3525 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3526 @item What
3527 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3528 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3529 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3530 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3531 @end table
3532
3533 @noindent
3534 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3535 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3536 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3537 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3538 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3539 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3540
3541 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3542 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3543 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3544 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3545
3546 @noindent
3547 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3548 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3549 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3550 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3551 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3552
3553 @noindent
3554 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3555 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3556 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3557 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3558 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3559 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3560
3561 @noindent
3562 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3563 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3564
3565 @end table
3566
3567 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3568 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3569 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3570 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3571
3572 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3573 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3574 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3575 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3576
3577 @itemize @bullet
3578 @item
3579 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3580
3581 @item
3582 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3583 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3584
3585 @item
3586 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3587 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3588
3589 @item
3590 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3591 several places where that function is inlined.
3592 @end itemize
3593
3594 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3595 the relevant locations.
3596
3597 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3598 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3599 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3600 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3601 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3602 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3603 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3604
3605 For example:
3606
3607 @smallexample
3608 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3609 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3610 stop only if i==1
3611 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3612 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3613 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3614 @end smallexample
3615
3616 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3617 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3618 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3619 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3620 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3621 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3622 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3623 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3624 that belong to that breakpoint.
3625
3626 @cindex pending breakpoints
3627 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3628 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3629 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3630 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3631 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3632 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3633 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3634 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3635 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3636 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3637 is not yet resolved.
3638
3639 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3640 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3641 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3642 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3643 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3644 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3645
3646 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3647 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3648 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3649 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3650
3651 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3652 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3653 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3654
3655 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3656 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3657 address specification to an address:
3658
3659 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3660 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3661 @table @code
3662 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3663 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3664 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3665
3666 @item set breakpoint pending on
3667 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3668 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3669
3670 @item set breakpoint pending off
3671 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3672 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3673 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3674
3675 @item show breakpoint pending
3676 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3680 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3681 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3682
3683 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3684 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3685 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3686 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3687 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3688 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3689 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3690 breakpoints.
3691
3692 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3693
3694 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3695 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3696 @table @code
3697 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3698 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3699 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3700 breakpoint must be used.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3703 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3704 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3705 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3706 @end table
3707
3708 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3709 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3710 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3711 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3712 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3713 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3714 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3715 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3716 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3717
3718 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3719 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3720 @table @code
3721 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3722 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3723 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3724 removed from the target when it stops.
3725
3726 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3727 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3728 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3729 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3730 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3731
3732 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3733 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3734 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3735 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3736 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3737 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3738 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3739 @end table
3740
3741 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3742 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3743 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3744
3745 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3746 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3747
3748 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3749
3750 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3751 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3752 @table @code
3753 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3754 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3755 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3756 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3757 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3758
3759 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3760 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3761 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3762 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3763 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3764 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3765 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3766 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3767 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3768 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3769 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3770 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3771 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3772
3773 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3774 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3775 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3776 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3777 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3778 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3779 @end table
3780
3781
3782 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3783 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3784 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3785 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3786 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3787 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3788 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3789 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3790
3791
3792 @node Set Watchpoints
3793 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3794
3795 @cindex setting watchpoints
3796 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3797 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3798 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3799 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3800 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3801
3802 @itemize @bullet
3803 @item
3804 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3805
3806 @item
3807 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3808 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3809 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3810
3811 @item
3812 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3813 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3814 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3815 @end itemize
3816
3817 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3818 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3819 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3820 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3821 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3822 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3823 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3824 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3825 the expression changes.
3826
3827 @cindex software watchpoints
3828 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3829 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3830 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3831 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3832 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3833 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3834 culprit.)
3835
3836 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3837 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3838 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3839
3840 @table @code
3841 @kindex watch
3842 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3843 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3844 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3845 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3846 to watch the value of a single variable:
3847
3848 @smallexample
3849 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3850 @end smallexample
3851
3852 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3853 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3854 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3855 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3856 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3857 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3858
3859 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3860 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3861 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3862 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3863 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3864 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3865 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3866 error.
3867
3868 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3869 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3870 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3871 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3872 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3873 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3874 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3875 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3876 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3877 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3878 Examples:
3879
3880 @smallexample
3881 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3882 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3883 @end smallexample
3884
3885 @kindex rwatch
3886 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3887 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3888 by the program.
3889
3890 @kindex awatch
3891 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3892 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3893 or written into by the program.
3894
3895 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3896 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3897 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3898 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3899 @end table
3900
3901 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3902 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3903 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3904 a never-changing value:
3905
3906 @smallexample
3907 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3908 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3909 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3910 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3911 @end smallexample
3912
3913 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3914 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3915 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3916 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3917 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3918 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3919
3920 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3921 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3922 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3923 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3924 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3925 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3926 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3927 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3928
3929 @table @code
3930 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3931 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3932 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3933
3934 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3935 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3936 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3937 @end table
3938
3939 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3940 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3941 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3942
3943 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3944
3945 @smallexample
3946 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @noindent
3950 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3951
3952 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3953 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3954 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3955 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3956 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3957 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3958 will print a message like this:
3959
3960 @smallexample
3961 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3962 @end smallexample
3963
3964 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3965 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3966 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3967 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3968 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3969 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3970 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3971 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3972
3973 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3974 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3975 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3976 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3977 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3978 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3979
3980 @smallexample
3981 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3982 @end smallexample
3983
3984 @noindent
3985 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3986
3987 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3988 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3989 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3990 expression with separately allocated resources.
3991
3992 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3993 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3994 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3995
3996 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3997 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3998 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3999 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4000 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4001 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4002 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4003 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4004 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4005
4006 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4007 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4008 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4009 watched expression from every thread.
4010
4011 @quotation
4012 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4013 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4014 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4015 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4016 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4017 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4018 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4019 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4020 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4021 @end quotation
4022
4023 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4024
4025 @node Set Catchpoints
4026 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4027 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4028 @cindex exception handlers
4029 @cindex event handling
4030
4031 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4032 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4033 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4034
4035 @table @code
4036 @kindex catch
4037 @item catch @var{event}
4038 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4039 @table @code
4040 @item throw
4041 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4042 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4043
4044 @item catch
4045 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4046
4047 @item exception
4048 @cindex Ada exception catching
4049 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4050 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4051 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4052 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4053 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4054
4055 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4056 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4057 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4058 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4059 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4060 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4061 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4062 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4063
4064 @item exception unhandled
4065 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4066
4067 @item assert
4068 A failed Ada assertion.
4069
4070 @item exec
4071 @cindex break on fork/exec
4072 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4073 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4074
4075 @item syscall
4076 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4077 @cindex break on a system call.
4078 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4079 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4080 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4081 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4082 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4083 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4084 will be caught.
4085
4086 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4087 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4088 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4089 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4090
4091 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4092 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4093 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4094 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4095
4096 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4097 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4098 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4099 available choices.
4100
4101 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4102 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4103 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4104 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4105 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4106 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4107 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4108 behind the OS upgrades).
4109
4110 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4111 arguments to it:
4112
4113 @smallexample
4114 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4115 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4116 (@value{GDBP}) r
4117 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4118
4119 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4120 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4121 (@value{GDBP}) c
4122 Continuing.
4123
4124 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4125 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4126 (@value{GDBP})
4127 @end smallexample
4128
4129 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4130
4131 @smallexample
4132 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4133 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4134 (@value{GDBP}) r
4135 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4136
4137 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4138 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4139 (@value{GDBP}) c
4140 Continuing.
4141
4142 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4143 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4144 (@value{GDBP})
4145 @end smallexample
4146
4147 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4148 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4149 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4150
4151 @smallexample
4152 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4153 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4154 (@value{GDBP}) r
4155 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4156
4157 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4158 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4159 (@value{GDBP}) c
4160 Continuing.
4161
4162 Program exited normally.
4163 (@value{GDBP})
4164 @end smallexample
4165
4166 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4167 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4168 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4169 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4170
4171 @smallexample
4172 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4173 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4174 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4175 (@value{GDBP})
4176 @end smallexample
4177
4178 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4179 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4180 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4181 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4182 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4183 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4184
4185 @smallexample
4186 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4187 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4188 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4189 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4190 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4191 (@value{GDBP})
4192 @end smallexample
4193
4194 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4195
4196 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4197 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4198
4199 @smallexample
4200 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4201 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4202 @end smallexample
4203
4204 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4205
4206 @item fork
4207 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4208 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4209
4210 @item vfork
4211 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4212 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4213
4214 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4215 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4216 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4217 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4218 matches one of the affected libraries.
4219
4220 @end table
4221
4222 @item tcatch @var{event}
4223 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4224 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4225
4226 @end table
4227
4228 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4229
4230 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4231 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4232
4233 @itemize @bullet
4234 @item
4235 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4236 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4237 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4238 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4239 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4240 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4241 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4242 disabled within interactive calls.
4243
4244 @item
4245 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4246
4247 @item
4248 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4249 @end itemize
4250
4251 @cindex raise exceptions
4252 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4253 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4254 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4255 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4256 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4257 out where the exception was raised.
4258
4259 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4260 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4261 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4262 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4263
4264 @smallexample
4265 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4266 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4267 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4268 @end smallexample
4269
4270 @noindent
4271 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4272 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4273 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4274
4275 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4276 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4277 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4278 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4279 raised.
4280
4281
4282 @node Delete Breaks
4283 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4284
4285 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4286 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4287 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4288 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4289 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4290 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4291
4292 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4293 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4294 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4295 their breakpoint numbers.
4296
4297 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4298 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4299 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4300
4301 @table @code
4302 @kindex clear
4303 @item clear
4304 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4305 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4306 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4307 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4308
4309 @item clear @var{location}
4310 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4311 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4312 most useful ones are listed below:
4313
4314 @table @code
4315 @item clear @var{function}
4316 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4317 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4318
4319 @item clear @var{linenum}
4320 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4321 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4322 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4323 @end table
4324
4325 @cindex delete breakpoints
4326 @kindex delete
4327 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4328 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4329 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4330 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4331 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4332 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4333 @end table
4334
4335 @node Disabling
4336 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4337
4338 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4339 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4340 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4341 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4342 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4343
4344 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4345 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4346 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4347 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4348 do not know which numbers to use.
4349
4350 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4351 affects all of its locations.
4352
4353 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4354 different states of enablement:
4355
4356 @itemize @bullet
4357 @item
4358 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4359 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4360 @item
4361 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4362 @item
4363 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4364 disabled.
4365 @item
4366 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4367 N times, then becomes disabled.
4368 @item
4369 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4370 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4371 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4372 @end itemize
4373
4374 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4375 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @kindex disable
4379 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4380 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4381 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4382 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4383 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4384 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4385 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4386
4387 @kindex enable
4388 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4389 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4390 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4391
4392 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4393 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4394 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4395
4396 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4397 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4398 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4399 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4400 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4401 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4402 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4403
4404 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4405 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4406 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4407 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4408 @end table
4409
4410 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4411 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4412 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4413 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4414 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4415 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4416 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4417 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4418 Stepping}.)
4419
4420 @node Conditions
4421 @subsection Break Conditions
4422 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4423 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4424
4425 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4426 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4427 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4428 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4429 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4430 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4431 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4432 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4433
4434 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4435 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4436 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4437 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4438 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4439
4440 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4441 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4442 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4443 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4444 one.
4445
4446 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4447 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4448 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4449 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4450 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4451 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4452 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4453 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4454 conditions for the
4455 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4456 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4457
4458 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4459 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4460 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4461 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4462 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4463 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4464
4465 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4466 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4467 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4468 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4469 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4470
4471 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4472 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4473 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4474 with the @code{condition} command.
4475
4476 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4477 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4478 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4479 catchpoint.
4480
4481 @table @code
4482 @kindex condition
4483 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4484 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4485 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4486 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4487 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4488 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4489 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4490 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4491 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4492 prints an error message:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4496 @end smallexample
4497
4498 @noindent
4499 @value{GDBN} does
4500 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4501 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4502 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4503
4504 @item condition @var{bnum}
4505 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4506 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4507 @end table
4508
4509 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4510 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4511 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4512 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4513 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4514 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4515 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4516 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4517 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4518 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4519 your program reaches it.
4520
4521 @table @code
4522 @kindex ignore
4523 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4524 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4525 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4526 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4527 takes no action.
4528
4529 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4530 a count of zero.
4531
4532 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4533 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4534 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4535 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4536
4537 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4538 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4539 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4540
4541 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4542 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4543 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4544 Variables}.
4545 @end table
4546
4547 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4548
4549
4550 @node Break Commands
4551 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4552
4553 @cindex breakpoint commands
4554 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4555 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4556 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4557 enable other breakpoints.
4558
4559 @table @code
4560 @kindex commands
4561 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4562 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4563 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4564 @itemx end
4565 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4566 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4567 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4568
4569 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4570 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4571
4572 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4573 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4574 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4575 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4576 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4577 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4578 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4579 Expressions}).
4580 @end table
4581
4582 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4583 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4584
4585 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4586 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4587 that resumes execution.
4588
4589 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4590 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4591 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4592 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4593 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4594
4595 @kindex silent
4596 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4597 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4598 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4599 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4600 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4601 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4602
4603 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4604 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4605 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4606
4607 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4608 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4609
4610 @smallexample
4611 break foo if x>0
4612 commands
4613 silent
4614 printf "x is %d\n",x
4615 cont
4616 end
4617 @end smallexample
4618
4619 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4620 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4621 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4622 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4623 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4624 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4625 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4626
4627 @smallexample
4628 break 403
4629 commands
4630 silent
4631 set x = y + 4
4632 cont
4633 end
4634 @end smallexample
4635
4636 @node Dynamic Printf
4637 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4638
4639 @cindex dynamic printf
4640 @cindex dprintf
4641 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4642 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4643 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4644 having to recompile it.
4645
4646 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4647 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4648 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4649 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4650 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4651 redirects to files and so forth.
4652
4653 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4654 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4655 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4656 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4657 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4658 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4659 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4660
4661 @table @code
4662 @kindex dprintf
4663 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4664 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4665 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4666 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4667
4668 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4669 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4670 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4671 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4672 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4673 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4674
4675 @item gdb
4676 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4677 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4678
4679 @item call
4680 @kindex dprintf-style call
4681 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4682 @code{printf}).
4683
4684 @item agent
4685 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4686 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4687 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4688 support running commands on the target.
4689
4690 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4691 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4692 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4693 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4694 command.
4695
4696 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4697 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4698 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4699 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4700 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4701 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4702
4703 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4704 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4705 you could do the following:
4706
4707 @example
4708 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4709 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4710 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4711 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4712 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4713 (gdb) info break
4714 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4715 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4716 continue
4717 (gdb)
4718 @end example
4719
4720 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4721 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4722 the variable settings.
4723
4724 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4725 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4726 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4727 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4728 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4729 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4730
4731 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4732 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4733 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4734
4735 @end table
4736
4737 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4738 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4739 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4740 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4741 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4742 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4743
4744 @node Save Breakpoints
4745 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4746
4747 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4748 breakpoints}} command.
4749
4750 @table @code
4751 @kindex save breakpoints
4752 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4753 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4754 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4755 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4756 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4757 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4758 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4759 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4760 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4761 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4762 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4763 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4764 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4765 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4766 that can no longer be recreated.
4767 @end table
4768
4769 @node Static Probe Points
4770 @subsection Static Probe Points
4771
4772 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4773 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4774 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4775 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4776 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4777 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4778 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4779
4780 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4781 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4782 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4783 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4784 in your applications.
4785
4786 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4787 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4788 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4789 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4790 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4791 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4792 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4793 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4794
4795 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4796 probes}, with optional arguments:
4797
4798 @table @code
4799 @kindex info probes
4800 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4801 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4802 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4803 probes from all providers are listed.
4804
4805 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4806 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4807 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4808
4809 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4810 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4811 given, all object files are considered.
4812
4813 @item info probes all
4814 List the available static probes, from all types.
4815 @end table
4816
4817 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4818 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4819 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4820 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4821 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4822 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4823 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4824 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4825 at the current probe point.
4826
4827 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4828 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4829 an error message.
4830
4831
4832 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4833 @node Error in Breakpoints
4834 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4835
4836 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4837 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4838
4839 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4840 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4841 @smallexample
4842 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4843 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4844 @end smallexample
4845
4846 @noindent
4847 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4848 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4849 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4850
4851 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4852 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4853
4854 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4855 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4856 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4857
4858 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4859 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4860 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4861 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4862
4863 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4864 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4865 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4866 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4867 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4868 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4869 first in the bundle.
4870
4871 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4872 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4873 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4874 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4875 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4876 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4877 is hit.
4878
4879 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4880 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4881
4882 @smallexample
4883 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4884 @end smallexample
4885
4886 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4887 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4888 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4889 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4890 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4891 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4892 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4893 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4894
4895 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4896 adjusted breakpoints:
4897
4898 @smallexample
4899 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4900 to 0x00010410.
4901 @end smallexample
4902
4903 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4904 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4905 frequently than expected.
4906
4907 @node Continuing and Stepping
4908 @section Continuing and Stepping
4909
4910 @cindex stepping
4911 @cindex continuing
4912 @cindex resuming execution
4913 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4914 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4915 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4916 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4917 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4918 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4919 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4920 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4921
4922 @table @code
4923 @kindex continue
4924 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4925 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4926 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4927 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4928 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4929 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4930 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4931 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4932 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4933 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4934
4935 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4936 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4937 @code{continue} is ignored.
4938
4939 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4940 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4941 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4942 @code{continue}.
4943 @end table
4944
4945 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4946 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4947 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4948 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4949
4950 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4951 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4952 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4953 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4954 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4955 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4956
4957 @table @code
4958 @kindex step
4959 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4960 @item step
4961 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4962 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4963 abbreviated @code{s}.
4964
4965 @quotation
4966 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4967 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4968 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4969 @c distinction here.
4970 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4971 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4972 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4973 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4974 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4975 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4976 below.
4977 @end quotation
4978
4979 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4980 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4981 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4982 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4983 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4984 called within the line.
4985
4986 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4987 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4988 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4989 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4990 was any debugging information about the routine.
4991
4992 @item step @var{count}
4993 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4994 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4995 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4996
4997 @kindex next
4998 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4999 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5000 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5001 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5002 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5003 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5004 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5005 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5006
5007 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5008
5009
5010 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5011 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5012 @c
5013 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5014 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5015 @c function are executed without stopping.
5016
5017 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5018 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5019 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5020
5021 @kindex set step-mode
5022 @item set step-mode
5023 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5024 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5025 @itemx set step-mode on
5026 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5027 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5028 information rather than stepping over it.
5029
5030 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5031 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5032 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5033
5034 @item set step-mode off
5035 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5036 debug information. This is the default.
5037
5038 @item show step-mode
5039 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5040 source line debug information.
5041
5042 @kindex finish
5043 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5044 @item finish
5045 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5046 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5047 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5048
5049 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5050 ,Returning from a Function}).
5051
5052 @kindex until
5053 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5054 @cindex run until specified location
5055 @item until
5056 @itemx u
5057 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5058 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5059 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5060 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5061 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5062 than the address of the jump.
5063
5064 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5065 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5066 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5067 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5068 through the next iteration.
5069
5070 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5071 stack frame.
5072
5073 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5074 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5075 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5076 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5077 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5078
5079 @smallexample
5080 (@value{GDBP}) f
5081 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5082 206 expand_input();
5083 (@value{GDBP}) until
5084 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5085 @end smallexample
5086
5087 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5088 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5089 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5090 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5091 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5092 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5093 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5094
5095 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5096 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5097 argument.
5098
5099 @item until @var{location}
5100 @itemx u @var{location}
5101 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5102 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5103 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5104 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5105 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5106 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5107 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5108 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5109 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5110 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5111 invocations have returned.
5112
5113 @smallexample
5114 94 int factorial (int value)
5115 95 @{
5116 96 if (value > 1) @{
5117 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5118 98 @}
5119 99 return (value);
5120 100 @}
5121 @end smallexample
5122
5123
5124 @kindex advance @var{location}
5125 @item advance @var{location}
5126 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5127 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5128 @ref{Specify Location}.
5129 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5130 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5131 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5132 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5133
5134
5135 @kindex stepi
5136 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5137 @item stepi
5138 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5139 @itemx si
5140 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5141
5142 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5143 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5144 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5145 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5146
5147 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5148
5149 @need 750
5150 @kindex nexti
5151 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5152 @item nexti
5153 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5154 @itemx ni
5155 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5156 proceed until the function returns.
5157
5158 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5159 @end table
5160
5161 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5162 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5163 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5164
5165 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5166 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5167 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5168
5169 For example, consider the following C function:
5170
5171 @smallexample
5172 101 int func()
5173 102 @{
5174 103 foo(boring());
5175 104 bar(boring());
5176 105 @}
5177 @end smallexample
5178
5179 @noindent
5180 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5181 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5182 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5183 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5184
5185 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5186 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5187 is called from many places.
5188
5189 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5190 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5191 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5192 @code{foo}.
5193
5194 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5195 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5196
5197 @table @code
5198 @kindex skip function
5199 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5200 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5201 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5202 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5203 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5204
5205 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5206 will be skipped.
5207
5208 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5209 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5210
5211 @kindex skip file
5212 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5213 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5214 will be skipped over when stepping.
5215
5216 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5217 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5218 @end table
5219
5220 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5221 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5222
5223 @table @code
5224 @kindex info skip
5225 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5226 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5227 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5228 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5229
5230 @table @emph
5231 @item Identifier
5232 A number identifying this skip.
5233 @item Type
5234 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5235 @item Enabled or Disabled
5236 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5237 @item Address
5238 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5239 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5240 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5241 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5242 address here.
5243 @item What
5244 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5245 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5246 where it is defined.
5247 @end table
5248
5249 @kindex skip delete
5250 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5251 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5252 skips.
5253
5254 @kindex skip enable
5255 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5256 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5257 skips.
5258
5259 @kindex skip disable
5260 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5261 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5262 skips.
5263
5264 @end table
5265
5266 @node Signals
5267 @section Signals
5268 @cindex signals
5269
5270 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5271 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5272 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5273 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5274 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5275 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5276 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5277 requested an alarm).
5278
5279 @cindex fatal signals
5280 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5281 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5282 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5283 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5284 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5285 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5286
5287 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5288 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5289 signal.
5290
5291 @cindex handling signals
5292 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5293 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5294 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5295 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5296 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5297
5298 @table @code
5299 @kindex info signals
5300 @kindex info handle
5301 @item info signals
5302 @itemx info handle
5303 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5304 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5305 the defined types of signals.
5306
5307 @item info signals @var{sig}
5308 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5309
5310 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5311
5312 @kindex handle
5313 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5314 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5315 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5316 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5317 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5318 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5319 say what change to make.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @c @group
5323 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5324 Their full names are:
5325
5326 @table @code
5327 @item nostop
5328 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5329 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5330
5331 @item stop
5332 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5333 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5334
5335 @item print
5336 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5337
5338 @item noprint
5339 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5340 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5341
5342 @item pass
5343 @itemx noignore
5344 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5345 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5346 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5347
5348 @item nopass
5349 @itemx ignore
5350 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5351 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5352 @end table
5353 @c @end group
5354
5355 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5356 program until you
5357 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5358 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5359 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5360 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5361 program sees that signal when you continue.
5362
5363 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5364 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5365 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5366 erroneous signals.
5367
5368 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5369 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5370 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5371 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5372 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5373 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5374 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5375 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5376 Program a Signal}.
5377
5378 @cindex extra signal information
5379 @anchor{extra signal information}
5380
5381 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5382 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5383 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5384 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5385 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5386 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5387 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5388 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5389 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5390 system header.
5391
5392 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5393 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5394
5395 @smallexample
5396 @group
5397 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5398 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5399 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5400 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5401 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5402 type = struct @{
5403 int si_signo;
5404 int si_errno;
5405 int si_code;
5406 union @{
5407 int _pad[28];
5408 struct @{...@} _kill;
5409 struct @{...@} _timer;
5410 struct @{...@} _rt;
5411 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5412 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5413 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5414 @} _sifields;
5415 @}
5416 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5417 type = struct @{
5418 void *si_addr;
5419 @}
5420 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5421 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5422 @end group
5423 @end smallexample
5424
5425 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5426
5427 @node Thread Stops
5428 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5429
5430 @cindex stopped threads
5431 @cindex threads, stopped
5432
5433 @cindex continuing threads
5434 @cindex threads, continuing
5435
5436 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5437 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5438 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5439 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5440 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5441 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5442 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5443 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5444 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5445
5446 @menu
5447 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5448 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5449 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5450 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5451 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5452 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5453 @end menu
5454
5455 @node All-Stop Mode
5456 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5457
5458 @cindex all-stop mode
5459
5460 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5461 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5462 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5463 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5464 underfoot.
5465
5466 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5467 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5468 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5469
5470 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5471 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5472 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5473 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5474 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5475 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5476 stops.
5477
5478 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5479 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5480 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5481 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5482
5483 @cindex automatic thread selection
5484 @cindex switching threads automatically
5485 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5486 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5487 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5488 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5489 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5490 thread.
5491
5492 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5493 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5494
5495 @table @code
5496 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5497 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5498 @cindex lock scheduler
5499 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5500 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5501 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5502 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5503 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5504 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5505 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5506 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5507 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5508 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5509 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5510 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5511
5512 @item show scheduler-locking
5513 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5514 @end table
5515
5516 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5517 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5518 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5519 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5520 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5521 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5522 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5523 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5524 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5525 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5526 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5527 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5528 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5529 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5530
5531 @table @code
5532 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5533 @item set schedule-multiple
5534 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5535 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5536 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5537 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5538 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5539 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5540
5541 @item show schedule-multiple
5542 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5543 multiple processes.
5544 @end table
5545
5546 @node Non-Stop Mode
5547 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5548
5549 @cindex non-stop mode
5550
5551 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5552 @c with more details.
5553
5554 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5555 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5556 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5557 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5558 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5559 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5560
5561 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5562 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5563 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5564 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5565 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5566 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5567 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5568 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5569 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5570 independently and simultaneously.
5571
5572 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5573 or attach to your program:
5574
5575 @smallexample
5576 # Enable the async interface.
5577 set target-async 1
5578
5579 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5580 set pagination off
5581
5582 # Finally, turn it on!
5583 set non-stop on
5584 @end smallexample
5585
5586 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5587
5588 @table @code
5589 @kindex set non-stop
5590 @item set non-stop on
5591 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5592 @item set non-stop off
5593 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5594 @kindex show non-stop
5595 @item show non-stop
5596 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5597 @end table
5598
5599 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5600 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5601 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5602 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5603 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5604 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5605 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5606 default.
5607
5608 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5609 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5610 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5611
5612 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5613 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5614 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5615 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5616 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5617
5618 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5619 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5620 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5621 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5622 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5623
5624 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5625
5626 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5627 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5628 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5629 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5630 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5631 previously current thread.
5632
5633 @node Background Execution
5634 @subsection Background Execution
5635
5636 @cindex foreground execution
5637 @cindex background execution
5638 @cindex asynchronous execution
5639 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5640
5641 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5642 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5643 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5644 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5645 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5646 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5647
5648 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5649 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5650 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5651
5652 @table @code
5653 @kindex set target-async
5654 @item set target-async on
5655 Enable asynchronous mode.
5656 @item set target-async off
5657 Disable asynchronous mode.
5658 @kindex show target-async
5659 @item show target-async
5660 Show the current target-async setting.
5661 @end table
5662
5663 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5664 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5665
5666 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5667 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5668 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5669 are:
5670
5671 @table @code
5672 @kindex run&
5673 @item run
5674 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5675
5676 @item attach
5677 @kindex attach&
5678 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5679
5680 @item step
5681 @kindex step&
5682 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5683
5684 @item stepi
5685 @kindex stepi&
5686 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5687
5688 @item next
5689 @kindex next&
5690 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5691
5692 @item nexti
5693 @kindex nexti&
5694 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5695
5696 @item continue
5697 @kindex continue&
5698 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5699
5700 @item finish
5701 @kindex finish&
5702 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5703
5704 @item until
5705 @kindex until&
5706 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5707
5708 @end table
5709
5710 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5711 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5712 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5713 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5714 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5715 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5716
5717 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5718 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5719
5720 @table @code
5721 @kindex interrupt
5722 @item interrupt
5723 @itemx interrupt -a
5724
5725 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5726 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5727 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5728 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5729 @end table
5730
5731 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5732 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5733
5734 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5735 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5736 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5737
5738 @table @code
5739 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5740 @cindex thread breakpoints
5741 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5742 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5743 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5744 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5745 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5746 specify some source line.
5747
5748 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5749 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5750 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5751 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5752 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5753
5754 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5755 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5756 program.
5757
5758 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5759 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5760 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5761
5762 @smallexample
5763 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5764 @end smallexample
5765
5766 @end table
5767
5768 @node Interrupted System Calls
5769 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5770
5771 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5772 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5773 @cindex premature return from system calls
5774 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5775 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5776 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5777 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5778 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5779 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5780 stop execution.
5781
5782 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5783 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5784 style anyways.
5785
5786 For example, do not write code like this:
5787
5788 @smallexample
5789 sleep (10);
5790 @end smallexample
5791
5792 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5793 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5794
5795 Instead, write this:
5796
5797 @smallexample
5798 int unslept = 10;
5799 while (unslept > 0)
5800 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5801 @end smallexample
5802
5803 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5804 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5805 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5806 @value{GDBN}.
5807
5808 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5809 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5810 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5811 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5812
5813 @node Observer Mode
5814 @subsection Observer Mode
5815
5816 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5817 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5818 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5819 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5820 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5821
5822 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5823 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5824 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5825 mode.
5826
5827 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5828 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5829 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5830 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5831 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5832
5833 @table @code
5834
5835 @kindex observer
5836 @item set observer on
5837 @itemx set observer off
5838 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5839 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5840 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5841 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5842
5843 @item show observer
5844 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5845
5846 @kindex may-write-registers
5847 @item set may-write-registers on
5848 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5849 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5850 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5851 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5852
5853 @item show may-write-registers
5854 Show the current permission to write registers.
5855
5856 @kindex may-write-memory
5857 @item set may-write-memory on
5858 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5859 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5860 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5861 defaults to @code{on}.
5862
5863 @item show may-write-memory
5864 Show the current permission to write memory.
5865
5866 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5867 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5868 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5869 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5870 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5871 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5872
5873 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5874 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5875
5876 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5877 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5878 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5879 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5880 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5881 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5882 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5883
5884 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5885 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5886
5887 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5888 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5889 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5890 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5891 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5892 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5893 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5894
5895 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5896 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5897
5898 @kindex may-interrupt
5899 @item set may-interrupt on
5900 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5901 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5902 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5903 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5904 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5905
5906 @item show may-interrupt
5907 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5908
5909 @end table
5910
5911 @node Reverse Execution
5912 @chapter Running programs backward
5913 @cindex reverse execution
5914 @cindex running programs backward
5915
5916 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5917 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5918 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5919 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5920
5921 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5922 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5923 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5924 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5925 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5926 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5927
5928 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5929 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5930 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5931 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5932 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5933 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5934 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5935 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5936 prior values@footnote{
5937 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5938 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5939 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5940
5941 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5942 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5943 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5944 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5945 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5946 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5947 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5948 }.
5949
5950 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5951 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5952
5953 @table @code
5954 @kindex reverse-continue
5955 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5956 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5957 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5958 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5959 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5960 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5961 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5962
5963 @kindex reverse-step
5964 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5965 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5966 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5967 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5968
5969 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5970 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5971 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5972 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5973 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5974 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5975
5976 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5977 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5978
5979 @kindex reverse-stepi
5980 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5981 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5982 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5983 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5984 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5985 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5986 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5987
5988 @kindex reverse-next
5989 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5990 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5991 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5992 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5993 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5994 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5995 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5996 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5997 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5998 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5999
6000 @kindex reverse-nexti
6001 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6002 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6003 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6004 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6005 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6006 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6007 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6008 frame) is reached.
6009
6010 @kindex reverse-finish
6011 @item reverse-finish
6012 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6013 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6014 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6015 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6016
6017 @kindex set exec-direction
6018 @item set exec-direction
6019 Set the direction of target execution.
6020 @item set exec-direction reverse
6021 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6022 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6023 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6024 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6025 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6026 @item set exec-direction forward
6027 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6028 This is the default.
6029 @end table
6030
6031
6032 @node Process Record and Replay
6033 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6034 @cindex process record and replay
6035 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6036
6037 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6038 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6039 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6040
6041 @cindex replay mode
6042 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6043 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6044 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6045 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6046 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6047 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6048 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6049 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6050 execution log.
6051
6052 @cindex record mode
6053 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6054 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6055 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6056 for future replay.
6057
6058 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6059 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6060 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6061 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6062 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6063 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6064
6065 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6066 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6067 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6068 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6069
6070 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6071 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6072
6073 @table @code
6074 @kindex target record
6075 @kindex record
6076 @kindex rec
6077 @item target record
6078 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
6079 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
6080 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
6081 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
6082 the @kbd{target record} command.
6083
6084 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
6085
6086 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6087 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6088 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6089 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6090 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6091
6092 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6093 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6094 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6095 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
6096 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
6097 support these two modes.
6098
6099 @kindex record stop
6100 @kindex rec s
6101 @item record stop
6102 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6103 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6104 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6105
6106 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6107 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6108 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6109 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6110 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6111
6112 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6113 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6114 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6115 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6116 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6117
6118 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6119 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6120
6121 @kindex record save
6122 @item record save @var{filename}
6123 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6124 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6125 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6126
6127 @kindex record restore
6128 @item record restore @var{filename}
6129 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6130 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6131
6132 @kindex set record insn-number-max
6133 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
6134 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
6135
6136 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6137 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6138 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6139 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6140 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6141 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6142 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6143 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6144
6145 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
6146 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
6147 instructions is unlimited in this case.
6148
6149 @kindex show record insn-number-max
6150 @item show record insn-number-max
6151 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
6152
6153 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
6154 @item set record stop-at-limit
6155 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
6156 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
6157 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
6158 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
6159 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
6160 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
6161
6162 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6163 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6164
6165 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
6166 @item show record stop-at-limit
6167 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6168
6169 @kindex set record memory-query
6170 @item set record memory-query
6171 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6172 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
6173 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
6174
6175 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6176 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6177 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6178 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6179 results.
6180
6181 @kindex show record memory-query
6182 @item show record memory-query
6183 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6184
6185 @kindex info record
6186 @item info record
6187 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6188 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6189
6190 @itemize @bullet
6191 @item
6192 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6193 @item
6194 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6195 @item
6196 Highest recorded instruction number.
6197 @item
6198 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6199 @item
6200 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6201 @item
6202 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6203 @end itemize
6204
6205 @kindex record delete
6206 @kindex rec del
6207 @item record delete
6208 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6209 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6210 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6211 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6212 @end table
6213
6214
6215 @node Stack
6216 @chapter Examining the Stack
6217
6218 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6219 stopped and how it got there.
6220
6221 @cindex call stack
6222 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6223 is generated.
6224 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6225 the arguments of the call,
6226 and the local variables of the function being called.
6227 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6228 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6229 stack}.
6230
6231 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6232 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6233
6234 @cindex selected frame
6235 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6236 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6237 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6238 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6239 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6240 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6241
6242 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6243 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6244 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6245
6246 @menu
6247 * Frames:: Stack frames
6248 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6249 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6250 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6251
6252 @end menu
6253
6254 @node Frames
6255 @section Stack Frames
6256
6257 @cindex frame, definition
6258 @cindex stack frame
6259 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6260 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6261 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6262 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6263 which the function is executing.
6264
6265 @cindex initial frame
6266 @cindex outermost frame
6267 @cindex innermost frame
6268 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6269 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6270 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6271 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6272 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6273 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6274 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6275 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6276
6277 @cindex frame pointer
6278 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6279 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6280 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6281 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6282 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6283 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6284
6285 @cindex frame number
6286 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6287 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6288 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6289 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6290 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6291
6292 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6293 @c underflow problems.
6294 @cindex frameless execution
6295 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6296 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6297 @smallexample
6298 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6299 @end smallexample
6300 generates functions without a frame.)
6301 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6302 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6303 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6304 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6305 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6306 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6307 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6308
6309 @table @code
6310 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6311 @cindex current stack frame
6312 @item frame @var{args}
6313 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6314 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6315 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6316 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6317
6318 @kindex select-frame
6319 @cindex selecting frame silently
6320 @item select-frame
6321 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6322 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6323 @code{frame}.
6324 @end table
6325
6326 @node Backtrace
6327 @section Backtraces
6328
6329 @cindex traceback
6330 @cindex call stack traces
6331 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6332 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6333 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6334 stack.
6335
6336 @table @code
6337 @kindex backtrace
6338 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6339 @item backtrace
6340 @itemx bt
6341 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6342 frames in the stack.
6343
6344 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6345 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6346
6347 @item backtrace @var{n}
6348 @itemx bt @var{n}
6349 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6350
6351 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6352 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6353 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6354
6355 @item backtrace full
6356 @itemx bt full
6357 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6358 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6359 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6360 number of frames to print, as described above.
6361 @end table
6362
6363 @kindex where
6364 @kindex info stack
6365 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6366 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6367
6368 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6369 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6370 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6371 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6372 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6373 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6374 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6375 multi-threaded program.
6376
6377 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6378 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6379 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6380 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6381 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6382 line number.
6383
6384 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6385 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6386
6387 @smallexample
6388 @group
6389 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6390 at builtin.c:993
6391 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6392 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6393 at macro.c:71
6394 (More stack frames follow...)
6395 @end group
6396 @end smallexample
6397
6398 @noindent
6399 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6400 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6401 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6402
6403 @noindent
6404 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6405 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6406 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6407 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6408 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6409
6410 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6411 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6412 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6413 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6414 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6415 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6416 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6417 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6418 such a backtrace might look like:
6419
6420 @smallexample
6421 @group
6422 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6423 at builtin.c:993
6424 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6425 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6426 at macro.c:71
6427 (More stack frames follow...)
6428 @end group
6429 @end smallexample
6430
6431 @noindent
6432 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6433 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6434
6435 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6436 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6437 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6438
6439 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6440 @cindex program entry point
6441 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6442 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6443 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6444 @code{main}@footnote{
6445 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6446 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6447 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6448 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6449 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6450 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6451
6452 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6453 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6454
6455 @table @code
6456 @item set backtrace past-main
6457 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6458 @kindex set backtrace
6459 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6460
6461 @item set backtrace past-main off
6462 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6463 default.
6464
6465 @item show backtrace past-main
6466 @kindex show backtrace
6467 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6468
6469 @item set backtrace past-entry
6470 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6471 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6472 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6473 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6474
6475 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6476 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6477 application. This is the default.
6478
6479 @item show backtrace past-entry
6480 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6481
6482 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6483 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6484 @cindex backtrace limit
6485 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6486 unlimited.
6487
6488 @item show backtrace limit
6489 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6490 @end table
6491
6492 @node Selection
6493 @section Selecting a Frame
6494
6495 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6496 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6497 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6498 of the stack frame just selected.
6499
6500 @table @code
6501 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6502 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6503 @item frame @var{n}
6504 @itemx f @var{n}
6505 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6506 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6507 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6508 @code{main}.
6509
6510 @item frame @var{addr}
6511 @itemx f @var{addr}
6512 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6513 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6514 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6515 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6516 switches between them.
6517
6518 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6519 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6520
6521 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6522 pointer and a program counter.
6523
6524 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6525 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6526
6527 @kindex up
6528 @item up @var{n}
6529 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6530 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6531 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6532
6533 @kindex down
6534 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6535 @item down @var{n}
6536 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6537 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6538 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6539 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6540 @end table
6541
6542 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6543 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6544 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6545 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6546
6547 @need 1000
6548 For example:
6549
6550 @smallexample
6551 @group
6552 (@value{GDBP}) up
6553 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6554 at env.c:10
6555 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6556 @end group
6557 @end smallexample
6558
6559 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6560 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6561 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6562 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6563 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6564 for details.
6565
6566 @table @code
6567 @kindex down-silently
6568 @kindex up-silently
6569 @item up-silently @var{n}
6570 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6571 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6572 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6573 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6574 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6575 distracting.
6576 @end table
6577
6578 @node Frame Info
6579 @section Information About a Frame
6580
6581 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6582 stack frame.
6583
6584 @table @code
6585 @item frame
6586 @itemx f
6587 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6588 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6589 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6590 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6591 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6592
6593 @kindex info frame
6594 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6595 @item info frame
6596 @itemx info f
6597 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6598 including:
6599
6600 @itemize @bullet
6601 @item
6602 the address of the frame
6603 @item
6604 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6605 @item
6606 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6607 @item
6608 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6609 @item
6610 the address of the frame's arguments
6611 @item
6612 the address of the frame's local variables
6613 @item
6614 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6615 @item
6616 which registers were saved in the frame
6617 @end itemize
6618
6619 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6620 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6621 the usual conventions.
6622
6623 @item info frame @var{addr}
6624 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6625 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6626 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6627 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6628 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6629 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6630
6631 @kindex info args
6632 @item info args
6633 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6634
6635 @item info locals
6636 @kindex info locals
6637 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6638 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6639 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6640
6641 @end table
6642
6643
6644 @node Source
6645 @chapter Examining Source Files
6646
6647 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6648 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6649 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6650 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6651 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6652 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6653 source files by explicit command.
6654
6655 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6656 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6657 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6658
6659 @menu
6660 * List:: Printing source lines
6661 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6662 * Edit:: Editing source files
6663 * Search:: Searching source files
6664 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6665 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6666 @end menu
6667
6668 @node List
6669 @section Printing Source Lines
6670
6671 @kindex list
6672 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6673 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6674 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6675 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6676 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6677
6678 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6679
6680 @table @code
6681 @item list @var{linenum}
6682 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6683 current source file.
6684
6685 @item list @var{function}
6686 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6687 @var{function}.
6688
6689 @item list
6690 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6691 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6692 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6693 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6694 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6695
6696 @item list -
6697 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6698 @end table
6699
6700 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6701 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6702 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6703
6704 @table @code
6705 @kindex set listsize
6706 @item set listsize @var{count}
6707 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6708 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6709 Setting @var{count} to -1 means there's no limit and 0 means suppress
6710 display of source lines.
6711
6712 @kindex show listsize
6713 @item show listsize
6714 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6715 @end table
6716
6717 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6718 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6719 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6720 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6721 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6722
6723 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6724 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6725 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6726 to specify some source line.
6727
6728 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6729
6730 @table @code
6731 @item list @var{linespec}
6732 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6733
6734 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6735 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6736 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6737 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6738 the same source file as the first linespec.
6739
6740 @item list ,@var{last}
6741 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6742
6743 @item list @var{first},
6744 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6745
6746 @item list +
6747 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6748
6749 @item list -
6750 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6751
6752 @item list
6753 As described in the preceding table.
6754 @end table
6755
6756 @node Specify Location
6757 @section Specifying a Location
6758 @cindex specifying location
6759 @cindex linespec
6760
6761 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6762 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6763 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6764 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6765
6766 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6767 @value{GDBN} understands:
6768
6769 @table @code
6770 @item @var{linenum}
6771 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6772
6773 @item -@var{offset}
6774 @itemx +@var{offset}
6775 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6776 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6777 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6778 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6779 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6780 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6781 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6782 linespec.
6783
6784 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6785 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6786 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6787 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6788 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6789 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6790 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6791
6792 @item @var{function}
6793 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6794 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6795
6796 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6797 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6798
6799 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6800 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6801 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6802 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6803 functions in different source files.
6804
6805 @item @var{label}
6806 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6807 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6808 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6809 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6810 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6811
6812 @item *@var{address}
6813 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6814 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6815 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6816 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6817 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6818 source files.
6819
6820 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6821 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6822 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6823 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6824 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6825 of @var{address}:
6826
6827 @table @code
6828 @item @var{expression}
6829 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6830
6831 @item @var{funcaddr}
6832 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6833 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6834 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6835 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6836 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6837 (although the Pascal form also works).
6838
6839 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6840 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6841
6842 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6843 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6844 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6845 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6846 functions with identical names in different source files.
6847 @end table
6848
6849 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
6850 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
6851 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
6852 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
6853 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
6854 specifies the location of such a static probe.
6855
6856 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
6857 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
6858 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
6859 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
6860 each one of those probes.
6861
6862 @end table
6863
6864
6865 @node Edit
6866 @section Editing Source Files
6867 @cindex editing source files
6868
6869 @kindex edit
6870 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6871 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6872 The editing program of your choice
6873 is invoked with the current line set to
6874 the active line in the program.
6875 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6876 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6877
6878 @table @code
6879 @item edit @var{location}
6880 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6881 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6882 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6883 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6884 command most commonly used:
6885
6886 @table @code
6887 @item edit @var{number}
6888 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6889
6890 @item edit @var{function}
6891 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6892 @end table
6893
6894 @end table
6895
6896 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6897 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6898 @footnote{
6899 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6900 following command-line syntax:
6901 @smallexample
6902 ex +@var{number} file
6903 @end smallexample
6904 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6905 the file where to start editing.}.
6906 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6907 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6908 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6909 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6910 @smallexample
6911 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6912 export EDITOR
6913 gdb @dots{}
6914 @end smallexample
6915 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6916 @smallexample
6917 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6918 gdb @dots{}
6919 @end smallexample
6920
6921 @node Search
6922 @section Searching Source Files
6923 @cindex searching source files
6924
6925 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6926 regular expression.
6927
6928 @table @code
6929 @kindex search
6930 @kindex forward-search
6931 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6932 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6933 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6934 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6935 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6936 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6937 @code{fo}.
6938
6939 @kindex reverse-search
6940 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6941 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6942 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6943 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6944 this command as @code{rev}.
6945 @end table
6946
6947 @node Source Path
6948 @section Specifying Source Directories
6949
6950 @cindex source path
6951 @cindex directories for source files
6952 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6953 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6954 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6955 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6956 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6957 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6958 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6959
6960 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6961 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6962 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6963 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6964 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6965 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6966 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6967 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6968 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6969 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6970 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6971
6972 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6973 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6974 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6975 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6976 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6977 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6978
6979 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6980 source files.
6981
6982 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6983 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6984 each line is in the file.
6985
6986 @kindex directory
6987 @kindex dir
6988 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6989 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6990 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6991
6992 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6993 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6994
6995 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6996 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6997 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6998 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6999 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7000 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7001 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7002 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7003 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7004 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7005 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7006 name to look up the sources.
7007
7008 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7009 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7010 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7011 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7012 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7013 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7014 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7015 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7016
7017 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7018 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7019 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7020 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7021 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7022 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7023 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7024
7025 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7026 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7027 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7028 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7029 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7030 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7031 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7032 command.
7033
7034 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7035 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7036 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7037 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7038 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7039 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7040 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7041
7042 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7043 @cindex default source path substitution
7044 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7045 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7046 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7047 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7048 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7049 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7050 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7051 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7052 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7053 together.
7054
7055 @table @code
7056 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7057 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7058 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7059 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7060 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7061 part of absolute file names) or
7062 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7063 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7064
7065 @kindex cdir
7066 @kindex cwd
7067 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7068 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7069 @cindex compilation directory
7070 @cindex current directory
7071 @cindex working directory
7072 @cindex directory, current
7073 @cindex directory, compilation
7074 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7075 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7076 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7077 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7078 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7079 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7080
7081 @item directory
7082 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7083
7084 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7085 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7086
7087 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7088 @kindex set directories
7089 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7090 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7091
7092 @item show directories
7093 @kindex show directories
7094 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7095
7096 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7097 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7098 @kindex set substitute-path
7099 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7100 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7101 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7102
7103 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7104 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7105
7106 @smallexample
7107 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7108 @end smallexample
7109
7110 @noindent
7111 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7112 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7113 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7114
7115 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7116 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7117 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7118 the substitution.
7119
7120 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7121
7122 @smallexample
7123 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7124 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7125 @end smallexample
7126
7127 @noindent
7128 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7129 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7130 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7131 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7132
7133
7134 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7135 @kindex unset substitute-path
7136 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7137 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7138 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7139
7140 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7141
7142 @item show substitute-path [path]
7143 @kindex show substitute-path
7144 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7145 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7146
7147 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7148 rules.
7149
7150 @end table
7151
7152 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7153 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7154 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7155
7156 @enumerate
7157 @item
7158 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7159
7160 @item
7161 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7162 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7163 directories in one command.
7164 @end enumerate
7165
7166 @node Machine Code
7167 @section Source and Machine Code
7168 @cindex source line and its code address
7169
7170 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7171 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7172 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7173 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7174 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7175 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7176 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7177 well as hex.
7178
7179 @table @code
7180 @kindex info line
7181 @item info line @var{linespec}
7182 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7183 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7184 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7185 @end table
7186
7187 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7188 the object code for the first line of function
7189 @code{m4_changequote}:
7190
7191 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7192 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7193 @smallexample
7194 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7195 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7196 @end smallexample
7197
7198 @noindent
7199 @cindex code address and its source line
7200 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7201 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7202 @smallexample
7203 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7204 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7205 @end smallexample
7206
7207 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7208 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7209 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7210 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7211 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7212 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7213 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7214 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7215 Variables}).
7216
7217 @table @code
7218 @kindex disassemble
7219 @cindex assembly instructions
7220 @cindex instructions, assembly
7221 @cindex machine instructions
7222 @cindex listing machine instructions
7223 @item disassemble
7224 @itemx disassemble /m
7225 @itemx disassemble /r
7226 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7227 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7228 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7229 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7230 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7231 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7232 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7233 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7234 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7235 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7236
7237 @table @code
7238 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7239 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7240 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7241 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7242 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7243 @end table
7244
7245 @noindent
7246 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7247 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7248
7249 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7250 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7251
7252 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7253 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7254 @end table
7255
7256 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7257 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7258
7259 @smallexample
7260 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7261 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7262 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7263 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7264 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7265 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7266 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7267 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7268 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7269 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7270 End of assembler dump.
7271 @end smallexample
7272
7273 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7274 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7275
7276 @smallexample
7277 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7278 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7279 5 @{
7280 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7281 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7282 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7283 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7284 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7285
7286 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7287 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7288 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7289
7290 7 return 0;
7291 8 @}
7292 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7293 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7294 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7295
7296 End of assembler dump.
7297 @end smallexample
7298
7299 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7300
7301 @smallexample
7302 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7303 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7304 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7305 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7306 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7307 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7308 End of assembler dump.
7309 @end smallexample
7310
7311 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7312 mnemonics or other syntax.
7313
7314 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7315 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7316 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7317 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7318 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7319
7320 @table @code
7321 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7322 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7323 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7324 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7325 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7326 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7327
7328 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7329 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7330 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7331 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7332
7333 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7334 @item show disassembly-flavor
7335 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7336 @end table
7337
7338 @table @code
7339 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7340 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7341 @item set disassemble-next-line
7342 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7343 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7344 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7345 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7346 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7347 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7348 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7349 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7350 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7351 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7352 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7353 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7354 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7355 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7356 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7357 instruction.
7358 @end table
7359
7360
7361 @node Data
7362 @chapter Examining Data
7363
7364 @cindex printing data
7365 @cindex examining data
7366 @kindex print
7367 @kindex inspect
7368 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
7369 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
7370 @c different window or something like that.
7371 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7372 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7373 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7374 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7375 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7376 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7377
7378 @table @code
7379 @item print @var{expr}
7380 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7381 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7382 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7383 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7384 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7385 Formats}.
7386
7387 @item print
7388 @itemx print /@var{f}
7389 @cindex reprint the last value
7390 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7391 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7392 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7393 @end table
7394
7395 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7396 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7397 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7398
7399 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7400 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7401 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7402 Table}.
7403
7404 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7405 @kindex explore
7406 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7407 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7408 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7409 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7410 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7411 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7412 embedded in the higher level data types.
7413
7414 @table @code
7415 @item explore @var{arg}
7416 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7417 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7418 @end table
7419
7420 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7421 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7422 C program as
7423
7424 @smallexample
7425 struct SimpleStruct
7426 @{
7427 int i;
7428 double d;
7429 @};
7430
7431 struct ComplexStruct
7432 @{
7433 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7434 int arr[10];
7435 @};
7436 @end smallexample
7437
7438 @noindent
7439 followed by variable declarations as
7440
7441 @smallexample
7442 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7443 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7444 @end smallexample
7445
7446 @noindent
7447 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7448 @code{explore} command as follows.
7449
7450 @smallexample
7451 (gdb) explore cs
7452 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7453 the following fields:
7454
7455 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7456 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7457
7458 Enter the field number of choice:
7459 @end smallexample
7460
7461 @noindent
7462 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7463 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7464 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7465 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7466 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7467 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7468 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7469 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7470
7471 @smallexample
7472 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7473 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7474 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7475 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7476
7477 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7478 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7479
7480 Press enter to return to parent value:
7481 @end smallexample
7482
7483 @noindent
7484 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7485 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7486 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7487 to explore.
7488
7489 @smallexample
7490 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7491 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7492
7493 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7494
7495 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7496
7497 Press enter to return to parent value:
7498 @end smallexample
7499
7500 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7501 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7502 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7503 level data structure).
7504
7505 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7506 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7507 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7508 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7509 same example as above, your can explore the type
7510 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7511 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7512
7513 @smallexample
7514 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7515 @end smallexample
7516
7517 @noindent
7518 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7519 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7520 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7521 example.
7522
7523 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7524 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7525 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7526 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7527 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7528
7529 @table @code
7530 @item explore value @var{expr}
7531 @cindex explore value
7532 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7533 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7534 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7535 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7536 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7537
7538 @item explore type @var{arg}
7539 @cindex explore type
7540 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7541 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7542 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7543 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7544 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7545 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7546 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7547 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7548 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7549 @end table
7550
7551 @menu
7552 * Expressions:: Expressions
7553 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7554 * Variables:: Program variables
7555 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7556 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7557 * Memory:: Examining memory
7558 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7559 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7560 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7561 * Value History:: Value history
7562 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7563 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7564 * Registers:: Registers
7565 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7566 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7567 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7568 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7569 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7570 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7571 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7572 character set than GDB does
7573 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7574 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7575 @end menu
7576
7577 @node Expressions
7578 @section Expressions
7579
7580 @cindex expressions
7581 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7582 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7583 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7584 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7585 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7586 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7587 @ref{Compilation}.
7588
7589 @cindex arrays in expressions
7590 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7591 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7592 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7593 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7594 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7595 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7596
7597 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7598 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7599 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7600 languages.
7601
7602 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7603 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7604
7605 @cindex casts, in expressions
7606 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7607 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7608 at that address in memory.
7609 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7610
7611 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7612 to programming languages:
7613
7614 @table @code
7615 @item @@
7616 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7617 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7618
7619 @item ::
7620 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7621 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7622
7623 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7624 @cindex type casting memory
7625 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7626 @cindex casts, to view memory
7627 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7628 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7629 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7630 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7631 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7632 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7633 @end table
7634
7635 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7636 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7637 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7638
7639 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7640 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7641 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7642 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7643 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7644 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7645 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7646
7647 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7648 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7649 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7650 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7651 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7652 as well.
7653
7654 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7655 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7656 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7657 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7658 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7659 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7660 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7661 choices.
7662
7663 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7664 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7665 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7666
7667 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7668 @smallexample
7669 @group
7670 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7671 [0] cancel
7672 [1] all
7673 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7674 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7675 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7676 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7677 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7678 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7679 > 2 4 6
7680 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7681 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7682 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7683 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7684 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7685 breakpoints.
7686 (@value{GDBP})
7687 @end group
7688 @end smallexample
7689
7690 @table @code
7691 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7692 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7693 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7694
7695 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7696 is ambiguous.
7697
7698 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7699 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7700 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7701 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7702 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7703 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7704 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7705 in the use of the menu.
7706
7707 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7708 when an ambiguity is detected.
7709
7710 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7711 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7712
7713 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7714 @item show multiple-symbols
7715 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7716 @end table
7717
7718 @node Variables
7719 @section Program Variables
7720
7721 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7722 in your program.
7723
7724 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7725 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7726
7727 @itemize @bullet
7728 @item
7729 global (or file-static)
7730 @end itemize
7731
7732 @noindent or
7733
7734 @itemize @bullet
7735 @item
7736 visible according to the scope rules of the
7737 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7738 @end itemize
7739
7740 @noindent This means that in the function
7741
7742 @smallexample
7743 foo (a)
7744 int a;
7745 @{
7746 bar (a);
7747 @{
7748 int b = test ();
7749 bar (b);
7750 @}
7751 @}
7752 @end smallexample
7753
7754 @noindent
7755 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7756 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7757 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7758 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7759
7760 @cindex variable name conflict
7761 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7762 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7763 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7764 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7765 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7766 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7767 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7768
7769 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7770 @ifnotinfo
7771 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7772 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7773 @end ifnotinfo
7774 @smallexample
7775 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7776 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7777 @end smallexample
7778
7779 @noindent
7780 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7781 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7782 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7783 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7784
7785 @smallexample
7786 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7787 @end smallexample
7788
7789 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7790 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7791 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7792 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7793 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7794
7795 @smallexample
7796 void
7797 foo (int a)
7798 @{
7799 if (a < 10)
7800 bar (a);
7801 else
7802 process (a); /* Stop here */
7803 @}
7804
7805 int
7806 bar (int a)
7807 @{
7808 foo (a + 5);
7809 @}
7810 @end smallexample
7811
7812 @noindent
7813 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7814 here is what you might see
7815 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7816
7817 @smallexample
7818 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7819 $1 = 10
7820 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7821 $2 = 5
7822 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
7823 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7824 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7825 $3 = 5
7826 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7827 $4 = 0
7828 @end smallexample
7829
7830 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7831 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7832 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7833 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7834 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7835 @c conflict?? --mew
7836
7837 @cindex wrong values
7838 @cindex variable values, wrong
7839 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7840 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7841 @quotation
7842 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7843 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7844 scope, and just before exit.
7845 @end quotation
7846 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7847 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7848 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7849 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7850 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7851 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7852 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7853 variable definitions may be gone.
7854
7855 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7856 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7857 when compiling.
7858
7859 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7860 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7861 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7862 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7863 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7864 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7865 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7866
7867 @smallexample
7868 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7869 @end smallexample
7870
7871 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7872 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7873 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7874 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7875 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7876
7877 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7878 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7879 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7880 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7881
7882 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7883 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7884 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7885 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7886 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7887
7888 @smallexample
7889 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7890 29 i++;
7891 (gdb) next
7892 30 e (i);
7893 (gdb) print i
7894 $1 = 31
7895 (gdb) print i@@entry
7896 $2 = 30
7897 @end smallexample
7898
7899 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7900 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7901 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7902 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7903 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7904 For program code
7905
7906 @smallexample
7907 char var0[] = "A";
7908 signed char var1[] = "A";
7909 @end smallexample
7910
7911 You get during debugging
7912 @smallexample
7913 (gdb) print var0
7914 $1 = "A"
7915 (gdb) print var1
7916 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7917 @end smallexample
7918
7919 @node Arrays
7920 @section Artificial Arrays
7921
7922 @cindex artificial array
7923 @cindex arrays
7924 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7925 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7926 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7927 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7928 program.
7929
7930 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7931 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7932 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7933 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7934 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7935 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7936 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7937 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7938 example. If a program says
7939
7940 @smallexample
7941 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7942 @end smallexample
7943
7944 @noindent
7945 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7946
7947 @smallexample
7948 p *array@@len
7949 @end smallexample
7950
7951 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7952 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7953 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7954 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7955 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7956
7957 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7958 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7959 The value need not be in memory:
7960 @smallexample
7961 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7962 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7963 @end smallexample
7964
7965 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7966 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7967 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7968 @smallexample
7969 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7970 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7971 @end smallexample
7972
7973 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7974 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7975 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7976 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7977 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7978 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7979 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7980 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7981 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7982 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7983
7984 @smallexample
7985 set $i = 0
7986 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7987 @key{RET}
7988 @key{RET}
7989 @dots{}
7990 @end smallexample
7991
7992 @node Output Formats
7993 @section Output Formats
7994
7995 @cindex formatted output
7996 @cindex output formats
7997 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7998 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7999 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8000 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8001 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8002
8003 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8004 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8005 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8006 letters supported are:
8007
8008 @table @code
8009 @item x
8010 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8011 hexadecimal.
8012
8013 @item d
8014 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8015
8016 @item u
8017 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8018
8019 @item o
8020 Print as integer in octal.
8021
8022 @item t
8023 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8024 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8025 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8026 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8027
8028 @item a
8029 @cindex unknown address, locating
8030 @cindex locate address
8031 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8032 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8033 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8034
8035 @smallexample
8036 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8037 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8038 @end smallexample
8039
8040 @noindent
8041 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8042 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8043
8044 @item c
8045 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8046 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8047 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8048 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8049
8050 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8051 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8052 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8053 data.
8054
8055 @item f
8056 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8057 using typical floating point syntax.
8058
8059 @item s
8060 @cindex printing strings
8061 @cindex printing byte arrays
8062 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8063 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8064 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8065 natural types.
8066
8067 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8068 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8069 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8070 array.
8071
8072 @item r
8073 @cindex raw printing
8074 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8075 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8076 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8077 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8078 pretty-printer which might exist.
8079 @end table
8080
8081 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8082
8083 @smallexample
8084 p/x $pc
8085 @end smallexample
8086
8087 @noindent
8088 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8089 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8090
8091 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8092 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8093 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8094
8095 @node Memory
8096 @section Examining Memory
8097
8098 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8099 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8100
8101 @cindex examining memory
8102 @table @code
8103 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8104 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8105 @itemx x @var{addr}
8106 @itemx x
8107 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8108 @end table
8109
8110 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8111 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8112 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8113 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8114 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8115
8116 @table @r
8117 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8118 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8119 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8120 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8121 @c 4.1.2.
8122
8123 @item @var{f}, the display format
8124 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8125 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8126 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8127 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8128 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8129
8130 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8131 The unit size is any of
8132
8133 @table @code
8134 @item b
8135 Bytes.
8136 @item h
8137 Halfwords (two bytes).
8138 @item w
8139 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8140 @item g
8141 Giant words (eight bytes).
8142 @end table
8143
8144 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8145 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8146 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8147 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8148 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8149 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8150 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8151 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8152 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8153 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8154 be altered.
8155
8156 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8157 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8158 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8159 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8160 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8161 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8162 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8163 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8164 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8165 a value from memory).
8166 @end table
8167
8168 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8169 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8170 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8171 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8172 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8173
8174 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8175 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8176 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8177 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8178 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8179
8180 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8181 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8182 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8183 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8184 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8185 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8186 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8187 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8188 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8189
8190 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8191 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8192 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8193 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8194 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8195 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8196 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8197
8198 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8199 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8200
8201 @smallexample
8202 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8203 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8204 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8205 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8206 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8207 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8208 @end smallexample
8209
8210 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8211 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8212 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8213 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8214 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8215 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8216 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8217 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8218 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8219
8220 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8221 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8222 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8223
8224 @cindex remote memory comparison
8225 @cindex verify remote memory image
8226 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8227 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8228 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8229 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8230 situations.
8231
8232 @table @code
8233 @kindex compare-sections
8234 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8235 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8236 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8237 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8238 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8239 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8240 remote request.
8241 @end table
8242
8243 @node Auto Display
8244 @section Automatic Display
8245 @cindex automatic display
8246 @cindex display of expressions
8247
8248 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8249 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8250 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8251 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8252 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8253 The automatic display looks like this:
8254
8255 @smallexample
8256 2: foo = 38
8257 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8258 @end smallexample
8259
8260 @noindent
8261 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8262 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8263 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8264 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8265 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8266 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8267
8268 @table @code
8269 @kindex display
8270 @item display @var{expr}
8271 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8272 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8273
8274 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8275
8276 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8277 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8278 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8279 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8280 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8281
8282 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8283 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8284 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8285 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8286 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8287 @end table
8288
8289 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8290 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8291 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8292
8293 @table @code
8294 @kindex delete display
8295 @kindex undisplay
8296 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8297 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8298 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8299 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8300 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8301 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8302 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8303
8304 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8305 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8306
8307 @kindex disable display
8308 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8309 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8310 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8311 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8312 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8313 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8314 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8315 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8316
8317 @kindex enable display
8318 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8319 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8320 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8321 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8322 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8323 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8324 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8325
8326 @item display
8327 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8328 done when your program stops.
8329
8330 @kindex info display
8331 @item info display
8332 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8333 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8334 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8335 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8336 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8337 @end table
8338
8339 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8340 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8341 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8342 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8343 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8344 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8345 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8346 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8347 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8348 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8349 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8350
8351 @node Print Settings
8352 @section Print Settings
8353
8354 @cindex format options
8355 @cindex print settings
8356 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8357 and symbols are printed.
8358
8359 @noindent
8360 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8361
8362 @table @code
8363 @kindex set print
8364 @item set print address
8365 @itemx set print address on
8366 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8367 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8368 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8369 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8370 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8371 @code{set print address on}:
8372
8373 @smallexample
8374 @group
8375 (@value{GDBP}) f
8376 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8377 at input.c:530
8378 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8379 @end group
8380 @end smallexample
8381
8382 @item set print address off
8383 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8384 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8385
8386 @smallexample
8387 @group
8388 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8389 (@value{GDBP}) f
8390 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8391 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8392 @end group
8393 @end smallexample
8394
8395 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8396 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8397 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8398 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8399
8400 @kindex show print
8401 @item show print address
8402 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8403 @end table
8404
8405 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8406 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8407 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8408 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8409 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8410 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8411 it prints a symbolic address:
8412
8413 @table @code
8414 @item set print symbol-filename on
8415 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8416 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8417 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8418 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8419
8420 @item set print symbol-filename off
8421 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8422 default.
8423
8424 @item show print symbol-filename
8425 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8426 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8427 @end table
8428
8429 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8430 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8431 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8432
8433 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8434 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8435
8436 @table @code
8437 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8438 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8439 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8440 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8441 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8442 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8443
8444 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8445 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8446 symbolic address.
8447 @end table
8448
8449 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8450 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8451 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8452 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8453 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8454 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8455 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8456 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8457
8458 @smallexample
8459 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8460 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8461 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8462 @end smallexample
8463
8464 @quotation
8465 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8466 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8467 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8468 @end quotation
8469
8470 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8471 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8472
8473 @table @code
8474 @item set print symbol on
8475 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8476 one exists.
8477
8478 @item set print symbol off
8479 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8480 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8481 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8482
8483 @item show print symbol
8484 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8485 address.
8486 @end table
8487
8488 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8489
8490 @table @code
8491 @item set print array
8492 @itemx set print array on
8493 @cindex pretty print arrays
8494 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8495 but uses more space. The default is off.
8496
8497 @item set print array off
8498 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8499
8500 @item show print array
8501 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8502 arrays.
8503
8504 @cindex print array indexes
8505 @item set print array-indexes
8506 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8507 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8508 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8509 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8510
8511 @item set print array-indexes off
8512 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8513
8514 @item show print array-indexes
8515 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8516 arrays.
8517
8518 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8519 @cindex number of array elements to print
8520 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8521 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8522 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8523 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8524 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8525 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8526 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8527
8528 @item show print elements
8529 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8530 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8531
8532 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8533 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8534 @cindex printing frame argument values
8535 @cindex print all frame argument values
8536 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8537 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8538 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8539 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8540 values are:
8541
8542 @table @code
8543 @item all
8544 The values of all arguments are printed.
8545
8546 @item scalars
8547 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8548 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8549 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8550 only scalar arguments are shown:
8551
8552 @smallexample
8553 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8554 at frame-args.c:23
8555 @end smallexample
8556
8557 @item none
8558 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8559 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8560
8561 @smallexample
8562 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8563 at frame-args.c:23
8564 @end smallexample
8565 @end table
8566
8567 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8568 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8569 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8570 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8571 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8572 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8573 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8574 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8575 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8576 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8577
8578 @item show print frame-arguments
8579 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8580
8581 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8582 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8583 @kindex set print entry-values
8584 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8585 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8586 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8587 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8588 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8589
8590 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8591 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8592 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8593 @code{no} setting.
8594
8595 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8596 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8597 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8598 this information.
8599
8600 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8601
8602 @table @code
8603 @item no
8604 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8605 point.
8606 @smallexample
8607 #0 equal (val=5)
8608 #0 different (val=6)
8609 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8610 #0 born (val=10)
8611 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8612 @end smallexample
8613
8614 @item only
8615 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8616 values are never printed.
8617 @smallexample
8618 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8619 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8620 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8621 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8622 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8623 @end smallexample
8624
8625 @item preferred
8626 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8627 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8628 value for such parameter.
8629 @smallexample
8630 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8631 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8632 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8633 #0 born (val=10)
8634 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8635 @end smallexample
8636
8637 @item if-needed
8638 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8639 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8640 parameter.
8641 @smallexample
8642 #0 equal (val=5)
8643 #0 different (val=6)
8644 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8645 #0 born (val=10)
8646 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8647 @end smallexample
8648
8649 @item both
8650 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8651 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8652 optimizations.
8653 @smallexample
8654 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8655 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8656 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8657 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8658 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8659 @end smallexample
8660
8661 @item compact
8662 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8663 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8664 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8665 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8666 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8667 @smallexample
8668 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8669 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8670 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8671 #0 born (val=10)
8672 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8673 @end smallexample
8674
8675 @item default
8676 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8677 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8678 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8679 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8680 @smallexample
8681 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8682 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8683 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8684 #0 born (val=10)
8685 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8686 @end smallexample
8687 @end table
8688
8689 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8690 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8691
8692 @item show print entry-values
8693 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8694 entry.
8695
8696 @item set print repeats
8697 @cindex repeated array elements
8698 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8699 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8700 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8701 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8702 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8703 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8704 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8705
8706 @item show print repeats
8707 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8708 elements.
8709
8710 @item set print null-stop
8711 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8712 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8713 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8714 contain only short strings.
8715 The default is off.
8716
8717 @item show print null-stop
8718 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8719 @sc{null} character.
8720
8721 @item set print pretty on
8722 @cindex print structures in indented form
8723 @cindex indentation in structure display
8724 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8725 per line, like this:
8726
8727 @smallexample
8728 @group
8729 $1 = @{
8730 next = 0x0,
8731 flags = @{
8732 sweet = 1,
8733 sour = 1
8734 @},
8735 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8736 @}
8737 @end group
8738 @end smallexample
8739
8740 @item set print pretty off
8741 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8742
8743 @smallexample
8744 @group
8745 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8746 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8747 @end group
8748 @end smallexample
8749
8750 @noindent
8751 This is the default format.
8752
8753 @item show print pretty
8754 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8755
8756 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8757 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8758 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8759 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8760 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8761 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8762 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8763 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8764
8765 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8766 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8767 international character sets, and is the default.
8768
8769 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8770 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8771
8772 @item set print union on
8773 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8774 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8775 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8776
8777 @item set print union off
8778 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8779 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8780 instead.
8781
8782 @item show print union
8783 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8784 structures and other unions.
8785
8786 For example, given the declarations
8787
8788 @smallexample
8789 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8790 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8791 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8792 Bug_forms;
8793
8794 struct thing @{
8795 Species it;
8796 union @{
8797 Tree_forms tree;
8798 Bug_forms bug;
8799 @} form;
8800 @};
8801
8802 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8803 @end smallexample
8804
8805 @noindent
8806 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8807
8808 @smallexample
8809 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8810 @end smallexample
8811
8812 @noindent
8813 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8814
8815 @smallexample
8816 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8817 @end smallexample
8818
8819 @noindent
8820 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8821 and in Pascal.
8822 @end table
8823
8824 @need 1000
8825 @noindent
8826 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8827
8828 @table @code
8829 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8830 @item set print demangle
8831 @itemx set print demangle on
8832 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8833 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8834 linkage. The default is on.
8835
8836 @item show print demangle
8837 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8838
8839 @item set print asm-demangle
8840 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8841 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8842 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8843 The default is off.
8844
8845 @item show print asm-demangle
8846 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8847 or demangled form.
8848
8849 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8850 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8851 @kindex set demangle-style
8852 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8853 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8854 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8855
8856 @table @code
8857 @item auto
8858 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8859
8860 @item gnu
8861 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8862 This is the default.
8863
8864 @item hp
8865 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8866
8867 @item lucid
8868 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8869
8870 @item arm
8871 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8872 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8873 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8874 require further enhancement to permit that.
8875
8876 @end table
8877 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8878
8879 @item show demangle-style
8880 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8881
8882 @item set print object
8883 @itemx set print object on
8884 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8885 @cindex display derived types
8886 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8887 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8888 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8889 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8890 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8891 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
8892 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
8893
8894 @item set print object off
8895 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8896 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8897
8898 @item show print object
8899 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8900
8901 @item set print static-members
8902 @itemx set print static-members on
8903 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8904 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8905
8906 @item set print static-members off
8907 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8908
8909 @item show print static-members
8910 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8911
8912 @item set print pascal_static-members
8913 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8914 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8915 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8916 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8917
8918 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8919 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8920
8921 @item show print pascal_static-members
8922 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8923
8924 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8925 @item set print vtbl
8926 @itemx set print vtbl on
8927 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8928 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8929 @cindex VTBL display
8930 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8931 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8932 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8933
8934 @item set print vtbl off
8935 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8936
8937 @item show print vtbl
8938 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8939 @end table
8940
8941 @node Pretty Printing
8942 @section Pretty Printing
8943
8944 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8945 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8946 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8947
8948 @menu
8949 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8950 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8951 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8952 @end menu
8953
8954 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8955 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8956
8957 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8958 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8959 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8960
8961 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8962 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8963 pretty-printers with their names.
8964 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8965 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8966 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8967 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8968
8969 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8970 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8971 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8972 do anything special.
8973
8974 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8975
8976 @itemize @bullet
8977 @item
8978 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8979 all inferiors.
8980
8981 @item
8982 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8983 when debugging that program.
8984 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8985
8986 @item
8987 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8988 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8989 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8990 @end itemize
8991
8992 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8993 pretty-printers are selected,
8994
8995 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8996 for new types.
8997
8998 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8999 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9000
9001 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9002
9003 @smallexample
9004 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9005 $1 = @{
9006 static npos = 4294967295,
9007 _M_dataplus = @{
9008 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9009 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9010 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9011 @},
9012 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9013 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9014 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9015 @}
9016 @}
9017 @end smallexample
9018
9019 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9020
9021 @smallexample
9022 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9023 $2 = "abcd"
9024 @end smallexample
9025
9026 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9027 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9028 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9029
9030 @table @code
9031 @kindex info pretty-printer
9032 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9033 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9034 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9035
9036 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9037 whose pretty-printers to list.
9038 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9039 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9040 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9041 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9042 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9043
9044 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9045 to list.
9046
9047 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9048 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9049 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9050 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9051
9052 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9053 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9054 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9055 @end table
9056
9057 Example:
9058
9059 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9060 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9061 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9062 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9063
9064 @smallexample
9065 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9066 library1.so:
9067 foo
9068 library2.so:
9069 bar
9070 bar1
9071 bar2
9072 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9073 library2.so:
9074 bar
9075 bar1
9076 bar2
9077 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9078 1 printer disabled
9079 2 of 3 printers enabled
9080 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9081 library1.so:
9082 foo [disabled]
9083 library2.so:
9084 bar
9085 bar1
9086 bar2
9087 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9088 1 printer disabled
9089 1 of 3 printers enabled
9090 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9091 library1.so:
9092 foo [disabled]
9093 library2.so:
9094 bar
9095 bar1 [disabled]
9096 bar2
9097 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9098 1 printer disabled
9099 0 of 3 printers enabled
9100 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9101 library1.so:
9102 foo [disabled]
9103 library2.so:
9104 bar [disabled]
9105 bar1 [disabled]
9106 bar2
9107 @end smallexample
9108
9109 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9110 as can each individual subprinter.
9111
9112 @node Value History
9113 @section Value History
9114
9115 @cindex value history
9116 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9117 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9118 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9119 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9120 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9121 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9122 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9123 symbol table.
9124
9125 @cindex @code{$}
9126 @cindex @code{$$}
9127 @cindex history number
9128 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9129 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9130 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9131 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9132 history number.
9133
9134 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9135 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9136 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9137 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9138 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9139 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9140 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9141
9142 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9143 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9144
9145 @smallexample
9146 p *$
9147 @end smallexample
9148
9149 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9150 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9151
9152 @smallexample
9153 p *$.next
9154 @end smallexample
9155
9156 @noindent
9157 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9158 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9159
9160 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9161 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9162
9163 @smallexample
9164 print x
9165 set x=5
9166 @end smallexample
9167
9168 @noindent
9169 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9170 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9171
9172 @table @code
9173 @kindex show values
9174 @item show values
9175 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9176 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9177 values} does not change the history.
9178
9179 @item show values @var{n}
9180 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9181
9182 @item show values +
9183 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9184 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9185 @end table
9186
9187 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9188 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9189
9190 @node Convenience Vars
9191 @section Convenience Variables
9192
9193 @cindex convenience variables
9194 @cindex user-defined variables
9195 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9196 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9197 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9198 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9199 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9200
9201 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9202 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9203 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9204 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9205 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9206
9207 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9208 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9209 For example:
9210
9211 @smallexample
9212 set $foo = *object_ptr
9213 @end smallexample
9214
9215 @noindent
9216 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9217 @code{object_ptr}.
9218
9219 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9220 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9221 value with another assignment at any time.
9222
9223 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9224 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9225 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9226 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9227
9228 @table @code
9229 @kindex show convenience
9230 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9231 @item show convenience
9232 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9233 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9234 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9235
9236 @kindex init-if-undefined
9237 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9238 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9239 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9240 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9241 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9242 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9243 override default values used in a command script.
9244
9245 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9246 any side-effects do not occur.
9247 @end table
9248
9249 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9250 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9251 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9252
9253 @smallexample
9254 set $i = 0
9255 print bar[$i++]->contents
9256 @end smallexample
9257
9258 @noindent
9259 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9260
9261 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9262 values likely to be useful.
9263
9264 @table @code
9265 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9266 @item $_
9267 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9268 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9269 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9270 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9271 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9272 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9273 to the type of @code{$__}.
9274
9275 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9276 @item $__
9277 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9278 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9279 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9280
9281 @item $_exitcode
9282 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9283 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9284 the program being debugged terminates.
9285
9286 @item $_probe_argc
9287 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9288 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9289
9290 @item $_sdata
9291 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9292 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9293 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9294 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9295 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9296
9297 @item $_siginfo
9298 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9299 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9300 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9301 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9302 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9303
9304 @item $_tlb
9305 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9306 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9307 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9308 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9309 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9310 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9311
9312 @end table
9313
9314 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9315 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9316 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9317
9318 @node Convenience Funs
9319 @section Convenience Functions
9320
9321 @cindex convenience functions
9322 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9323 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9324 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9325 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9326 @value{GDBN}.
9327
9328 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9329 @code{Python} support.
9330
9331 @table @code
9332
9333 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9334 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9335 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9336 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9337 Otherwise it returns zero.
9338
9339 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9340 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9341 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9342 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9343 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9344 regular expression support.
9345
9346 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9347 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9348 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9349 Otherwise it returns zero.
9350
9351 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9352 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9353 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9354
9355 @end table
9356
9357 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9358 convenience functions.
9359
9360 @table @code
9361 @item help function
9362 @kindex help function
9363 @cindex show all convenience functions
9364 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9365 @end table
9366
9367 @node Registers
9368 @section Registers
9369
9370 @cindex registers
9371 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9372 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9373 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9374 your machine.
9375
9376 @table @code
9377 @kindex info registers
9378 @item info registers
9379 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9380 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9381
9382 @kindex info all-registers
9383 @cindex floating point registers
9384 @item info all-registers
9385 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9386 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9387
9388 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9389 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9390 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9391 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9392 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9393 @end table
9394
9395 @cindex stack pointer register
9396 @cindex program counter register
9397 @cindex process status register
9398 @cindex frame pointer register
9399 @cindex standard registers
9400 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9401 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9402 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9403 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9404 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9405 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9406 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9407 you could print the program counter in hex with
9408
9409 @smallexample
9410 p/x $pc
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 @noindent
9414 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9415
9416 @smallexample
9417 x/i $pc
9418 @end smallexample
9419
9420 @noindent
9421 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9422 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9423 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9424 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9425 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9426 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9427 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9428
9429 @smallexample
9430 set $sp += 4
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9434 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9435 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9436 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9437 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9438 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9439 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9440
9441 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9442 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9443 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9444 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9445 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9446 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9447 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9448
9449 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9450 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9451 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9452 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9453 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9454 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9455 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9456 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9457 prints the data in both formats.
9458
9459 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9460 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9461 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9462 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9463 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9464 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9465 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9466
9467 @smallexample
9468 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9469 $1 = @{
9470 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9471 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9472 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9473 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9474 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9475 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9476 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9477 @}
9478 @end smallexample
9479
9480 @noindent
9481 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9482 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9483 value to a @code{struct} member:
9484
9485 @smallexample
9486 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9487 @end smallexample
9488
9489 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9490 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9491 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9492 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9493 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9494 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9495
9496 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9497 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9498 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9499 frame makes no difference.
9500
9501 @node Floating Point Hardware
9502 @section Floating Point Hardware
9503 @cindex floating point
9504
9505 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9506 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9507
9508 @table @code
9509 @kindex info float
9510 @item info float
9511 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9512 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9513 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9514 the ARM and x86 machines.
9515 @end table
9516
9517 @node Vector Unit
9518 @section Vector Unit
9519 @cindex vector unit
9520
9521 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9522 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9523
9524 @table @code
9525 @kindex info vector
9526 @item info vector
9527 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9528 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9529 @end table
9530
9531 @node OS Information
9532 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9533 @cindex OS information
9534
9535 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9536 you debug your program.
9537
9538 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
9539 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
9540 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
9541 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
9542 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
9543 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
9544 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
9545 structure.
9546
9547 @table @code
9548 @item info udot
9549 @kindex info udot
9550 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
9551 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
9552 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
9553 the @code{examine} command.
9554 @end table
9555
9556 @cindex auxiliary vector
9557 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9558 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9559 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9560 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9561 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9562 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9563 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9564 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9565 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9566 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9567 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9568 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9569
9570 @table @code
9571 @kindex info auxv
9572 @item info auxv
9573 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9574 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9575 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9576 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9577 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9578 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9579 an unrecognized tag.
9580 @end table
9581
9582 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9583 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9584 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9585 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9586 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9587 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9588 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9589
9590 @table @code
9591 @kindex info os
9592 @item info os @var{infotype}
9593
9594 Display OS information of the requested type.
9595
9596 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9597
9598 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9599 @table @code
9600 @kindex info os processes
9601 @item processes
9602 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9603 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9604 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9605 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9606 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9607 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9608
9609 @kindex info os procgroups
9610 @item procgroups
9611 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9612 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9613 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9614 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9615 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9616 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9617 and the process group leader is listed first.
9618
9619 @kindex info os threads
9620 @item threads
9621 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9622 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9623 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9624 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9625 process is not listed.
9626
9627 @kindex info os files
9628 @item files
9629 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9630 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9631 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9632 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9633
9634 @kindex info os sockets
9635 @item sockets
9636 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9637 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9638 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9639 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9640 connection.
9641
9642 @kindex info os shm
9643 @item shm
9644 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9645 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9646 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9647 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9648 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9649 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9650 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9651
9652 @kindex info os semaphores
9653 @item semaphores
9654 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9655 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9656 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9657 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9658 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9659
9660 @kindex info os msg
9661 @item msg
9662 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9663 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9664 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9665 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9666 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9667 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9668 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9669 the message queue was last changed.
9670
9671 @kindex info os modules
9672 @item modules
9673 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9674 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9675 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9676 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9677 in memory.
9678 @end table
9679
9680 @item info os
9681 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9682 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9683 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9684 types, this command will report an error.
9685 @end table
9686
9687 @node Memory Region Attributes
9688 @section Memory Region Attributes
9689 @cindex memory region attributes
9690
9691 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9692 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9693 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9694 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9695 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9696 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9697 user can override the fetched regions.
9698
9699 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9700 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9701 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9702 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9703 all memory.
9704
9705 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9706 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9707
9708 @table @code
9709 @kindex mem
9710 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9711 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9712 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9713 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9714 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9715 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9716
9717 @item mem auto
9718 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9719 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9720
9721 @kindex delete mem
9722 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9723 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9724 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9725
9726 @kindex disable mem
9727 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9728 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9729 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9730 It may be enabled again later.
9731
9732 @kindex enable mem
9733 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9734 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9735
9736 @kindex info mem
9737 @item info mem
9738 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9739 for each region:
9740
9741 @table @emph
9742 @item Memory Region Number
9743 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9744 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9745 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9746
9747 @item Lo Address
9748 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9749
9750 @item Hi Address
9751 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9752
9753 @item Attributes
9754 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9755 @end table
9756 @end table
9757
9758
9759 @subsection Attributes
9760
9761 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9762 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9763 write accesses to a memory region.
9764
9765 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9766 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9767 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9768
9769 @table @code
9770 @item ro
9771 Memory is read only.
9772 @item wo
9773 Memory is write only.
9774 @item rw
9775 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9776 @end table
9777
9778 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9779 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9780 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9781 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9782 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9783
9784 @table @code
9785 @item 8
9786 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9787 @item 16
9788 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9789 @item 32
9790 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9791 @item 64
9792 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9793 @end table
9794
9795 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9796 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9797 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9798 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9799 @c
9800 @c @table @code
9801 @c @item hwbreak
9802 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9803 @c @item swbreak (default)
9804 @c @end table
9805
9806 @subsubsection Data Cache
9807 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9808 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9809 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9810 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9811 registers.
9812
9813 @table @code
9814 @item cache
9815 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9816 @item nocache
9817 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9818 @end table
9819
9820 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9821 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9822 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9823 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9824 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9825
9826 @table @code
9827 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9828 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9829 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9830 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9831 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9832 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9833 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9834 The default value is @code{on}.
9835 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9836 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9837 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9838 @end table
9839
9840
9841 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9842 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9843 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9844 @c
9845 @c @table @code
9846 @c @item verify
9847 @c @item noverify (default)
9848 @c @end table
9849
9850 @node Dump/Restore Files
9851 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9852 @cindex dump/restore files
9853 @cindex append data to a file
9854 @cindex dump data to a file
9855 @cindex restore data from a file
9856
9857 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9858 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9859 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9860 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9861 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9862 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9863 files.
9864
9865 @table @code
9866
9867 @kindex dump
9868 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9869 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9870 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9871 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9872
9873 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9874 @table @code
9875 @item binary
9876 Raw binary form.
9877 @item ihex
9878 Intel hex format.
9879 @item srec
9880 Motorola S-record format.
9881 @item tekhex
9882 Tektronix Hex format.
9883 @end table
9884
9885 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9886 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9887 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9888 form.
9889
9890 @kindex append
9891 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9892 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9893 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9894 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9895 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9896
9897 @kindex restore
9898 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9899 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9900 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9901 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9902 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9903
9904 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9905 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9906 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9907 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9908 from that location.
9909
9910 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9911 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9912 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9913 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9914
9915 @end table
9916
9917 @node Core File Generation
9918 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9919 @cindex dump core from inferior
9920
9921 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9922 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9923 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9924 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9925 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9926 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9927 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9928
9929 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9930 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9931 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9932
9933 @table @code
9934 @kindex gcore
9935 @kindex generate-core-file
9936 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9937 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9938 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9939 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9940 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9941 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9942
9943 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9944 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9945 @end table
9946
9947 @node Character Sets
9948 @section Character Sets
9949 @cindex character sets
9950 @cindex charset
9951 @cindex translating between character sets
9952 @cindex host character set
9953 @cindex target character set
9954
9955 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9956 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9957 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9958 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9959 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9960 @dfn{target character set}.
9961
9962 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9963 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9964 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9965 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9966 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9967 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9968 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9969 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9970 character and string literals in expressions.
9971
9972 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9973 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9974 target-charset} command, described below.
9975
9976 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9977 support:
9978
9979 @table @code
9980 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9981 @kindex set target-charset
9982 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9983 list of supported target character sets, type
9984 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9985
9986 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9987 @kindex set host-charset
9988 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9989
9990 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9991 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9992 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9993 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9994 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9995
9996 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9997 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9998 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9999
10000 @item set charset @var{charset}
10001 @kindex set charset
10002 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10003 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10004 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10005 for both host and target.
10006
10007 @item show charset
10008 @kindex show charset
10009 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10010
10011 @item show host-charset
10012 @kindex show host-charset
10013 Show the name of the current host character set.
10014
10015 @item show target-charset
10016 @kindex show target-charset
10017 Show the name of the current target character set.
10018
10019 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10020 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10021 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10022 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10023 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10024 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10025
10026 @item show target-wide-charset
10027 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10028 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10029 @end table
10030
10031 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10032 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10033 @file{charset-test.c}:
10034
10035 @smallexample
10036 #include <stdio.h>
10037
10038 char ascii_hello[]
10039 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10040 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10041 char ibm1047_hello[]
10042 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10043 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10044
10045 main ()
10046 @{
10047 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10048 @}
10049 @end smallexample
10050
10051 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10052 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10053 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10054
10055 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10056
10057 @smallexample
10058 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10059 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10060 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10061 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10062 @dots{}
10063 (@value{GDBP})
10064 @end smallexample
10065
10066 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10067 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10068 strings:
10069
10070 @smallexample
10071 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10072 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10073 (@value{GDBP})
10074 @end smallexample
10075
10076 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10077 initial character set:
10078 @smallexample
10079 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10080 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10081 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10082 (@value{GDBP})
10083 @end smallexample
10084
10085 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10086 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10087 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10088 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10089 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10090
10091 @smallexample
10092 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10093 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10094 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10095 $2 = 72 'H'
10096 (@value{GDBP})
10097 @end smallexample
10098
10099 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10100 literals you use in expressions:
10101
10102 @smallexample
10103 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10104 $3 = 43 '+'
10105 (@value{GDBP})
10106 @end smallexample
10107
10108 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10109 character.
10110
10111 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10112 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10113 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10114
10115 @smallexample
10116 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10117 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10118 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10119 $5 = 200 '\310'
10120 (@value{GDBP})
10121 @end smallexample
10122
10123 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10124 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10125
10126 @smallexample
10127 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10128 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10129 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10130 @end smallexample
10131
10132 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10133 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10134 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10135 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10136 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10137
10138 @smallexample
10139 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10140 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10141 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10142 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10143 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10144 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10145 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10146 $7 = 72 '\110'
10147 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10148 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10149 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10150 $9 = 200 'H'
10151 (@value{GDBP})
10152 @end smallexample
10153
10154 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10155 string literals you use in expressions:
10156
10157 @smallexample
10158 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10159 $10 = 78 '+'
10160 (@value{GDBP})
10161 @end smallexample
10162
10163 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10164 character.
10165
10166 @node Caching Remote Data
10167 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10168 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10169
10170 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10171 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10172 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10173 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10174 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10175 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10176 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10177 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10178 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10179 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10180 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10181 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10182 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10183 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10184 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10185
10186 @table @code
10187 @kindex set remotecache
10188 @item set remotecache on
10189 @itemx set remotecache off
10190 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10191 with old scripts.
10192
10193 @kindex show remotecache
10194 @item show remotecache
10195 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10196
10197 @kindex set stack-cache
10198 @item set stack-cache on
10199 @itemx set stack-cache off
10200 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10201 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10202
10203 @kindex show stack-cache
10204 @item show stack-cache
10205 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10206
10207 @kindex info dcache
10208 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10209 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10210 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10211 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10212 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10213 operation.
10214
10215 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10216 printed in hex.
10217
10218 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10219 @cindex dcache size
10220 @kindex set dcache size
10221 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10222
10223 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10224 @cindex dcache line-size
10225 @kindex set dcache line-size
10226 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10227 Must be a power of 2.
10228
10229 @item show dcache size
10230 @kindex show dcache size
10231 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10232
10233 @item show dcache line-size
10234 @kindex show dcache line-size
10235 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10236
10237 @end table
10238
10239 @node Searching Memory
10240 @section Search Memory
10241 @cindex searching memory
10242
10243 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10244 @code{find} command.
10245
10246 @table @code
10247 @kindex find
10248 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10249 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10250 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10251 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10252 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10253 @end table
10254
10255 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10256 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10257
10258 @table @r
10259 @item @var{s}, search query size
10260 The size of each search query value.
10261
10262 @table @code
10263 @item b
10264 bytes
10265 @item h
10266 halfwords (two bytes)
10267 @item w
10268 words (four bytes)
10269 @item g
10270 giant words (eight bytes)
10271 @end table
10272
10273 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10274 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10275 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10276
10277 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10278 value's type in the current language.
10279 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10280 pattern as a mixture of types.
10281 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10282 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10283 which is typically four bytes.
10284
10285 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10286 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10287 @end table
10288
10289 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10290 (@code{"}).
10291 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10292 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10293
10294 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10295 number of matches found.
10296
10297 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10298 @samp{$_}.
10299 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10300
10301 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10302
10303 @smallexample
10304 void
10305 hello ()
10306 @{
10307 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10308 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10309 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10310 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10311 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10312 @}
10313 @end smallexample
10314
10315 @noindent
10316 you get during debugging:
10317
10318 @smallexample
10319 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10320 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10321 1 pattern found
10322 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10323 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10324 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10325 2 patterns found
10326 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10327 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10328 1 pattern found
10329 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10330 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10331 1 pattern found
10332 (gdb) print $numfound
10333 $1 = 1
10334 (gdb) print $_
10335 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10336 @end smallexample
10337
10338 @node Optimized Code
10339 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10340 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10341 @cindex debugging optimized code
10342
10343 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10344 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10345 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10346 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10347 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10348 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10349 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10350
10351 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10352 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10353 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10354 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10355
10356 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10357 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10358 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10359 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10360 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10361 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10362
10363 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10364 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10365 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10366 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10367 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10368
10369 @menu
10370 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10371 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10372 @end menu
10373
10374 @node Inline Functions
10375 @section Inline Functions
10376 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10377
10378 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10379 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10380 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10381 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10382 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10383 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10384 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10385 @code{info frame} command.
10386
10387 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10388 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10389 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10390 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10391 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10392 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10393 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10394 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10395 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10396 local variables in the caller.
10397
10398 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10399 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10400 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10401 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10402 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10403 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10404 instructions are executed.
10405
10406 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10407 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10408 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10409 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10410
10411 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10412 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10413
10414 @itemize @bullet
10415 @item
10416 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10417 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10418 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10419 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10420 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10421 or inside the inlined function instead.
10422
10423 @item
10424 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10425 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10426 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10427 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10428
10429 @end itemize
10430
10431 @node Tail Call Frames
10432 @section Tail Call Frames
10433 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10434
10435 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10436 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10437 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10438 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10439 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10440
10441 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10442 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10443 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10444 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10445 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10446 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10447 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10448
10449 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10450 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10451 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10452 this information.
10453
10454 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10455 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10456
10457 @smallexample
10458 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10459 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10460 (gdb) info frame
10461 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10462 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10463 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10464 source language c++.
10465 Arglist at unknown address.
10466 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10467 @end smallexample
10468
10469 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10470 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10471 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10472 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10473 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10474 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10475
10476 @table @code
10477 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10478 @item set debug entry-values
10479 @kindex set debug entry-values
10480 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10481 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10482 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10483 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10484 result.
10485
10486 @item show debug entry-values
10487 @kindex show debug entry-values
10488 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10489 values at function entry and tail calls.
10490 @end table
10491
10492 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10493 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10494 reference by variable @code{x}):
10495
10496 @smallexample
10497 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10498 void (*x) (void) = c;
10499 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10500 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10501 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10502
10503 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10504 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10505 a () at t.c:3
10506 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10507 (gdb) bt
10508 #0 a () at t.c:3
10509 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10510 @end smallexample
10511
10512 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10513
10514 @smallexample
10515 int i;
10516 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10517 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10518 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10519 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10520 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10521 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10522 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10523 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10524
10525 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10526 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10527 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10528 (gdb) bt
10529 #0 f () at t.c:2
10530 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10531 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10532 @end smallexample
10533
10534 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10535 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10536
10537 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10538 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10539 @set ARROW @click{}
10540 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10541 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10542 @end ifset
10543 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10544 @set ARROW ->
10545 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10546 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10547 @end ifclear
10548
10549 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10550 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10551 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10552
10553 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10554 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10555 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10556 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10557 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10558 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10559
10560 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10561 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10562 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10563 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10564 omitted.
10565
10566 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10567 entry may fail:
10568
10569 @smallexample
10570 int v;
10571 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10572 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10573 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10574 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10575 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10576 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10577
10578 (gdb) bt
10579 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10580 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10581 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10582 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10583 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10584 @end smallexample
10585
10586 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10587 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10588 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10589 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10590 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10591
10592 @node Macros
10593 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10594
10595 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10596 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10597 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10598 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10599 where it was defined.
10600
10601 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10602 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10603 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10604 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10605
10606 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10607 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10608 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10609 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10610 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10611 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10612 see @ref{List}.
10613
10614 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10615 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10616 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10617
10618 @table @code
10619
10620 @kindex macro expand
10621 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10622 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10623 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10624 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10625 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10626 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10627 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10628 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10629 it can be any string of tokens.
10630
10631 @kindex macro exp1
10632 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10633 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10634 @cindex expand macro once
10635 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10636 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10637 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10638 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10639 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10640 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10641 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10642 can be any string of tokens.
10643
10644 @kindex info macro
10645 @cindex macro definition, showing
10646 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10647 @cindex macros, from debug info
10648 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10649 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10650 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10651 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10652 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10653 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10654
10655 @kindex info macros
10656 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10657 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10658 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10659 command-line where those definitions were established.
10660
10661 @kindex macro define
10662 @cindex user-defined macros
10663 @cindex defining macros interactively
10664 @cindex macros, user-defined
10665 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10666 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10667 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10668 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10669 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10670 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10671 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10672 @var{arglist}.
10673
10674 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10675 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10676 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10677 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10678 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10679
10680 @kindex macro undef
10681 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10682 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10683 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10684 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10685 in the program being debugged.
10686
10687 @kindex macro list
10688 @item macro list
10689 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10690 @end table
10691
10692 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10693 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10694 show our source files:
10695
10696 @smallexample
10697 $ cat sample.c
10698 #include <stdio.h>
10699 #include "sample.h"
10700
10701 #define M 42
10702 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10703
10704 main ()
10705 @{
10706 #define N 28
10707 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10708 #undef N
10709 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10710 #define N 1729
10711 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10712 @}
10713 $ cat sample.h
10714 #define Q <
10715 $
10716 @end smallexample
10717
10718 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10719 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10720 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10721 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10722 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10723 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10724 information.
10725
10726 @smallexample
10727 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10728 $
10729 @end smallexample
10730
10731 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10732
10733 @smallexample
10734 $ gdb -nw sample
10735 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10736 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10737 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10738 (@value{GDBP})
10739 @end smallexample
10740
10741 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10742 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10743 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10744
10745 @smallexample
10746 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10747 3
10748 4 #define M 42
10749 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10750 6
10751 7 main ()
10752 8 @{
10753 9 #define N 28
10754 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10755 11 #undef N
10756 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10757 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10758 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10759 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10760 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10761 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10762 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10763 #define Q <
10764 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10765 expands to: (42 + 1)
10766 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10767 expands to: once (M + 1)
10768 (@value{GDBP})
10769 @end smallexample
10770
10771 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10772 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10773 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10774 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10775
10776 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10777 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10778
10779 @smallexample
10780 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10781 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10782 (@value{GDBP}) run
10783 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10784
10785 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10786 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10787 (@value{GDBP})
10788 @end smallexample
10789
10790 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10791
10792 @smallexample
10793 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10794 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10795 #define N 28
10796 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10797 expands to: 28 < 42
10798 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10799 $1 = 1
10800 (@value{GDBP})
10801 @end smallexample
10802
10803 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10804 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10805 thereof) in force at each point:
10806
10807 @smallexample
10808 (@value{GDBP}) next
10809 Hello, world!
10810 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10811 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10812 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10813 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10814 (@value{GDBP}) next
10815 We're so creative.
10816 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10817 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10818 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10819 #define N 1729
10820 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10821 expands to: 1729 < 42
10822 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10823 $2 = 0
10824 (@value{GDBP})
10825 @end smallexample
10826
10827 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10828 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10829 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10830 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10831
10832 @smallexample
10833 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10834 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10835 -D__STDC__=1
10836 (@value{GDBP})
10837 @end smallexample
10838
10839
10840 @node Tracepoints
10841 @chapter Tracepoints
10842 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10843 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10844
10845 @cindex tracepoints
10846 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10847 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10848 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10849 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10850 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10851 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10852 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10853
10854 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10855 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10856 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10857 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10858 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10859 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10860 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10861 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10862 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10863 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10864 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10865
10866 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10867 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10868 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10869 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10870 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10871 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10872 Packets}.
10873
10874 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10875 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10876 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10877
10878 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10879
10880 @menu
10881 * Set Tracepoints::
10882 * Analyze Collected Data::
10883 * Tracepoint Variables::
10884 * Trace Files::
10885 @end menu
10886
10887 @node Set Tracepoints
10888 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10889
10890 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10891 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10892 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10893 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10894 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10895 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10896 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10897
10898 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10899 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10900 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10901 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10902 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10903 tracepoint was hit.
10904
10905 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10906 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10907 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10908 either.
10909
10910 @cindex fast tracepoints
10911 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10912 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10913 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10914
10915 @cindex static tracepoints
10916 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10917 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10918 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10919 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10920 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10921 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10922 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10923 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10924 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10925 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10926 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10927 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10928 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10929 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10930 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10931 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10932 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10933 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10934 static tracepoint marker.
10935
10936 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10937 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10938
10939 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10940 conditions and actions.
10941
10942 @menu
10943 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10944 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10945 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10946 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10947 * Trace State Variables::
10948 * Tracepoint Actions::
10949 * Listing Tracepoints::
10950 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10951 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10952 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10953 @end menu
10954
10955 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10956 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10957
10958 @table @code
10959 @cindex set tracepoint
10960 @kindex trace
10961 @item trace @var{location}
10962 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10963 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10964 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10965 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10966 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10967 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10968 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
10969 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
10970 in tracing}).
10971 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
10972 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10973 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10974 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
10975 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
10976 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
10977 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
10978 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
10979 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
10980 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
10981 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
10982 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
10983
10984 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10985
10986 @smallexample
10987 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10988
10989 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10990
10991 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10992
10993 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10994
10995 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10996 @end smallexample
10997
10998 @noindent
10999 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11000
11001 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11002 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11003 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11004 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11005 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11006 information on tracepoint conditions.
11007
11008 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11009 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11010 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11011 @kindex ftrace
11012 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11013 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11014 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11015 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11016 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11017 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11018 message.
11019
11020 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11021 @code{trace}.
11022
11023 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11024 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11025 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11026 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11027 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11028 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11029 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11030 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11031
11032 @example
11033 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11034 @end example
11035
11036 @noindent
11037 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11038 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11039
11040 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11041 @cindex set static tracepoint
11042 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11043 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11044 @kindex strace
11045 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11046 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11047 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11048 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11049 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11050
11051 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11052 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11053 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11054 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11055 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11056 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11057 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11058 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11059 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11060 tracing engine:
11061
11062 @smallexample
11063 main ()
11064 @{
11065 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11066 @}
11067 @end smallexample
11068
11069 @noindent
11070 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11071 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11072
11073 @smallexample
11074 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11075 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11076 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11077 Data: "str %s"
11078 [etc...]
11079 @end smallexample
11080
11081 @noindent
11082 so you may probe the marker above with:
11083
11084 @smallexample
11085 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11086 @end smallexample
11087
11088 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11089 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11090 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11091 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11092 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11093 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11094 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11095 the @samp{Data:} field.
11096
11097 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11098 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11099 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11100
11101 @vindex $tpnum
11102 @cindex last tracepoint number
11103 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11104 @cindex tracepoint number
11105 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11106 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11107
11108 @kindex delete tracepoint
11109 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11110 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11111 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11112 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11113 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11114
11115 Examples:
11116
11117 @smallexample
11118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11119
11120 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11121 @end smallexample
11122
11123 @noindent
11124 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11125 @end table
11126
11127 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11128 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11129
11130 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11131
11132 @table @code
11133 @kindex disable tracepoint
11134 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11135 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11136 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11137 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11138 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11139 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11140 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11141 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11142 next trace experiment.
11143
11144 @kindex enable tracepoint
11145 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11146 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11147 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11148 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11149 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11150 next time a trace experiment is run.
11151 @end table
11152
11153 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11154 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11155
11156 @table @code
11157 @kindex passcount
11158 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11159 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11160 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11161 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11162 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11163 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11164 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11165 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11166 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11167 user.
11168
11169 Examples:
11170
11171 @smallexample
11172 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11173 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11174
11175 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11176 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11177 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11178 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11179 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11180 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11181 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11182 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11183 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11184 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11185 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11186 @end smallexample
11187 @end table
11188
11189 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11190 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11191 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11192 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11193
11194 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11195 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11196 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11197 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11198 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11199 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11200 is true.
11201
11202 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11203 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11204 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11205 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11206 just as with breakpoints.
11207
11208 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11209 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11210 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11211 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11212 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11213 accesses, and so forth.
11214
11215 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11216 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11217 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11218 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11219 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11220 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11221 search through.
11222
11223 @smallexample
11224 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11225 @end smallexample
11226
11227 @node Trace State Variables
11228 @subsection Trace State Variables
11229 @cindex trace state variables
11230
11231 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11232 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11233 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11234 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11235 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11236 integers.
11237
11238 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11239 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11240 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11241 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11242
11243 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11244 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11245 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11246 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11247 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11248 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11249 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11250 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11251 variable with the same name.
11252
11253 @table @code
11254
11255 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11256 @kindex tvariable
11257 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11258 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11259 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11260 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11261 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11262 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11263 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11264 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11265 value. The default initial value is 0.
11266
11267 @item info tvariables
11268 @kindex info tvariables
11269 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11270 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11271 currently running.
11272
11273 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11274 @kindex delete tvariable
11275 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11276 are specified.
11277
11278 @end table
11279
11280 @node Tracepoint Actions
11281 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11282
11283 @table @code
11284 @kindex actions
11285 @cindex tracepoint actions
11286 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11287 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11288 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11289 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11290 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11291 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11292 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11293 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11294 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11295 @code{while-stepping}.
11296
11297 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11298 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11299 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11300
11301 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11302 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11303 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11304
11305 @smallexample
11306 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11307
11308 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11309
11310 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11311 @end smallexample
11312
11313 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11314 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11315 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11316 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11317 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11318 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11319 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11320 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11321
11322 @smallexample
11323 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11324 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11325 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11326 > collect bar,baz
11327 > collect $regs
11328 > while-stepping 12
11329 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11330 > end
11331 end
11332 @end smallexample
11333
11334 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11335 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11336 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11337 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11338 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11339 special arguments are supported:
11340
11341 @table @code
11342 @item $regs
11343 Collect all registers.
11344
11345 @item $args
11346 Collect all function arguments.
11347
11348 @item $locals
11349 Collect all local variables.
11350
11351 @item $_ret
11352 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11353 of a backtrace.
11354
11355 @item $_probe_argc
11356 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11357 tracepoint is located.
11358 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11359
11360 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11361 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11362 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11363 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11364
11365 @item $_sdata
11366 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11367 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11368 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11369 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11370 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11371 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11372 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11373 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11374 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11375
11376 @smallexample
11377 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11378 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11379 @end smallexample
11380
11381 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11382 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11383 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11384 @value{GDBN}.
11385 @end table
11386
11387 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11388 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11389 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11390
11391 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11392 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11393 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11394 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11395 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11396 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11397 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11398 @samp{mystr}.
11399
11400 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11401 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11402
11403 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11404 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11405 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11406 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11407 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11408 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11409 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11410 action were used.
11411
11412 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11413 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11414 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11415 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11416 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11417 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11418
11419 @smallexample
11420 > while-stepping 12
11421 > collect $regs, myglobal
11422 > end
11423 >
11424 @end smallexample
11425
11426 @noindent
11427 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11428 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11429 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11430 @code{stepping}.
11431
11432 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11433 @kindex set default-collect
11434 @cindex default collection action
11435 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11436 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11437 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11438 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11439 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11440 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11441
11442 @item show default-collect
11443 @kindex show default-collect
11444 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11445 tracepoint hit.
11446
11447 @end table
11448
11449 @node Listing Tracepoints
11450 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11451
11452 @table @code
11453 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11454 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11455 @cindex information about tracepoints
11456 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11457 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11458 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11459 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11460 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11461 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11462
11463 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11464 tracing:
11465
11466 @itemize @bullet
11467 @item
11468 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11469 @end itemize
11470
11471 @smallexample
11472 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11473 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11474 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11475 while-stepping 20
11476 collect globfoo, $regs
11477 end
11478 collect globfoo2
11479 end
11480 pass count 1200
11481 (@value{GDBP})
11482 @end smallexample
11483
11484 @noindent
11485 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11486 @end table
11487
11488 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11489 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11490
11491 @table @code
11492 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11493 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11494 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11495 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11496 program.
11497
11498 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11499
11500 @table @emph
11501 @item Count
11502 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11503 stable identifier.
11504 @item ID
11505 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11506 @item Enabled or Disabled
11507 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11508 that are not enabled.
11509 @item Address
11510 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11511 @item What
11512 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11513 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11514 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11515 will be left blank.
11516 @end table
11517
11518 @noindent
11519 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11520
11521 @table @emph
11522 @item Data
11523 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11524 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11525 marker call.
11526 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11527 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11528 @end table
11529
11530 @smallexample
11531 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11532 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11533 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11534 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11535 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11536 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11537 Data: str %s
11538 (@value{GDBP})
11539 @end smallexample
11540 @end table
11541
11542 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11543 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11544
11545 @table @code
11546 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11547 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11548 @cindex collected data discarded
11549 @item tstart
11550 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11551 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11552 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11553 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11554 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11555 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11556 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11557 information, and so forth.
11558
11559 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11560 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11561 @item tstop
11562 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11563 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11564 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11565 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11566 needs to be stopped quickly.
11567
11568 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11569 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11570 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11571
11572 @kindex tstatus
11573 @cindex status of trace data collection
11574 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11575 @item tstatus
11576 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11577 collection.
11578 @end table
11579
11580 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11581
11582 @smallexample
11583 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11584 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11585 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11586 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11587 > while-stepping 11
11588 > collect $regs
11589 > end
11590 > end
11591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11592 [time passes @dots{}]
11593 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11594 @end smallexample
11595
11596 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11597 @cindex disconnected tracing
11598 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11599 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11600 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11601 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11602 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11603 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11604 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11605 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11606
11607 @table @code
11608 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11609 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11610 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11611 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11612 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11613 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11614 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11615 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11616
11617 @item show disconnected-tracing
11618 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11619 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11620
11621 @end table
11622
11623 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11624 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11625 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11626 it will continue after reconnection.
11627
11628 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11629 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11630 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11631 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11632 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11633 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11634 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11635 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11636 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11637 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11638
11639 @cindex circular trace buffer
11640 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11641 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11642 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11643 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11644 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11645 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11646 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11647 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11648 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11649 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11650 the next run.
11651
11652 @table @code
11653 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11654 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11655 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11656 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11657 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11658 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11659 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11660
11661 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11662 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11663 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11664 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11665 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11666 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11667
11668 @end table
11669
11670 @table @code
11671 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11672 @kindex set trace-user
11673
11674 @item show trace-user
11675 @kindex show trace-user
11676
11677 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11678 @kindex set trace-notes
11679 Set the trace run's notes.
11680
11681 @item show trace-notes
11682 @kindex show trace-notes
11683 Show the trace run's notes.
11684
11685 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11686 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11687 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11688 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11689 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11690
11691 @item show trace-stop-notes
11692 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11693 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11694
11695 @end table
11696
11697 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11698 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11699
11700 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11701 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11702 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11703 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11704 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11705 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11706 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11707 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11708 mentioned here.
11709
11710 @itemize @bullet
11711
11712 @item
11713 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11714 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11715 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11716 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11717 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11718 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11719 cannot be collected either.
11720
11721 @item
11722 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11723 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11724 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11725 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11726 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11727 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11728 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11729 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11730 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11731 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11732
11733 @item
11734 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11735 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11736 in a misleading way.
11737
11738 @item
11739 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11740 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11741 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11742 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11743 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11744 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11745 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11746 by @code{ptr}.
11747
11748 @item
11749 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11750 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11751 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11752 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11753 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11754 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11755 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11756 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11757 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11758 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11759 invalid address.
11760
11761 @item
11762 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11763 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11764 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11765 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11766 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11767 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11768 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11769 it to zero.
11770
11771 @end itemize
11772
11773 @node Analyze Collected Data
11774 @section Using the Collected Data
11775
11776 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11777 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11778 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11779 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11780 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11781 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11782 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11783 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11784 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11785 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11786 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11787 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11788 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11789 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11790 the buffer will fail.
11791
11792 @menu
11793 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11794 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11795 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11796 @end menu
11797
11798 @node tfind
11799 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11800
11801 @kindex tfind
11802 @cindex select trace snapshot
11803 @cindex find trace snapshot
11804 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11805 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11806 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11807 snapshot is selected.
11808
11809 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11810
11811 @table @code
11812 @item tfind start
11813 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11814 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11815
11816 @item tfind none
11817 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11818
11819 @item tfind end
11820 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11821
11822 @item tfind
11823 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11824
11825 @item tfind -
11826 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11827 retracing earlier steps.
11828
11829 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11830 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11831 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11832 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11833 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11834
11835 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11836 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11837 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11838 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11839 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11840
11841 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11842 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11843 addresses (exclusive).
11844
11845 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11846 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11847 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11848
11849 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11850 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11851 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11852 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11853 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11854 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11855 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11856 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11857 @end table
11858
11859 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11860 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11861 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11862 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11863 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11864 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11865 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11866 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11867 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11868 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11869 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11870 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11871 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11872 tracepoint as the current one.
11873
11874 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11875 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11876 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11877 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11878 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11879
11880 @smallexample
11881 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11882 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11883 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11884 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11885 > tfind
11886 > end
11887
11888 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11889 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11890 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11891 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11892 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11893 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11894 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11895 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11896 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11897 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11898 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11899 @end smallexample
11900
11901 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11902 the buffer:
11903
11904 @smallexample
11905 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11906 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11907 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11908 > tfind line
11909 > end
11910
11911 Frame 0, X = 1
11912 Frame 7, X = 2
11913 Frame 13, X = 255
11914 @end smallexample
11915
11916 @node tdump
11917 @subsection @code{tdump}
11918 @kindex tdump
11919 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11920 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11921
11922 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11923 the current trace snapshot.
11924
11925 @smallexample
11926 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11928 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11929 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11930 > end
11931
11932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11933
11934 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11935 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11936 at gdb_test.c:444
11937 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11938
11939 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11940 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11941 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11942 d1 0x18 24
11943 d2 0x80 128
11944 d3 0x33 51
11945 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11946 d5 0x22 34
11947 d6 0xe0 224
11948 d7 0x380035 3670069
11949 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11950 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11951 a2 0x100 256
11952 a3 0x322000 3284992
11953 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11954 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11955 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11956 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11957 ps 0x0 0
11958 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11959 fpcontrol 0x0 0
11960 fpstatus 0x0 0
11961 fpiaddr 0x0 0
11962 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11963 p1 = (void *) 0x11
11964 p2 = (void *) 0x22
11965 p3 = (void *) 0x33
11966 p4 = (void *) 0x44
11967 p5 = (void *) 0x55
11968 p6 = (void *) 0x66
11969 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11970
11971 (@value{GDBP})
11972 @end smallexample
11973
11974 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11975 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11976 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11977 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11978
11979 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11980 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11981 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11982 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11983 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11984 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11985 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11986 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11987 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11988 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11989
11990 @node save tracepoints
11991 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11992 @kindex save tracepoints
11993 @kindex save-tracepoints
11994 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11995
11996 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11997 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11998 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11999 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12000 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12001 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12002
12003 @node Tracepoint Variables
12004 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12005 @cindex tracepoint variables
12006 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12007
12008 @table @code
12009 @vindex $trace_frame
12010 @item (int) $trace_frame
12011 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12012 snapshot is selected.
12013
12014 @vindex $tracepoint
12015 @item (int) $tracepoint
12016 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12017
12018 @vindex $trace_line
12019 @item (int) $trace_line
12020 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12021
12022 @vindex $trace_file
12023 @item (char []) $trace_file
12024 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12025
12026 @vindex $trace_func
12027 @item (char []) $trace_func
12028 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12029 @end table
12030
12031 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12032 use @code{output} instead.
12033
12034 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12035 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12036 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12037 which are managed by the target.
12038
12039 @smallexample
12040 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12041
12042 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12043 > output $trace_file
12044 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12045 > tfind
12046 > end
12047 @end smallexample
12048
12049 @node Trace Files
12050 @section Using Trace Files
12051 @cindex trace files
12052
12053 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12054 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12055 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12056 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12057 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12058
12059 @table @code
12060
12061 @kindex tsave
12062 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12063 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12064 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12065 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12066 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12067 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12068 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12069 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12070 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12071
12072 @kindex target tfile
12073 @kindex tfile
12074 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12075 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
12076 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
12077 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
12078 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
12079 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
12080 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
12081
12082 @end table
12083
12084 @node Overlays
12085 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12086 @cindex overlays
12087
12088 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12089 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12090 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12091 use overlays.
12092
12093 @menu
12094 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12095 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12096 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12097 mapped by asking the inferior.
12098 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12099 @end menu
12100
12101 @node How Overlays Work
12102 @section How Overlays Work
12103 @cindex mapped overlays
12104 @cindex unmapped overlays
12105 @cindex load address, overlay's
12106 @cindex mapped address
12107 @cindex overlay area
12108
12109 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12110 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12111 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12112 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12113 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12114
12115 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12116 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12117 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12118 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12119 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12120 largest overlay as well.
12121
12122 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12123 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12124 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12125 there.
12126
12127 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12128 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12129 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12130
12131 @smallexample
12132 @group
12133 Data Instruction Larger
12134 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12135 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12136 | | | | | |
12137 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12138 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12139 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12140 | and heap | | | | | |
12141 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12142 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12143 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12144 | | | | | |
12145 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12146 address | | | | | |
12147 | overlay | <-' | | |
12148 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12149 | | <---. | | load address
12150 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12151 | | | |
12152 +-----------+ | |
12153 +-----------+
12154 | |
12155 +-----------+
12156
12157 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12158 @end group
12159 @end smallexample
12160
12161 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12162 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12163 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12164 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12165 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12166 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12167 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12168 program and the overlay area.
12169
12170 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12171 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12172 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12173 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12174 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12175 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12176 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12177
12178 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12179 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12180 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12181
12182 @itemize @bullet
12183
12184 @item
12185 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12186 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12187 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12188 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12189
12190 @item
12191 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12192 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12193 your program's performance.
12194
12195 @item
12196 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12197 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12198 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12199 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12200 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12201 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12202 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12203
12204 @item
12205 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12206 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12207 instruction and data spaces.
12208
12209 @end itemize
12210
12211 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12212 improved in many ways:
12213
12214 @itemize @bullet
12215
12216 @item
12217 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12218 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12219 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12220 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12221 area in the usual way.
12222
12223 @item
12224 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12225 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12226
12227 @item
12228 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12229 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12230 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12231 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12232 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12233 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12234 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12235
12236 @end itemize
12237
12238
12239 @node Overlay Commands
12240 @section Overlay Commands
12241
12242 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12243 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12244 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12245 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12246 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12247 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12248
12249 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12250 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12251
12252 @table @code
12253 @item overlay off
12254 @kindex overlay
12255 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12256 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12257 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12258 overlay support is disabled.
12259
12260 @item overlay manual
12261 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12262 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12263 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12264 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12265 commands described below.
12266
12267 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12268 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12269 @cindex map an overlay
12270 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12271 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12272 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12273 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12274 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12275 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12276
12277 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12278 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12279 @cindex unmap an overlay
12280 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12281 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12282 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12283 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12284
12285 @item overlay auto
12286 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12287 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12288 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12289 Overlay Debugging}.
12290
12291 @item overlay load-target
12292 @itemx overlay load
12293 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12294 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12295 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12296 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12297 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12298 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12299
12300 @item overlay list-overlays
12301 @itemx overlay list
12302 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12303 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12304 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12305
12306 @end table
12307
12308 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12309 of the function the address falls in:
12310
12311 @smallexample
12312 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12313 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12314 @end smallexample
12315 @noindent
12316 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12317 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12318 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12319 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12320
12321 @smallexample
12322 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12323 No sections are mapped.
12324 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12325 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12326 @end smallexample
12327 @noindent
12328 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12329 name normally:
12330
12331 @smallexample
12332 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12333 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12334 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12335 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12336 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12337 @end smallexample
12338
12339 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12340 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12341 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12342 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12343 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12344
12345 @itemize @bullet
12346 @item
12347 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12348 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12349 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12350 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12351 @item
12352 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12353 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12354 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12355 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12356 breakpoints properly.
12357 @end itemize
12358
12359
12360 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12361 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12362 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12363
12364 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12365 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12366 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12367 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12368 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12369 current state of the overlays.
12370
12371 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12372 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12373
12374 @table @asis
12375
12376 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12377 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12378
12379 @smallexample
12380 struct
12381 @{
12382 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12383 unsigned long vma;
12384
12385 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12386 unsigned long size;
12387
12388 /* The overlay's load address. */
12389 unsigned long lma;
12390
12391 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12392 zero otherwise. */
12393 unsigned long mapped;
12394 @}
12395 @end smallexample
12396
12397 @item @code{_novlys}:
12398 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12399 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12400
12401 @end table
12402
12403 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12404 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12405 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12406 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12407 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12408 currently mapped.
12409
12410 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12411 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12412 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12413 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12414 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12415 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12416 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12417 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12418 are not being executed.
12419
12420 @node Overlay Sample Program
12421 @section Overlay Sample Program
12422 @cindex overlay example program
12423
12424 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12425 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12426 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12427 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12428 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12429 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12430 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12431
12432 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12433 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12434 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12435 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12436
12437 @table @file
12438 @item overlays.c
12439 The main program file.
12440 @item ovlymgr.c
12441 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12442 @item foo.c
12443 @itemx bar.c
12444 @itemx baz.c
12445 @itemx grbx.c
12446 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12447 @item d10v.ld
12448 @itemx m32r.ld
12449 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12450 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12451 @end table
12452
12453 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12454 cross-compiler like this:
12455
12456 @smallexample
12457 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12458 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12459 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12460 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12461 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12462 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12463 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12464 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12465 @end smallexample
12466
12467 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12468 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12469 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12470
12471
12472 @node Languages
12473 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12474 @cindex languages
12475
12476 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12477 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12478 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12479 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12480 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12481 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12482
12483 @cindex working language
12484 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12485 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12486 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12487 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12488 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12489 language}.
12490
12491 @menu
12492 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12493 * Show:: Displaying the language
12494 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12495 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12496 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12497 @end menu
12498
12499 @node Setting
12500 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12501
12502 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12503 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12504 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12505 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12506 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12507 are printed, etc.
12508
12509 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12510 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12511 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12512 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12513 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12514 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12515 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12516 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12517 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12518 Displaying the Language}.
12519
12520 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12521 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12522 another language. In that case, make the
12523 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12524 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12525 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12526
12527 @menu
12528 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12529 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12530 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12531 @end menu
12532
12533 @node Filenames
12534 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12535
12536 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12537 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12538
12539 @table @file
12540 @item .ada
12541 @itemx .ads
12542 @itemx .adb
12543 @itemx .a
12544 Ada source file.
12545
12546 @item .c
12547 C source file
12548
12549 @item .C
12550 @itemx .cc
12551 @itemx .cp
12552 @itemx .cpp
12553 @itemx .cxx
12554 @itemx .c++
12555 C@t{++} source file
12556
12557 @item .d
12558 D source file
12559
12560 @item .m
12561 Objective-C source file
12562
12563 @item .f
12564 @itemx .F
12565 Fortran source file
12566
12567 @item .mod
12568 Modula-2 source file
12569
12570 @item .s
12571 @itemx .S
12572 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12573 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12574 @end table
12575
12576 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12577 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12578
12579 @node Manually
12580 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12581
12582 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12583 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12584 your program.
12585
12586 @kindex set language
12587 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12588 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12589 a language, such as
12590 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12591 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12592
12593 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12594 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12595 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12596 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12597 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12598 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12599 command such as:
12600
12601 @smallexample
12602 print a = b + c
12603 @end smallexample
12604
12605 @noindent
12606 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12607 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12608 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12609 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12610
12611 @node Automatically
12612 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12613
12614 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12615 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12616 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12617 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12618 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12619 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12620 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12621 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12622 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12623
12624 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12625 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12626 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12627 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12628 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12629
12630 @node Show
12631 @section Displaying the Language
12632
12633 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12634 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12635
12636 @table @code
12637 @item show language
12638 @kindex show language
12639 Display the current working language. This is the
12640 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12641 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12642
12643 @item info frame
12644 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12645 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12646 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12647 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12648 information listed here.
12649
12650 @item info source
12651 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12652 Display the source language of this source file.
12653 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12654 information listed here.
12655 @end table
12656
12657 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12658 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12659 with a language explicitly:
12660
12661 @table @code
12662 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12663 @kindex set extension-language
12664 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12665 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12666
12667 @item info extensions
12668 @kindex info extensions
12669 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12670 @end table
12671
12672 @node Checks
12673 @section Type and Range Checking
12674
12675 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12676 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12677 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12678 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12679 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12680 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12681 errors when your program is running.
12682
12683 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12684 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12685 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12686 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12687
12688 @menu
12689 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12690 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12691 @end menu
12692
12693 @cindex type checking
12694 @cindex checks, type
12695 @node Type Checking
12696 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12697
12698 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12699 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12700 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12701 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12702
12703 @smallexample
12704 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12705
12706 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12707 $1 = 2
12708 @exdent but
12709 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
12710 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
12711 @end smallexample
12712
12713 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
12714 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
12715
12716 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12717 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
12718 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12719 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
12720 expressions like the second example above.
12721
12722 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
12723 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12724 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12725 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12726 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
12727 little sense to evaluate anyway.
12728
12729 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
12730
12731 @kindex set check type
12732 @kindex show check type
12733 @table @code
12734 @item set check type on
12735 @itemx set check type off
12736 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
12737 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12738 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12739
12740 @item show check type
12741 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
12742 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
12743 @end table
12744
12745 @cindex range checking
12746 @cindex checks, range
12747 @node Range Checking
12748 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12749
12750 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12751 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12752 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12753 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12754 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12755
12756 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12757 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12758 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12759 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12760
12761 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12762 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12763 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12764 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12765 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12766 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12767
12768 @smallexample
12769 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12770 @end smallexample
12771
12772 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12773 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12774 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12775
12776 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12777
12778 @kindex set check range
12779 @kindex show check range
12780 @table @code
12781 @item set check range auto
12782 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12783 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12784 each language.
12785
12786 @item set check range on
12787 @itemx set check range off
12788 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12789 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12790 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12791 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12792
12793 @item set check range warn
12794 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12795 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12796 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12797 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12798 systems).
12799
12800 @item show range
12801 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12802 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12803 @end table
12804
12805 @node Supported Languages
12806 @section Supported Languages
12807
12808 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
12809 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12810 @c This is false ...
12811 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12812 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12813 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12814 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12815 language.
12816
12817 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12818 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12819 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12820 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12821 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12822 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12823 language reference or tutorial.
12824
12825 @menu
12826 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12827 * D:: D
12828 * Go:: Go
12829 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12830 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12831 * Fortran:: Fortran
12832 * Pascal:: Pascal
12833 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12834 * Ada:: Ada
12835 @end menu
12836
12837 @node C
12838 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12839
12840 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12841 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12842
12843 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12844 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12845 together.
12846
12847 @cindex C@t{++}
12848 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12849 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12850 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12851 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12852 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12853 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12854 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12855
12856 @menu
12857 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12858 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12859 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12860 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12861 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12862 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12863 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12864 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12865 @end menu
12866
12867 @node C Operators
12868 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12869
12870 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12871
12872 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12873 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12874 often defined on groups of types.
12875
12876 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12877
12878 @itemize @bullet
12879
12880 @item
12881 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12882 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12883
12884 @item
12885 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12886 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12887
12888 @item
12889 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12890
12891 @item
12892 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12893
12894 @end itemize
12895
12896 @noindent
12897 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12898 in order of increasing precedence:
12899
12900 @table @code
12901 @item ,
12902 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12903 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12904 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12905
12906 @item =
12907 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12908 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12909
12910 @item @var{op}=
12911 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12912 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12913 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12914 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12915 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12916
12917 @item ?:
12918 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12919 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12920 integral type.
12921
12922 @item ||
12923 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12924
12925 @item &&
12926 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12927
12928 @item |
12929 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12930
12931 @item ^
12932 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12933
12934 @item &
12935 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12936
12937 @item ==@r{, }!=
12938 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12939 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12940
12941 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12942 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12943 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12944 and non-zero for true.
12945
12946 @item <<@r{, }>>
12947 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12948
12949 @item @@
12950 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12951
12952 @item +@r{, }-
12953 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12954 pointer types.
12955
12956 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12957 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12958 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12959 integral types.
12960
12961 @item ++@r{, }--
12962 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12963 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12964 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12965 operation takes place.
12966
12967 @item *
12968 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12969 @code{++}.
12970
12971 @item &
12972 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12973
12974 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12975 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12976 to examine the address
12977 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12978 stored.
12979
12980 @item -
12981 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12982 precedence as @code{++}.
12983
12984 @item !
12985 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12986 @code{++}.
12987
12988 @item ~
12989 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12990 @code{++}.
12991
12992
12993 @item .@r{, }->
12994 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12995 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12996 pointer based on the stored type information.
12997 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12998
12999 @item .*@r{, }->*
13000 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13001
13002 @item []
13003 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13004 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13005
13006 @item ()
13007 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13008
13009 @item ::
13010 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13011 and @code{class} types.
13012
13013 @item ::
13014 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13015 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13016 above.
13017 @end table
13018
13019 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13020 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13021 predefined meaning.
13022
13023 @node C Constants
13024 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13025
13026 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13027
13028 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13029 following ways:
13030
13031 @itemize @bullet
13032 @item
13033 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13034 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13035 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13036 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13037 @code{long} value.
13038
13039 @item
13040 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13041 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13042 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13043 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13044 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13045 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13046 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13047 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13048 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13049 constant.
13050
13051 @item
13052 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13053 integral equivalents.
13054
13055 @item
13056 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13057 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13058 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13059 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13060 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13061 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13062 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13063 @samp{\n} for newline.
13064
13065 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13066 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13067 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13068 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13069
13070 @item
13071 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13072 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13073 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13074 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13075 characters.
13076
13077 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13078 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13079 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13080
13081 @item
13082 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13083 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13084
13085 @item
13086 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13087 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13088 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13089 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13090 @end itemize
13091
13092 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13093 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13094
13095 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13096 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13097
13098 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13099 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13100 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13101 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13102 @quotation
13103 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13104 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13105 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13106 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13107 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13108 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13109 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13110 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13111 @end quotation
13112
13113 @enumerate
13114
13115 @cindex member functions
13116 @item
13117 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13118
13119 @smallexample
13120 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13121 @end smallexample
13122
13123 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13124 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13125 @item
13126 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13127 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13128 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13129 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13130 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13131
13132 @cindex call overloaded functions
13133 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13134 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13135 @item
13136 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13137 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13138 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13139 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13140 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13141 default arguments.
13142
13143 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13144 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13145 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13146 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13147 number of function arguments.
13148
13149 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13150 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13151 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13152
13153 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13154 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13155 @smallexample
13156 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13157 @end smallexample
13158
13159 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13160 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13161
13162 @cindex reference declarations
13163 @item
13164 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13165 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13166 dereferenced.
13167
13168 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13169 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13170 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13171 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13172 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13173
13174 @item
13175 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13176 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13177 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13178 necessary, for example in an expression like
13179 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13180 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13181 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13182
13183 @item
13184 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13185 specification.
13186 @end enumerate
13187
13188 @node C Defaults
13189 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13190
13191 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13192
13193 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13194 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13195 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13196 selects the working language.
13197
13198 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13199 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13200 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13201 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13202 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13203 for further details.
13204
13205 @node C Checks
13206 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13207
13208 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13209
13210 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13211 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13212 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13213 constants to pointers.
13214
13215 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13216 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13217 that is not itself an array.
13218
13219 @node Debugging C
13220 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13221
13222 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13223 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13224 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13225 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13226
13227 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13228 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13229 ,Expressions}.
13230
13231 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13232 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13233
13234 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13235
13236 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13237 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13238
13239 @table @code
13240 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13241 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13242 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13243 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13244 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13245 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13246
13247 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13248 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13249 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13250 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13251 classes.
13252 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13253
13254 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13255 @item catch throw
13256 @itemx catch catch
13257 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13258 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13259
13260 @cindex inheritance
13261 @item ptype @var{typename}
13262 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13263 @var{typename}.
13264 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13265
13266 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13267 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13268 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13269 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13270 multiple inheritance is in use.
13271
13272 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13273 @item set print demangle
13274 @itemx show print demangle
13275 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13276 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13277 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13278 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13279 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13280
13281 @item set print object
13282 @itemx show print object
13283 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13284 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13285
13286 @item set print vtbl
13287 @itemx show print vtbl
13288 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13289 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13290 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13291 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13292
13293 @kindex set overload-resolution
13294 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13295 @item set overload-resolution on
13296 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13297 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13298 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13299 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13300 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13301 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13302
13303 @item set overload-resolution off
13304 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13305 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13306 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13307 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13308 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13309 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13310 argument types.
13311
13312 @kindex show overload-resolution
13313 @item show overload-resolution
13314 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13315
13316 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13317 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13318 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13319 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13320 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13321 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13322 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13323 @end table
13324
13325 @node Decimal Floating Point
13326 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13327 @cindex decimal floating point format
13328
13329 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13330 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13331 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13332 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13333
13334 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13335 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13336 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13337 target.
13338
13339 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13340 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13341 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13342
13343 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13344 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13345 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13346
13347 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13348 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13349 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13350
13351 @node D
13352 @subsection D
13353
13354 @cindex D
13355 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13356 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13357 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13358
13359 @node Go
13360 @subsection Go
13361
13362 @cindex Go (programming language)
13363 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13364 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13365
13366 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13367
13368 @table @code
13369 @cindex current Go package
13370 @item The current Go package
13371 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13372 specifying global variables and functions.
13373
13374 For example, given the program:
13375
13376 @example
13377 package main
13378 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13379 func main () @{
13380 // ...
13381 @}
13382 @end example
13383
13384 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13385
13386 @example
13387 (gdb) p myglob
13388 (gdb) p main.myglob
13389 @end example
13390
13391 @cindex builtin Go types
13392 @item Builtin Go types
13393 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13394 as a string.
13395
13396 @cindex builtin Go functions
13397 @item Builtin Go functions
13398 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13399 function and handles it internally.
13400
13401 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13402 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13403 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13404 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13405 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13406 @end table
13407
13408 @node Objective-C
13409 @subsection Objective-C
13410
13411 @cindex Objective-C
13412 This section provides information about some commands and command
13413 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13414 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13415 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13416
13417 @menu
13418 * Method Names in Commands::
13419 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13420 @end menu
13421
13422 @node Method Names in Commands
13423 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13424
13425 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13426 names as line specifications:
13427
13428 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13429 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13430 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13431 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13432 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13433 @itemize
13434 @item @code{clear}
13435 @item @code{break}
13436 @item @code{info line}
13437 @item @code{jump}
13438 @item @code{list}
13439 @end itemize
13440
13441 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13442
13443 @smallexample
13444 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13445 @end smallexample
13446
13447 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13448 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13449 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13450 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13451 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13452 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13453 debugged, enter:
13454
13455 @smallexample
13456 break -[Fruit create]
13457 @end smallexample
13458
13459 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13460 enter:
13461
13462 @smallexample
13463 list +[NSText initialize]
13464 @end smallexample
13465
13466 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13467 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13468 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13469 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13470
13471 @smallexample
13472 break create
13473 @end smallexample
13474
13475 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13476 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13477 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13478 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13479 none apply.
13480
13481 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13482 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13483
13484 @smallexample
13485 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13486 @end smallexample
13487
13488 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13489 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13490 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13491 @kindex print-object
13492 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13493
13494 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13495
13496 @smallexample
13497 print -[@var{object} hash]
13498 @end smallexample
13499
13500 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13501 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13502 @noindent
13503 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13504 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13505 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13506 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13507 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13508 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13509
13510 @node OpenCL C
13511 @subsection OpenCL C
13512
13513 @cindex OpenCL C
13514 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13515
13516 @menu
13517 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13518 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13519 * OpenCL C Operators::
13520 @end menu
13521
13522 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13523 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13524
13525 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13526 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13527 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13528 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13529 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13530
13531 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13532 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13533
13534 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13535 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13536 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13537 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13538
13539 @node OpenCL C Operators
13540 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13541
13542 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13543 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13544 vector data types.
13545
13546 @node Fortran
13547 @subsection Fortran
13548 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13549
13550 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13551 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13552
13553 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13554 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13555 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13556 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13557 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13558 underscore.
13559
13560 @menu
13561 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13562 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13563 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13564 @end menu
13565
13566 @node Fortran Operators
13567 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13568
13569 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13570
13571 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13572 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13573 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13574
13575 @table @code
13576 @item **
13577 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13578 of the second one.
13579
13580 @item :
13581 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13582 represent a section of array.
13583
13584 @item %
13585 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13586 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13587 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13588 union type.
13589 @end table
13590
13591 @node Fortran Defaults
13592 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13593
13594 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13595
13596 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13597 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13598 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13599 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13600
13601 @node Special Fortran Commands
13602 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13603
13604 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13605
13606 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13607 such as displaying common blocks.
13608
13609 @table @code
13610 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13611 @kindex info common
13612 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13613 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13614 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13615 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13616 printed.
13617 @end table
13618
13619 @node Pascal
13620 @subsection Pascal
13621
13622 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13623 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13624 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13625 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13626 syntax.
13627
13628 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13629 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13630 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13631
13632 @node Modula-2
13633 @subsection Modula-2
13634
13635 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13636
13637 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13638 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13639 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13640 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13641 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13642 table.
13643
13644 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13645 @menu
13646 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13647 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13648 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13649 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13650 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13651 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13652 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13653 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13654 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13655 @end menu
13656
13657 @node M2 Operators
13658 @subsubsection Operators
13659 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13660
13661 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13662 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13663 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13664 following definitions hold:
13665
13666 @itemize @bullet
13667
13668 @item
13669 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13670 their subranges.
13671
13672 @item
13673 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13674
13675 @item
13676 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13677
13678 @item
13679 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13680 @var{type}}.
13681
13682 @item
13683 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13684
13685 @item
13686 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13687
13688 @item
13689 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13690 @end itemize
13691
13692 @noindent
13693 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13694 increasing precedence:
13695
13696 @table @code
13697 @item ,
13698 Function argument or array index separator.
13699
13700 @item :=
13701 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13702 @var{value}.
13703
13704 @item <@r{, }>
13705 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13706 types.
13707
13708 @item <=@r{, }>=
13709 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13710 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13711 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13712
13713 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13714 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13715 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13716 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13717 comment character.
13718
13719 @item IN
13720 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13721 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13722
13723 @item OR
13724 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13725
13726 @item AND@r{, }&
13727 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13728
13729 @item @@
13730 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13731
13732 @item +@r{, }-
13733 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13734 and difference on set types.
13735
13736 @item *
13737 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13738 on set types.
13739
13740 @item /
13741 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13742 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13743
13744 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
13745 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13746 precedence as @code{*}.
13747
13748 @item -
13749 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13750
13751 @item ^
13752 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13753
13754 @item NOT
13755 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13756 @code{^}.
13757
13758 @item .
13759 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13760 precedence as @code{^}.
13761
13762 @item []
13763 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13764
13765 @item ()
13766 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13767 as @code{^}.
13768
13769 @item ::@r{, }.
13770 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13771 @end table
13772
13773 @quotation
13774 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13775 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13776 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13777 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13778 @end quotation
13779
13780
13781 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13782 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13783 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13784
13785 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13786 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13787
13788 @table @var
13789
13790 @item a
13791 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13792
13793 @item c
13794 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13795
13796 @item i
13797 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13798
13799 @item m
13800 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13801 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13802 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13803
13804 @item n
13805 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13806
13807 @item r
13808 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13809
13810 @item t
13811 represents a type.
13812
13813 @item v
13814 represents a variable.
13815
13816 @item x
13817 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13818 explanation of the function for details.
13819 @end table
13820
13821 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13822
13823 @table @code
13824 @item ABS(@var{n})
13825 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13826
13827 @item CAP(@var{c})
13828 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13829 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13830
13831 @item CHR(@var{i})
13832 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13833
13834 @item DEC(@var{v})
13835 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13836
13837 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13838 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13839 new value.
13840
13841 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13842 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13843 set.
13844
13845 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13846 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13847
13848 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13849 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13850
13851 @item INC(@var{v})
13852 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13853
13854 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13855 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13856 new value.
13857
13858 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13859 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13860 there. Returns the new set.
13861
13862 @item MAX(@var{t})
13863 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13864
13865 @item MIN(@var{t})
13866 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13867
13868 @item ODD(@var{i})
13869 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13870
13871 @item ORD(@var{x})
13872 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13873 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13874 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13875 integral, character and enumerated types.
13876
13877 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13878 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13879
13880 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13881 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13882
13883 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13884 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13885
13886 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13887 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13888 @end table
13889
13890 @quotation
13891 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13892 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13893 an error.
13894 @end quotation
13895
13896 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13897 @node M2 Constants
13898 @subsubsection Constants
13899
13900 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13901 ways:
13902
13903 @itemize @bullet
13904
13905 @item
13906 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13907 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13908 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13909 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13910
13911 @item
13912 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13913 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13914 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13915 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13916 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13917 digits.
13918
13919 @item
13920 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13921 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13922 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13923 followed by a @samp{C}.
13924
13925 @item
13926 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13927 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13928 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13929 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13930 sequences.
13931
13932 @item
13933 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13934
13935 @item
13936 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13937 @code{FALSE}.
13938
13939 @item
13940 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13941
13942 @item
13943 Set constants are not yet supported.
13944 @end itemize
13945
13946 @node M2 Types
13947 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13948 @cindex Modula-2 types
13949
13950 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13951 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13952 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13953 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13954 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13955 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13956
13957 The first example contains the following section of code:
13958
13959 @smallexample
13960 VAR
13961 s: SET OF CHAR ;
13962 r: [20..40] ;
13963 @end smallexample
13964
13965 @noindent
13966 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13967 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13968
13969 @smallexample
13970 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13971 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
13972 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13973 SET OF CHAR
13974 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13975 21
13976 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13977 [20..40]
13978 @end smallexample
13979
13980 @noindent
13981 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13982
13983 @smallexample
13984 VAR
13985 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
13986 @end smallexample
13987
13988 @noindent
13989 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
13990
13991 @smallexample
13992 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13993 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
13994 @end smallexample
13995
13996 @noindent
13997 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
13998 expressions using the debugger.
13999
14000 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14001 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14002
14003 @smallexample
14004 VAR
14005 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14006 @end smallexample
14007
14008 @smallexample
14009 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14010 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14011 @end smallexample
14012
14013 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14014 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14015 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14016 above.
14017
14018 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14019
14020 @smallexample
14021 TYPE
14022 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14023 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14024 VAR
14025 s: t ;
14026 BEGIN
14027 s := blue ;
14028 @end smallexample
14029
14030 @noindent
14031 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14032 and value of a variable.
14033
14034 @smallexample
14035 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14036 $1 = blue
14037 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14038 type = [blue..yellow]
14039 @end smallexample
14040
14041 @noindent
14042 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14043 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14044 their @code{C} counterparts.
14045
14046 @smallexample
14047 VAR
14048 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14049 BEGIN
14050 s[1] := 1 ;
14051 @end smallexample
14052
14053 @smallexample
14054 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14055 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14056 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14057 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14058 @end smallexample
14059
14060 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14061 pointer types as shown in this example:
14062
14063 @smallexample
14064 VAR
14065 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14066 BEGIN
14067 NEW(s) ;
14068 s^[1] := 1 ;
14069 @end smallexample
14070
14071 @noindent
14072 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14073
14074 @smallexample
14075 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14076 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14077 @end smallexample
14078
14079 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14080 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14081 types:
14082
14083 @smallexample
14084 TYPE
14085 foo = RECORD
14086 f1: CARDINAL ;
14087 f2: CHAR ;
14088 f3: myarray ;
14089 END ;
14090
14091 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14092 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14093 VAR
14094 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14095 @end smallexample
14096
14097 @noindent
14098 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14099 below.
14100
14101 @smallexample
14102 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14103 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14104 f1 : CARDINAL;
14105 f2 : CHAR;
14106 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14107 END
14108 @end smallexample
14109
14110 @node M2 Defaults
14111 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14112 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14113
14114 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14115 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14116 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14117 selected the working language.
14118
14119 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14120 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14121 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14122 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14123
14124 @node Deviations
14125 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14126 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14127
14128 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14129 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14130
14131 @itemize @bullet
14132 @item
14133 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14134 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14135 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14136 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14137 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14138 returned a pointer.)
14139
14140 @item
14141 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14142 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14143 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14144 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14145
14146 @item
14147 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14148 argument.
14149
14150 @item
14151 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14152 @end itemize
14153
14154 @node M2 Checks
14155 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14156 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14157
14158 @quotation
14159 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14160 range checking.
14161 @end quotation
14162 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14163
14164 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14165
14166 @itemize @bullet
14167 @item
14168 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14169 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14170
14171 @item
14172 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14173 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14174 @end itemize
14175
14176 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14177 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14178
14179 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14180 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14181
14182 @node M2 Scope
14183 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14184 @cindex scope
14185 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14186 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14187 @ifinfo
14188 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14189 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14190 @end ifinfo
14191 @ifnotinfo
14192 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14193 @end ifnotinfo
14194
14195 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14196 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14197 similar syntax:
14198
14199 @smallexample
14200
14201 @var{module} . @var{id}
14202 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14203 @end smallexample
14204
14205 @noindent
14206 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14207 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14208 identifier within your program, except another module.
14209
14210 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14211 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14212 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14213 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14214
14215 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14216 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14217 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14218 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14219 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14220 @var{module}.
14221
14222 @node GDB/M2
14223 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14224
14225 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14226 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14227 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14228 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14229 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14230 analogue in Modula-2.
14231
14232 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14233 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14234 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14235 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14236 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14237 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14238
14239 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14240 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14241 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14242
14243 @node Ada
14244 @subsection Ada
14245 @cindex Ada
14246
14247 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14248 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14249 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14250 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14251 to be difficult.
14252
14253
14254 @cindex expressions in Ada
14255 @menu
14256 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14257 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14258 in @value{GDBN}.
14259 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14260 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14261 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14262 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14263 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14264 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14265 Profile
14266 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14267 @end menu
14268
14269 @node Ada Mode Intro
14270 @subsubsection Introduction
14271 @cindex Ada mode, general
14272
14273 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14274 syntax, with some extensions.
14275 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14276
14277 @itemize @bullet
14278 @item
14279 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14280 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14281 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14282 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14283
14284 @item
14285 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14286 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14287
14288 @item
14289 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14290 @end itemize
14291
14292 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14293 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14294 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14295 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14296 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14297
14298 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14299 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14300 was translated from an Ada source file.
14301
14302 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14303 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14304 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14305 middle (to allow based literals).
14306
14307 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14308 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14309 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14310 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14311 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14312 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14313
14314 @node Omissions from Ada
14315 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14316 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14317
14318 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14319
14320 @itemize @bullet
14321 @item
14322 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14323
14324 @itemize @minus
14325 @item
14326 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14327 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14328
14329 @item
14330 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14331
14332 @item
14333 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14334
14335 @item
14336 @t{'Tag}.
14337
14338 @item
14339 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14340 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14341
14342 @item
14343 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14344 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14345
14346 @item
14347 @t{'Address}.
14348 @end itemize
14349
14350 @item
14351 The names in
14352 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14353 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14354 not currently available.
14355
14356 @item
14357 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14358 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14359 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14360 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14361 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14362 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14363 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14364 indeterminate values.
14365
14366 @item
14367 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14368 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14369 are not implemented.
14370
14371 @item
14372 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14373 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14374 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14375 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14376 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14377
14378 @smallexample
14379 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14380 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14381 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14382 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14383 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14384 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14385 @end smallexample
14386
14387 Changing a
14388 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14389 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14390 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14391 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14392 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14393 declared to have a type such as:
14394
14395 @smallexample
14396 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14397 Id : Integer;
14398 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14399 end record;
14400 @end smallexample
14401
14402 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14403 assignments:
14404
14405 @smallexample
14406 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14407 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14408 @end smallexample
14409
14410 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14411 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14412 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14413 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14414 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14415 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14416 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14417 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14418
14419 @item
14420 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14421
14422 @item
14423 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14424 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14425 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14426 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14427 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14428 the proper resolution.
14429
14430 @item
14431 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14432
14433 @item
14434 Entry calls are not implemented.
14435
14436 @item
14437 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14438 formats are not supported.
14439
14440 @item
14441 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14442
14443 @item
14444 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14445 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14446 context.
14447 Should your program
14448 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14449 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14450 @end itemize
14451
14452 @node Additions to Ada
14453 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14454 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14455
14456 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14457 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14458
14459 @itemize @bullet
14460 @item
14461 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14462 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14463 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14464 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14465 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14466 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14467 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14468 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14469
14470 @item
14471 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14472 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14473 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14474
14475 @item
14476 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14477 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14478
14479 @item
14480 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14481 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14482 @end itemize
14483
14484 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14485 additions specific to Ada:
14486
14487 @itemize @bullet
14488 @item
14489 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14490 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14491
14492 @smallexample
14493 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14494 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14495 @end smallexample
14496
14497 @item
14498 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14499 the value of its right-hand operand.
14500 This allows, for example,
14501 complex conditional breaks:
14502
14503 @smallexample
14504 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14505 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14506 @end smallexample
14507
14508 @item
14509 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14510 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14511 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14512 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14513 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14514 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14515 in strings. For example,
14516 @smallexample
14517 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14518 @end smallexample
14519 @noindent
14520 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14521 after each period.
14522
14523 @item
14524 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14525 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14526 to write
14527
14528 @smallexample
14529 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14530 @end smallexample
14531
14532 @item
14533 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14534 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14535 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14536 of 3 might print as
14537
14538 @smallexample
14539 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14540 @end smallexample
14541
14542 @noindent
14543 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14544 clause.
14545
14546 @item
14547 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14548 multi-character subsequence of
14549 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14550 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14551 in place of @t{a'length}.
14552
14553 @item
14554 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14555 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14556 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14557 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14558 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14559 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14560 For example,
14561 @smallexample
14562 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14563 @end smallexample
14564
14565 @item
14566 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14567 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14568 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14569 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14570 object.
14571
14572 @end itemize
14573
14574 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14575 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14576
14577 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14578 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14579 before reaching the main procedure.
14580 As defined in the Ada Reference
14581 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14582 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14583 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14584 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14585
14586 @node Ada Tasks
14587 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14588 @cindex Ada, tasking
14589
14590 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14591 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14592
14593 @table @code
14594 @kindex info tasks
14595 @item info tasks
14596 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14597
14598
14599 @smallexample
14600 @iftex
14601 @leftskip=0.5cm
14602 @end iftex
14603 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14604 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14605 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14606 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14607 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14608 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14609
14610 @end smallexample
14611
14612 @noindent
14613 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14614 task currently being inspected.
14615
14616 @table @asis
14617 @item ID
14618 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14619
14620 @item TID
14621 The Ada task ID.
14622
14623 @item P-ID
14624 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14625
14626 @item Pri
14627 The base priority of the task.
14628
14629 @item State
14630 Current state of the task.
14631
14632 @table @code
14633 @item Unactivated
14634 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14635 executing.
14636
14637 @item Runnable
14638 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14639 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14640
14641 @item Terminated
14642 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14643 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14644 terminated themselves.
14645
14646 @item Child Activation Wait
14647 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14648
14649 @item Accept Statement
14650 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14651
14652 @item Waiting on entry call
14653 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14654
14655 @item Async Select Wait
14656 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14657 select statement.
14658
14659 @item Delay Sleep
14660 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14661 alternative open.
14662
14663 @item Child Termination Wait
14664 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14665 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14666 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14667
14668 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14669 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14670 finish terminating.
14671
14672 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14673 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14674 @end table
14675
14676 @item Name
14677 Name of the task in the program.
14678
14679 @end table
14680
14681 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14682 @item info task @var{taskno}
14683 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14684 the following example:
14685 @smallexample
14686 @iftex
14687 @leftskip=0.5cm
14688 @end iftex
14689 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14690 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14691 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14692 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14693 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14694 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14695 Name: task_1
14696 Thread: 0x807f378
14697 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14698 Base Priority: 15
14699 State: Runnable
14700 @end smallexample
14701
14702 @item task
14703 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14704 @cindex current Ada task ID
14705 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14706
14707 @smallexample
14708 @iftex
14709 @leftskip=0.5cm
14710 @end iftex
14711 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14712 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14713 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14714 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14715 (@value{GDBP}) task
14716 [Current task is 2]
14717 @end smallexample
14718
14719 @item task @var{taskno}
14720 @cindex Ada task switching
14721 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14722 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14723 from the current task to the given task.
14724
14725 @smallexample
14726 @iftex
14727 @leftskip=0.5cm
14728 @end iftex
14729 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14730 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14731 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14732 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14733 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14734 [Switching to task 1]
14735 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14736 (@value{GDBP}) bt
14737 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14738 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14739 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14740 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14741 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14742 @end smallexample
14743
14744 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14745 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14746 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14747 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14748 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14749 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14750 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14751 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14752 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14753
14754 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14755 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14756 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14757 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14758 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14759
14760 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14761 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14762 program.
14763
14764 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14765 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14766 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14767
14768 For example,
14769
14770 @smallexample
14771 @iftex
14772 @leftskip=0.5cm
14773 @end iftex
14774 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14775 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14776 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14777 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14778 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14779 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14780 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14781 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14782 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14783 Continuing.
14784 task # 1 running
14785 task # 2 running
14786
14787 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14788 15 flush;
14789 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14790 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14791 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14792 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14793 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14794 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14795 @end smallexample
14796 @end table
14797
14798 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14799 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14800 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14801
14802 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14803 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14804 the platform being used.
14805 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14806 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14807 as usual.
14808
14809 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14810 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14811 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14812 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14813 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14814 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14815
14816 @node Ravenscar Profile
14817 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14818 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14819
14820 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14821 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14822 requirements.
14823
14824 @table @code
14825 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14826 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14827 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14828 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14829 Profile. This is the default.
14830
14831 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14832 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14833 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14834 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14835 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14836 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14837 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14838
14839 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14840 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14841 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14842 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14843
14844 @end table
14845
14846 @node Ada Glitches
14847 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14848 @cindex Ada, problems
14849
14850 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14851 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14852 @value{GDBN},
14853 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14854 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14855
14856 @itemize @bullet
14857 @item
14858 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14859 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14860
14861 @item
14862 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14863 argument lists are treated as positional).
14864
14865 @item
14866 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14867
14868 @item
14869 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14870 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14871 the host machine.
14872
14873 @item
14874 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14875 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14876 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14877 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14878 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14879 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14880 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14881 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14882 you can usually resolve the confusion
14883 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14884 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14885 @end itemize
14886
14887 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14888 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14889 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14890 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14891 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14892 enabled.
14893
14894 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14895 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14896 @table @code
14897
14898 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14899 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14900 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14901 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14902 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14903 This is the default.
14904
14905 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14906 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14907 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14908 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14909 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14910 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14911 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14912
14913 @end table
14914
14915 @node Unsupported Languages
14916 @section Unsupported Languages
14917
14918 @cindex unsupported languages
14919 @cindex minimal language
14920 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14921 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14922 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14923 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14924 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14925 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14926
14927 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14928 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14929 language.
14930
14931 @node Symbols
14932 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14933
14934 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14935 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14936 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14937 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14938 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14939 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14940 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14941
14942 @cindex symbol names
14943 @cindex names of symbols
14944 @cindex quoting names
14945 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14946 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14947 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14948 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14949 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14950 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14951 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14952 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14953
14954 @smallexample
14955 p 'foo.c'::x
14956 @end smallexample
14957
14958 @noindent
14959 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14960
14961 @table @code
14962 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14963 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14964 @kindex set case-sensitive
14965 @item set case-sensitive on
14966 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14967 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14968 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14969 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14970 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14971 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14972 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14973 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14974 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14975 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14976 case-insensitive matches.
14977
14978 @kindex show case-sensitive
14979 @item show case-sensitive
14980 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14981 lookups.
14982
14983 @kindex info address
14984 @cindex address of a symbol
14985 @item info address @var{symbol}
14986 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14987 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
14988 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
14989 is always stored.
14990
14991 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
14992 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
14993 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
14994
14995 @kindex info symbol
14996 @cindex symbol from address
14997 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
14998 @item info symbol @var{addr}
14999 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15000 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15001 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15002
15003 @smallexample
15004 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15005 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15006 @end smallexample
15007
15008 @noindent
15009 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15010 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15011
15012 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15013 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15014
15015 @smallexample
15016 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15017 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15018 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15019 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15020 @end smallexample
15021
15022 @kindex whatis
15023 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
15024 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15025 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15026 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15027
15028 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15029 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15030 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15031
15032 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15033 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15034 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15035 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15036 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15037 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15038 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15039 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15040 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15041
15042 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15043 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15044 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15045 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15046 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15047 unroll it.
15048
15049 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15050 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15051 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15052
15053 @kindex ptype
15054 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
15055 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15056 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15057 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15058
15059 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15060 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15061 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15062 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15063 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15064 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15065 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15066 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15067
15068 For example, for this variable declaration:
15069
15070 @smallexample
15071 typedef double real_t;
15072 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15073 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15074 complex_t var;
15075 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15076 @end smallexample
15077
15078 @noindent
15079 the two commands give this output:
15080
15081 @smallexample
15082 @group
15083 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15084 type = complex_t
15085 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15086 type = struct complex @{
15087 real_t real;
15088 double imag;
15089 @}
15090 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15091 type = struct complex
15092 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15093 type = struct complex
15094 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15095 type = struct complex @{
15096 real_t real;
15097 double imag;
15098 @}
15099 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15100 type = real_t *
15101 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15102 type = double *
15103 @end group
15104 @end smallexample
15105
15106 @noindent
15107 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15108 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15109
15110 @cindex incomplete type
15111 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15112 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15113 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15114 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15115 given these declarations:
15116
15117 @smallexample
15118 struct foo;
15119 struct foo *fooptr;
15120 @end smallexample
15121
15122 @noindent
15123 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15124
15125 @smallexample
15126 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15127 $1 = <incomplete type>
15128 @end smallexample
15129
15130 @noindent
15131 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15132 completely specified.
15133
15134 @kindex info types
15135 @item info types @var{regexp}
15136 @itemx info types
15137 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15138 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15139 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15140 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15141 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15142 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15143 name is @code{value}.
15144
15145 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15146 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15147 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15148
15149 @kindex info scope
15150 @cindex local variables
15151 @item info scope @var{location}
15152 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15153 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15154 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15155 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15156 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15157
15158 @smallexample
15159 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15160 Scope for command_line_handler:
15161 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15162 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15163 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15164 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15165 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15166 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15167 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15168 @end smallexample
15169
15170 @noindent
15171 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15172 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15173 collect}.
15174
15175 @kindex info source
15176 @item info source
15177 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15178 the function containing the current point of execution:
15179 @itemize @bullet
15180 @item
15181 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15182 @item
15183 the directory it was compiled in,
15184 @item
15185 its length, in lines,
15186 @item
15187 which programming language it is written in,
15188 @item
15189 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15190 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15191 @item
15192 whether the debugging information includes information about
15193 preprocessor macros.
15194 @end itemize
15195
15196
15197 @kindex info sources
15198 @item info sources
15199 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15200 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15201 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15202
15203 @kindex info functions
15204 @item info functions
15205 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15206
15207 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15208 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15209 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15210 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15211 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15212 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15213 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15214 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15215
15216 @kindex info variables
15217 @item info variables
15218 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15219 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15220
15221 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15222 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15223 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15224 @var{regexp}.
15225
15226 @kindex info classes
15227 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15228 @item info classes
15229 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15230 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15231 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15232 expression.
15233
15234 @kindex info selectors
15235 @item info selectors
15236 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15237 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15238 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15239 expression.
15240
15241 @ignore
15242 This was never implemented.
15243 @kindex info methods
15244 @item info methods
15245 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15246 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15247 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15248 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15249 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15250 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15251 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15252 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15253 @end ignore
15254
15255 @cindex opaque data types
15256 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15257 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15258 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15259 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15260 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15261 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15262 another source file. The default is on.
15263
15264 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15265 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15266
15267 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15268 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15269 is printed as follows:
15270 @smallexample
15271 @{<no data fields>@}
15272 @end smallexample
15273
15274 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15275 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15276 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15277
15278 @kindex maint print symbols
15279 @cindex symbol dump
15280 @kindex maint print psymbols
15281 @cindex partial symbol dump
15282 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15283 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15284 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15285 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15286 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15287 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15288 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15289 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15290 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15291 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15292 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15293 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15294 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15295 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15296 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15297 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15298 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15299
15300 @kindex maint info symtabs
15301 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15302 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15303 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15304 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15305 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15306 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15307 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15308
15309 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15310 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15311 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15312 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15313 structure in more detail. For example:
15314
15315 @smallexample
15316 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15317 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15318 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15319 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15320 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15321 readin no
15322 fullname (null)
15323 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15324 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15325 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15326 dependencies (none)
15327 @}
15328 @}
15329 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15330 (@value{GDBP})
15331 @end smallexample
15332 @noindent
15333 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15334 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15335 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15336 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15337 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15338
15339 @smallexample
15340 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15341 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15342 line 1574.
15343 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15344 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15345 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15346 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15347 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15348 dirname (null)
15349 fullname (null)
15350 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15351 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15352 debugformat DWARF 2
15353 @}
15354 @}
15355 (@value{GDBP})
15356 @end smallexample
15357 @end table
15358
15359
15360 @node Altering
15361 @chapter Altering Execution
15362
15363 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15364 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15365 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15366 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15367 program.
15368
15369 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15370 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15371 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15372
15373 @menu
15374 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15375 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15376 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15377 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15378 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15379 * Patching:: Patching your program
15380 @end menu
15381
15382 @node Assignment
15383 @section Assignment to Variables
15384
15385 @cindex assignment
15386 @cindex setting variables
15387 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15388 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15389
15390 @smallexample
15391 print x=4
15392 @end smallexample
15393
15394 @noindent
15395 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15396 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15397 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15398 information on operators in supported languages.
15399
15400 @kindex set variable
15401 @cindex variables, setting
15402 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15403 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15404 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15405 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15406 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15407
15408 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15409 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15410 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15411 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15412 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15413 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15414 command @code{set width}:
15415
15416 @smallexample
15417 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15418 type = double
15419 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15420 $4 = 13
15421 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15422 Invalid syntax in expression.
15423 @end smallexample
15424
15425 @noindent
15426 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15427 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15428
15429 @smallexample
15430 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15431 @end smallexample
15432
15433 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15434 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15435 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15436 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15437 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15438 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15439
15440 @smallexample
15441 @group
15442 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15443 type = double
15444 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15445 $1 = 1
15446 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15447 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15448 $2 = 1
15449 (@value{GDBP}) r
15450 The program being debugged has been started already.
15451 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15452 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15453 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15454 Invalid bfd target.
15455 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15456 The current BFD target is "=4".
15457 @end group
15458 @end smallexample
15459
15460 @noindent
15461 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15462 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15463 @code{g}, use
15464
15465 @smallexample
15466 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15467 @end smallexample
15468
15469 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15470 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15471 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15472 same length or shorter.
15473 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15474 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15475
15476 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15477 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15478 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15479 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15480 and representation in memory), and
15481
15482 @smallexample
15483 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15484 @end smallexample
15485
15486 @noindent
15487 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15488
15489 @node Jumping
15490 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15491
15492 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15493 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15494 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15495
15496 @table @code
15497 @kindex jump
15498 @item jump @var{linespec}
15499 @itemx jump @var{location}
15500 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15501 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15502 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15503 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15504 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15505 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15506
15507 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15508 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15509 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15510 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15511 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15512 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15513 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15514 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15515 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15516 @end table
15517
15518 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15519 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15520 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15521 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15522 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15523 example,
15524
15525 @smallexample
15526 set $pc = 0x485
15527 @end smallexample
15528
15529 @noindent
15530 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15531 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15532 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15533
15534 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15535 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15536 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15537 detail.
15538
15539 @c @group
15540 @node Signaling
15541 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15542 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15543
15544 @table @code
15545 @kindex signal
15546 @item signal @var{signal}
15547 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15548 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15549 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15550 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15551
15552 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15553 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15554 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
15555 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15556 signal.
15557
15558 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15559 after executing the command.
15560 @end table
15561 @c @end group
15562
15563 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15564 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15565 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15566 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15567 passes the signal directly to your program.
15568
15569
15570 @node Returning
15571 @section Returning from a Function
15572
15573 @table @code
15574 @cindex returning from a function
15575 @kindex return
15576 @item return
15577 @itemx return @var{expression}
15578 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15579 command. If you give an
15580 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15581 value.
15582 @end table
15583
15584 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15585 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15586 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15587 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15588
15589 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15590 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15591 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15592 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15593 of functions.
15594
15595 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15596 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15597 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15598 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15599 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15600
15601 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15602 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15603 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15604 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15605 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15606 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15607 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15608 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15609 assignment into the right register(s).
15610
15611 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15612 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15613 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15614 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15615 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15616 into a @code{long long int}:
15617
15618 @smallexample
15619 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15620 29 return 31;
15621 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15622 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15623 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15624 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15625 (@value{GDBP})
15626 @end smallexample
15627
15628 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15629 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15630 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15631 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15632 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15633 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15634 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15635 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15636
15637 @smallexample
15638 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15639 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15640 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15641 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15642 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15643 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15644 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15645 (@value{GDBP})
15646 @end smallexample
15647
15648 @node Calling
15649 @section Calling Program Functions
15650
15651 @table @code
15652 @cindex calling functions
15653 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15654 @item print @var{expr}
15655 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15656 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15657 debugged.
15658
15659 @kindex call
15660 @item call @var{expr}
15661 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15662 returned values.
15663
15664 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15665 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15666 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15667 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15668 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15669 value history.
15670 @end table
15671
15672 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15673 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15674 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15675 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15676
15677 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15678 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15679 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15680 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15681 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15682 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15683 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15684 in that case is controlled by the
15685 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15686
15687 @table @code
15688 @item set unwindonsignal
15689 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15690 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15691 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15692 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15693 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15694 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15695 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15696 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15697 received.
15698
15699 @item show unwindonsignal
15700 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15701 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15702 @value{GDBN}.
15703
15704 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15705 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15706 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15707 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15708 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15709 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15710 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15711 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15712 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15713 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15714
15715 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15716 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15717 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15718 @value{GDBN}.
15719
15720 @end table
15721
15722 @cindex weak alias functions
15723 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15724 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15725 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15726 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15727 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15728 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15729 function instead.
15730
15731 @node Patching
15732 @section Patching Programs
15733
15734 @cindex patching binaries
15735 @cindex writing into executables
15736 @cindex writing into corefiles
15737
15738 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15739 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15740 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15741 patching your program's binary.
15742
15743 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15744 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15745 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15746 repairs.
15747
15748 @table @code
15749 @kindex set write
15750 @item set write on
15751 @itemx set write off
15752 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15753 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15754 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15755
15756 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15757 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15758 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15759
15760 @item show write
15761 @kindex show write
15762 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15763 as well as reading.
15764 @end table
15765
15766 @node GDB Files
15767 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15768
15769 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15770 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15771 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15772 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15773
15774 @menu
15775 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15776 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15777 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15778 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15779 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15780 @end menu
15781
15782 @node Files
15783 @section Commands to Specify Files
15784
15785 @cindex symbol table
15786 @cindex core dump file
15787
15788 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15789 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15790 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15791 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15792
15793 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15794 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15795 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15796 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15797 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15798 new files are useful.
15799
15800 @table @code
15801 @cindex executable file
15802 @kindex file
15803 @item file @var{filename}
15804 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15805 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15806 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15807 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15808 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15809 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15810 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15811 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15812
15813 @cindex unlinked object files
15814 @cindex patching object files
15815 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15816 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15817 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15818 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15819 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15820 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15821 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15822 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15823
15824 @item file
15825 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15826 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15827
15828 @kindex exec-file
15829 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15830 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15831 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15832 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15833 discard information on the executable file.
15834
15835 @kindex symbol-file
15836 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15837 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15838 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15839 table and program to run from the same file.
15840
15841 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15842 program's symbol table.
15843
15844 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15845 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15846 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15847 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15848 @value{GDBN}.
15849
15850 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15851 executing it once.
15852
15853 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15854 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15855 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15856 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15857 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15858 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15859 optimized code.
15860
15861 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15862 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15863 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15864 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15865 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15866
15867 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15868 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15869 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15870 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15871 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15872 Warnings and Messages}.)
15873
15874 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15875 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15876 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15877 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15878 in stabs format.
15879
15880 @kindex readnow
15881 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15882 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15883 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15884 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15885 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15886 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15887 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15888 entire symbol table available.
15889
15890 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15891 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15892 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15893 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15894 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15895 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15896 @c files.
15897
15898 @kindex core-file
15899 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15900 @itemx core
15901 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15902 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15903 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15904 executable file itself for other parts.
15905
15906 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15907 to be used.
15908
15909 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15910 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15911 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15912 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15913 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15914
15915 @kindex add-symbol-file
15916 @cindex dynamic linking
15917 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15918 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15919 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15920 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15921 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15922 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15923 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15924 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15925 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15926 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15927 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15928 @var{address} as an expression.
15929
15930 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15931 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15932 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15933 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15934 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15935
15936 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15937 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15938 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15939 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15940 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15941 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15942 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15943 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15944 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15945
15946 @itemize @bullet
15947 @item
15948 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15949 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15950 @item
15951 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15952 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15953 @item
15954 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15955 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15956 @end itemize
15957
15958 @noindent
15959 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15960 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15961 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15962 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15963 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15964 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15965 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15966 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15967 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15968 way.
15969
15970 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15971
15972 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15973 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15974 @cindex load symbols from memory
15975 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15976 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15977 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15978 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15979 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15980 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15981 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15982 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15983 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15984
15985 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15986 @kindex assf
15987 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
15988 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
15989 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
15990 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
15991 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
15992 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
15993 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
15994 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
15995 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
15996 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
15997
15998 @kindex section
15999 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16000 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16001 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16002 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16003 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16004 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16005 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16006 their addresses.
16007
16008 @kindex info files
16009 @kindex info target
16010 @item info files
16011 @itemx info target
16012 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16013 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16014 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16015 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16016 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16017 current ones.
16018
16019 @kindex maint info sections
16020 @item maint info sections
16021 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16022 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16023 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16024 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16025 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16026 may be arbitrarily combined):
16027
16028 @table @code
16029 @item ALLOBJ
16030 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16031 @item @var{sections}
16032 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16033 @item @var{section-flags}
16034 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16035 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16036 @table @code
16037 @item ALLOC
16038 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16039 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16040 @item LOAD
16041 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16042 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16043 @item RELOC
16044 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16045 @item READONLY
16046 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16047 @item CODE
16048 Section contains executable code only.
16049 @item DATA
16050 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16051 @item ROM
16052 Section will reside in ROM.
16053 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16054 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16055 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16056 Section is not empty.
16057 @item NEVER_LOAD
16058 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16059 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16060 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16061 COFF shared library information.
16062 @item IS_COMMON
16063 Section contains common symbols.
16064 @end table
16065 @end table
16066 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16067 @cindex read-only sections
16068 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16069 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16070 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16071 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16072 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16073 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16074 enhancement to debugging performance.
16075
16076 The default is off.
16077
16078 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16079 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16080 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16081 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16082
16083 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16084 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16085 @end table
16086
16087 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16088 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16089 name and remembers it that way.
16090
16091 @cindex shared libraries
16092 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16093 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16094 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16095
16096 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16097 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16098
16099 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16100 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16101 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16102 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16103 debugging a core file).
16104
16105 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16106 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16107
16108 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16109 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16110 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16111
16112 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16113 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16114 particularly large or there are many of them.
16115
16116 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16117 commands:
16118
16119 @table @code
16120 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16121 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16122 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16123 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16124 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16125 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16126 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16127 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16128
16129 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16130 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16131 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16132 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16133 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16134 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16135 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16136 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16137 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16138
16139 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16140 @item show auto-solib-add
16141 Display the current autoloading mode.
16142 @end table
16143
16144 @cindex load shared library
16145 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16146 command:
16147
16148 @table @code
16149 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16150 @kindex info share
16151 @item info share @var{regex}
16152 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16153 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16154 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16155 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16156
16157 @kindex sharedlibrary
16158 @kindex share
16159 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16160 @itemx share @var{regex}
16161 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16162 Unix regular expression.
16163 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16164 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16165 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16166 loaded.
16167
16168 @item nosharedlibrary
16169 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16170 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16171 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16172 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16173 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16174 discarded.
16175 @end table
16176
16177 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16178 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16179 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16180 Catchpoints}).
16181
16182 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16183 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16184 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16185 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16186
16187 @table @code
16188 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16189 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16190 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16191 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16192 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16193 shared library.
16194
16195 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16196 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16197 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16198 library events happen.
16199 @end table
16200
16201 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16202 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16203 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16204 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16205 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16206 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16207 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16208 not.
16209
16210 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16211 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16212 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16213 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16214 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16215
16216 @table @code
16217 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16218 @cindex system root, alternate
16219 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16220 @kindex set sysroot
16221 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16222 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16223 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16224 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16225 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16226 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16227 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16228 under @var{path}.
16229
16230 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16231 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16232 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16233 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16234 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16235 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16236 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16237 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16238 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16239
16240 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16241 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16242 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16243 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16244 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16245
16246 @smallexample
16247 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16248 @end smallexample
16249
16250 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16251 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16252 system:
16253
16254 @smallexample
16255 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16256 @end smallexample
16257
16258 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16259 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16260 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16261 colons:
16262
16263 @smallexample
16264 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16265 @end smallexample
16266
16267 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16268 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16269 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16270 @samp{z}):
16271
16272 @smallexample
16273 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16274 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16275 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16276 @end smallexample
16277
16278 @noindent
16279 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16280 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16281 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16282
16283 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16284 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16285
16286 @smallexample
16287 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16288 @end smallexample
16289
16290 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16291 if you don't want or need to.
16292
16293 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16294 sysroot}.
16295
16296 @cindex default system root
16297 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16298 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16299 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16300 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16301 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16302 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16303 location.
16304
16305 @kindex show sysroot
16306 @item show sysroot
16307 Display the current shared library prefix.
16308
16309 @kindex set solib-search-path
16310 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16311 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16312 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16313 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16314 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16315 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16316 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16317 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16318 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16319 of shared library symbols.
16320
16321 @kindex show solib-search-path
16322 @item show solib-search-path
16323 Display the current shared library search path.
16324
16325 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16326 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16327 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16328 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16329 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16330
16331 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16332 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16333 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16334 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16335 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16336 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16337 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16338 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16339 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16340 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16341 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16342 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16343 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16344 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16345 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16346 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16347 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16348 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16349 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16350 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16351 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16352 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16353
16354 @table @code
16355 @item unix
16356 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16357 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16358 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16359 the forward slash.
16360
16361 @item dos-based
16362 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16363 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16364 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16365 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16366 considered directory separators.
16367
16368 @item auto
16369 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16370 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16371 This is the default.
16372 @end table
16373 @end table
16374
16375 @cindex file name canonicalization
16376 @cindex base name differences
16377 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16378 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16379 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16380 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16381 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16382 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16383 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16384 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16385 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16386 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16387 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16388 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16389 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16390 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16391 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16392
16393 @table @code
16394 @item set basenames-may-differ
16395 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16396 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16397
16398 @item show basenames-may-differ
16399 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16400 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16401 @end table
16402
16403 @node Separate Debug Files
16404 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16405 @cindex separate debugging information files
16406 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16407 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16408 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16409 @cindex global debugging information directories
16410 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16411 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16412
16413 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16414 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16415 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16416 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16417 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16418 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16419 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16420
16421 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16422 file:
16423
16424 @itemize @bullet
16425 @item
16426 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16427 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16428 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16429 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16430 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16431 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16432 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16433 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16434
16435 @item
16436 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16437 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16438 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16439 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16440 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16441 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16442 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16443 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16444 below.
16445 @end itemize
16446
16447 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16448 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16449
16450 @itemize @bullet
16451 @item
16452 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16453 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16454 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16455 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16456 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16457
16458 @item
16459 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16460 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16461 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16462 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16463 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16464 hex characters, not 10.)
16465 @end itemize
16466
16467 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16468 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16469 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16470 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16471 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16472 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16473
16474 @itemize @minus
16475 @item
16476 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16477 @item
16478 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16479 @item
16480 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16481 @item
16482 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16483 @end itemize
16484
16485 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16486 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16487 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16488 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16489 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16490
16491 @table @code
16492
16493 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16494 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16495 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16496 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16497 concatenating them by a path separator.
16498
16499 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16500 @item show debug-file-directory
16501 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16502 information files.
16503
16504 @end table
16505
16506 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16507 @cindex debug link sections
16508 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16509 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16510
16511 @itemize
16512 @item
16513 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16514 a zero byte,
16515 @item
16516 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16517 boundary within the section, and
16518 @item
16519 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16520 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16521 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16522 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16523 @end itemize
16524
16525 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16526 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16527 described above.
16528
16529 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16530 @cindex build ID sections
16531 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16532 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16533 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16534 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16535 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16536 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16537 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16538 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16539 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16540
16541 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16542 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16543 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16544 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16545 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16546 in an ordinary executable.
16547
16548 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16549 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16550 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16551 following commands:
16552
16553 @smallexample
16554 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16555 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16556 @end smallexample
16557
16558 @noindent
16559 These commands remove the debugging
16560 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16561 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16562 two files:
16563
16564 @itemize @bullet
16565 @item
16566 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16567 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16568
16569 @smallexample
16570 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16571 @end smallexample
16572
16573 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16574 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16575 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16576 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16577
16578 @item
16579 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16580 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16581 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16582 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16583 @end itemize
16584
16585 @noindent
16586
16587 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16588 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16589 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16590
16591 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16592 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16593 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16594 @c different ways!
16595 @ifhtml
16596 @display
16597 @html
16598 <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>
16599 + <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
16600 @end html
16601 @end display
16602 @end ifhtml
16603 @ifnothtml
16604 @display
16605 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16606 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16607 @end display
16608 @end ifnothtml
16609
16610 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16611 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16612 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16613 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16614 CRC.
16615
16616 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16617 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16618 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16619 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16620 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16621 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16622
16623 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16624 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16625 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16626 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16627 @code{0xffffffff}.
16628
16629 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16630 @smallexample
16631 unsigned long
16632 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16633 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16634 @{
16635 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16636 @{
16637 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16638 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16639 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16640 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16641 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16642 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16643 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16644 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16645 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16646 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16647 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16648 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16649 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16650 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16651 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16652 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16653 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16654 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16655 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16656 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16657 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16658 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16659 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16660 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16661 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16662 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16663 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16664 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16665 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16666 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16667 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16668 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16669 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16670 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16671 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16672 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16673 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16674 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16675 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16676 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16677 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16678 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16679 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16680 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16681 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16682 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16683 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16684 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16685 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16686 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16687 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16688 0x2d02ef8d
16689 @};
16690 unsigned char *end;
16691
16692 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16693 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16694 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16695 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16696 @}
16697 @end smallexample
16698
16699 @noindent
16700 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16701
16702
16703 @node Index Files
16704 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16705 @cindex index files
16706 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16707
16708 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16709 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16710 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16711 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16712 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16713 startup.
16714
16715 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16716 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16717 using @command{objcopy}.
16718
16719 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16720
16721 @table @code
16722 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16723 @kindex save gdb-index
16724 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16725 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16726 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16727 @var{directory}.
16728 @end table
16729
16730 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16731 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16732
16733 @smallexample
16734 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16735 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16736 @end smallexample
16737
16738 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
16739 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
16740 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
16741 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
16742 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
16743 The default is @code{off}.
16744 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
16745 @xref{Index Section Format}.
16746
16747 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
16748 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
16749
16750 @smallexample
16751 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16752 @end smallexample
16753
16754 Instead you must do, for example,
16755
16756 @smallexample
16757 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16758 @end smallexample
16759
16760 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16761 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16762 currently work for programs using Ada.
16763
16764 @node Symbol Errors
16765 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16766
16767 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16768 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16769 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16770 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16771 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16772 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16773 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16774 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16775 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16776 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16777 Messages}).
16778
16779 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16780
16781 @table @code
16782 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16783
16784 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16785 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16786 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16787 in its outer scope blocks.
16788
16789 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16790 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16791 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16792 function.
16793
16794 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16795
16796 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16797 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16798 do so.
16799
16800 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16801 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16802 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16803 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16804 Messages}.)
16805
16806 @item bad block start address patched
16807
16808 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16809 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16810 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16811
16812 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
16813 starting on the previous source line.
16814
16815 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
16816
16817 @cindex foo
16818 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
16819 larger than the size of the string table.
16820
16821 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
16822 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
16823 with this name.
16824
16825 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
16826
16827 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
16828 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
16829 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
16830
16831 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
16832 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
16833 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
16834 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
16835 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
16836 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
16837
16838 @item stub type has NULL name
16839
16840 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
16841
16842 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
16843 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
16844 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
16845 it.
16846
16847 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
16848
16849 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
16850
16851 @end table
16852
16853 @node Data Files
16854 @section GDB Data Files
16855
16856 @cindex prefix for data files
16857 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
16858 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
16859
16860 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16861 is currently using.
16862
16863 @table @code
16864 @kindex set data-directory
16865 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16866 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16867 to @var{directory}.
16868
16869 @kindex show data-directory
16870 @item show data-directory
16871 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16872 @end table
16873
16874 @cindex default data directory
16875 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16876 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16877 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16878 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16879 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16880 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16881 location.
16882
16883 The data directory may also be specified with the
16884 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16885 @xref{Mode Options}.
16886
16887 @node Targets
16888 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16889
16890 @cindex debugging target
16891 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16892
16893 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16894 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16895 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16896 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16897 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16898 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16899 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16900 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16901
16902 @cindex target architecture
16903 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16904 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16905 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16906 command.
16907
16908 @table @code
16909 @kindex set architecture
16910 @kindex show architecture
16911 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16912 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16913 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16914 supported architectures.
16915
16916 @item show architecture
16917 Show the current target architecture.
16918
16919 @item set processor
16920 @itemx processor
16921 @kindex set processor
16922 @kindex show processor
16923 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16924 and @code{show architecture}.
16925 @end table
16926
16927 @menu
16928 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16929 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16930 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16931 @end menu
16932
16933 @node Active Targets
16934 @section Active Targets
16935
16936 @cindex stacking targets
16937 @cindex active targets
16938 @cindex multiple targets
16939
16940 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16941 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16942 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16943 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16944 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16945 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16946 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16947 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16948 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16949
16950 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16951 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16952 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16953 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16954
16955 @node Target Commands
16956 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16957
16958 @table @code
16959 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16960 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16961 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16962 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16963 protocol of the target machine.
16964
16965 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16966 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16967 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16968
16969 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16970 after executing the command.
16971
16972 @kindex help target
16973 @item help target
16974 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16975 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16976 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16977
16978 @item help target @var{name}
16979 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16980 select it.
16981
16982 @kindex set gnutarget
16983 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16984 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16985 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16986 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16987 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
16988 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
16989
16990 @quotation
16991 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
16992 you must know the actual BFD name.
16993 @end quotation
16994
16995 @noindent
16996 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
16997
16998 @kindex show gnutarget
16999 @item show gnutarget
17000 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17001 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17002 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17003 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
17004 @end table
17005
17006 @cindex common targets
17007 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17008 configuration):
17009
17010 @table @code
17011 @kindex target
17012 @item target exec @var{program}
17013 @cindex executable file target
17014 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17015 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17016
17017 @item target core @var{filename}
17018 @cindex core dump file target
17019 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17020 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17021
17022 @item target remote @var{medium}
17023 @cindex remote target
17024 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17025 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17026 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17027
17028 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17029 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17030
17031 @smallexample
17032 target remote /dev/ttya
17033 @end smallexample
17034
17035 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17036 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17037 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17038 clobbered by the download.
17039
17040 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17041 @cindex built-in simulator target
17042 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17043 In general,
17044 @smallexample
17045 target sim
17046 load
17047 run
17048 @end smallexample
17049 @noindent
17050 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17051 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17052 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17053 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17054 Processors}.
17055
17056 @end table
17057
17058 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17059
17060 @table @code
17061
17062 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17063 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17064 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17065
17066 @end table
17067
17068 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17069 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17070
17071 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17072 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17073 various aspects of this process.
17074
17075 @table @code
17076
17077 @item set hash
17078 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17079 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17080 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17081 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17082 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17083 monitor.
17084
17085 @item show hash
17086 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17087 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17088
17089 @item set debug monitor
17090 @kindex set debug monitor
17091 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17092 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17093 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17094
17095 @item show debug monitor
17096 @kindex show debug monitor
17097 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17098 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17099 @end table
17100
17101 @table @code
17102
17103 @kindex load @var{filename}
17104 @item load @var{filename}
17105 @anchor{load}
17106 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17107 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17108 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17109 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17110 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17111 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17112
17113 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17114 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17115 target is @dots{}}''
17116
17117 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17118 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17119 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17120 specifies a fixed address.
17121 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17122
17123 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17124 load programs into flash memory.
17125
17126 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17127 @end table
17128
17129 @node Byte Order
17130 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17131
17132 @cindex choosing target byte order
17133 @cindex target byte order
17134
17135 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17136 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17137 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17138 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17139 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17140 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17141
17142 @table @code
17143 @kindex set endian
17144 @item set endian big
17145 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17146
17147 @item set endian little
17148 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17149
17150 @item set endian auto
17151 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17152 executable.
17153
17154 @item show endian
17155 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17156
17157 @end table
17158
17159 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17160 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17161 target system.
17162
17163
17164 @node Remote Debugging
17165 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17166 @cindex remote debugging
17167
17168 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17169 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17170 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17171 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17172 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17173
17174 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17175 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17176 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17177 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17178 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17179 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17180
17181 Other remote targets may be available in your
17182 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17183
17184 @menu
17185 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17186 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17187 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17188 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17189 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17190 @end menu
17191
17192 @node Connecting
17193 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17194
17195 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17196 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17197 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17198 program as the first argument.
17199
17200 @cindex @code{target remote}
17201 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17202 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17203 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17204 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17205 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17206 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17207
17208 @table @code
17209
17210 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17211 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17212 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17213 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17214
17215 @smallexample
17216 target remote /dev/ttyb
17217 @end smallexample
17218
17219 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17220 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17221 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17222 @code{target} command.
17223
17224 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17225 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17226 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17227 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17228 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17229 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17230 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17231 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17232 target.
17233
17234 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17235 @code{manyfarms}:
17236
17237 @smallexample
17238 target remote manyfarms:2828
17239 @end smallexample
17240
17241 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17242 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17243 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17244 port 1234 on your local machine:
17245
17246 @smallexample
17247 target remote :1234
17248 @end smallexample
17249 @noindent
17250
17251 Note that the colon is still required here.
17252
17253 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17254 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17255 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17256 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17257
17258 @smallexample
17259 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17260 @end smallexample
17261
17262 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17263 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17264 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17265 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17266
17267 @item target remote | @var{command}
17268 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17269 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17270 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17271 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17272 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17273 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17274 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17275 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17276
17277 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17278 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17279 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17280
17281 @end table
17282
17283 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17284 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17285 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17286 need to use @kbd{run}.
17287
17288 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17289 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17290 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17291 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17292 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17293 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17294 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17295
17296 @smallexample
17297 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17298 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17299 @end smallexample
17300
17301 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17302 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17303 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17304 goes back to waiting.
17305
17306 @table @code
17307 @kindex detach (remote)
17308 @item detach
17309 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17310 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17311 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17312 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17313 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17314
17315 @kindex disconnect
17316 @item disconnect
17317 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17318 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17319 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17320 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17321 another target.
17322
17323 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17324 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17325 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17326 @kindex monitor
17327 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17328 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17329 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17330 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17331 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17332 and implement.
17333 @end table
17334
17335 @node File Transfer
17336 @section Sending files to a remote system
17337 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17338 @cindex file transfer
17339 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17340
17341 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17342 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17343 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17344 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17345 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17346 the only way to upload or download files.
17347
17348 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17349
17350 @table @code
17351 @kindex remote put
17352 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17353 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17354 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17355
17356 @kindex remote get
17357 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17358 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17359 on the host system.
17360
17361 @kindex remote delete
17362 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17363 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17364
17365 @end table
17366
17367 @node Server
17368 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17369
17370 @kindex gdbserver
17371 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17372 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17373 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17374 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17375
17376 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17377 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17378 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17379 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17380 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17381 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17382 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17383 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17384 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17385 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17386 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17387 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17388 choice for debugging.
17389
17390 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17391 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17392 protocol.
17393
17394 @quotation
17395 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17396 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17397 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17398 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17399 @code{gdbserver}.
17400 @end quotation
17401
17402 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17403 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17404 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17405
17406 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17407 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17408 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17409 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17410 system does all the symbol handling.
17411
17412 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17413 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17414 syntax is:
17415
17416 @smallexample
17417 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17418 @end smallexample
17419
17420 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17421 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17422 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17423 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17424 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17425 @file{/dev/com1}:
17426
17427 @smallexample
17428 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17429 @end smallexample
17430
17431 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17432 with it.
17433
17434 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17435
17436 @smallexample
17437 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17438 @end smallexample
17439
17440 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17441 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17442 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17443 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17444 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17445 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17446 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17447 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17448 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17449 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17450 @code{target remote} command.
17451
17452 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17453 with ssh:
17454
17455 @smallexample
17456 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17457 @end smallexample
17458
17459 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17460 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17461 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17462 You could elide it if you want to.
17463
17464 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17465 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17466 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17467 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17468
17469 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17470 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17471 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17472
17473 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17474 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17475
17476 @smallexample
17477 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17478 @end smallexample
17479
17480 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17481 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17482
17483 @pindex pidof
17484 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17485 @code{pidof} utility:
17486
17487 @smallexample
17488 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17489 @end smallexample
17490
17491 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17492 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17493 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17494
17495 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17496 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17497 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17498
17499 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17500 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17501 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17502 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17503
17504 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17505 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17506 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17507 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17508 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17509 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17510 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17511 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17512 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17513
17514 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17515 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17516 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17517 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17518 the program you want to debug.
17519
17520 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17521 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17522 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17523 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17524 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17525 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17526
17527 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17528
17529 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17530
17531 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17532 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17533 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17534 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17535 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17536 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17537 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17538 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17539
17540 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17541 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17542 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17543
17544 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17545 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17546 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17547 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17548 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17549 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17550 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17551 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17552 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17553 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17554 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17555 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17556
17557 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17558
17559 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17560 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17561 status information about the debugging process.
17562 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17563 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17564 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17565 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17566
17567 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17568 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17569 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17570 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17571 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17572
17573 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17574 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17575 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17576 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17577
17578 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17579 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17580 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17581 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17582
17583 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17584 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17585 environment:
17586
17587 @smallexample
17588 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17589 @end smallexample
17590
17591 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17592
17593 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17594
17595 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17596 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17597 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17598 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17599
17600 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17601 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17602 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17603 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17604 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17605 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17606 programs.
17607
17608 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17609 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17610 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17611 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17612 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17613 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17614 already on the target.
17615
17616 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17617 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17618 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17619
17620 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17621 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17622 Here are the available commands.
17623
17624 @table @code
17625 @item monitor help
17626 List the available monitor commands.
17627
17628 @item monitor set debug 0
17629 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17630 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17631
17632 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17633 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17634 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17635 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17636
17637 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17638 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17639 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17640 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17641 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17642 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17643
17644 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17645 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17646
17647 @item monitor exit
17648 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17649 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17650 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17651 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17652 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17653
17654 @end table
17655
17656 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17657 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17658
17659 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17660 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17661
17662 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17663 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17664 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17665 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17666 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17667 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17668 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17669 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17670 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17671 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17672 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17673 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17674
17675 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17676
17677 @table @code
17678 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17679
17680 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17681 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17682 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17683
17684 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17685
17686 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17687 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17688 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17689 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17690 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17691 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17692
17693 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17694
17695 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17696 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17697 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17698 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17699 command for that. For example:
17700
17701 @smallexample
17702 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17703 @end smallexample
17704
17705 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17706 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17707 @end table
17708
17709 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17710 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17711 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17712 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17713 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17714 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17715 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17716 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17717 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17718 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17719
17720 @smallexample
17721 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17722 @end smallexample
17723
17724 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17725
17726 @smallexample
17727 $ gdb myprogram
17728 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17729 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17730 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17731 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17732 @end smallexample
17733
17734 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17735 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17736 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17737 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17738 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17739 tracing.
17740
17741 @node Remote Configuration
17742 @section Remote Configuration
17743
17744 @kindex set remote
17745 @kindex show remote
17746 This section documents the configuration options available when
17747 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17748 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17749 system-call-allowed}.
17750
17751 @table @code
17752 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17753 @cindex address size for remote targets
17754 @cindex bits in remote address
17755 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17756 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17757 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17758 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17759
17760 @item show remoteaddresssize
17761 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17762
17763 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17764 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17765 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17766 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17767 remote targets.
17768
17769 @item show remotebaud
17770 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17771
17772 @item set remotebreak
17773 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17774 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17775 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17776 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17777 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17778 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17779 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17780 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17781
17782 @item show remotebreak
17783 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17784 interrupt the remote program.
17785
17786 @item set remoteflow on
17787 @itemx set remoteflow off
17788 @kindex set remoteflow
17789 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17790 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17791
17792 @item show remoteflow
17793 @kindex show remoteflow
17794 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17795
17796 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17797 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17798 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17799 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17800 @code{ascii}.
17801
17802 @item show remotelogbase
17803 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17804 protocol.
17805
17806 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17807 @cindex record serial communications on file
17808 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17809 default is not to record at all.
17810
17811 @item show remotelogfile.
17812 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
17813 serial communications.
17814
17815 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
17816 @cindex timeout for serial communications
17817 @cindex remote timeout
17818 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
17819 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
17820
17821 @item show remotetimeout
17822 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
17823 responses.
17824
17825 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
17826 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
17827 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
17828 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
17829 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
17830 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
17831 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
17832 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
17833
17834 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
17835 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
17836 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
17837 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
17838 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
17839 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
17840 as unlimited.
17841
17842 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
17843 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
17844 a remote hardware watchpoint.
17845
17846 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
17847 @itemx show remote exec-file
17848 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
17849 @cindex executable file, for remote target
17850 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
17851 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
17852 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
17853 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
17854
17855 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
17856 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17857 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
17858 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
17859 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
17860 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
17861 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
17862 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
17863 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
17864 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
17865
17866 @item show interrupt-sequence
17867 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
17868 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
17869 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
17870 also known as Magic SysRq g.
17871
17872 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
17873 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
17874 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
17875 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
17876 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
17877 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
17878
17879 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17880 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17881 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17882
17883 @kindex set tcp
17884 @kindex show tcp
17885 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17886 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17887 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17888 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17889 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17890 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17891 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17892 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17893 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17894
17895 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17896 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17897
17898 @item show tcp auto-retry
17899 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17900
17901 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17902 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17903 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17904 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17905 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17906 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17907 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17908 value.
17909
17910 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17911 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17912 @end table
17913
17914 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17915 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17916 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17917 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17918 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17919 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17920 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17921 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17922 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17923
17924 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17925 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17926 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17927 @value{GDBN} developers.
17928
17929 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17930 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17931 are:
17932
17933 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17934 @item Command Name
17935 @tab Remote Packet
17936 @tab Related Features
17937
17938 @item @code{fetch-register}
17939 @tab @code{p}
17940 @tab @code{info registers}
17941
17942 @item @code{set-register}
17943 @tab @code{P}
17944 @tab @code{set}
17945
17946 @item @code{binary-download}
17947 @tab @code{X}
17948 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17949
17950 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17951 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17952 @tab @code{info auxv}
17953
17954 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17955 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17956 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17957
17958 @item @code{attach}
17959 @tab @code{vAttach}
17960 @tab @code{attach}
17961
17962 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17963 @tab @code{vCont}
17964 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17965
17966 @item @code{run}
17967 @tab @code{vRun}
17968 @tab @code{run}
17969
17970 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17971 @tab @code{Z0}
17972 @tab @code{break}
17973
17974 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17975 @tab @code{Z1}
17976 @tab @code{hbreak}
17977
17978 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17979 @tab @code{Z2}
17980 @tab @code{watch}
17981
17982 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17983 @tab @code{Z3}
17984 @tab @code{rwatch}
17985
17986 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
17987 @tab @code{Z4}
17988 @tab @code{awatch}
17989
17990 @item @code{target-features}
17991 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
17992 @tab @code{set architecture}
17993
17994 @item @code{library-info}
17995 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
17996 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
17997
17998 @item @code{memory-map}
17999 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18000 @tab @code{info mem}
18001
18002 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18003 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18004 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18005
18006 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18007 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18008 @tab @code{info spu}
18009
18010 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18011 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18012 @tab @code{info spu}
18013
18014 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18015 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18016 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18017
18018 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18019 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18020 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18021
18022 @item @code{threads}
18023 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18024 @tab @code{info threads}
18025
18026 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18027 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18028 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18029
18030 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18031 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18032 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18033
18034 @item @code{search-memory}
18035 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18036 @tab @code{find}
18037
18038 @item @code{supported-packets}
18039 @tab @code{qSupported}
18040 @tab Remote communications parameters
18041
18042 @item @code{pass-signals}
18043 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18044 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18045
18046 @item @code{program-signals}
18047 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18048 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18049
18050 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18051 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18052 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18053
18054 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18055 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18056 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18057
18058 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18059 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18060 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18061
18062 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18063 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18064 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18065
18066 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18067 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18068 @tab @code{remote delete}
18069
18070 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18071 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18072 @tab Host I/O
18073
18074 @item @code{noack-packet}
18075 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18076 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18077
18078 @item @code{osdata}
18079 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18080 @tab @code{info os}
18081
18082 @item @code{query-attached}
18083 @tab @code{qAttached}
18084 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18085
18086 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18087 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18088 @tab Traceframe info
18089
18090 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18091 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18092 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18093
18094 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18095 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18096 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18097
18098 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18099 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18100 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18101 @end multitable
18102
18103 @node Remote Stub
18104 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18105
18106 @cindex debugging stub, example
18107 @cindex remote stub, example
18108 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18109 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18110 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18111 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18112 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18113 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18114 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18115 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18116
18117 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18118 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18119 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18120 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18121 program, you need:
18122
18123 @enumerate
18124 @item
18125 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18126 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18127 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18128
18129 @item
18130 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18131 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18132
18133 @item
18134 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18135 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18136 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18137 documentation.
18138 @end enumerate
18139
18140 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18141 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18142 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18143
18144 @table @emph
18145 @item On the host,
18146 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18147 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18148 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18149
18150 @item On the target,
18151 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18152 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18153 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18154
18155 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18156 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18157 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18158 @end table
18159
18160 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18161 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18162 @sc{sparc} boards.
18163
18164 @cindex remote serial stub list
18165 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18166
18167 @table @code
18168
18169 @item i386-stub.c
18170 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18171 @cindex Intel
18172 @cindex i386
18173 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18174
18175 @item m68k-stub.c
18176 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18177 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18178 @cindex m680x0
18179 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18180
18181 @item sh-stub.c
18182 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18183 @cindex Renesas
18184 @cindex SH
18185 For Renesas SH architectures.
18186
18187 @item sparc-stub.c
18188 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18189 @cindex Sparc
18190 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18191
18192 @item sparcl-stub.c
18193 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18194 @cindex Fujitsu
18195 @cindex SparcLite
18196 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18197
18198 @end table
18199
18200 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18201 recently added stubs.
18202
18203 @menu
18204 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18205 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18206 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18207 @end menu
18208
18209 @node Stub Contents
18210 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18211
18212 @cindex remote serial stub
18213 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18214 subroutines:
18215
18216 @table @code
18217 @item set_debug_traps
18218 @findex set_debug_traps
18219 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18220 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18221 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18222 program's startup code.
18223
18224 @item handle_exception
18225 @findex handle_exception
18226 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18227 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18228 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18229 run when a trap is triggered.
18230
18231 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18232 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18233 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18234 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18235 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18236 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18237 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18238 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18239 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18240 machine.
18241
18242 @item breakpoint
18243 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18244 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18245 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18246 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18247 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18248 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18249 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18250 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18251 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18252 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18253 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18254
18255 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18256 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18257 start of your debugging session.
18258 @end table
18259
18260 @node Bootstrapping
18261 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18262
18263 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18264 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18265 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18266 debugging target machine.
18267
18268 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18269 serial port.
18270
18271 @table @code
18272 @item int getDebugChar()
18273 @findex getDebugChar
18274 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18275 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18276 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18277
18278 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18279 @findex putDebugChar
18280 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18281 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18282 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18283 @end table
18284
18285 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18286 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18287 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18288 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18289 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18290 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18291 remote system to stop.
18292
18293 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18294 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18295 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18296 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18297
18298 Other routines you need to supply are:
18299
18300 @table @code
18301 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18302 @findex exceptionHandler
18303 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18304 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18305 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18306 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18307 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18308 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18309 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18310 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18311 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18312 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18313 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18314 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18315 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18316
18317 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18318 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18319 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18320 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18321 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18322
18323 @item void flush_i_cache()
18324 @findex flush_i_cache
18325 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18326 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18327 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18328
18329 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18330 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18331 @end table
18332
18333 @noindent
18334 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18335
18336 @table @code
18337 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18338 @findex memset
18339 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18340 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18341 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18342 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18343 @end table
18344
18345 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18346 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18347 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18348 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18349
18350
18351 @node Debug Session
18352 @subsection Putting it All Together
18353
18354 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18355 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18356 steps.
18357
18358 @enumerate
18359 @item
18360 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18361 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18362 @display
18363 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18364 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18365 @end display
18366
18367 @item
18368 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18369 procedure is called:
18370
18371 @smallexample
18372 set_debug_traps();
18373 breakpoint();
18374 @end smallexample
18375
18376 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18377 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18378 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18379 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18380 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18381 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18382 progress.
18383
18384 @item
18385 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18386 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18387
18388 @smallexample
18389 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18390 @end smallexample
18391
18392 @noindent
18393 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18394 function in your program, that function is called when
18395 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18396 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18397 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18398
18399 @item
18400 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18401 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18402
18403 @item
18404 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18405 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18406
18407 @item
18408 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18409 @c document that. FIXME.
18410 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18411 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18412
18413 @item
18414 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18415 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18416
18417 @end enumerate
18418
18419 @node Configurations
18420 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18421
18422 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18423 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18424 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18425
18426 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18427 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18428 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18429 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18430 are quite different from each other.
18431
18432 @menu
18433 * Native::
18434 * Embedded OS::
18435 * Embedded Processors::
18436 * Architectures::
18437 @end menu
18438
18439 @node Native
18440 @section Native
18441
18442 This section describes details specific to particular native
18443 configurations.
18444
18445 @menu
18446 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18447 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18448 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18449 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18450 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18451 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18452 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18453 @end menu
18454
18455 @node HP-UX
18456 @subsection HP-UX
18457
18458 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18459 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18460 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18461
18462
18463 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18464 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18465
18466 @cindex libkvm
18467 @cindex kernel memory image
18468 @cindex kernel crash dump
18469
18470 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18471 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18472 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18473 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18474 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18475 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18476 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18477 @code{kvm} target:
18478
18479 @smallexample
18480 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18481 @end smallexample
18482
18483 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18484 argument:
18485
18486 @smallexample
18487 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18488 @end smallexample
18489
18490 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18491 available:
18492
18493 @table @code
18494 @kindex kvm
18495 @item kvm pcb
18496 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18497
18498 @item kvm proc
18499 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18500 modern FreeBSD systems.
18501 @end table
18502
18503 @node SVR4 Process Information
18504 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18505 @cindex /proc
18506 @cindex examine process image
18507 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18508
18509 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18510 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18511 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
18512 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
18513 proc} is available to report information about the process running
18514 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
18515 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
18516 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
18517 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
18518
18519 @table @code
18520 @kindex info proc
18521 @cindex process ID
18522 @item info proc
18523 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18524 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18525 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18526 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18527 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18528 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18529 executable file's absolute file name.
18530
18531 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18532 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18533 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18534 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18535 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18536 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18537
18538 @item info proc mappings
18539 @cindex memory address space mappings
18540 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18541 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18542 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18543 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18544 memory access rights to that range.
18545
18546 @item info proc stat
18547 @itemx info proc status
18548 @cindex process detailed status information
18549 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18550 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18551 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18552 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18553 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18554 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18555 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18556
18557 @item info proc all
18558 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18559 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18560
18561 @ignore
18562 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18563 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18564 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18565 @kindex info proc times
18566 @item info proc times
18567 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18568 its children.
18569
18570 @kindex info proc id
18571 @item info proc id
18572 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18573 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18574 @end ignore
18575
18576 @item set procfs-trace
18577 @kindex set procfs-trace
18578 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18579 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18580
18581 @item show procfs-trace
18582 @kindex show procfs-trace
18583 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18584
18585 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18586 @kindex set procfs-file
18587 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18588 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18589 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18590 standard output.
18591
18592 @item show procfs-file
18593 @kindex show procfs-file
18594 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18595
18596 @item proc-trace-entry
18597 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18598 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18599 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18600 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18601 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18602 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18603 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18604 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18605 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18606
18607 @item info pidlist
18608 @kindex info pidlist
18609 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18610 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18611 processes and all the threads within each process.
18612
18613 @item info meminfo
18614 @kindex info meminfo
18615 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18616 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18617 @end table
18618
18619 @node DJGPP Native
18620 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18621 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18622 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18623 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18624
18625 @cindex DPMI
18626 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18627 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18628 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18629 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18630
18631 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18632 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18633 subsection describes those commands.
18634
18635 @table @code
18636 @kindex info dos
18637 @item info dos
18638 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18639 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18640
18641 @kindex sysinfo
18642 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18643 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18644 @item info dos sysinfo
18645 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18646 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18647 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18648
18649 @cindex GDT
18650 @cindex LDT
18651 @cindex IDT
18652 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18653 @cindex descriptor tables display
18654 @item info dos gdt
18655 @itemx info dos ldt
18656 @itemx info dos idt
18657 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18658 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18659 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18660 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18661 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18662 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18663 rights.
18664
18665 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18666 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18667 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18668 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18669 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18670
18671 @cindex garbled pointers
18672 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18673 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18674 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18675 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18676 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18677 debugged program's data segment:
18678
18679 @smallexample
18680 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18681 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18682 @end smallexample
18683
18684 @noindent
18685 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18686 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18687
18688 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18689 @item info dos pde
18690 @itemx info dos pte
18691 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18692 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18693 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18694 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18695 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18696 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18697 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18698 that is currently in use.
18699
18700 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18701 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18702 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18703 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18704 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18705 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18706 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18707
18708 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18709 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18710 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18711 controller.
18712
18713 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18714
18715 @cindex physical address from linear address
18716 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18717 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18718 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18719 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18720 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18721 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18722 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18723
18724 @smallexample
18725 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18726 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18727 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18728 @end smallexample
18729
18730 @noindent
18731 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18732 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18733 attributes of that page.
18734
18735 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18736 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18737 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18738 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18739 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18740 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18741
18742 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18743 transfer buffer:
18744
18745 @smallexample
18746 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18747 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18748 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18749 @end smallexample
18750
18751 @noindent
18752 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18753 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18754 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18755 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18756 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18757
18758 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18759 @end table
18760
18761 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18762 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18763 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18764 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18765
18766 @table @code
18767 @kindex set com1base
18768 @kindex set com1irq
18769 @kindex set com2base
18770 @kindex set com2irq
18771 @kindex set com3base
18772 @kindex set com3irq
18773 @kindex set com4base
18774 @kindex set com4irq
18775 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18776 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18777 port.
18778
18779 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18780 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18781 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18782
18783 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18784 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18785 other 3 COM ports.
18786
18787 @kindex show com1base
18788 @kindex show com1irq
18789 @kindex show com2base
18790 @kindex show com2irq
18791 @kindex show com3base
18792 @kindex show com3irq
18793 @kindex show com4base
18794 @kindex show com4irq
18795 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
18796 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
18797 lines used by the COM ports.
18798
18799 @item info serial
18800 @kindex info serial
18801 @cindex DOS serial port status
18802 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
18803 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
18804 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
18805 counts of various errors encountered so far.
18806 @end table
18807
18808
18809 @node Cygwin Native
18810 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
18811 @cindex MS Windows debugging
18812 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
18813 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
18814
18815 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
18816 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
18817
18818 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
18819 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
18820 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
18821 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
18822 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
18823 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
18824 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
18825 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
18826
18827 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
18828 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
18829 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
18830
18831 @table @code
18832 @kindex info w32
18833 @item info w32
18834 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
18835 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18836
18837 @item info w32 selector
18838 This command displays information returned by
18839 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
18840 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
18841 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
18842 Without argument, this command displays information
18843 about the six segment registers.
18844
18845 @item info w32 thread-information-block
18846 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
18847 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
18848 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
18849
18850 @kindex info dll
18851 @item info dll
18852 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
18853
18854 @kindex dll-symbols
18855 @item dll-symbols
18856 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
18857 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
18858
18859 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
18860 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
18861 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
18862 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
18863 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
18864 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
18865 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
18866 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
18867 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
18868 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
18869 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
18870
18871 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
18872 @item show cygwin-exceptions
18873 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
18874 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
18875
18876 @kindex set new-console
18877 @item set new-console @var{mode}
18878 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
18879 be started in a new console on next start.
18880 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
18881 be started in the same console as the debugger.
18882
18883 @kindex show new-console
18884 @item show new-console
18885 Displays whether a new console is used
18886 when the debuggee is started.
18887
18888 @kindex set new-group
18889 @item set new-group @var{mode}
18890 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
18891 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
18892 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
18893 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
18894
18895 @kindex show new-group
18896 @item show new-group
18897 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
18898
18899 @kindex set debugevents
18900 @item set debugevents
18901 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
18902 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18903 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18904 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18905 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18906
18907 @kindex set debugexec
18908 @item set debugexec
18909 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18910 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18911
18912 @kindex set debugexceptions
18913 @item set debugexceptions
18914 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18915 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18916
18917 @kindex set debugmemory
18918 @item set debugmemory
18919 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18920 and writes by the debugger.
18921
18922 @kindex set shell
18923 @item set shell
18924 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18925 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18926
18927 @kindex show shell
18928 @item show shell
18929 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18930
18931 @end table
18932
18933 @menu
18934 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18935 @end menu
18936
18937 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18938 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18939 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18940 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18941
18942 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18943 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18944 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18945 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18946 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18947 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18948 ``minimal symbols''.
18949
18950 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18951 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18952 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18953 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18954 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18955 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18956 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18957 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18958 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18959 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18960
18961 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18962
18963 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18964 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18965 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18966 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18967 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18968 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18969 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18970 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18971 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18972
18973 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18974 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18975 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18976 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18977 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18978 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18979
18980 @smallexample
18981 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18982 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18983
18984 Non-debugging symbols:
18985 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18986 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
18987 @end smallexample
18988
18989 @smallexample
18990 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
18991 All functions matching regular expression "!":
18992
18993 Non-debugging symbols:
18994 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
18995 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
18996 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
18997 [etc...]
18998 @end smallexample
18999
19000 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19001
19002 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19003 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19004 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19005 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19006 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19007 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19008 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19009
19010 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19011 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19012 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19013 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19014 problem:
19015
19016 @smallexample
19017 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19018 $1 = 268572168
19019 @end smallexample
19020
19021 @smallexample
19022 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19023 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19024 @end smallexample
19025
19026 And two possible solutions:
19027
19028 @smallexample
19029 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19030 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19031 @end smallexample
19032
19033 @smallexample
19034 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19035 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19036 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19037 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19038 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19039 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19040 @end smallexample
19041
19042 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19043 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19044 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19045 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19046 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19047
19048 @smallexample
19049 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19050 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19051 @end smallexample
19052
19053 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19054 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19055 safe.
19056
19057 @node Hurd Native
19058 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19059 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19060
19061 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19062 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19063
19064 @table @code
19065 @item set signals
19066 @itemx set sigs
19067 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19068 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19069 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19070 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19071 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19072 @code{signals}.
19073
19074 @item show signals
19075 @itemx show sigs
19076 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19077 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19078 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19079
19080 @item set signal-thread
19081 @itemx set sigthread
19082 @kindex set signal-thread
19083 @kindex set sigthread
19084 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19085 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19086 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19087 signal-thread}.
19088
19089 @item show signal-thread
19090 @itemx show sigthread
19091 @kindex show signal-thread
19092 @kindex show sigthread
19093 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19094 delivered a signal.
19095
19096 @item set stopped
19097 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19098 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19099 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19100 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19101
19102 @item show stopped
19103 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19104 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19105 stopped.
19106
19107 @item set exceptions
19108 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19109 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19110 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19111 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19112 trapping on.
19113
19114 @item show exceptions
19115 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19116 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19117
19118 @item set task pause
19119 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19120 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19121 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19122 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19123 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19124 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19125 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19126 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19127 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19128
19129 @item show task pause
19130 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19131 Show the current state of task suspension.
19132
19133 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19134 @cindex task suspend count
19135 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19136 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19137 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19138
19139 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19140 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19141
19142 @item set task exception-port
19143 @itemx set task excp
19144 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19145 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19146 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19147 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19148
19149 @item set noninvasive
19150 @cindex noninvasive task options
19151 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19152 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19153 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19154 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19155
19156 @item info send-rights
19157 @itemx info receive-rights
19158 @itemx info port-rights
19159 @itemx info port-sets
19160 @itemx info dead-names
19161 @itemx info ports
19162 @itemx info psets
19163 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19164 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19165 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19166 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19167 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19168 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19169 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19170 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19171 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19172
19173 @item set thread pause
19174 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19175 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19176 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19177 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19178 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19179 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19180 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19181 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19182 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19183 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19184 only the current thread.
19185
19186 @item show thread pause
19187 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19188 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19189
19190 @item set thread run
19191 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19192
19193 @item show thread run
19194 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19195
19196 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19197 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19198 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19199 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19200 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19201 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19202 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19203
19204 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19205 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19206 detaching.
19207
19208 @item set thread exception-port
19209 @itemx set thread excp
19210 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19211 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19212 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19213
19214 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19215 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19216 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19217 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19218
19219 @item set thread default
19220 @itemx show thread default
19221 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19222 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19223 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19224 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19225 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19226 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19227 the non-default commands.
19228 @end table
19229
19230 @node Darwin
19231 @subsection Darwin
19232 @cindex Darwin
19233
19234 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19235
19236 @table @code
19237 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19238 @kindex set debug darwin
19239 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19240 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19241
19242 @item show debug darwin
19243 @kindex show debug darwin
19244 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19245
19246 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19247 @kindex set debug mach-o
19248 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19249 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19250 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19251 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19252 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19253 usage.
19254
19255 @item show debug mach-o
19256 @kindex show debug mach-o
19257 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19258
19259 @item set mach-exceptions on
19260 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19261 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19262 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19263 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19264 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19265 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19266
19267 @item show mach-exceptions
19268 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19269 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19270 @end table
19271
19272
19273 @node Embedded OS
19274 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19275
19276 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19277 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19278 architectures.
19279
19280 @menu
19281 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19282 @end menu
19283
19284 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19285 various real-time operating systems.
19286
19287 @node VxWorks
19288 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19289
19290 @cindex VxWorks
19291
19292 @table @code
19293
19294 @kindex target vxworks
19295 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19296 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19297 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19298
19299 @end table
19300
19301 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19302 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19303
19304 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19305 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19306 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19307 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19308 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19309 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19310 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19311
19312 @table @code
19313 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19314 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19315 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19316 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19317 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19318 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19319 of a thin network line.
19320 @end table
19321
19322 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19323 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19324 procedures.
19325
19326 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19327 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19328 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19329 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19330 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19331 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19332 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19333 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19334 manual.
19335 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19336
19337 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19338 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19339 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19340 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19341
19342 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19343
19344 @smallexample
19345 (vxgdb)
19346 @end smallexample
19347
19348 @menu
19349 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19350 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19351 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19352 @end menu
19353
19354 @node VxWorks Connection
19355 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19356
19357 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19358 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19359
19360 @smallexample
19361 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19362 @end smallexample
19363
19364 @need 750
19365 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19366
19367 @smallexample
19368 Attaching remote machine across net...
19369 Connected to tt.
19370 @end smallexample
19371
19372 @need 1000
19373 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19374 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19375 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19376 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19377 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19378
19379 @smallexample
19380 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19381 @end smallexample
19382
19383 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19384 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19385 command again.
19386
19387 @node VxWorks Download
19388 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19389
19390 @cindex download to VxWorks
19391 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19392 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19393 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19394 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19395 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19396 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19397 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19398 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19399 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19400 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19401 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19402 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19403 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19404 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19405 program, type this on VxWorks:
19406
19407 @smallexample
19408 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19409 @end smallexample
19410
19411 @noindent
19412 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19413
19414 @smallexample
19415 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19416 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19417 @end smallexample
19418
19419 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19420
19421 @smallexample
19422 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19423 @end smallexample
19424
19425 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19426 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19427 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19428 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19429 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19430 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19431 table.)
19432
19433 @node VxWorks Attach
19434 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19435
19436 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19437 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19438 follows:
19439
19440 @smallexample
19441 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19442 @end smallexample
19443
19444 @noindent
19445 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19446 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19447 the time of attachment.
19448
19449 @node Embedded Processors
19450 @section Embedded Processors
19451
19452 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19453 configurations.
19454
19455 @cindex send command to simulator
19456 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19457 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19458
19459 @table @code
19460 @item sim @var{command}
19461 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19462 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19463 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19464 acceptable commands.
19465 @end table
19466
19467
19468 @menu
19469 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19470 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19471 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19472 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19473 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19474 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
19475 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19476 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19477 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19478 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19479 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19480 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19481 * CRIS:: CRIS
19482 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19483 @end menu
19484
19485 @node ARM
19486 @subsection ARM
19487 @cindex ARM RDI
19488
19489 @table @code
19490 @kindex target rdi
19491 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19492 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19493 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19494 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19495
19496 @kindex target rdp
19497 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19498 ARM Demon monitor.
19499
19500 @end table
19501
19502 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19503
19504 @table @code
19505 @item set arm disassembler
19506 @kindex set arm
19507 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19508 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19509
19510 @item show arm disassembler
19511 @kindex show arm
19512 Show the current disassembly style.
19513
19514 @item set arm apcs32
19515 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19516 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19517
19518 @item show arm apcs32
19519 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19520
19521 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19522 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19523 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19524
19525 @table @code
19526 @item auto
19527 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19528 @item softfpa
19529 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19530 processors.
19531 @item fpa
19532 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19533 @item softvfp
19534 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19535 @item vfp
19536 VFP co-processor.
19537 @end table
19538
19539 @item show arm fpu
19540 Show the current type of the FPU.
19541
19542 @item set arm abi
19543 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19544
19545 @item show arm abi
19546 Show the currently used ABI.
19547
19548 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19549 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19550 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19551 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19552 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19553 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19554 register).
19555
19556 @item show arm fallback-mode
19557 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19558
19559 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19560 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19561 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19562 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19563 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19564
19565 @item show arm force-mode
19566 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19567
19568 @item set debug arm
19569 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19570 target support subsystem.
19571
19572 @item show debug arm
19573 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19574 @end table
19575
19576 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19577 using the RDI interface:
19578
19579 @table @code
19580 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19581 @kindex rdilogfile
19582 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19583 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19584 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19585 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19586 @file{rdi.log}.
19587
19588 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19589 @kindex rdilogenable
19590 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19591 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19592 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19593 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19594 are logged to a file.
19595
19596 @item set rdiromatzero
19597 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19598 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19599 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19600 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19601 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19602 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19603
19604 @item show rdiromatzero
19605 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19606 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19607
19608 @item set rdiheartbeat
19609 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19610 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19611 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19612 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19613 well as the Angel monitor.
19614
19615 @item show rdiheartbeat
19616 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19617 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19618 @end table
19619
19620 @table @code
19621 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19622 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19623
19624 @table @code
19625 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19626 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19627 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19628 The default value is @code{all}.
19629
19630 @table @code
19631 @item none
19632 @item demon
19633 @item angel
19634 @item redboot
19635 @item all
19636 @end table
19637 @end table
19638 @end table
19639
19640 @node M32R/D
19641 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19642
19643 @table @code
19644 @kindex target m32r
19645 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19646 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19647
19648 @kindex target m32rsdi
19649 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19650 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19651 @end table
19652
19653 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19654
19655 @table @code
19656 @item set download-path @var{path}
19657 @kindex set download-path
19658 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19659 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19660
19661 @item show download-path
19662 @kindex show download-path
19663 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19664
19665 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19666 @kindex set board-address
19667 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19668 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19669
19670 @item show board-address
19671 @kindex show board-address
19672 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19673
19674 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19675 @kindex set server-address
19676 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19677 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19678 host machine.
19679
19680 @item show server-address
19681 @kindex show server-address
19682 Display the IP address of the download server.
19683
19684 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19685 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19686 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19687 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19688 executable file is uploaded.
19689
19690 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19691 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19692 Test the @code{upload} command.
19693 @end table
19694
19695 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19696
19697 @table @code
19698 @item sdireset
19699 @kindex sdireset
19700 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19701 This command resets the SDI connection.
19702
19703 @item sdistatus
19704 @kindex sdistatus
19705 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19706
19707 @item debug_chaos
19708 @kindex debug_chaos
19709 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19710 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19711
19712 @item use_debug_dma
19713 @kindex use_debug_dma
19714 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19715
19716 @item use_mon_code
19717 @kindex use_mon_code
19718 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19719
19720 @item use_ib_break
19721 @kindex use_ib_break
19722 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19723
19724 @item use_dbt_break
19725 @kindex use_dbt_break
19726 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19727 @end table
19728
19729 @node M68K
19730 @subsection M68k
19731
19732 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19733 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19734
19735 @table @code
19736
19737 @kindex target dbug
19738 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19739 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19740
19741 @end table
19742
19743 @node MicroBlaze
19744 @subsection MicroBlaze
19745 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19746 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19747
19748 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19749 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19750 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19751 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19752 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19753 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19754 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19755 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19756 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19757 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19758 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19759
19760 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19761
19762 @table @code
19763 @item target remote :1234
19764 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19765 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19766
19767 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19768 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19769 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19770
19771 @item load
19772 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19773
19774 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19775 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19776
19777 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19778 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19779 @end table
19780
19781 @node MIPS Embedded
19782 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
19783
19784 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
19785 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19786 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19787 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19788
19789 @need 1000
19790 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19791
19792 @table @code
19793 @item target mips @var{port}
19794 @kindex target mips @var{port}
19795 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
19796 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
19797 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
19798 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
19799 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
19800 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
19801
19802 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
19803 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
19804 debugger:
19805
19806 @smallexample
19807 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
19808 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
19809 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
19810 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
19811 (@value{GDBP}) run
19812 @end smallexample
19813
19814 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
19815 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
19816 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
19817 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
19818 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
19819
19820 @item target pmon @var{port}
19821 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
19822 PMON ROM monitor.
19823
19824 @item target ddb @var{port}
19825 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
19826 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
19827
19828 @item target lsi @var{port}
19829 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
19830 LSI variant of PMON.
19831
19832 @kindex target r3900
19833 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
19834 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
19835
19836 @kindex target array
19837 @item target array @var{dev}
19838 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
19839
19840 @end table
19841
19842
19843 @noindent
19844 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
19845
19846 @table @code
19847 @item set mipsfpu double
19848 @itemx set mipsfpu single
19849 @itemx set mipsfpu none
19850 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
19851 @itemx show mipsfpu
19852 @kindex set mipsfpu
19853 @kindex show mipsfpu
19854 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
19855 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
19856 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
19857 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
19858 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
19859 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
19860 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
19861 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
19862 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
19863 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
19864 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
19865 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
19866 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
19867
19868 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
19869 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
19870 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
19871
19872 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
19873 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
19874
19875 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
19876 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
19877 @itemx show timeout
19878 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
19879 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19880 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19881 @kindex set timeout
19882 @kindex show timeout
19883 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19884 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19885 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
19886 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19887 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19888 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19889 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19890 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19891 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19892 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
19893
19894 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19895 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19896 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19897 to run before stopping.
19898
19899 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19900 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19901 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
19902 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19903 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19904 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19905
19906 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19907 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19908 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19909 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19910
19911 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19912 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19913 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19914 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19915 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19916 @table @asis
19917 @item pmon target
19918 @samp{PMON}
19919 @item ddb target
19920 @samp{NEC010}
19921 @item lsi target
19922 @samp{PMON>}
19923 @end table
19924
19925 @item show monitor-prompt
19926 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19927 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19928 remote monitor.
19929
19930 @item set monitor-warnings
19931 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19932 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19933 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19934 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19935 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19936
19937 @item show monitor-warnings
19938 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19939 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19940
19941 @item pmon @var{command}
19942 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19943 @cindex send PMON command
19944 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19945 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19946 @end table
19947
19948 @node OpenRISC 1000
19949 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19950 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19951
19952 @cindex or1k boards
19953 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19954 about platform and commands.
19955
19956 @table @code
19957
19958 @kindex target jtag
19959 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19960
19961 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19962 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19963 connected via parallel port to the board.
19964
19965 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19966
19967 @kindex or1ksim
19968 @item or1ksim @var{command}
19969 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
19970 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
19971
19972 @kindex info or1k spr
19973 @item info or1k spr
19974 Displays spr groups.
19975
19976 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
19977 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
19978 Displays register names in selected group.
19979
19980 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
19981 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
19982 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
19983 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
19984 Shows information about specified spr register.
19985
19986 @kindex spr
19987 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
19988 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
19989 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
19990 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
19991 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
19992 @end table
19993
19994 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
19995 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
19996 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
19997 triggers can be set using:
19998 @table @code
19999 @item $LEA/$LDATA
20000 Load effective address/data
20001 @item $SEA/$SDATA
20002 Store effective address/data
20003 @item $AEA/$ADATA
20004 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
20005 @item $FETCH
20006 Fetch data
20007 @end table
20008
20009 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
20010 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
20011
20012 @code{htrace} commands:
20013 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
20014 @table @code
20015 @kindex hwatch
20016 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
20017 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
20018 or Data. For example:
20019
20020 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20021
20022 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20023
20024 @kindex htrace
20025 @item htrace info
20026 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
20027
20028 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
20029 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
20030
20031 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
20032 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
20033
20034 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
20035 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
20036
20037 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
20038 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
20039 triggered.
20040
20041 @item htrace enable
20042 @itemx htrace disable
20043 Enables/disables the HW trace.
20044
20045 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
20046 Clears currently recorded trace data.
20047
20048 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
20049 will be written there.
20050
20051 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
20052 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
20053
20054 @item htrace mode continuous
20055 Set continuous trace mode.
20056
20057 @item htrace mode suspend
20058 Set suspend trace mode.
20059
20060 @end table
20061
20062 @node PowerPC Embedded
20063 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20064
20065 @cindex DVC register
20066 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20067 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20068
20069 @smallexample
20070 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20071 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20072 @end smallexample
20073
20074 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20075 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20076 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20077 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20078 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20079 or newer.
20080
20081 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20082 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20083 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20084 watching variables of scalar types.
20085
20086 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20087 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20088
20089 @smallexample
20090 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20091 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20092 @end smallexample
20093
20094 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20095 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20096
20097 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20098 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20099 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20100 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20101 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20102 use the @code{break-range} command.
20103
20104 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20105
20106 @table @code
20107 @kindex break-range
20108 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20109 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20110 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20111 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20112 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20113 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20114 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20115 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20116 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20117
20118 @kindex set powerpc
20119 @item set powerpc soft-float
20120 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20121 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20122 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20123 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20124
20125 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20126 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20127 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20128 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20129 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20130 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20131 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20132 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20133
20134 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20135 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20136 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20137 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20138 address of its first byte.
20139
20140 @kindex target dink32
20141 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20142 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20143
20144 @kindex target ppcbug
20145 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20146 @kindex target ppcbug1
20147 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20148 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20149
20150 @kindex target sds
20151 @item target sds @var{dev}
20152 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20153 @end table
20154
20155 @cindex SDS protocol
20156 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20157 by @value{GDBN}:
20158
20159 @table @code
20160 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20161 @kindex set sdstimeout
20162 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20163 default is 2 seconds.
20164
20165 @item show sdstimeout
20166 @kindex show sdstimeout
20167 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20168
20169 @item sds @var{command}
20170 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20171 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20172 @end table
20173
20174
20175 @node PA
20176 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20177
20178 @table @code
20179
20180 @kindex target op50n
20181 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20182 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20183
20184 @kindex target w89k
20185 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20186 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20187
20188 @end table
20189
20190 @node Sparclet
20191 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20192
20193 @cindex Sparclet
20194
20195 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20196 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20197 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20198 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20199 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20200
20201 @table @code
20202 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20203 @kindex remotetimeout
20204 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20205 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20206 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20207 @end table
20208
20209 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20210 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20211 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20212 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20213 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20214
20215 @smallexample
20216 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20217 @end smallexample
20218
20219 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20220
20221 @smallexample
20222 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20223 @end smallexample
20224
20225 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20226 Once you have set
20227 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20228 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20229 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20230
20231 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20232
20233 @smallexample
20234 (gdbslet)
20235 @end smallexample
20236
20237 @menu
20238 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20239 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20240 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20241 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20242 @end menu
20243
20244 @node Sparclet File
20245 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20246
20247 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20248
20249 @smallexample
20250 (gdbslet) file prog
20251 @end smallexample
20252
20253 @need 1000
20254 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20255 @value{GDBN} locates
20256 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20257 path.
20258 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20259 files will be searched as well.
20260 @value{GDBN} locates
20261 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20262 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20263 If it fails
20264 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20265
20266 @smallexample
20267 prog: No such file or directory.
20268 @end smallexample
20269
20270 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20271 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20272 @code{target} command again.
20273
20274 @node Sparclet Connection
20275 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20276
20277 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20278 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20279
20280 @smallexample
20281 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20282 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20283 main () at ../prog.c:3
20284 @end smallexample
20285
20286 @need 750
20287 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20288
20289 @smallexample
20290 Connected to ttya.
20291 @end smallexample
20292
20293 @node Sparclet Download
20294 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20295
20296 @cindex download to Sparclet
20297 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20298 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20299 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20300 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20301 command.
20302 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20303 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20304 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20305 of each of the file's sections.
20306 For instance, if the program
20307 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20308 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20309
20310 @smallexample
20311 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20312 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20313 @end smallexample
20314
20315 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20316 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20317 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20318
20319 @node Sparclet Execution
20320 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20321
20322 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20323 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20324 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20325 manual for the list of commands.
20326
20327 @smallexample
20328 (gdbslet) b main
20329 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20330 (gdbslet) run
20331 Starting program: prog
20332 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20333 3 char *symarg = 0;
20334 (gdbslet) step
20335 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20336 (gdbslet)
20337 @end smallexample
20338
20339 @node Sparclite
20340 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20341
20342 @table @code
20343
20344 @kindex target sparclite
20345 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20346 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20347 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20348 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20349 remote protocol.
20350
20351 @end table
20352
20353 @node Z8000
20354 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20355
20356 @cindex Z8000
20357 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20358 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20359
20360 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20361 a Z8000 simulator.
20362
20363 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20364 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20365 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20366 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20367
20368 @table @code
20369 @item target sim @var{args}
20370 @kindex sim
20371 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20372 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20373 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20374 @end table
20375
20376 @noindent
20377 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20378 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20379 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20380 to run your program, and so on.
20381
20382 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20383 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20384 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20385
20386 @table @code
20387
20388 @item cycles
20389 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20390
20391 @item insts
20392 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20393
20394 @item time
20395 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20396
20397 @end table
20398
20399 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20400 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20401 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20402 simulated clock ticks.
20403
20404 @node AVR
20405 @subsection Atmel AVR
20406 @cindex AVR
20407
20408 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20409 following AVR-specific commands:
20410
20411 @table @code
20412 @item info io_registers
20413 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20414 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20415 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20416 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20417 @end table
20418
20419 @node CRIS
20420 @subsection CRIS
20421 @cindex CRIS
20422
20423 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20424 following CRIS-specific commands:
20425
20426 @table @code
20427 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20428 @cindex CRIS version
20429 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20430 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20431 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20432
20433 @item show cris-version
20434 Show the current CRIS version.
20435
20436 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20437 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20438 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20439 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20440 @code{R59}.
20441
20442 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20443 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20444
20445 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20446 @cindex CRIS mode
20447 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20448 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20449 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20450
20451 @item show cris-mode
20452 Show the current CRIS mode.
20453 @end table
20454
20455 @node Super-H
20456 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20457 @cindex Super-H
20458
20459 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20460 commands:
20461
20462 @table @code
20463 @item regs
20464 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
20465 This command is deprecated, and @code{info all-registers} should be
20466 used instead.
20467
20468 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
20469
20470 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20471 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20472 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20473 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20474 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20475 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20476 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20477 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20478 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20479 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20480 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20481 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20482
20483 @item show sh calling-convention
20484 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20485 Show the current calling convention setting.
20486
20487 @end table
20488
20489
20490 @node Architectures
20491 @section Architectures
20492
20493 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20494 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20495
20496 @menu
20497 * i386::
20498 * Alpha::
20499 * MIPS::
20500 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20501 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20502 * PowerPC::
20503 @end menu
20504
20505 @node i386
20506 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20507
20508 @table @code
20509 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20510 @kindex set struct-convention
20511 @cindex struct return convention
20512 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20513 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20514 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20515 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20516 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20517 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20518 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20519 be returned in a register.
20520
20521 @item show struct-convention
20522 @kindex show struct-convention
20523 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20524 from functions.
20525 @end table
20526
20527 @node Alpha
20528 @subsection Alpha
20529
20530 See the following section.
20531
20532 @node MIPS
20533 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20534
20535 @cindex stack on Alpha
20536 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20537 @cindex Alpha stack
20538 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20539 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20540 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20541 find the beginning of a function.
20542
20543 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20544 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20545 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20546 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20547 commands:
20548
20549 @table @code
20550 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20551 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20552 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20553 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20554 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20555 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20556 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20557 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20558
20559 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20560 Display the current limit.
20561 @end table
20562
20563 @noindent
20564 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20565 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20566
20567 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20568 programs:
20569
20570 @table @code
20571 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20572 @kindex set mips abi
20573 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20574 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20575 values of @var{arg} are:
20576
20577 @table @samp
20578 @item auto
20579 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20580 default).
20581 @item o32
20582 @item o64
20583 @item n32
20584 @item n64
20585 @item eabi32
20586 @item eabi64
20587 @end table
20588
20589 @item show mips abi
20590 @kindex show mips abi
20591 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20592
20593 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20594 @kindex set mips compression
20595 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20596 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20597 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20598 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20599 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20600 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20601 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20602 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20603 provided by the executable.
20604
20605 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20606 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20607 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20608 identified as such.
20609
20610 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20611 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20612 implicitly from an executable.
20613
20614 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20615 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20616 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20617 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20618 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20619
20620 @item show mips compression
20621 @kindex show mips compression
20622 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20623 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20624
20625 @item set mipsfpu
20626 @itemx show mipsfpu
20627 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20628
20629 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20630 @kindex set mips mask-address
20631 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20632 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20633 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20634 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20635 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20636
20637 @item show mips mask-address
20638 @kindex show mips mask-address
20639 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20640 not.
20641
20642 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20643 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20644 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20645 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20646 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20647 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20648
20649 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20650 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20651 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20652
20653 @item set debug mips
20654 @kindex set debug mips
20655 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20656 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20657
20658 @item show debug mips
20659 @kindex show debug mips
20660 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
20661 @end table
20662
20663
20664 @node HPPA
20665 @subsection HPPA
20666 @cindex HPPA support
20667
20668 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20669 following special commands:
20670
20671 @table @code
20672 @item set debug hppa
20673 @kindex set debug hppa
20674 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20675 messages are to be displayed.
20676
20677 @item show debug hppa
20678 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20679
20680 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20681 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20682 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20683 given @var{address}.
20684
20685 @end table
20686
20687
20688 @node SPU
20689 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20690 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20691 @cindex SPU
20692
20693 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20694 it provides the following special commands:
20695
20696 @table @code
20697 @item info spu event
20698 @kindex info spu
20699 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20700 and pending event status.
20701
20702 @item info spu signal
20703 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20704 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20705 notification channels.
20706
20707 @item info spu mailbox
20708 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20709 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20710 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20711
20712 @item info spu dma
20713 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20714 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20715 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20716
20717 @item info spu proxydma
20718 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20719 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20720 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20721
20722 @end table
20723
20724 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20725 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20726 special commands:
20727
20728 @table @code
20729 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20730 @kindex set spu
20731 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20732 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20733 function. The default is @code{off}.
20734
20735 @item show spu stop-on-load
20736 @kindex show spu
20737 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20738
20739 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20740 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20741 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20742 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20743 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20744 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20745
20746 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20747 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20748
20749 @end table
20750
20751 @node PowerPC
20752 @subsection PowerPC
20753 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20754
20755 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20756 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20757 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20758 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20759 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20760
20761 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20762 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20763 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20764
20765 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20766 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20767
20768
20769 @node Controlling GDB
20770 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20771
20772 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20773 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20774 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20775 described here.
20776
20777 @menu
20778 * Prompt:: Prompt
20779 * Editing:: Command editing
20780 * Command History:: Command history
20781 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20782 * Numbers:: Numbers
20783 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20784 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
20785 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20786 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20787 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20788 @end menu
20789
20790 @node Prompt
20791 @section Prompt
20792
20793 @cindex prompt
20794
20795 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20796 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20797 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20798 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20799 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20800 which one you are talking to.
20801
20802 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
20803 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
20804 or a prompt that does not.
20805
20806 @table @code
20807 @kindex set prompt
20808 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
20809 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
20810
20811 @kindex show prompt
20812 @item show prompt
20813 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
20814 @end table
20815
20816 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
20817 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
20818 are:
20819
20820 @table @code
20821 @kindex set extended-prompt
20822 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
20823 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
20824 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
20825 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
20826 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
20827 is displayed.
20828
20829 For example:
20830
20831 @smallexample
20832 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
20833 @end smallexample
20834
20835 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
20836 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
20837
20838 @kindex show extended-prompt
20839 @item show extended-prompt
20840 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
20841 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
20842 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
20843 @end table
20844
20845 @node Editing
20846 @section Command Editing
20847 @cindex readline
20848 @cindex command line editing
20849
20850 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
20851 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
20852 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
20853 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
20854 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
20855 debugging sessions.
20856
20857 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
20858 command @code{set}.
20859
20860 @table @code
20861 @kindex set editing
20862 @cindex editing
20863 @item set editing
20864 @itemx set editing on
20865 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
20866
20867 @item set editing off
20868 Disable command line editing.
20869
20870 @kindex show editing
20871 @item show editing
20872 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
20873 @end table
20874
20875 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20876 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
20877 @end ifset
20878 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20879 @xref{Command Line Editing},
20880 @end ifclear
20881 for more details about the Readline
20882 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
20883 encouraged to read that chapter.
20884
20885 @node Command History
20886 @section Command History
20887 @cindex command history
20888
20889 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
20890 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
20891 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20892 history facility.
20893
20894 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20895 package, to provide the history facility.
20896 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20897 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20898 @end ifset
20899 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20900 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20901 @end ifclear
20902 for the detailed description of the History library.
20903
20904 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20905 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20906 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20907 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20908 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20909 pressed on a line by itself.
20910
20911 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20912 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20913 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20914 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20915
20916 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20917 history.
20918
20919 @table @code
20920 @cindex history substitution
20921 @cindex history file
20922 @kindex set history filename
20923 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20924 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20925 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20926 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20927 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20928 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20929 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20930 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20931 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20932 is not set.
20933
20934 @cindex save command history
20935 @kindex set history save
20936 @item set history save
20937 @itemx set history save on
20938 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20939 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20940
20941 @item set history save off
20942 Stop recording command history in a file.
20943
20944 @cindex history size
20945 @kindex set history size
20946 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20947 @item set history size @var{size}
20948 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20949 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20950 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20951 @end table
20952
20953 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20954 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20955 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20956 @end ifset
20957 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20958 @xref{Event Designators},
20959 @end ifclear
20960 for more details.
20961
20962 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20963 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20964 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20965 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20966 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20967 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20968 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
20969 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
20970
20971 The commands to control history expansion are:
20972
20973 @table @code
20974 @item set history expansion on
20975 @itemx set history expansion
20976 @kindex set history expansion
20977 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
20978
20979 @item set history expansion off
20980 Disable history expansion.
20981
20982 @c @group
20983 @kindex show history
20984 @item show history
20985 @itemx show history filename
20986 @itemx show history save
20987 @itemx show history size
20988 @itemx show history expansion
20989 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
20990 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
20991 @c @end group
20992 @end table
20993
20994 @table @code
20995 @kindex show commands
20996 @cindex show last commands
20997 @cindex display command history
20998 @item show commands
20999 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21000
21001 @item show commands @var{n}
21002 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21003
21004 @item show commands +
21005 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21006 @end table
21007
21008 @node Screen Size
21009 @section Screen Size
21010 @cindex size of screen
21011 @cindex pauses in output
21012
21013 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21014 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21015 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21016 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21017 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21018 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21019 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21020 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21021
21022 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21023 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21024 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21025 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21026 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21027 width} commands:
21028
21029 @table @code
21030 @kindex set height
21031 @kindex set width
21032 @kindex show width
21033 @kindex show height
21034 @item set height @var{lpp}
21035 @itemx show height
21036 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21037 @itemx show width
21038 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21039 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21040 commands display the current settings.
21041
21042 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
21043 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
21044 file or to an editor buffer.
21045
21046 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
21047 from wrapping its output.
21048
21049 @item set pagination on
21050 @itemx set pagination off
21051 @kindex set pagination
21052 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21053 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
21054 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21055 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21056
21057 @item show pagination
21058 @kindex show pagination
21059 Show the current pagination mode.
21060 @end table
21061
21062 @node Numbers
21063 @section Numbers
21064 @cindex number representation
21065 @cindex entering numbers
21066
21067 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21068 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21069 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21070 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21071 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21072 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21073 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21074 both input and output with the commands described below.
21075
21076 @table @code
21077 @kindex set input-radix
21078 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21079 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21080 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21081 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21082 example, any of
21083
21084 @smallexample
21085 set input-radix 012
21086 set input-radix 10.
21087 set input-radix 0xa
21088 @end smallexample
21089
21090 @noindent
21091 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21092 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21093 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21094 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21095 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21096 change the radix.
21097
21098 @kindex set output-radix
21099 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21100 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21101 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21102 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21103
21104 @kindex show input-radix
21105 @item show input-radix
21106 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21107
21108 @kindex show output-radix
21109 @item show output-radix
21110 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21111
21112 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21113 @itemx show radix
21114 @kindex set radix
21115 @kindex show radix
21116 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21117 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21118 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21119 default value of 10.
21120
21121 @end table
21122
21123 @node ABI
21124 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21125
21126 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21127 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21128 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21129 current ABI.
21130
21131 @cindex OS ABI
21132 @kindex set osabi
21133 @kindex show osabi
21134
21135 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21136 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21137 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21138 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21139 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21140 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21141 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21142 platform provides.
21143
21144 @table @code
21145 @item show osabi
21146 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21147
21148 @item set osabi
21149 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21150
21151 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21152 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21153 @end table
21154
21155 @cindex float promotion
21156
21157 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21158 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21159 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21160 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21161 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21162 @code{double} and then passed.
21163
21164 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21165 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21166 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21167
21168 @table @code
21169 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21170 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21171 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21172 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21173 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21174
21175 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21176 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21177 functions.
21178
21179 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21180 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21181 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21182 @end table
21183
21184 @kindex set cp-abi
21185 @kindex show cp-abi
21186 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21187 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21188 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21189 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21190 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21191 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21192 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21193 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21194 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21195 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21196 ``auto''.
21197
21198 @table @code
21199 @item show cp-abi
21200 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21201
21202 @item set cp-abi
21203 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21204
21205 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21206 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21207 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21208 @end table
21209
21210 @node Auto-loading
21211 @section Automatically loading associated files
21212 @cindex auto-loading
21213
21214 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21215 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21216 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21217 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21218 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21219 sources).
21220
21221 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21222 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21223 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21224
21225 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21226 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21227
21228 @table @code
21229 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21230 @kindex set auto-load off
21231 @item set auto-load off
21232 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21233 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21234 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21235 @smallexample
21236 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21237 @end smallexample
21238
21239 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21240 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21241 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21242 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21243 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21244 @code{set auto-load no}.
21245
21246 @anchor{show auto-load}
21247 @kindex show auto-load
21248 @item show auto-load
21249 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21250 or disabled.
21251
21252 @smallexample
21253 (gdb) show auto-load
21254 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21255 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21256 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21257 is on.
21258 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21259 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21260 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21261 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21262 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21263 @end smallexample
21264
21265 @anchor{info auto-load}
21266 @kindex info auto-load
21267 @item info auto-load
21268 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21269 not.
21270
21271 @smallexample
21272 (gdb) info auto-load
21273 gdb-scripts:
21274 Loaded Script
21275 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21276 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21277 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21278 loaded.
21279 python-scripts:
21280 Loaded Script
21281 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21282 @end smallexample
21283 @end table
21284
21285 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21286
21287 @itemize @bullet
21288 @item
21289 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21290 @item
21291 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21292 @item
21293 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21294 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21295 @item
21296 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21297 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21298 @item
21299 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21300 @end itemize
21301
21302 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21303
21304 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21305 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21306 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21307 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21308 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21309 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21310 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21311 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21312 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21313 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21314 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21315 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21316 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21317 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21318 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21319 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21320 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21321 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21322 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21323 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21324 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21325 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21326 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21327 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21328 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21329 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21330 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21331 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21332 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21333 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21334 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21335 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21336 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21337 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21338 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21339 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21340 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21341 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21342 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21343 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21344 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21345 @end multitable
21346
21347 @menu
21348 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21349 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21350 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21351 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21352 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21353 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21354 @end menu
21355
21356 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21357 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21358 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21359
21360 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21361 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21362 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21363
21364 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21365 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21366
21367 @table @code
21368 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21369 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21370 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21371 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21372 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21373
21374 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21375 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21376 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21377 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21378 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21379
21380 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21381 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21382 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21383 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21384 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21385 @end table
21386
21387 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21388 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21389 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21390
21391 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21392
21393 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21394 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21395
21396 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21397 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21398 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21399 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21400 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21401 library.
21402
21403 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21404 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21405
21406 @table @code
21407 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21408 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21409 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21410 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21411
21412 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21413 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21414 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21415 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21416 enabled or disabled.
21417
21418 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21419 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21420 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21421 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21422 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21423 @end table
21424
21425 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21426 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21427 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21428
21429 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21430 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21431 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21432
21433 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21434 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21435
21436 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21437 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21438
21439 @table @code
21440 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21441 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21442 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21443 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21444
21445 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21446 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21447 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21448 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21449 disabled.
21450
21451 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21452 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21453 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21454 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21455 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21456 auto-loaded.
21457 @end table
21458
21459 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21460 matching names are printed.
21461
21462 @node Auto-loading safe path
21463 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21464 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21465
21466 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21467 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21468 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21469 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21470 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21471
21472 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21473 get loaded:
21474
21475 @smallexample
21476 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21477 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21478 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21479 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21480 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21481 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21482 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21483 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21484 @end smallexample
21485
21486 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21487
21488 @table @code
21489 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21490 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21491 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21492 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21493 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21494 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21495 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21496 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21497 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21498 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21499
21500 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21501 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21502 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21503
21504 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21505 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21506 @item show auto-load safe-path
21507 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21508 scripts.
21509
21510 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21511 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21512 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21513 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21514 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21515 host platform path separator in use.
21516 @end table
21517
21518 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21519 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21520 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21521 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21522 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21523
21524 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21525 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21526 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21527 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21528 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21529 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21530 init file in the current directory
21531 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21532
21533 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21534 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21535
21536 @table @asis
21537 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21538 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21539 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21540 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21541
21542 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21543 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21544 @value{GDBN} session.
21545
21546 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21547 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21548 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21549 from trusted sources.
21550
21551 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21552 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21553 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21554 trusted sources.
21555 @end table
21556
21557 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21558 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21559
21560 @table @asis
21561 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21562 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21563
21564 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21565 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21566 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21567 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21568 @end table
21569
21570 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21571 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21572 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21573 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21574 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21575 recommended to be entered.
21576
21577 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21578 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21579 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21580
21581 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21582 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21583 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21584 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21585 be printed.
21586
21587 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21588 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21589 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21590
21591 @smallexample
21592 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21593 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21594 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21595 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21596 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21597 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21598 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21599 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21600 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21601 @end smallexample
21602
21603 @table @code
21604 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21605 @kindex set debug auto-load
21606 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21607 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21608
21609 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21610 @kindex show debug auto-load
21611 @item show debug auto-load
21612 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21613 on or off.
21614 @end table
21615
21616 @node Messages/Warnings
21617 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21618
21619 @cindex verbose operation
21620 @cindex optional warnings
21621 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21622 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21623 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21624 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21625
21626 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21627 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21628 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21629
21630 @table @code
21631 @kindex set verbose
21632 @item set verbose on
21633 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21634
21635 @item set verbose off
21636 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21637
21638 @kindex show verbose
21639 @item show verbose
21640 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
21641 @end table
21642
21643 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
21644 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
21645 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
21646 Symbol Files}).
21647
21648 @table @code
21649
21650 @kindex set complaints
21651 @item set complaints @var{limit}
21652 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
21653 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
21654 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
21655 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
21656
21657 @kindex show complaints
21658 @item show complaints
21659 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
21660
21661 @end table
21662
21663 @anchor{confirmation requests}
21664 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
21665 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
21666 you try to run a program which is already running:
21667
21668 @smallexample
21669 (@value{GDBP}) run
21670 The program being debugged has been started already.
21671 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
21672 @end smallexample
21673
21674 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
21675 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
21676
21677 @table @code
21678
21679 @kindex set confirm
21680 @cindex flinching
21681 @cindex confirmation
21682 @cindex stupid questions
21683 @item set confirm off
21684 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
21685 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
21686 automatically disables confirmation requests.
21687
21688 @item set confirm on
21689 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
21690
21691 @kindex show confirm
21692 @item show confirm
21693 Displays state of confirmation requests.
21694
21695 @end table
21696
21697 @cindex command tracing
21698 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
21699 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
21700 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
21701 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
21702
21703 @table @code
21704 @kindex set trace-commands
21705 @cindex command scripts, debugging
21706 @item set trace-commands on
21707 Enable command tracing.
21708 @item set trace-commands off
21709 Disable command tracing.
21710 @item show trace-commands
21711 Display the current state of command tracing.
21712 @end table
21713
21714 @node Debugging Output
21715 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
21716 @cindex optional debugging messages
21717
21718 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
21719 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
21720 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
21721 section documents those commands.
21722
21723 @table @code
21724 @kindex set exec-done-display
21725 @item set exec-done-display
21726 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
21727 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
21728 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
21729 @kindex show exec-done-display
21730 @item show exec-done-display
21731 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
21732 notification.
21733 @kindex set debug
21734 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
21735 @cindex architecture debugging info
21736 @item set debug arch
21737 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
21738 @kindex show debug
21739 @item show debug arch
21740 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
21741 @item set debug aix-thread
21742 @cindex AIX threads
21743 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
21744 module.
21745 @item show debug aix-thread
21746 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
21747 @item set debug check-physname
21748 @cindex physname
21749 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
21750 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
21751 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
21752 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
21753 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
21754 both ways and display any discrepancies.
21755 @item show debug check-physname
21756 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
21757 @item set debug dwarf2-die
21758 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
21759 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
21760 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
21761 A value of zero turns off the display.
21762 @item show debug dwarf2-die
21763 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
21764 @item set debug dwarf2-read
21765 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
21766 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
21767 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
21768 @item show debug dwarf2-read
21769 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
21770 @item set debug displaced
21771 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
21772 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
21773 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
21774 @item show debug displaced
21775 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
21776 related to displaced stepping.
21777 @item set debug event
21778 @cindex event debugging info
21779 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
21780 default is off.
21781 @item show debug event
21782 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
21783 info.
21784 @item set debug expression
21785 @cindex expression debugging info
21786 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
21787 expression parsing. The default is off.
21788 @item show debug expression
21789 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
21790 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
21791 @item set debug frame
21792 @cindex frame debugging info
21793 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
21794 default is off.
21795 @item show debug frame
21796 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
21797 info.
21798 @item set debug gnu-nat
21799 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
21800 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
21801 @item show debug gnu-nat
21802 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
21803 @item set debug infrun
21804 @cindex inferior debugging info
21805 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
21806 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
21807 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
21808 @item show debug infrun
21809 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
21810 @item set debug jit
21811 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
21812 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
21813 @item show debug jit
21814 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
21815 @item set debug lin-lwp
21816 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
21817 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
21818 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
21819 @item show debug lin-lwp
21820 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
21821 @item set debug observer
21822 @cindex observer debugging info
21823 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
21824 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
21825 @item show debug observer
21826 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
21827 @item set debug overload
21828 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
21829 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
21830 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
21831 is off.
21832 @item show debug overload
21833 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
21834 debugging info.
21835 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
21836 @cindex debug expression parser
21837 @item set debug parser
21838 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
21839 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
21840 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
21841 details. The default is off.
21842 @item show debug parser
21843 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
21844 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
21845 @cindex serial connections, debugging
21846 @cindex debug remote protocol
21847 @cindex remote protocol debugging
21848 @cindex display remote packets
21849 @item set debug remote
21850 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
21851 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
21852 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
21853 @item show debug remote
21854 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
21855 @item set debug serial
21856 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
21857 default is off.
21858 @item show debug serial
21859 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
21860 info.
21861 @item set debug solib-frv
21862 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
21863 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
21864 @item show debug solib-frv
21865 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
21866 messages.
21867 @item set debug symtab-create
21868 @cindex symbol table creation
21869 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
21870 The default is off.
21871 @item show debug symtab-create
21872 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
21873 @item set debug target
21874 @cindex target debugging info
21875 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
21876 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
21877 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
21878 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
21879 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
21880 @item show debug target
21881 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
21882 info.
21883 @item set debug timestamp
21884 @cindex timestampping debugging info
21885 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
21886 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
21887 message.
21888 @item show debug timestamp
21889 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
21890 debugging info.
21891 @item set debugvarobj
21892 @cindex variable object debugging info
21893 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
21894 info. The default is off.
21895 @item show debugvarobj
21896 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
21897 debugging info.
21898 @item set debug xml
21899 @cindex XML parser debugging
21900 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
21901 @item show debug xml
21902 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
21903 @end table
21904
21905 @node Other Misc Settings
21906 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
21907 @cindex miscellaneous settings
21908
21909 @table @code
21910 @kindex set interactive-mode
21911 @item set interactive-mode
21912 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
21913 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
21914 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
21915 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
21916 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
21917 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
21918 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
21919 is, non-interactively otherwise.
21920
21921 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
21922 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
21923 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
21924 inside a cygwin window.
21925
21926 @kindex show interactive-mode
21927 @item show interactive-mode
21928 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
21929 @end table
21930
21931 @node Extending GDB
21932 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
21933 @cindex extending GDB
21934
21935 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
21936 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
21937 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
21938 existing commands.
21939
21940 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
21941 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
21942 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
21943 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
21944 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21945 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
21946
21947 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
21948 setting:
21949
21950 @table @code
21951 @kindex set script-extension
21952 @kindex show script-extension
21953 @item set script-extension off
21954 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21955
21956 @item set script-extension soft
21957 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21958 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
21959 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
21960 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
21961
21962 @item set script-extension strict
21963 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21964 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
21965 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
21966
21967 @item show script-extension
21968 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
21969
21970 @end table
21971
21972 @menu
21973 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
21974 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21975 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
21976 @end menu
21977
21978 @node Sequences
21979 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
21980
21981 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
21982 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
21983 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
21984 files.
21985
21986 @menu
21987 * Define:: How to define your own commands
21988 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
21989 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
21990 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
21991 @end menu
21992
21993 @node Define
21994 @subsection User-defined Commands
21995
21996 @cindex user-defined command
21997 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
21998 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
21999 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22000 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22001 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22002 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22003
22004 @smallexample
22005 define adder
22006 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22007 end
22008 @end smallexample
22009
22010 @noindent
22011 To execute the command use:
22012
22013 @smallexample
22014 adder 1 2 3
22015 @end smallexample
22016
22017 @noindent
22018 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22019 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22020 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22021 functions calls.
22022
22023 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22024 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22025 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22026 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22027
22028 @smallexample
22029 define adder
22030 if $argc == 2
22031 print $arg0 + $arg1
22032 end
22033 if $argc == 3
22034 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22035 end
22036 end
22037 @end smallexample
22038
22039 @table @code
22040
22041 @kindex define
22042 @item define @var{commandname}
22043 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22044 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22045 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22046 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22047 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22048 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22049
22050 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22051 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22052 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22053
22054 @kindex document
22055 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22056 @item document @var{commandname}
22057 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22058 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22059 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22060 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22061 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22062 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22063
22064 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22065 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22066 does not change the documentation.
22067
22068 @kindex dont-repeat
22069 @cindex don't repeat command
22070 @item dont-repeat
22071 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22072 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22073 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22074
22075 @kindex help user-defined
22076 @item help user-defined
22077 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22078 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22079 included (if any).
22080
22081 @kindex show user
22082 @item show user
22083 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22084 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22085 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22086 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22087 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22088
22089 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22090 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22091 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22092 @item show max-user-call-depth
22093 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22094 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22095 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22096 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22097 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22098 @end table
22099
22100 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22101 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22102
22103 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22104 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22105 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22106
22107 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22108 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22109 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22110 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22111
22112 @node Hooks
22113 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22114 @cindex command hooks
22115 @cindex hooks, for commands
22116 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22117
22118 @kindex hook
22119 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22120 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22121 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22122 before that command.
22123
22124 @cindex hooks, post-command
22125 @kindex hookpost
22126 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22127 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22128 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22129 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22130 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22131
22132 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22133 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22134
22135 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22136 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22137
22138 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22139 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22140 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22141 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22142 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22143
22144 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22145 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22146 you could define:
22147
22148 @smallexample
22149 define hook-stop
22150 handle SIGALRM nopass
22151 end
22152
22153 define hook-run
22154 handle SIGALRM pass
22155 end
22156
22157 define hook-continue
22158 handle SIGALRM pass
22159 end
22160 @end smallexample
22161
22162 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22163 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22164 you could define:
22165
22166 @smallexample
22167 define hook-echo
22168 echo <<<---
22169 end
22170
22171 define hookpost-echo
22172 echo --->>>\n
22173 end
22174
22175 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22176 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22177 (@value{GDBP})
22178
22179 @end smallexample
22180
22181 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22182 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22183 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22184 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22185 @c or not?
22186 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22187 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22188 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22189
22190 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22191 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22192 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22193
22194 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22195 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22196
22197 @node Command Files
22198 @subsection Command Files
22199
22200 @cindex command files
22201 @cindex scripting commands
22202 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22203 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22204 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22205 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22206 terminal.
22207
22208 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22209 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22210 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22211 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22212 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22213
22214 @table @code
22215 @kindex source
22216 @cindex execute commands from a file
22217 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22218 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22219 @end table
22220
22221 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22222 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22223 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22224 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22225 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22226
22227 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22228 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22229 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22230 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22231 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22232 is not relevant to scripts.
22233
22234 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22235 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22236 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22237 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22238 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22239 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22240 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22241 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22242 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22243 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22244 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22245 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22246 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22247 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22248
22249 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22250 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22251 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22252
22253 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22254 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22255 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22256 when called from command files.
22257
22258 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22259 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22260 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22261 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22262 the next command.
22263
22264 @smallexample
22265 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22266 @end smallexample
22267
22268 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22269 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22270 would be directed to @file{log}.
22271
22272 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22273 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22274 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22275 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22276 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22277 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22278 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22279 conditionally, etc.
22280
22281 @table @code
22282 @kindex if
22283 @kindex else
22284 @item if
22285 @itemx else
22286 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22287 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22288 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22289 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22290 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22291 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22292 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22293
22294 @kindex while
22295 @item while
22296 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22297 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22298 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22299 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22300 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22301 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22302
22303 @kindex loop_break
22304 @item loop_break
22305 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22306 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22307 line.
22308
22309 @kindex loop_continue
22310 @item loop_continue
22311 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22312 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22313 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22314 the controlling expression.
22315
22316 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22317 @item end
22318 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22319 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22320 @end table
22321
22322
22323 @node Output
22324 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22325
22326 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22327 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22328 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22329 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22330 want.
22331
22332 @table @code
22333 @kindex echo
22334 @item echo @var{text}
22335 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22336 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22337 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22338 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22339 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22340 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22341 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22342 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22343 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22344 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22345 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22346
22347 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22348 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22349
22350 @smallexample
22351 echo This is some text\n\
22352 which is continued\n\
22353 onto several lines.\n
22354 @end smallexample
22355
22356 produces the same output as
22357
22358 @smallexample
22359 echo This is some text\n
22360 echo which is continued\n
22361 echo onto several lines.\n
22362 @end smallexample
22363
22364 @kindex output
22365 @item output @var{expression}
22366 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22367 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22368 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22369 on expressions.
22370
22371 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22372 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22373 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22374 Formats}, for more information.
22375
22376 @kindex printf
22377 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22378 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22379 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22380 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22381 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22382 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22383 executing the code below:
22384
22385 @smallexample
22386 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22387 @end smallexample
22388
22389 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22390 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22391 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22392 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22393 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22394 printed.
22395
22396 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22397
22398 @smallexample
22399 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22400 @end smallexample
22401
22402 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22403 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22404 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22405
22406 @itemize @bullet
22407 @item
22408 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22409
22410 @item
22411 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22412 width.
22413
22414 @item
22415 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22416 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22417
22418 @item
22419 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22420 supported.
22421
22422 @item
22423 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22424
22425 @item
22426 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22427 @end itemize
22428
22429 @noindent
22430 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22431 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22432 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22433 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22434
22435 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22436 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22437 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22438 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22439 supported.
22440
22441 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22442 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22443 together with a floating point specifier.
22444 letters:
22445
22446 @itemize @bullet
22447 @item
22448 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22449
22450 @item
22451 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22452
22453 @item
22454 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22455 @end itemize
22456
22457 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22458 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22459 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22460
22461 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22462 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22463
22464 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22465 @smallexample
22466 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22467 @end smallexample
22468
22469 @kindex eval
22470 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22471 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22472 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22473
22474 @end table
22475
22476 @node Python
22477 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22478 @cindex python scripting
22479 @cindex scripting with python
22480
22481 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22482 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22483 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22484
22485 @cindex python directory
22486 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22487 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22488 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22489 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22490 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22491 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22492
22493 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22494 are written in Python and are located in the
22495 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22496 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22497 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22498
22499 @menu
22500 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22501 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22502 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22503 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22504 @end menu
22505
22506 @node Python Commands
22507 @subsection Python Commands
22508 @cindex python commands
22509 @cindex commands to access python
22510
22511 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22512 and one related setting:
22513
22514 @table @code
22515 @kindex python-interactive
22516 @kindex pi
22517 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22518 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22519 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22520 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22521 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22522
22523 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22524 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22525 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22526
22527 @smallexample
22528 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
22529 5
22530 @end smallexample
22531
22532 @kindex python
22533 @kindex py
22534 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22535 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22536 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22537
22538 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22539 argument as a Python command. For example:
22540
22541 @smallexample
22542 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22543 23
22544 @end smallexample
22545
22546 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22547 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22548 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22549 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22550 containing @code{end}. For example:
22551
22552 @smallexample
22553 (@value{GDBP}) python
22554 Type python script
22555 End with a line saying just "end".
22556 >print 23
22557 >end
22558 23
22559 @end smallexample
22560
22561 @kindex set python print-stack
22562 @item set python print-stack
22563 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22564 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22565 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22566 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22567 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22568 the message component of the error is printed.
22569 @end table
22570
22571 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22572 interpreter:
22573
22574 @table @code
22575 @item source @file{script-name}
22576 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22577 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22578 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22579
22580 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22581 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22582 and thus is always available.
22583 @end table
22584
22585 @node Python API
22586 @subsection Python API
22587 @cindex python api
22588 @cindex programming in python
22589
22590 @cindex python stdout
22591 @cindex python pagination
22592 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22593 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22594 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22595 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22596 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22597
22598 @menu
22599 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22600 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22601 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22602 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22603 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22604 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22605 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22606 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22607 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22608 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
22609 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
22610 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
22611 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
22612 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
22613 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
22614 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22615 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22616 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
22617 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
22618 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
22619 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
22620 using Python.
22621 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
22622 @end menu
22623
22624 @node Basic Python
22625 @subsubsection Basic Python
22626
22627 @cindex python functions
22628 @cindex python module
22629 @cindex gdb module
22630 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
22631 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
22632 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
22633 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
22634
22635 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
22636 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
22637 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
22638 @end defvar
22639
22640 @findex gdb.execute
22641 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
22642 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22643 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
22644 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
22645
22646 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
22647 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
22648 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
22649
22650 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
22651 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
22652 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
22653 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
22654 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
22655 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
22656 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
22657 @end defun
22658
22659 @findex gdb.breakpoints
22660 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
22661 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
22662 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
22663 @end defun
22664
22665 @findex gdb.parameter
22666 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
22667 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
22668 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
22669 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
22670 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
22671
22672 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
22673 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
22674 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
22675 type, and returned.
22676 @end defun
22677
22678 @findex gdb.history
22679 @defun gdb.history (number)
22680 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
22681 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
22682 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
22683 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
22684 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
22685 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
22686 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
22687 raised.
22688
22689 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
22690 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
22691 @end defun
22692
22693 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
22694 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
22695 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
22696 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22697 @var{expression} must be a string.
22698
22699 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
22700 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
22701 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
22702 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
22703 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22704 @end defun
22705
22706 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
22707 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
22708 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
22709 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
22710 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
22711 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
22712 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
22713 @end defun
22714
22715 @findex gdb.post_event
22716 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
22717 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
22718 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
22719 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
22720 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
22721 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
22722 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
22723
22724 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
22725 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
22726 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
22727 this. For example:
22728
22729 @smallexample
22730 (@value{GDBP}) python
22731 >import threading
22732 >
22733 >class Writer():
22734 > def __init__(self, message):
22735 > self.message = message;
22736 > def __call__(self):
22737 > gdb.write(self.message)
22738 >
22739 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
22740 > def run (self):
22741 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
22742 >
22743 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
22744 > def run (self):
22745 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
22746 >
22747 >MyThread1().start()
22748 >MyThread2().start()
22749 >end
22750 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
22751 @end smallexample
22752 @end defun
22753
22754 @findex gdb.write
22755 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
22756 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
22757 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
22758 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
22759 values are:
22760
22761 @table @code
22762 @findex STDOUT
22763 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22764 @item gdb.STDOUT
22765 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22766
22767 @findex STDERR
22768 @findex gdb.STDERR
22769 @item gdb.STDERR
22770 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22771
22772 @findex STDLOG
22773 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22774 @item gdb.STDLOG
22775 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22776 @end table
22777
22778 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22779 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
22780 relevant stream.
22781 @end defun
22782
22783 @findex gdb.flush
22784 @defun gdb.flush ()
22785 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
22786 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
22787 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
22788 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
22789 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
22790 stream values are:
22791
22792 @table @code
22793 @findex STDOUT
22794 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22795 @item gdb.STDOUT
22796 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22797
22798 @findex STDERR
22799 @findex gdb.STDERR
22800 @item gdb.STDERR
22801 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22802
22803 @findex STDLOG
22804 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22805 @item gdb.STDLOG
22806 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22807
22808 @end table
22809
22810 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22811 call this function for the relevant stream.
22812 @end defun
22813
22814 @findex gdb.target_charset
22815 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
22816 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
22817 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
22818 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
22819 @end defun
22820
22821 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
22822 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
22823 Return the name of the current target wide character set
22824 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
22825 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
22826 never returned.
22827 @end defun
22828
22829 @findex gdb.solib_name
22830 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
22831 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
22832 as a string, or @code{None}.
22833 @end defun
22834
22835 @findex gdb.decode_line
22836 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
22837 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
22838 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
22839 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
22840 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
22841 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
22842 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
22843 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
22844 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
22845 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
22846 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
22847 @end defun
22848
22849 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
22850 @anchor{prompt_hook}
22851
22852 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
22853 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
22854 @value{GDBN}.
22855
22856 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
22857 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
22858 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
22859 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
22860 the current prompt.
22861
22862 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
22863 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
22864 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
22865 @end defun
22866
22867 @node Exception Handling
22868 @subsubsection Exception Handling
22869 @cindex python exceptions
22870 @cindex exceptions, python
22871
22872 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
22873 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
22874 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
22875 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
22876 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
22877 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
22878 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
22879
22880 @smallexample
22881 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
22882 Traceback (most recent call last):
22883 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
22884 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
22885 @end smallexample
22886
22887 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
22888 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
22889 Python exception depends on the error.
22890
22891 @ftable @code
22892 @item gdb.error
22893 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
22894 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
22895 versions of @value{GDBN}.
22896
22897 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
22898 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
22899
22900 @item gdb.MemoryError
22901 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
22902 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
22903
22904 @item KeyboardInterrupt
22905 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
22906 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
22907 @end ftable
22908
22909 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
22910 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
22911 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
22912 traceback.
22913
22914 @findex gdb.GdbError
22915 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
22916 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
22917 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
22918 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
22919 to handle this case. Example:
22920
22921 @smallexample
22922 (gdb) python
22923 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22924 > """Greet the whole world."""
22925 > def __init__ (self):
22926 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
22927 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
22928 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
22929 > if len (argv) != 0:
22930 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
22931 > print "Hello, World!"
22932 >HelloWorld ()
22933 >end
22934 (gdb) hello-world 42
22935 hello-world takes no arguments
22936 @end smallexample
22937
22938 @node Values From Inferior
22939 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
22940 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
22941 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
22942
22943 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
22944 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
22945 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
22946 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
22947 fetching values when necessary.
22948
22949 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
22950 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
22951 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
22952
22953 @smallexample
22954 bar = some_val + 2
22955 @end smallexample
22956
22957 @noindent
22958 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
22959 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
22960
22961 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
22962 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
22963 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
22964 can access its @code{foo} element with:
22965
22966 @smallexample
22967 bar = some_val['foo']
22968 @end smallexample
22969
22970 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
22971
22972 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
22973 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
22974 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
22975 by that prototype.
22976
22977 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
22978 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
22979 execute this function, call it like so:
22980
22981 @smallexample
22982 result = some_val (10,20)
22983 @end smallexample
22984
22985 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
22986 @code{gdb.Value}.
22987
22988 The following attributes are provided:
22989
22990 @table @code
22991 @defvar Value.address
22992 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
22993 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
22994 this attribute holds @code{None}.
22995 @end defvar
22996
22997 @cindex optimized out value in Python
22998 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
22999 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23000 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23001 @end defvar
23002
23003 @defvar Value.type
23004 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23005 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23006 @end defvar
23007
23008 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23009 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23010 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23011 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23012 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23013 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23014 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23015 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23016 type.
23017
23018 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23019 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23020 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23021 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23022 @end defvar
23023
23024 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23025 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23026 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23027 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23028 For example:
23029
23030 @smallexample
23031 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23032 @end smallexample
23033
23034 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23035 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23036 method is invoked.
23037 @end defvar
23038 @end table
23039
23040 The following methods are provided:
23041
23042 @table @code
23043 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23044 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23045 this object initializer. Specifically:
23046
23047 @table @asis
23048 @item Python boolean
23049 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23050 language.
23051
23052 @item Python integer
23053 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23054 current architecture.
23055
23056 @item Python long
23057 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23058 current architecture.
23059
23060 @item Python float
23061 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23062 current architecture.
23063
23064 @item Python string
23065 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23066 target encoding.
23067
23068 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23069 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23070
23071 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23072 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23073 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23074 its result is used.
23075 @end table
23076 @end defun
23077
23078 @defun Value.cast (type)
23079 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23080 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23081 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23082 reason, this method throws an exception.
23083 @end defun
23084
23085 @defun Value.dereference ()
23086 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23087 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23088 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23089
23090 @smallexample
23091 int *foo;
23092 @end smallexample
23093
23094 @noindent
23095 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23096 @code{foo} points to like this:
23097
23098 @smallexample
23099 bar = foo.dereference ()
23100 @end smallexample
23101
23102 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23103 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23104
23105 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23106 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23107 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23108 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23109 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23110 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23111 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23112 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23113 as
23114
23115 @smallexample
23116 typedef int *intptr;
23117 ...
23118 int val = 10;
23119 intptr ptr = &val;
23120 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23121 @end smallexample
23122
23123 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23124 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23125 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23126 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23127 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23128 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23129
23130 @smallexample
23131 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23132 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23133 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23134 @end smallexample
23135
23136 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23137 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23138 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23139 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23140 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23141 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23142 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23143 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23144 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23145 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23146 @end defun
23147
23148 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23149 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23150 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23151 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23152 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23153 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23154 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23155 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23156 in your C@t{++} program as
23157
23158 @smallexample
23159 int val = 10;
23160 int &ref = val;
23161 @end smallexample
23162
23163 @noindent
23164 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23165 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23166 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23167 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23168
23169 @smallexample
23170 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23171 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23172 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23173 @end smallexample
23174
23175 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23176 corresponding to @code{val}.
23177 @end defun
23178
23179 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23180 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23181 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23182 @end defun
23183
23184 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23185 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23186 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23187 @end defun
23188
23189 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23190 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23191 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23192 throw an exception.
23193
23194 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23195 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23196 language.
23197
23198 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23199 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23200 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23201 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23202 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23203
23204 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23205 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23206 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23207 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23208 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23209 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23210 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23211 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23212 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23213
23214 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23215 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23216
23217 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23218 fetched and converted to the given length.
23219 @end defun
23220
23221 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23222 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23223 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23224 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23225
23226 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23227 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23228 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23229 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23230 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23231
23232 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23233 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23234 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23235 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23236 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23237 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23238
23239 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23240 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23241 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23242 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23243 @end defun
23244
23245 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23246 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23247 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23248 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23249 will produce a Python exception.
23250
23251 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23252 has no effect.
23253
23254 This method does not return a value.
23255 @end defun
23256
23257 @end table
23258
23259 @node Types In Python
23260 @subsubsection Types In Python
23261 @cindex types in Python
23262 @cindex Python, working with types
23263
23264 @tindex gdb.Type
23265 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23266 @code{gdb.Type}.
23267
23268 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23269 module:
23270
23271 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23272 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23273 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23274 type to look up. It must be a string.
23275
23276 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23277 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23278
23279 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23280 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23281 @end defun
23282
23283 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23284 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23285 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23286 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23287
23288 @smallexample
23289 bar = some_type['foo']
23290 @end smallexample
23291
23292 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23293 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23294 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23295
23296 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23297
23298 @table @code
23299 @defvar Type.code
23300 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23301 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23302 @end defvar
23303
23304 @defvar Type.sizeof
23305 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23306 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23307 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23308 @end defvar
23309
23310 @defvar Type.tag
23311 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23312 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23313 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23314 @code{None} is returned.
23315 @end defvar
23316 @end table
23317
23318 The following methods are provided:
23319
23320 @table @code
23321 @defun Type.fields ()
23322 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23323 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23324 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23325 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23326 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23327 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23328
23329 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23330 @table @code
23331 @item bitpos
23332 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23333 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23334 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23335 enumeration member's integer representation.
23336
23337 @item name
23338 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23339
23340 @item artificial
23341 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23342 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23343 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23344
23345 @item is_base_class
23346 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23347 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23348 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23349 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23350
23351 @item bitsize
23352 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23353 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23354 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23355
23356 @item type
23357 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23358 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23359 @end table
23360 @end defun
23361
23362 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23363 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23364 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23365 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23366 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23367 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23368 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23369 @end defun
23370
23371 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23372 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23373 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23374 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23375 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23376 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23377 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23378
23379 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23380 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23381 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23382 @end defun
23383
23384 @defun Type.const ()
23385 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23386 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23387 @end defun
23388
23389 @defun Type.volatile ()
23390 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23391 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23392 @end defun
23393
23394 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23395 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23396 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23397 @code{volatile}.
23398 @end defun
23399
23400 @defun Type.range ()
23401 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23402 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23403 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23404 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23405 @end defun
23406
23407 @defun Type.reference ()
23408 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23409 type.
23410 @end defun
23411
23412 @defun Type.pointer ()
23413 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23414 type.
23415 @end defun
23416
23417 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23418 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23419 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23420 @end defun
23421
23422 @defun Type.target ()
23423 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23424 of this type.
23425
23426 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23427 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23428 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23429 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23430 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23431 target type is the aliased type.
23432
23433 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23434 exception.
23435 @end defun
23436
23437 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23438 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23439 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23440 @var{n}th template argument.
23441
23442 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23443 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23444
23445 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23446 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23447 @end defun
23448 @end table
23449
23450
23451 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23452 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23453 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23454
23455 @table @code
23456 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23457 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23458 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23459 The type is a pointer.
23460
23461 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23462 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23463 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23464 The type is an array.
23465
23466 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23467 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23468 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23469 The type is a structure.
23470
23471 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23472 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23473 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23474 The type is a union.
23475
23476 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23477 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23478 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23479 The type is an enum.
23480
23481 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23482 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23483 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23484 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23485
23486 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23487 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23488 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23489 The type is a function.
23490
23491 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23492 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23493 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23494 The type is an integer type.
23495
23496 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23497 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23498 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23499 A floating point type.
23500
23501 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23502 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23503 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23504 The special type @code{void}.
23505
23506 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23507 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23508 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23509 A Pascal set type.
23510
23511 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23512 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23513 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23514 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23515
23516 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23517 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23518 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23519 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23520 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23521
23522 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23523 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23524 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23525 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23526
23527 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23528 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23529 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23530 An unknown or erroneous type.
23531
23532 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23533 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23534 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23535 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23536
23537 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23538 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23539 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23540 A pointer-to-member-function.
23541
23542 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23543 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23544 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23545 A pointer-to-member.
23546
23547 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23548 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23549 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23550 A reference type.
23551
23552 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23553 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23554 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23555 A character type.
23556
23557 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23558 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23559 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23560 A boolean type.
23561
23562 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23563 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23564 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23565 A complex float type.
23566
23567 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23568 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23569 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23570 A typedef to some other type.
23571
23572 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23573 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23574 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23575 A C@t{++} namespace.
23576
23577 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23578 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23579 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23580 A decimal floating point type.
23581
23582 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23583 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23584 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23585 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23586 convenience functions.
23587 @end table
23588
23589 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23590 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23591
23592 @node Pretty Printing API
23593 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23594
23595 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23596
23597 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23598 specific interface, defined here.
23599
23600 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23601 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23602 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23603
23604 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23605 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23606 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23607 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23608 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23609
23610 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23611 as though the value has no children.
23612 @end defun
23613
23614 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23615 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
23616 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
23617 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
23618 printed.
23619
23620 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
23621 string.
23622
23623 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
23624
23625 @table @samp
23626 @item array
23627 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
23628 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
23629 @code{set print array}.
23630
23631 @item map
23632 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
23633 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
23634 values.
23635
23636 @item string
23637 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
23638 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
23639 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
23640 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
23641 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
23642 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
23643 @end table
23644 @end defun
23645
23646 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
23647 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
23648 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
23649
23650 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
23651 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
23652 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
23653 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
23654 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
23655 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
23656 the result of @code{children}.
23657
23658 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
23659
23660 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
23661 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
23662 another pretty-printer.
23663
23664 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
23665 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
23666 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
23667 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
23668 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
23669
23670 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
23671 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
23672
23673 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
23674 @end defun
23675
23676 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
23677 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
23678
23679 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
23680 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
23681 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
23682 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
23683 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
23684 @end defun
23685
23686 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
23687 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
23688
23689 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
23690 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
23691 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
23692 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
23693 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
23694 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
23695 attribute.
23696
23697 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
23698 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
23699 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
23700 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
23701 @code{None}.
23702
23703 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
23704 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
23705 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
23706 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
23707 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
23708 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
23709 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
23710 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
23711 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
23712 object is returned.
23713
23714 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
23715 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
23716 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
23717 object is returned.
23718
23719 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
23720 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
23721 the pretty-printer is out of date.
23722
23723 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
23724 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
23725 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
23726 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
23727 with a broken printer.
23728
23729 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
23730 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
23731 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
23732 the printer is enabled.
23733
23734 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
23735 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
23736 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
23737
23738 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
23739 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
23740
23741 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
23742 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
23743 must provide.
23744
23745 @smallexample
23746 class StdStringPrinter(object):
23747 "Print a std::string"
23748
23749 def __init__(self, val):
23750 self.val = val
23751
23752 def to_string(self):
23753 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
23754
23755 def display_hint(self):
23756 return 'string'
23757 @end smallexample
23758
23759 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
23760 example above might be written.
23761
23762 @smallexample
23763 def str_lookup_function(val):
23764 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
23765 if lookup_tag == None:
23766 return None
23767 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
23768 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
23769 return StdStringPrinter(val)
23770 return None
23771 @end smallexample
23772
23773 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
23774 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
23775 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
23776 returns @code{None}.
23777
23778 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
23779 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
23780 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
23781 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
23782 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
23783 different names.
23784
23785 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
23786 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
23787 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
23788 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
23789 the current objfile.
23790
23791 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
23792 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
23793 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
23794 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
23795 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
23796 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
23797 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
23798 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
23799 inferior.
23800
23801 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
23802 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
23803
23804 @smallexample
23805 def register_printers(objfile):
23806 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
23807 @end smallexample
23808
23809 @noindent
23810 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
23811
23812 @smallexample
23813 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
23814 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
23815 @end smallexample
23816
23817 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
23818 There are a few things that can be improved on.
23819 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
23820 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
23821 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
23822
23823 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
23824 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
23825 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
23826 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
23827 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
23828 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
23829
23830 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
23831 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
23832 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
23833
23834 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
23835
23836 @smallexample
23837 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
23838 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
23839 @end smallexample
23840
23841 Here are the printers:
23842
23843 @smallexample
23844 class fooPrinter:
23845 """Print a foo object."""
23846
23847 def __init__(self, val):
23848 self.val = val
23849
23850 def to_string(self):
23851 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
23852 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
23853
23854 class barPrinter:
23855 """Print a bar object."""
23856
23857 def __init__(self, val):
23858 self.val = val
23859
23860 def to_string(self):
23861 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
23862 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
23863 @end smallexample
23864
23865 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
23866 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
23867 the object that handles the lookup.
23868
23869 @smallexample
23870 import gdb.printing
23871
23872 def build_pretty_printer():
23873 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
23874 "my_library")
23875 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
23876 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
23877 return pp
23878 @end smallexample
23879
23880 And here is the autoload support:
23881
23882 @smallexample
23883 import gdb.printing
23884 import my_library
23885 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
23886 gdb.current_objfile(),
23887 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
23888 @end smallexample
23889
23890 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
23891 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
23892
23893 @smallexample
23894 (gdb) info pretty-printer
23895 my_library.so:
23896 my_library
23897 foo
23898 bar
23899 @end smallexample
23900
23901 @node Inferiors In Python
23902 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
23903 @cindex inferiors in Python
23904
23905 @findex gdb.Inferior
23906 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
23907 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
23908 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
23909 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
23910
23911 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23912 module:
23913
23914 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
23915 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
23916 @end defun
23917
23918 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
23919 Return an object representing the current inferior.
23920 @end defun
23921
23922 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
23923
23924 @table @code
23925 @defvar Inferior.num
23926 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
23927 @end defvar
23928
23929 @defvar Inferior.pid
23930 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
23931 system.
23932 @end defvar
23933
23934 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
23935 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
23936 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
23937 @end defvar
23938 @end table
23939
23940 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
23941
23942 @table @code
23943 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
23944 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
23945 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
23946 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
23947 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
23948 at the time the method is called.
23949 @end defun
23950
23951 @defun Inferior.threads ()
23952 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
23953 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
23954 return an empty tuple.
23955 @end defun
23956
23957 @findex Inferior.read_memory
23958 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
23959 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
23960 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
23961 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
23962 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function.
23963 @end defun
23964
23965 @findex Inferior.write_memory
23966 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
23967 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
23968 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
23969 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23970 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
23971 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
23972 @end defun
23973
23974 @findex gdb.search_memory
23975 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
23976 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
23977 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
23978 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
23979 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23980 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
23981 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
23982 the pattern could not be found.
23983 @end defun
23984 @end table
23985
23986 @node Events In Python
23987 @subsubsection Events In Python
23988 @cindex inferior events in Python
23989
23990 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
23991 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
23992 the inferior.
23993
23994 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
23995 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
23996 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
23997
23998 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
23999 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
24000 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24001 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24002
24003 @table @code
24004 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24005 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24006 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24007 @end defun
24008
24009 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24010 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24011 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24012 @end defun
24013 @end table
24014
24015 Here is an example:
24016
24017 @smallexample
24018 def exit_handler (event):
24019 print "event type: exit"
24020 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24021
24022 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24023 @end smallexample
24024
24025 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24026 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24027 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24028 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24029 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24030 the inferior.
24031
24032 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24033 details of the events they emit:
24034
24035 @table @code
24036
24037 @item events.cont
24038 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24039
24040 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24041 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24042 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24043 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24044 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24045 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24046
24047 @table @code
24048 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24049 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24050 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24051 @end defvar
24052 @end table
24053
24054 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24055
24056 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24057 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24058
24059 @item events.exited
24060 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24061 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24062 @table @code
24063 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24064 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24065 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24066 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24067 the attribute does not exist.
24068 @end defvar
24069 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24070 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24071 @end defvar
24072 @end table
24073
24074 @item events.stop
24075 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24076
24077 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24078 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24079 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24080 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24081
24082 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24083
24084 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24085 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24086
24087 @table @code
24088 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24089 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24090 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24091 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24092 @end defvar
24093 @end table
24094
24095 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24096
24097 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24098 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24099
24100 @table @code
24101 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24102 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24103 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24104 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24105 @end defvar
24106 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24107 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24108 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24109 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24110 @end defvar
24111 @end table
24112
24113 @item events.new_objfile
24114 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24115 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24116
24117 @table @code
24118 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24119 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24120 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24121 @end defvar
24122 @end table
24123
24124 @end table
24125
24126 @node Threads In Python
24127 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24128 @cindex threads in python
24129
24130 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24131 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24132 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24133
24134 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24135 module:
24136
24137 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24138 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24139 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24140 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24141 @end defun
24142
24143 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24144
24145 @table @code
24146 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24147 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24148 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24149 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24150 returns @code{None}.
24151
24152 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24153 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24154 user-specified thread name.
24155 @end defvar
24156
24157 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24158 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24159 @end defvar
24160
24161 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24162 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24163 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24164 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24165 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24166 does not use that identifier.
24167 @end defvar
24168 @end table
24169
24170 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24171
24172 @table @code
24173 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24174 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24175 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24176 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24177 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24178 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24179 @end defun
24180
24181 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24182 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24183 by this object.
24184 @end defun
24185
24186 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24187 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24188 @end defun
24189
24190 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24191 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24192 @end defun
24193
24194 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24195 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24196 @end defun
24197 @end table
24198
24199 @node Commands In Python
24200 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24201
24202 @cindex commands in python
24203 @cindex python commands
24204 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24205 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24206 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24207
24208 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24209 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24210 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24211 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24212
24213 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24214 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24215 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24216 an exception is raised.
24217
24218 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24219
24220 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24221 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24222 new command in the help system.
24223
24224 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24225 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24226 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24227 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24228 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24229 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24230
24231 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24232 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24233 registered.
24234
24235 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24236 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24237 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24238 not documented.'' is used.
24239 @end defun
24240
24241 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24242 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24243 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24244 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24245 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24246 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24247 @end defun
24248
24249 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24250 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24251
24252 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24253 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24254
24255 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24256 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24257 that the command came from elsewhere.
24258
24259 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24260 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24261
24262 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24263 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24264 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24265 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24266 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24267 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24268 Example:
24269
24270 @smallexample
24271 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24272 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24273 @end smallexample
24274
24275 @end defun
24276
24277 @cindex completion of Python commands
24278 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24279 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24280 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24281 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24282 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24283 complete}).
24284
24285 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24286 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24287 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24288 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24289
24290 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24291 @itemize @bullet
24292 @item
24293 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24294 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24295 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24296 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24297 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24298 sequence are ignored.
24299
24300 @item
24301 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24302 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24303 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24304
24305 @item
24306 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24307 completions.
24308 @end itemize
24309 @end defun
24310
24311 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24312 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24313 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24314 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24315 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24316 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24317
24318 @table @code
24319 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24320 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24321 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24322 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24323 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24324
24325 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24326 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24327 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24328 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24329 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24330 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24331 commands in this category.
24332
24333 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24334 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24335 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24336 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24337 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24338 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24339 in this category.
24340
24341 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24342 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24343 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24344 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24345 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24346 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24347 list of commands in this category.
24348
24349 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24350 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24351 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24352 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24353 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24354 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24355 commands in this category.
24356
24357 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24358 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24359 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24360 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24361 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24362 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24363 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24364 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24365 commands in this category.
24366
24367 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24368 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24369 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24370 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24371 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24372 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24373 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24374
24375 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24376 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24377 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24378 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24379 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24380 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24381 this category.
24382
24383 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24384 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24385 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24386 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24387 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24388 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24389 commands in this category.
24390
24391 @findex COMMAND_USER
24392 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24393 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24394 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24395 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24396 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24397 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24398 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24399
24400 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24401 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24402 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24403 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24404 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24405 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24406 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24407 category.
24408
24409 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24410 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24411 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24412 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24413 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24414 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24415 commands in this category.
24416 @end table
24417
24418 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24419 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24420 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24421 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24422
24423 @table @code
24424 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24425 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24426 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24427 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24428
24429 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24430 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24431 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24432 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24433
24434 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24435 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24436 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24437 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24438 @xref{Specify Location}.
24439
24440 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24441 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24442 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24443 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24444 command names.
24445
24446 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24447 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24448 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24449 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24450 as the source.
24451 @end table
24452
24453 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24454 implemented in Python:
24455
24456 @smallexample
24457 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24458 """Greet the whole world."""
24459
24460 def __init__ (self):
24461 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24462
24463 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24464 print "Hello, World!"
24465
24466 HelloWorld ()
24467 @end smallexample
24468
24469 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24470 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24471 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24472 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24473
24474 @node Parameters In Python
24475 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24476
24477 @cindex parameters in python
24478 @cindex python parameters
24479 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24480 @tindex Parameter
24481 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24482 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24483 class.
24484
24485 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24486 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24487
24488 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24489 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24490 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24491 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24492 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24493
24494 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24495 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24496 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24497 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24498
24499 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24500 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24501 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24502 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24503 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24504 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24505 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24506
24507 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24508 can be found, an exception is raised.
24509
24510 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24511 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24512 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24513
24514 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24515 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24516 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24517 completion.
24518
24519 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24520 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24521 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24522
24523 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24524 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24525
24526 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24527 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24528 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24529 @end defun
24530
24531 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24532 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24533 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24534 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24535 have no effect.
24536 @end defvar
24537
24538 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24539 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24540 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24541 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24542 have no effect.
24543 @end defvar
24544
24545 @defvar Parameter.value
24546 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24547 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24548 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24549 @end defvar
24550
24551 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24552 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24553
24554 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24555 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24556 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24557 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24558 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24559 @end defun
24560
24561 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24562 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24563 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24564 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24565 current value. This method must return a string.
24566 @end defun
24567
24568 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24569 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24570 module:
24571
24572 @table @code
24573 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
24574 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24575 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24576 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
24577 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
24578
24579 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24580 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24581 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24582 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
24583 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
24584 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
24585
24586 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
24587 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24588 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24589 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
24590 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
24591
24592 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
24593 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24594 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24595 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
24596 to mean ``unlimited''.
24597
24598 @findex PARAM_STRING
24599 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
24600 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
24601 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
24602 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
24603 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
24604 host charset.
24605
24606 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24607 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24608 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24609 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
24610 passed through untranslated.
24611
24612 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24613 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24614 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24615 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
24616
24617 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
24618 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24619 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24620 The value is a filename. This is just like
24621 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
24622
24623 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
24624 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24625 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24626 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
24627 is interpreted as itself.
24628
24629 @findex PARAM_ENUM
24630 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24631 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24632 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
24633 constants provided when the parameter is created.
24634 @end table
24635
24636 @node Functions In Python
24637 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
24638
24639 @cindex writing convenience functions
24640 @cindex convenience functions in python
24641 @cindex python convenience functions
24642 @tindex gdb.Function
24643 @tindex Function
24644 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
24645 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
24646 class @code{gdb.Function}.
24647
24648 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
24649 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
24650 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
24651 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
24652 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
24653 the given @var{name}.
24654
24655 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
24656 string for the new class.
24657 @end defun
24658
24659 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
24660 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
24661 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
24662 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
24663 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
24664 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
24665 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
24666 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
24667
24668 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
24669 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
24670 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
24671 @end defun
24672
24673 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
24674 be implemented in Python:
24675
24676 @smallexample
24677 class Greet (gdb.Function):
24678 """Return string to greet someone.
24679 Takes a name as argument."""
24680
24681 def __init__ (self):
24682 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
24683
24684 def invoke (self, name):
24685 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
24686
24687 Greet ()
24688 @end smallexample
24689
24690 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24691 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24692 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24693 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24694
24695 @node Progspaces In Python
24696 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
24697
24698 @cindex progspaces in python
24699 @tindex gdb.Progspace
24700 @tindex Progspace
24701 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
24702 of an address space.
24703 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
24704 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24705 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
24706 about program spaces.
24707
24708 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
24709 @code{gdb} module:
24710
24711 @findex gdb.current_progspace
24712 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
24713 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
24714 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
24715 @end defun
24716
24717 @findex gdb.progspaces
24718 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
24719 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
24720 @end defun
24721
24722 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
24723 class.
24724
24725 @defvar Progspace.filename
24726 The file name of the progspace as a string.
24727 @end defvar
24728
24729 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
24730 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24731 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24732 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24733 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24734 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24735 information.
24736 @end defvar
24737
24738 @node Objfiles In Python
24739 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
24740
24741 @cindex objfiles in python
24742 @tindex gdb.Objfile
24743 @tindex Objfile
24744 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
24745 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
24746 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
24747 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
24748 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
24749
24750 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
24751 @code{gdb} module:
24752
24753 @findex gdb.current_objfile
24754 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
24755 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
24756 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
24757 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
24758 this function returns @code{None}.
24759 @end defun
24760
24761 @findex gdb.objfiles
24762 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
24763 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
24764 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24765 @end defun
24766
24767 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
24768 class.
24769
24770 @defvar Objfile.filename
24771 The file name of the objfile as a string.
24772 @end defvar
24773
24774 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
24775 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24776 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24777 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24778 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24779 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24780 information.
24781 @end defvar
24782
24783 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
24784
24785 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
24786 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
24787 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
24788 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
24789 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
24790 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24791 @end defun
24792
24793 @node Frames In Python
24794 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
24795
24796 @cindex frames in python
24797 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
24798 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
24799 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
24800 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
24801 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
24802 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24803
24804 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
24805 operator, like:
24806
24807 @smallexample
24808 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
24809 True
24810 @end smallexample
24811
24812 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
24813
24814 @findex gdb.selected_frame
24815 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
24816 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
24817 @end defun
24818
24819 @findex gdb.newest_frame
24820 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
24821 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
24822 @end defun
24823
24824 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24825 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
24826 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
24827 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
24828 @end defun
24829
24830 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
24831
24832 @table @code
24833 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
24834 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
24835 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
24836 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
24837 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24838 @end defun
24839
24840 @defun Frame.name ()
24841 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
24842 obtained.
24843 @end defun
24844
24845 @defun Frame.type ()
24846 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
24847 @table @code
24848 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
24849 An ordinary stack frame.
24850
24851 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
24852 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
24853 inferior function call.
24854
24855 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
24856 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
24857 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
24858
24859 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
24860 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
24861
24862 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
24863 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
24864 it calls into a signal handler.
24865
24866 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
24867 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
24868
24869 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
24870 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
24871 newest frame.
24872 @end table
24873 @end defun
24874
24875 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
24876 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
24877 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
24878 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
24879 function to a string. The value can be one of:
24880
24881 @table @code
24882 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
24883 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
24884
24885 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
24886 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
24887
24888 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
24889 This frame is the outermost.
24890
24891 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
24892 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
24893 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
24894
24895 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
24896 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
24897 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
24898 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
24899
24900 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
24901 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
24902 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
24903 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
24904 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
24905 stack corruption.
24906
24907 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
24908 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
24909 one to unwind further.
24910
24911 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
24912 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
24913 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
24914 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
24915 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
24916 versions. Using it, you could write:
24917 @smallexample
24918 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
24919 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24920 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
24921 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
24922 @end smallexample
24923 @end table
24924
24925 @end defun
24926
24927 @defun Frame.pc ()
24928 Returns the frame's resume address.
24929 @end defun
24930
24931 @defun Frame.block ()
24932 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
24933 @end defun
24934
24935 @defun Frame.function ()
24936 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
24937 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
24938 @end defun
24939
24940 @defun Frame.older ()
24941 Return the frame that called this frame.
24942 @end defun
24943
24944 @defun Frame.newer ()
24945 Return the frame called by this frame.
24946 @end defun
24947
24948 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
24949 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
24950 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
24951 @end defun
24952
24953 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
24954 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
24955 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
24956 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
24957 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
24958 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
24959 @code{gdb.Block} object.
24960 @end defun
24961
24962 @defun Frame.select ()
24963 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
24964 Stack}.
24965 @end defun
24966 @end table
24967
24968 @node Blocks In Python
24969 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
24970
24971 @cindex blocks in python
24972 @tindex gdb.Block
24973
24974 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
24975 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
24976 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
24977 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
24978 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
24979 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
24980 stack.
24981
24982 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
24983 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
24984 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
24985 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
24986 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
24987 table.
24988
24989 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24990 module:
24991
24992 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
24993 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
24994 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
24995 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
24996 will return @code{None}.
24997 @end defun
24998
24999 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
25000
25001 @table @code
25002 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25003 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25004 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25005 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25006 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25007 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25008 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25009 @end defun
25010 @end table
25011
25012 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25013
25014 @table @code
25015 @defvar Block.start
25016 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25017 @end defvar
25018
25019 @defvar Block.end
25020 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25021 @end defvar
25022
25023 @defvar Block.function
25024 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25025 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25026 attribute is not writable.
25027 @end defvar
25028
25029 @defvar Block.superblock
25030 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25031 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25032 @end defvar
25033
25034 @defvar Block.global_block
25035 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25036 writable.
25037 @end defvar
25038
25039 @defvar Block.static_block
25040 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25041 writable.
25042 @end defvar
25043
25044 @defvar Block.is_global
25045 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25046 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25047 writable.
25048 @end defvar
25049
25050 @defvar Block.is_static
25051 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25052 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25053 @end defvar
25054 @end table
25055
25056 @node Symbols In Python
25057 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25058
25059 @cindex symbols in python
25060 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25061
25062 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25063 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25064 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25065 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25066
25067 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25068 module:
25069
25070 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25071 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25072 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25073 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25074 arguments.
25075
25076 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25077 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25078 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25079 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25080 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25081 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25082 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25083 in this chapter.
25084
25085 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25086 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25087 is not found.
25088 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25089 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25090 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25091 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25092 @end defun
25093
25094 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25095 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25096 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25097 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25098
25099 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25100 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25101 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25102 module and described later in this chapter.
25103
25104 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25105 is not found.
25106 @end defun
25107
25108 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25109
25110 @table @code
25111 @defvar Symbol.type
25112 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25113 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25114 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25115 @end defvar
25116
25117 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25118 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25119 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25120 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25121 @end defvar
25122
25123 @defvar Symbol.line
25124 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25125 This is an integer.
25126 @end defvar
25127
25128 @defvar Symbol.name
25129 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25130 @end defvar
25131
25132 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25133 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25134 This attribute is not writable.
25135 @end defvar
25136
25137 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25138 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25139 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25140 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25141 @end defvar
25142
25143 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25144 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25145 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25146 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25147 @end defvar
25148
25149 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25150 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25151 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25152 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25153 @end defvar
25154
25155 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25156 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25157 @end defvar
25158
25159 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25160 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25161 @end defvar
25162
25163 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25164 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25165 @end defvar
25166
25167 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25168 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25169 @end defvar
25170 @end table
25171
25172 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25173
25174 @table @code
25175 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25176 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25177 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25178 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25179 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25180 invalid at the time the method is called.
25181 @end defun
25182
25183 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25184 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25185 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25186 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25187 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25188 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25189 exception.
25190 @end defun
25191 @end table
25192
25193 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25194 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25195
25196 @table @code
25197 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25198 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25199 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25200 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25201 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25202 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25203 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25204 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25205 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25206 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25207 type values.
25208 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25209 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25210 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25211 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25212 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25213 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25214 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25215 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25216 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25217 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25218 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25219 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25220 contains everything minus functions and types.
25221 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25222 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25223 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25224 This domain contains all functions.
25225 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25226 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25227 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25228 This domain contains all types.
25229 @end table
25230
25231 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25232 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25233
25234 @table @code
25235 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25236 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25237 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25238 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25239 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25240 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25241 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25242 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25243 Value is constant int.
25244 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25245 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25246 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25247 Value is at a fixed address.
25248 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25249 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25250 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25251 Value is in a register.
25252 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25253 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25254 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25255 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25256 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25257 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25258 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25259 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25260 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25261 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25262 offset, not the value itself.
25263 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25264 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25265 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25266 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25267 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25268 itself.
25269 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25270 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25271 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25272 Value is a local variable.
25273 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25274 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25275 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25276 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25277 have this class.
25278 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25279 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25280 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25281 Value is a block.
25282 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25283 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25284 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25285 Value is a byte-sequence.
25286 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25287 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25288 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25289 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25290 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25291 referenced.
25292 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25293 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25294 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25295 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25296 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25297 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25298 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25299 The value's address is a computed location.
25300 @end table
25301
25302 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25303 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25304
25305 @cindex symbol tables in python
25306 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25307 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25308
25309 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25310 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25311 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25312 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25313 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25314
25315 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25316 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25317
25318 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25319
25320 @table @code
25321 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25322 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25323 This attribute is not writable.
25324 @end defvar
25325
25326 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25327 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25328 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25329 @end defvar
25330
25331 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25332 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25333 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25334 @end defvar
25335
25336 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25337 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25338 attribute is not writable.
25339 @end defvar
25340 @end table
25341
25342 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25343
25344 @table @code
25345 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25346 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25347 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25348 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25349 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25350 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25351 invalid at the time the method is called.
25352 @end defun
25353 @end table
25354
25355 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25356
25357 @table @code
25358 @defvar Symtab.filename
25359 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25360 @end defvar
25361
25362 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25363 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25364 This attribute is not writable.
25365 @end defvar
25366 @end table
25367
25368 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25369
25370 @table @code
25371 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25372 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25373 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25374 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25375 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25376 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25377 @end defun
25378
25379 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25380 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25381 @end defun
25382
25383 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25384 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25385 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25386 @end defun
25387
25388 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25389 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25390 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25391 @end defun
25392 @end table
25393
25394 @node Breakpoints In Python
25395 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25396
25397 @cindex breakpoints in python
25398 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25399
25400 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25401 class.
25402
25403 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25404 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25405 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25406 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25407 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25408 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25409 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25410 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25411 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25412 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25413 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25414 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25415 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25416 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25417 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25418 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25419 @end defun
25420
25421 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25422 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25423 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25424 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25425 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25426 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25427 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25428 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25429
25430 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25431 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25432 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25433 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25434 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25435 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25436
25437 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25438 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25439 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25440 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25441 at this time.
25442
25443 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25444
25445 @smallexample
25446 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25447 def stop (self):
25448 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25449 if inf_val == 3:
25450 return True
25451 return False
25452 @end smallexample
25453 @end defun
25454
25455 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25456 @code{gdb} module:
25457
25458 @table @code
25459 @findex WP_READ
25460 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25461 @item gdb.WP_READ
25462 Read only watchpoint.
25463
25464 @findex WP_WRITE
25465 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25466 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
25467 Write only watchpoint.
25468
25469 @findex WP_ACCESS
25470 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25471 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25472 Read/Write watchpoint.
25473 @end table
25474
25475 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25476 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25477 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25478 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25479 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25480 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25481 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25482 @end defun
25483
25484 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25485 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25486 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25487 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25488 @end defun
25489
25490 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25491 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25492 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25493 @end defvar
25494
25495 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25496 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25497 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25498
25499 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25500 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25501 @code{silent} attribute.
25502 @end defvar
25503
25504 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25505 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25506 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25507 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25508 @end defvar
25509
25510 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25511 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25512 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25513 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25514 is writable.
25515 @end defvar
25516
25517 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25518 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25519 This attribute is writable.
25520 @end defvar
25521
25522 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25523 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25524 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25525 @end defvar
25526
25527 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25528 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25529 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25530 writable.
25531 @end defvar
25532
25533 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25534 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25535 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25536 attribute is not writable.
25537 @end defvar
25538
25539 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25540 module:
25541
25542 @table @code
25543 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25544 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25545 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25546 Normal code breakpoint.
25547
25548 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25549 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25550 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25551 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25552
25553 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25554 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25555 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25556 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25557
25558 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25559 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25560 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25561 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25562
25563 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25564 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25565 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25566 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25567 @end table
25568
25569 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
25570 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25571 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
25572 @end defvar
25573
25574 @defvar Breakpoint.location
25575 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
25576 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
25577 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
25578 attribute is not writable.
25579 @end defvar
25580
25581 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
25582 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
25583 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
25584 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
25585 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25586 @end defvar
25587
25588 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
25589 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
25590 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
25591 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25592 @end defvar
25593
25594 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
25595 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
25596 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
25597 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
25598 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25599 @end defvar
25600
25601 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
25602 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
25603
25604 @cindex python finish breakpoints
25605 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
25606
25607 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
25608 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
25609 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
25610 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
25611 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
25612 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
25613 thread selected.
25614
25615 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
25616 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
25617 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
25618 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
25619 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
25620 details about this argument.
25621 @end defun
25622
25623 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
25624 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
25625 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
25626 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
25627 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
25628
25629 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
25630 method:
25631
25632 @smallexample
25633 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
25634 def stop (self):
25635 print "normal finish"
25636 return True
25637
25638 def out_of_scope ():
25639 print "abnormal finish"
25640 @end smallexample
25641 @end defun
25642
25643 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
25644 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
25645 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
25646 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
25647 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
25648 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
25649 is not writable.
25650 @end defvar
25651
25652 @node Lazy Strings In Python
25653 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
25654
25655 @cindex lazy strings in python
25656 @tindex gdb.LazyString
25657
25658 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
25659 encoded until it is needed.
25660
25661 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
25662 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
25663 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
25664 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
25665 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
25666 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
25667 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
25668 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
25669 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
25670
25671 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
25672
25673 @defun LazyString.value ()
25674 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
25675 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
25676 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
25677 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
25678 @end defun
25679
25680 @defvar LazyString.address
25681 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
25682 writable.
25683 @end defvar
25684
25685 @defvar LazyString.length
25686 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
25687 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
25688 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
25689 @end defvar
25690
25691 @defvar LazyString.encoding
25692 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
25693 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
25694 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
25695 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
25696 is not writable.
25697 @end defvar
25698
25699 @defvar LazyString.type
25700 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
25701 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
25702 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
25703 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
25704 writable.
25705 @end defvar
25706
25707 @node Python Auto-loading
25708 @subsection Python Auto-loading
25709 @cindex Python auto-loading
25710
25711 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25712 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25713 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
25714 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
25715 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25716 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25717
25718 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25719 debugging commands and scripts.
25720
25721 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25722 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25723
25724 @table @code
25725 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
25726 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
25727 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
25728 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
25729
25730 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
25731 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
25732 @item show auto-load python-scripts
25733 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
25734
25735 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
25736 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
25737 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
25738 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25739 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
25740
25741 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
25742 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
25743 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25744 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
25745 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
25746 an error message for each one is problematic.
25747
25748 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
25749
25750 Example:
25751
25752 @smallexample
25753 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
25754 Loaded Script
25755 Yes py-section-script.py
25756 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
25757 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
25758 @end smallexample
25759 @end table
25760
25761 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
25762 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
25763 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
25764 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
25765
25766 @menu
25767 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25768 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25769 * Which flavor to choose?::
25770 @end menu
25771
25772 @node objfile-gdb.py file
25773 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25774 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25775
25776 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
25777 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25778 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
25779 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
25780 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
25781 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
25782
25783 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25784 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25785
25786 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25787 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25788
25789 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
25790 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
25791 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
25792 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
25793 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
25794 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
25795
25796 @table @code
25797 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25798 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25799 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25800 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25801 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25802 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25803
25804 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25805 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25806
25807 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25808 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25809 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25810 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25811
25812 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25813 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25814 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25815 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25816 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25817 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25818 platform.
25819
25820 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25821 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25822 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25823
25824 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25825 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25826 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25827 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25828 @end table
25829
25830 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25831 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25832 @var{objfile} is opened.
25833 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25834 is evaluated more than once.
25835
25836 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25837 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25838 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25839
25840 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25841 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25842 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25843 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
25844
25845 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
25846 current directory and then along the source search path
25847 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25848 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25849 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25850
25851 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25852 for example, this GCC macro:
25853
25854 @example
25855 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25856 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25857 asm("\
25858 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25859 .byte 1\n\
25860 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25861 .popsection \n\
25862 ");
25863 @end example
25864
25865 @noindent
25866 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25867
25868 @example
25869 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25870 @end example
25871
25872 The script name may include directories if desired.
25873
25874 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25875 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25876
25877 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
25878 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
25879
25880 @node Which flavor to choose?
25881 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
25882
25883 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
25884 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
25885
25886 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
25887
25888 @itemize @bullet
25889 @item
25890 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
25891
25892 @item
25893 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
25894
25895 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
25896 in the source search path.
25897 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
25898 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
25899
25900 @item
25901 Doesn't require source code additions.
25902 @end itemize
25903
25904 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
25905
25906 @itemize @bullet
25907 @item
25908 Works with static linking.
25909
25910 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
25911 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
25912 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
25913 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
25914
25915 @item
25916 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
25917
25918 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
25919 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
25920
25921 @item
25922 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
25923
25924 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
25925 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
25926 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
25927 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
25928 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
25929 top of the source tree to the source search path.
25930 @end itemize
25931
25932 @node Python modules
25933 @subsection Python modules
25934 @cindex python modules
25935
25936 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
25937
25938 @menu
25939 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
25940 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
25941 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
25942 @end menu
25943
25944 @node gdb.printing
25945 @subsubsection gdb.printing
25946 @cindex gdb.printing
25947
25948 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25949 pretty-printers.
25950
25951 @table @code
25952 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
25953 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
25954 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
25955 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
25956
25957 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25958 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
25959 corresponding API for the subprinters.
25960
25961 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25962 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
25963 regular expressions.
25964 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
25965
25966 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
25967 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
25968 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
25969 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
25970 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
25971 the @code{enum} type to look up.
25972
25973 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
25974 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
25975 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
25976 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
25977 if a printer with the same name already exists.
25978 @end table
25979
25980 @node gdb.types
25981 @subsubsection gdb.types
25982 @cindex gdb.types
25983
25984 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25985 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
25986
25987 @table @code
25988 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
25989 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
25990 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
25991
25992 C@t{++} example:
25993
25994 @smallexample
25995 typedef const int const_int;
25996 const_int foo (3);
25997 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
25998 int main () @{ return 0; @}
25999 @end smallexample
26000
26001 Then in gdb:
26002
26003 @smallexample
26004 (gdb) start
26005 (gdb) python import gdb.types
26006 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26007 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26008 int
26009 @end smallexample
26010
26011 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26012 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26013 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26014
26015 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26016 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26017
26018 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26019 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26020 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26021 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26022 union fields. For example:
26023
26024 @smallexample
26025 struct A
26026 @{
26027 int a;
26028 union @{
26029 int b0;
26030 int b1;
26031 @};
26032 @};
26033 @end smallexample
26034
26035 @noindent
26036 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26037 @smallexample
26038 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26039 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26040 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26041 @{['a', '']@}
26042 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26043 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26044 @end smallexample
26045
26046 @end table
26047
26048 @node gdb.prompt
26049 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26050 @cindex gdb.prompt
26051
26052 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26053
26054 @table @code
26055 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26056 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26057 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26058 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26059
26060 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26061
26062 @table @code
26063 @item \\
26064 Substitute a backslash.
26065 @item \e
26066 Substitute an ESC character.
26067 @item \f
26068 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26069 @item \n
26070 Substitute a newline.
26071 @item \p
26072 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26073 @item \r
26074 Substitute a carriage return.
26075 @item \t
26076 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26077 @item \v
26078 Substitute the version of GDB.
26079 @item \w
26080 Substitute the current working directory.
26081 @item \[
26082 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26083 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26084 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26085 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26086 @item \]
26087 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26088 @end table
26089
26090 For example:
26091
26092 @smallexample
26093 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26094 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26095 @end smallexample
26096
26097 @exdent will return the string:
26098
26099 @smallexample
26100 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26101 @end smallexample
26102 @end table
26103
26104 @node Aliases
26105 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26106 @cindex aliases for commands
26107
26108 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26109 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26110 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26111 that involves less typing.
26112
26113 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26114 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26115 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26116
26117 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26118 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26119 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26120
26121 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26122
26123 @table @code
26124
26125 @kindex alias
26126 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26127
26128 @end table
26129
26130 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26131 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26132 underscores.
26133
26134 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26135 that is being aliased.
26136
26137 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26138 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26139 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26140
26141 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26142 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26143
26144 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26145 of a command so that there is less to type.
26146 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26147 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26148 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26149 The following will accomplish this.
26150
26151 @smallexample
26152 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26153 @end smallexample
26154
26155 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26156 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26157 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26158 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26159
26160 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26161 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26162 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26163 of a command.
26164
26165 @smallexample
26166 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26167 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26168 (gdb) set p elms 20
26169 (gdb) show p elms
26170 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26171 @end smallexample
26172
26173 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26174 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26175 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26176
26177 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26178 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26179
26180 @smallexample
26181 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26182 @end smallexample
26183
26184 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26185 alias for a more complex command.
26186 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26187
26188 @smallexample
26189 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26190 (gdb) spe 20
26191 @end smallexample
26192
26193 @node Interpreters
26194 @chapter Command Interpreters
26195 @cindex command interpreters
26196
26197 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26198 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26199 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26200
26201 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26202 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26203 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26204 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26205
26206 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26207 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26208 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26209 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26210
26211 @table @code
26212 @item console
26213 @cindex console interpreter
26214 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26215 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26216 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26217
26218 @item mi
26219 @cindex mi interpreter
26220 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26221 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26222 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26223 Interface}.
26224
26225 @item mi2
26226 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26227 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26228
26229 @item mi1
26230 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26231 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26232
26233 @end table
26234
26235 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26236 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26237 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26238 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26239 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26240 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26241 the IDE inoperable!
26242
26243 @kindex interpreter-exec
26244 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26245 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26246 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26247 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26248
26249 @smallexample
26250 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26251 @end smallexample
26252
26253 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26254 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26255
26256 @node TUI
26257 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26258 @cindex TUI
26259 @cindex Text User Interface
26260
26261 @menu
26262 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26263 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26264 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26265 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26266 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26267 @end menu
26268
26269 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26270 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26271 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26272 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26273 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26274 is available.
26275
26276 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26277 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26278 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26279 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26280 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26281
26282 @node TUI Overview
26283 @section TUI Overview
26284
26285 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26286
26287 @table @emph
26288 @item command
26289 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26290 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26291 managed using readline.
26292
26293 @item source
26294 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26295 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26296
26297 @item assembly
26298 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26299
26300 @item register
26301 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26302 when their values change.
26303 @end table
26304
26305 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26306 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26307 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26308 indicates the breakpoint type:
26309
26310 @table @code
26311 @item B
26312 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26313
26314 @item b
26315 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26316
26317 @item H
26318 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26319
26320 @item h
26321 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26322 @end table
26323
26324 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26325
26326 @table @code
26327 @item +
26328 Breakpoint is enabled.
26329
26330 @item -
26331 Breakpoint is disabled.
26332 @end table
26333
26334 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26335 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26336 changes.
26337
26338 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26339 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26340 layouts:
26341
26342 @itemize @bullet
26343 @item
26344 source only,
26345
26346 @item
26347 assembly only,
26348
26349 @item
26350 source and assembly,
26351
26352 @item
26353 source and registers, or
26354
26355 @item
26356 assembly and registers.
26357 @end itemize
26358
26359 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26360
26361 @table @emph
26362 @item target
26363 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26364 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26365
26366 @item process
26367 Gives the current process or thread number.
26368 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26369
26370 @item function
26371 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26372 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26373 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26374 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26375
26376 @item line
26377 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26378 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26379
26380 @item pc
26381 Indicates the current program counter address.
26382 @end table
26383
26384 @node TUI Keys
26385 @section TUI Key Bindings
26386 @cindex TUI key bindings
26387
26388 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26389 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26390 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26391 @end ifset
26392 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26393 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26394 @end ifclear
26395 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26396 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26397
26398 @table @kbd
26399 @kindex C-x C-a
26400 @item C-x C-a
26401 @kindex C-x a
26402 @itemx C-x a
26403 @kindex C-x A
26404 @itemx C-x A
26405 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26406 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26407 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26408 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26409 The screen is then refreshed.
26410
26411 @kindex C-x 1
26412 @item C-x 1
26413 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26414 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26415 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26416
26417 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26418
26419 @kindex C-x 2
26420 @item C-x 2
26421 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26422 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26423 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26424 previous layout and the new one.
26425
26426 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26427
26428 @kindex C-x o
26429 @item C-x o
26430 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26431 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26432 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26433
26434 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26435
26436 @kindex C-x s
26437 @item C-x s
26438 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26439 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26440 @end table
26441
26442 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26443
26444 @table @asis
26445 @kindex PgUp
26446 @item @key{PgUp}
26447 Scroll the active window one page up.
26448
26449 @kindex PgDn
26450 @item @key{PgDn}
26451 Scroll the active window one page down.
26452
26453 @kindex Up
26454 @item @key{Up}
26455 Scroll the active window one line up.
26456
26457 @kindex Down
26458 @item @key{Down}
26459 Scroll the active window one line down.
26460
26461 @kindex Left
26462 @item @key{Left}
26463 Scroll the active window one column left.
26464
26465 @kindex Right
26466 @item @key{Right}
26467 Scroll the active window one column right.
26468
26469 @kindex C-L
26470 @item @kbd{C-L}
26471 Refresh the screen.
26472 @end table
26473
26474 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26475 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26476 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26477 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26478 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26479
26480 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26481 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26482 @cindex TUI single key mode
26483
26484 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26485 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26486 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26487
26488 @table @kbd
26489 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26490 @item c
26491 continue
26492
26493 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26494 @item d
26495 down
26496
26497 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26498 @item f
26499 finish
26500
26501 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26502 @item n
26503 next
26504
26505 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26506 @item q
26507 exit the SingleKey mode.
26508
26509 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26510 @item r
26511 run
26512
26513 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26514 @item s
26515 step
26516
26517 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26518 @item u
26519 up
26520
26521 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26522 @item v
26523 info locals
26524
26525 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26526 @item w
26527 where
26528 @end table
26529
26530 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26531 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26532 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26533 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26534 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26535 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26536
26537
26538 @node TUI Commands
26539 @section TUI-specific Commands
26540 @cindex TUI commands
26541
26542 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26543 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26544 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26545 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26546
26547 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26548 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26549 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26550 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26551 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26552
26553 @table @code
26554 @item info win
26555 @kindex info win
26556 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26557
26558 @item layout next
26559 @kindex layout
26560 Display the next layout.
26561
26562 @item layout prev
26563 Display the previous layout.
26564
26565 @item layout src
26566 Display the source window only.
26567
26568 @item layout asm
26569 Display the assembly window only.
26570
26571 @item layout split
26572 Display the source and assembly window.
26573
26574 @item layout regs
26575 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
26576
26577 @item focus next
26578 @kindex focus
26579 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26580
26581 @item focus prev
26582 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26583
26584 @item focus src
26585 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26586
26587 @item focus asm
26588 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26589
26590 @item focus regs
26591 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26592
26593 @item focus cmd
26594 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26595
26596 @item refresh
26597 @kindex refresh
26598 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26599
26600 @item tui reg float
26601 @kindex tui reg
26602 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
26603
26604 @item tui reg general
26605 Show the general registers in the register window.
26606
26607 @item tui reg next
26608 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
26609 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
26610 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
26611 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
26612
26613 @item tui reg system
26614 Show the system registers in the register window.
26615
26616 @item update
26617 @kindex update
26618 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26619
26620 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26621 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26622 @kindex winheight
26623 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26624 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26625 decrease it.
26626
26627 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26628 @kindex tabset
26629 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
26630 @end table
26631
26632 @node TUI Configuration
26633 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26634 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26635
26636 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26637
26638 @table @code
26639 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26640 @kindex set tui border-kind
26641 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26642 The possible values are the following:
26643 @table @code
26644 @item space
26645 Use a space character to draw the border.
26646
26647 @item ascii
26648 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26649
26650 @item acs
26651 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26652 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26653 @end table
26654
26655 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26656 @kindex set tui border-mode
26657 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26658 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26659 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26660 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26661 @table @code
26662 @item normal
26663 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26664
26665 @item standout
26666 Use standout mode.
26667
26668 @item reverse
26669 Use reverse video mode.
26670
26671 @item half
26672 Use half bright mode.
26673
26674 @item half-standout
26675 Use half bright and standout mode.
26676
26677 @item bold
26678 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26679
26680 @item bold-standout
26681 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26682 @end table
26683 @end table
26684
26685 @node Emacs
26686 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26687
26688 @cindex Emacs
26689 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26690 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26691 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26692 @value{GDBN}.
26693
26694 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26695 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26696 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26697 created Emacs buffer.
26698 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26699
26700 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26701 things:
26702
26703 @itemize @bullet
26704 @item
26705 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26706 the GUD buffer.
26707
26708 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26709 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26710
26711 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26712 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26713 in this way.
26714
26715 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26716 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26717 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26718 stop.
26719
26720 @item
26721 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26722
26723 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26724 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26725 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26726 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26727 and the source.
26728
26729 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26730 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26731 @end itemize
26732
26733 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26734 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26735 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26736 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26737
26738 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26739 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26740 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26741 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26742 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26743 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26744 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26745 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26746 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26747
26748 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26749 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26750 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26751 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26752
26753 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26754 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26755 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26756 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26757 one you want.
26758
26759 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26760 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26761
26762 @table @kbd
26763 @item C-h m
26764 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26765
26766 @item C-c C-s
26767 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26768 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26769
26770 @item C-c C-n
26771 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26772 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26773 to show the current file and location.
26774
26775 @item C-c C-i
26776 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26777 display window accordingly.
26778
26779 @item C-c C-f
26780 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26781 @code{finish} command.
26782
26783 @item C-c C-r
26784 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26785 command.
26786
26787 @item C-c <
26788 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26789 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26790 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26791
26792 @item C-c >
26793 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26794 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26795 @end table
26796
26797 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26798 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26799
26800 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26801 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26802 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26803 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26804 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26805 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26806 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26807
26808 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26809 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26810 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26811 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26812 frame.
26813
26814 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26815 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26816 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26817 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26818 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26819 to correspond properly with the code.
26820
26821 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26822 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26823 Emacs Manual}).
26824
26825 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
26826 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
26827 @ignore
26828 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
26829 @kindex Epoch
26830 @kindex inspect
26831
26832 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
26833 called the @code{epoch}
26834 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
26835 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
26836 each value is printed in its own window.
26837 @end ignore
26838
26839
26840 @node GDB/MI
26841 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26842
26843 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26844
26845 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26846 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26847 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26848 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26849 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26850 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26851
26852 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26853 in the form of a reference manual.
26854
26855 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26856 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26857 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26858
26859 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26860
26861 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26862 This chapter uses the following notation:
26863
26864 @itemize @bullet
26865 @item
26866 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26867
26868 @item
26869 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26870 it may or may not be given.
26871
26872 @item
26873 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26874 may repeat zero or more times.
26875
26876 @item
26877 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26878 may repeat one or more times.
26879
26880 @item
26881 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26882 @end itemize
26883
26884 @ignore
26885 @heading Dependencies
26886 @end ignore
26887
26888 @menu
26889 * GDB/MI General Design::
26890 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26891 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26892 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26893 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26894 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26895 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26896 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26897 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26898 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26899 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26900 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26901 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26902 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26903 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26904 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26905 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26906 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26907 @ignore
26908 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26909 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26910 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26911 @end ignore
26912 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26913 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26914 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26915 @end menu
26916
26917 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26918 @node GDB/MI General Design
26919 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26920 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26921
26922 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26923 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26924 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26925 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26926 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26927 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26928 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26929 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26930 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26931 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26932
26933 The important examples of notifications are:
26934 @itemize @bullet
26935
26936 @item
26937 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
26938 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
26939 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
26940 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
26941 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
26942 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
26943 command itself was successfully executed.
26944
26945 @item
26946 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
26947 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
26948 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
26949 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
26950 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
26951 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
26952
26953 @item
26954 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
26955 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
26956 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
26957 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
26958 orthogonal frontend design.
26959
26960 @end itemize
26961
26962 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
26963 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
26964 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
26965 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
26966 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
26967 the user interface.
26968
26969
26970 @menu
26971 * Context management::
26972 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
26973 * Thread groups::
26974 @end menu
26975
26976 @node Context management
26977 @subsection Context management
26978
26979 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
26980 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
26981 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
26982 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
26983 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
26984 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
26985 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
26986 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
26987 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
26988
26989 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
26990 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
26991 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
26992 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
26993 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
26994 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
26995 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
26996 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
26997 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
26998 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
26999 for thread and frame to operate on.
27000
27001 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27002 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27003 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27004 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27005 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27006 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27007 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27008 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27009 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27010 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27011
27012 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27013 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27014 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27015 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27016 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27017 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27018 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27019 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27020 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27021 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27022 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27023 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27024 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27025 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27026 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27027 @samp{--frame} options.
27028
27029 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27030 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27031
27032 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27033 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27034 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27035 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27036 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27037 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27038 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27039 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27040 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27041
27042 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27043 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27044 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27045 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27046 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27047 are running.
27048
27049 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27050 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27051 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27052 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27053 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27054 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27055 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27056 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27057 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27058 @samp{--thread} option).
27059
27060 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27061 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27062 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27063 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27064
27065 @node Thread groups
27066 @subsection Thread groups
27067 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27068 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27069 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27070 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27071 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27072
27073 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27074 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27075 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27076 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27077 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27078 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27079 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27080 into processes.
27081
27082 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27083 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27084 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27085 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27086 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27087 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27088 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27089 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27090 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27091 the members of specific thread group.
27092
27093 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27094 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27095 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27096 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27097 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27098 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27099 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27100 after attaching to that thread group.
27101
27102 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27103 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27104 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27105 such thread groups.
27106
27107 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27108 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27109 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27110
27111 @menu
27112 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27113 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27114 @end menu
27115
27116 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27117 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27118
27119 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27120 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27121 @table @code
27122 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27123 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27124
27125 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27126 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27127 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27128
27129 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27130 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27131 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27132
27133 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27134 "any sequence of digits"
27135
27136 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27137 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27138
27139 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27140 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27141
27142 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27143 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27144
27145 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27146 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27147 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27148
27149 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27150 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27151
27152 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27153 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27154 @end table
27155
27156 @noindent
27157 Notes:
27158
27159 @itemize @bullet
27160 @item
27161 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27162 output is described below.
27163
27164 @item
27165 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27166 finishes.
27167
27168 @item
27169 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27170 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27171 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27172 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27173 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27174 @end itemize
27175
27176 Pragmatics:
27177
27178 @itemize @bullet
27179 @item
27180 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27181
27182 @item
27183 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27184 @end itemize
27185
27186 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27187 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27188
27189 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27190 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27191 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27192 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27193 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27194 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27195
27196 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27197 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27198 @var{token}.
27199
27200 @table @code
27201 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27202 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27203
27204 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27205 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27206
27207 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27208 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27209
27210 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27211 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27212
27213 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27214 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27215
27216 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27217 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27218
27219 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27220 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27221
27222 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27223 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27224
27225 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27226 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27227
27228 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27229 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27230 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27231
27232 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27233 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27234
27235 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27236 @code{ @var{string} }
27237
27238 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27239 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27240
27241 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27242 @code{@var{c-string}}
27243
27244 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27245 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27246
27247 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27248 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27249 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27250
27251 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27252 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27253
27254 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27255 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27256
27257 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27258 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27259
27260 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27261 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27262
27263 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27264 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27265
27266 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27267 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27268 @end table
27269
27270 @noindent
27271 Notes:
27272
27273 @itemize @bullet
27274 @item
27275 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27276
27277 @item
27278 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27279 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27280 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27281 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27282 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27283 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27284 prior command.
27285
27286 @item
27287 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27288 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27289 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27290 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27291
27292 @item
27293 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27294 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27295 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27296 @samp{*}.
27297
27298 @item
27299 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27300 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27301 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27302 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27303
27304 @item
27305 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27306 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27307 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27308 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27309
27310 @item
27311 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27312 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27313 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27314
27315 @item
27316 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27317 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27318 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27319 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27320
27321 @item
27322 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27323 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27324 @var{values}.
27325
27326
27327 @end itemize
27328
27329 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27330 details about the various output records.
27331
27332 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27333 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27334 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27335
27336 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27337 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27338
27339 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27340 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27341 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27342 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27343 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27344 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27345
27346 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27347 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27348 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27349
27350 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27351 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27352 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27353 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27354
27355 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27356 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27357
27358 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27359 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27360 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27361 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27362 might change.
27363
27364 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27365 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27366 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27367 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27368
27369 @itemize @bullet
27370 @item
27371 New MI commands may be added.
27372
27373 @item
27374 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27375
27376 @item
27377 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27378 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27379
27380 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27381 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27382
27383 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27384 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27385 @end itemize
27386
27387 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27388 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27389 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27390 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27391 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27392
27393 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27394 @c version?
27395
27396 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27397 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27398 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27399 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27400 @cindex mailing lists
27401
27402 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27403 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27404 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27405
27406 @menu
27407 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27408 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27409 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27410 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27411 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27412 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27413 @end menu
27414
27415 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27416 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27417
27418 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27419 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27420 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27421 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27422
27423 @table @code
27424 @findex ^done
27425 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27426 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27427 values.
27428
27429 @item "^running"
27430 @findex ^running
27431 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27432 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27433 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27434 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27435 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27436 which threads are resumed.
27437
27438 @item "^connected"
27439 @findex ^connected
27440 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27441
27442 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27443 @findex ^error
27444 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27445 error message.
27446
27447 @item "^exit"
27448 @findex ^exit
27449 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27450
27451 @end table
27452
27453 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27454 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27455
27456 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27457 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27458 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27459 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27460 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27461
27462 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27463 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27464 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27465 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27466 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27467
27468 @table @code
27469 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27470 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27471 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27472
27473 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27474 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27475 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27476 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27477
27478 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27479 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27480 internals.
27481 @end table
27482
27483 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27484 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27485
27486 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27487 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27488 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27489 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27490 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27491 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27492
27493 The following is the list of possible async records:
27494
27495 @table @code
27496
27497 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27498 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27499 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27500 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
27501 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
27502 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
27503 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
27504 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
27505 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
27506 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
27507
27508 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27509 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27510 following values:
27511
27512 @table @code
27513 @item breakpoint-hit
27514 A breakpoint was reached.
27515 @item watchpoint-trigger
27516 A watchpoint was triggered.
27517 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27518 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27519 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27520 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27521 @item function-finished
27522 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27523 @item location-reached
27524 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27525 @item watchpoint-scope
27526 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27527 @item end-stepping-range
27528 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27529 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27530 @item exited-signalled
27531 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27532 @item exited
27533 The inferior exited.
27534 @item exited-normally
27535 The inferior exited normally.
27536 @item signal-received
27537 A signal was received by the inferior.
27538 @item solib-event
27539 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27540 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27541 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27542 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27543 @item fork
27544 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27545 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27546 @item vfork
27547 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27548 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27549 @item syscall-entry
27550 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27551 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27552 @item syscall-entry
27553 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27554 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27555 @item exec
27556 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27557 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27558 @end table
27559
27560 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
27561 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
27562 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27563 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27564 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27565 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27566 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27567 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27568 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27569 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27570 if such information is not available.
27571
27572 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27573 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27574 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27575 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27576 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27577 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27578 cannot be used in any way.
27579
27580 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27581 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27582 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27583 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27584 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27585 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27586
27587 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27588 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27589 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27590 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27591 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27592 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27593
27594 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27595 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27596 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27597 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27598 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27599
27600 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
27601 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
27602 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
27603 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
27604 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
27605 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
27606 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
27607
27608 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27609 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27610 that thread.
27611
27612 @item =library-loaded,...
27613 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27614 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27615 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
27616 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27617 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27618 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27619 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27620 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27621 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27622 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27623 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27624 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27625 thread groups.
27626
27627 @item =library-unloaded,...
27628 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27629 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27630 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27631 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27632 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27633 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27634 thread groups.
27635
27636 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
27637 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
27638 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
27639 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
27640 frame is @var{tpnum}.
27641
27642 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27643 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27644 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27645 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27646 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27647 user.
27648
27649 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27650 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27651 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27652
27653 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27654 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27655
27656 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
27657 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
27658 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
27659 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
27660 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
27661 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
27662 @end table
27663
27664 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27665 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27666
27667 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27668 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27669 fields:
27670
27671 @table @code
27672 @item level
27673 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27674 zero. This field is always present.
27675
27676 @item func
27677 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27678 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27679
27680 @item addr
27681 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27682
27683 @item file
27684 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27685 address. This field may be absent.
27686
27687 @item line
27688 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27689 may be absent.
27690
27691 @item from
27692 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27693 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27694
27695 @end table
27696
27697 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27698 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27699
27700 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27701 uses a tuple with the following fields:
27702
27703 @table @code
27704 @item id
27705 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
27706 always present.
27707
27708 @item target-id
27709 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
27710
27711 @item details
27712 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27713 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
27714 frontend. This field is optional.
27715
27716 @item state
27717 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
27718 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
27719
27720 @item core
27721 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
27722 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
27723 @end table
27724
27725 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
27726 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
27727
27728 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
27729 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
27730 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
27731 the @code{exception-name} field.
27732
27733 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27734 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
27735 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
27736 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
27737
27738 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
27739 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
27740 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
27741 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
27742
27743 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
27744 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
27745
27746 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
27747
27748 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
27749 information of the breakpoint.
27750
27751 @smallexample
27752 -> -break-insert main
27753 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27754 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27755 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
27756 <- (gdb)
27757 @end smallexample
27758
27759 @subheading Program Execution
27760
27761 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
27762 reason that execution stopped.
27763
27764 @smallexample
27765 -> -exec-run
27766 <- ^running
27767 <- (gdb)
27768 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27769 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
27770 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
27771 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
27772 <- (gdb)
27773 -> -exec-continue
27774 <- ^running
27775 <- (gdb)
27776 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27777 <- (gdb)
27778 @end smallexample
27779
27780 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
27781
27782 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
27783
27784 @smallexample
27785 -> (gdb)
27786 <- -gdb-exit
27787 <- ^exit
27788 @end smallexample
27789
27790 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
27791 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
27792 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
27793 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
27794 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
27795 fails to exit in reasonable time.
27796
27797 @subheading A Bad Command
27798
27799 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
27800
27801 @smallexample
27802 -> -rubbish
27803 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
27804 <- (gdb)
27805 @end smallexample
27806
27807
27808 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27809 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
27810 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
27811
27812 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
27813 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
27814
27815 @subheading Motivation
27816
27817 The motivation for this collection of commands.
27818
27819 @subheading Introduction
27820
27821 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
27822
27823 @subheading Commands
27824
27825 For each command in the block, the following is described:
27826
27827 @subsubheading Synopsis
27828
27829 @smallexample
27830 -command @var{args}@dots{}
27831 @end smallexample
27832
27833 @subsubheading Result
27834
27835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27836
27837 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
27838
27839 @subsubheading Example
27840
27841 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
27842 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
27843
27844
27845 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27846 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
27847 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
27848
27849 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
27850 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
27851 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27852 breakpoints.
27853
27854 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
27855 @findex -break-after
27856
27857 @subsubheading Synopsis
27858
27859 @smallexample
27860 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
27861 @end smallexample
27862
27863 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
27864 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
27865 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
27866 @samp{-break-list} command below.
27867
27868 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27869
27870 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
27871
27872 @subsubheading Example
27873
27874 @smallexample
27875 (gdb)
27876 -break-insert main
27877 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27878 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27879 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27880 (gdb)
27881 -break-after 1 3
27882 ~
27883 ^done
27884 (gdb)
27885 -break-list
27886 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27887 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27888 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27889 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27890 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27891 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27892 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27893 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27894 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27895 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27896 (gdb)
27897 @end smallexample
27898
27899 @ignore
27900 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
27901 @findex -break-catch
27902 @end ignore
27903
27904 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
27905 @findex -break-commands
27906
27907 @subsubheading Synopsis
27908
27909 @smallexample
27910 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
27911 @end smallexample
27912
27913 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
27914 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
27915 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
27916 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
27917 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
27918 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
27919
27920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27921
27922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
27923
27924 @subsubheading Example
27925
27926 @smallexample
27927 (gdb)
27928 -break-insert main
27929 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27930 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27931 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27932 (gdb)
27933 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
27934 ^done
27935 (gdb)
27936 @end smallexample
27937
27938 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
27939 @findex -break-condition
27940
27941 @subsubheading Synopsis
27942
27943 @smallexample
27944 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
27945 @end smallexample
27946
27947 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
27948 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
27949 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
27950 command below).
27951
27952 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27953
27954 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
27955
27956 @subsubheading Example
27957
27958 @smallexample
27959 (gdb)
27960 -break-condition 1 1
27961 ^done
27962 (gdb)
27963 -break-list
27964 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27965 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27966 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27967 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27968 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27969 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27970 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27971 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27972 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27973 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27974 (gdb)
27975 @end smallexample
27976
27977 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
27978 @findex -break-delete
27979
27980 @subsubheading Synopsis
27981
27982 @smallexample
27983 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27984 @end smallexample
27985
27986 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
27987 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
27988
27989 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27990
27991 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
27992
27993 @subsubheading Example
27994
27995 @smallexample
27996 (gdb)
27997 -break-delete 1
27998 ^done
27999 (gdb)
28000 -break-list
28001 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28002 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28003 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28004 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28005 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28006 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28007 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28008 body=[]@}
28009 (gdb)
28010 @end smallexample
28011
28012 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28013 @findex -break-disable
28014
28015 @subsubheading Synopsis
28016
28017 @smallexample
28018 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28019 @end smallexample
28020
28021 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28022 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28023
28024 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28025
28026 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28027
28028 @subsubheading Example
28029
28030 @smallexample
28031 (gdb)
28032 -break-disable 2
28033 ^done
28034 (gdb)
28035 -break-list
28036 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28037 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28038 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28039 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28040 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28041 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28042 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28043 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28044 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28045 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28046 (gdb)
28047 @end smallexample
28048
28049 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28050 @findex -break-enable
28051
28052 @subsubheading Synopsis
28053
28054 @smallexample
28055 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28056 @end smallexample
28057
28058 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28059
28060 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28061
28062 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28063
28064 @subsubheading Example
28065
28066 @smallexample
28067 (gdb)
28068 -break-enable 2
28069 ^done
28070 (gdb)
28071 -break-list
28072 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28073 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28074 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28075 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28076 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28077 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28078 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28079 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28080 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28081 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28082 (gdb)
28083 @end smallexample
28084
28085 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28086 @findex -break-info
28087
28088 @subsubheading Synopsis
28089
28090 @smallexample
28091 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28092 @end smallexample
28093
28094 @c REDUNDANT???
28095 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28096
28097 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28098
28099 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28100
28101 @subsubheading Example
28102 N.A.
28103
28104 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28105 @findex -break-insert
28106
28107 @subsubheading Synopsis
28108
28109 @smallexample
28110 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28111 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28112 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28113 @end smallexample
28114
28115 @noindent
28116 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28117
28118 @itemize @bullet
28119 @item function
28120 @c @item +offset
28121 @c @item -offset
28122 @c @item linenum
28123 @item filename:linenum
28124 @item filename:function
28125 @item *address
28126 @end itemize
28127
28128 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28129
28130 @table @samp
28131 @item -t
28132 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28133 @item -h
28134 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28135 @item -f
28136 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28137 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28138 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28139 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28140 cannot be parsed.
28141 @item -d
28142 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28143 @item -a
28144 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28145 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28146 @item -c @var{condition}
28147 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28148 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28149 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28150 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28151 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28152 @end table
28153
28154 @subsubheading Result
28155
28156 The result is in the form:
28157
28158 @smallexample
28159 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
28160 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
28161 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
28162 times="@var{times}"@}
28163 @end smallexample
28164
28165 @noindent
28166 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
28167 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
28168 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
28169 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
28170 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
28171 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
28172 which use the same output).
28173
28174 Note: this format is open to change.
28175 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28176
28177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28178
28179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28180 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28181
28182 @subsubheading Example
28183
28184 @smallexample
28185 (gdb)
28186 -break-insert main
28187 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28188 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
28189 (gdb)
28190 -break-insert -t foo
28191 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28192 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
28193 (gdb)
28194 -break-list
28195 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28196 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28197 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28198 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28199 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28200 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28201 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28202 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28203 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28204 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
28205 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28206 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28207 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
28208 (gdb)
28209 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28210 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28211 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28212 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
28213 @c (gdb)
28214 @end smallexample
28215
28216 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28217 @findex -break-list
28218
28219 @subsubheading Synopsis
28220
28221 @smallexample
28222 -break-list
28223 @end smallexample
28224
28225 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28226
28227 @table @samp
28228 @item Number
28229 number of the breakpoint
28230 @item Type
28231 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28232 @item Disposition
28233 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28234 or @samp{nokeep}
28235 @item Enabled
28236 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28237 @item Address
28238 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28239 @item What
28240 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28241 name, line number
28242 @item Times
28243 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28244 @end table
28245
28246 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28247 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28248
28249 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28250
28251 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28252
28253 @subsubheading Example
28254
28255 @smallexample
28256 (gdb)
28257 -break-list
28258 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28259 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28260 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28261 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28262 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28263 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28264 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28265 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28266 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
28267 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28268 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28269 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
28270 (gdb)
28271 @end smallexample
28272
28273 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28274
28275 @smallexample
28276 (gdb)
28277 -break-list
28278 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28279 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28280 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28281 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28282 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28283 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28284 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28285 body=[]@}
28286 (gdb)
28287 @end smallexample
28288
28289 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28290 @findex -break-passcount
28291
28292 @subsubheading Synopsis
28293
28294 @smallexample
28295 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28296 @end smallexample
28297
28298 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28299 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28300 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28301 command @samp{passcount}.
28302
28303 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28304 @findex -break-watch
28305
28306 @subsubheading Synopsis
28307
28308 @smallexample
28309 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28310 @end smallexample
28311
28312 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28313 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28314 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28315 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28316 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28317 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28318 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28319 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28320
28321 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28322 breakpoints inserted.
28323
28324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28325
28326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28327 @samp{rwatch}.
28328
28329 @subsubheading Example
28330
28331 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28332
28333 @smallexample
28334 (gdb)
28335 -break-watch x
28336 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28337 (gdb)
28338 -exec-continue
28339 ^running
28340 (gdb)
28341 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28342 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28343 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28344 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28345 (gdb)
28346 @end smallexample
28347
28348 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28349 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28350 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28351
28352 @smallexample
28353 (gdb)
28354 -break-watch C
28355 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28356 (gdb)
28357 -exec-continue
28358 ^running
28359 (gdb)
28360 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28361 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28362 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28363 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28364 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28365 (gdb)
28366 -exec-continue
28367 ^running
28368 (gdb)
28369 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28370 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28371 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28372 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28373 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28374 (gdb)
28375 @end smallexample
28376
28377 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28378 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28379 deleted.
28380
28381 @smallexample
28382 (gdb)
28383 -break-watch C
28384 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28385 (gdb)
28386 -break-list
28387 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28388 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28389 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28390 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28391 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28392 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28393 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28394 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28395 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28396 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28397 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
28398 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28399 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
28400 (gdb)
28401 -exec-continue
28402 ^running
28403 (gdb)
28404 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28405 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28406 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28407 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28408 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28409 (gdb)
28410 -break-list
28411 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28412 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28413 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28414 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28415 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28416 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28417 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28418 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28419 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28420 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28421 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
28422 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28423 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
28424 (gdb)
28425 -exec-continue
28426 ^running
28427 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28428 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28429 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28430 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28431 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28432 (gdb)
28433 -break-list
28434 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28435 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28436 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28437 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28438 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28439 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28440 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28441 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28442 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28443 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28444 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28445 times="1"@}]@}
28446 (gdb)
28447 @end smallexample
28448
28449 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28450 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28451 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28452
28453 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28454 @findex -exec-arguments
28455
28456
28457 @subsubheading Synopsis
28458
28459 @smallexample
28460 -exec-arguments @var{args}
28461 @end smallexample
28462
28463 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
28464 @samp{-exec-run}.
28465
28466 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28467
28468 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
28469
28470 @subsubheading Example
28471
28472 @smallexample
28473 (gdb)
28474 -exec-arguments -v word
28475 ^done
28476 (gdb)
28477 @end smallexample
28478
28479
28480 @ignore
28481 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
28482 @findex -exec-show-arguments
28483
28484 @subsubheading Synopsis
28485
28486 @smallexample
28487 -exec-show-arguments
28488 @end smallexample
28489
28490 Print the arguments of the program.
28491
28492 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28493
28494 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
28495
28496 @subsubheading Example
28497 N.A.
28498 @end ignore
28499
28500
28501 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
28502 @findex -environment-cd
28503
28504 @subsubheading Synopsis
28505
28506 @smallexample
28507 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
28508 @end smallexample
28509
28510 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
28511
28512 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28513
28514 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
28515
28516 @subsubheading Example
28517
28518 @smallexample
28519 (gdb)
28520 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28521 ^done
28522 (gdb)
28523 @end smallexample
28524
28525
28526 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
28527 @findex -environment-directory
28528
28529 @subsubheading Synopsis
28530
28531 @smallexample
28532 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28533 @end smallexample
28534
28535 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
28536 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
28537 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
28538 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28539 occurs as normal.
28540 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28541 multiple directories in a single command
28542 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28543 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28544 If blanks are needed as
28545 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28546 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28547 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28548 character must not be used
28549 in any directory name.
28550 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
28551
28552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28553
28554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
28555
28556 @subsubheading Example
28557
28558 @smallexample
28559 (gdb)
28560 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28561 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28562 (gdb)
28563 -environment-directory ""
28564 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28565 (gdb)
28566 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
28567 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
28568 (gdb)
28569 -environment-directory -r
28570 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
28571 (gdb)
28572 @end smallexample
28573
28574
28575 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
28576 @findex -environment-path
28577
28578 @subsubheading Synopsis
28579
28580 @smallexample
28581 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28582 @end smallexample
28583
28584 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
28585 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
28586 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
28587 supplied in addition to the
28588 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28589 occurs as normal.
28590 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28591 multiple directories in a single command
28592 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28593 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28594 If blanks are needed as
28595 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28596 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28597 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28598 character must not be used
28599 in any directory name.
28600 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
28601
28602
28603 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28604
28605 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
28606
28607 @subsubheading Example
28608
28609 @smallexample
28610 (gdb)
28611 -environment-path
28612 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
28613 (gdb)
28614 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
28615 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
28616 (gdb)
28617 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
28618 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
28619 (gdb)
28620 @end smallexample
28621
28622
28623 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
28624 @findex -environment-pwd
28625
28626 @subsubheading Synopsis
28627
28628 @smallexample
28629 -environment-pwd
28630 @end smallexample
28631
28632 Show the current working directory.
28633
28634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28635
28636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
28637
28638 @subsubheading Example
28639
28640 @smallexample
28641 (gdb)
28642 -environment-pwd
28643 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
28644 (gdb)
28645 @end smallexample
28646
28647 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28648 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
28649 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
28650
28651
28652 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
28653 @findex -thread-info
28654
28655 @subsubheading Synopsis
28656
28657 @smallexample
28658 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
28659 @end smallexample
28660
28661 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
28662 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
28663 threads. When printing information about all threads,
28664 also reports the current thread.
28665
28666 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28667
28668 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
28669 about all threads.
28670
28671 @subsubheading Result
28672
28673 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
28674 defined for a given thread:
28675
28676 @table @samp
28677 @item current
28678 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28679
28680 @item id
28681 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
28682
28683 @item target-id
28684 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
28685
28686 @item details
28687 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
28688 field is optional.
28689
28690 @item name
28691 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28692 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28693 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28694 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28695 field is omitted.
28696
28697 @item frame
28698 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
28699
28700 @item state
28701 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
28702 values:
28703
28704 @table @code
28705 @item stopped
28706 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
28707 threads.
28708
28709 @item running
28710 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
28711 threads.
28712
28713 @end table
28714
28715 @item core
28716 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
28717 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
28718
28719 @end table
28720
28721 @subsubheading Example
28722
28723 @smallexample
28724 -thread-info
28725 ^done,threads=[
28726 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28727 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
28728 args=[]@},state="running"@},
28729 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28730 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
28731 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28732 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
28733 state="running"@}],
28734 current-thread-id="1"
28735 (gdb)
28736 @end smallexample
28737
28738 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
28739 @findex -thread-list-ids
28740
28741 @subsubheading Synopsis
28742
28743 @smallexample
28744 -thread-list-ids
28745 @end smallexample
28746
28747 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
28748 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
28749
28750 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
28751 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
28752
28753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28754
28755 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
28756
28757 @subsubheading Example
28758
28759 @smallexample
28760 (gdb)
28761 -thread-list-ids
28762 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28763 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
28764 (gdb)
28765 @end smallexample
28766
28767
28768 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
28769 @findex -thread-select
28770
28771 @subsubheading Synopsis
28772
28773 @smallexample
28774 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
28775 @end smallexample
28776
28777 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
28778 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
28779
28780 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
28781 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
28782
28783 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28784
28785 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
28786
28787 @subsubheading Example
28788
28789 @smallexample
28790 (gdb)
28791 -exec-next
28792 ^running
28793 (gdb)
28794 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
28795 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
28796 (gdb)
28797 -thread-list-ids
28798 ^done,
28799 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28800 number-of-threads="3"
28801 (gdb)
28802 -thread-select 3
28803 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
28804 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
28805 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
28806 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
28807 (gdb)
28808 @end smallexample
28809
28810 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28811 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
28812 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
28813
28814 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
28815 @findex -ada-task-info
28816
28817 @subsubheading Synopsis
28818
28819 @smallexample
28820 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
28821 @end smallexample
28822
28823 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
28824 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
28825
28826 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28827
28828 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
28829 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
28830
28831 @subsubheading Result
28832
28833 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
28834 defined for each Ada task:
28835
28836 @table @samp
28837 @item current
28838 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28839
28840 @item id
28841 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
28842
28843 @item task-id
28844 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
28845
28846 @item thread-id
28847 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
28848
28849 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
28850 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
28851 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
28852
28853 @item parent-id
28854 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
28855 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
28856
28857 @item priority
28858 The base priority of the task.
28859
28860 @item state
28861 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
28862 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
28863
28864 @item name
28865 The name of the task.
28866
28867 @end table
28868
28869 @subsubheading Example
28870
28871 @smallexample
28872 -ada-task-info
28873 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
28874 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
28875 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
28876 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
28877 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
28878 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
28879 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
28880 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
28881 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
28882 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
28883 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
28884 (gdb)
28885 @end smallexample
28886
28887 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28888 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
28889 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
28890
28891 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
28892 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
28893 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
28894 other cases.
28895
28896 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
28897 @findex -exec-continue
28898
28899 @subsubheading Synopsis
28900
28901 @smallexample
28902 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
28903 @end smallexample
28904
28905 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
28906 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
28907 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
28908 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
28909 @itemize @bullet
28910 @item
28911 breakpoints or watchpoints
28912 @item
28913 signals or exceptions
28914 @item
28915 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
28916 @item
28917 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
28918 @end itemize
28919 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
28920 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
28921 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
28922 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
28923 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
28924 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
28925
28926 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28927
28928 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
28929
28930 @subsubheading Example
28931
28932 @smallexample
28933 -exec-continue
28934 ^running
28935 (gdb)
28936 @@Hello world
28937 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
28938 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
28939 line="13"@}
28940 (gdb)
28941 @end smallexample
28942
28943
28944 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
28945 @findex -exec-finish
28946
28947 @subsubheading Synopsis
28948
28949 @smallexample
28950 -exec-finish [--reverse]
28951 @end smallexample
28952
28953 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
28954 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
28955 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
28956 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
28957 function was called.
28958
28959 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28960
28961 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
28962
28963 @subsubheading Example
28964
28965 Function returning @code{void}.
28966
28967 @smallexample
28968 -exec-finish
28969 ^running
28970 (gdb)
28971 @@hello from foo
28972 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28973 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
28974 (gdb)
28975 @end smallexample
28976
28977 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
28978 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
28979 value itself.
28980
28981 @smallexample
28982 -exec-finish
28983 ^running
28984 (gdb)
28985 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
28986 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
28987 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28988 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
28989 (gdb)
28990 @end smallexample
28991
28992
28993 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
28994 @findex -exec-interrupt
28995
28996 @subsubheading Synopsis
28997
28998 @smallexample
28999 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29000 @end smallexample
29001
29002 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29003 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29004 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29005 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29006 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29007
29008 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29009 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29010 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29011 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29012
29013 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29014 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29015 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29016 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29017
29018 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29019
29020 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29021
29022 @subsubheading Example
29023
29024 @smallexample
29025 (gdb)
29026 111-exec-continue
29027 111^running
29028
29029 (gdb)
29030 222-exec-interrupt
29031 222^done
29032 (gdb)
29033 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29034 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29035 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29036 (gdb)
29037
29038 (gdb)
29039 -exec-interrupt
29040 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29041 (gdb)
29042 @end smallexample
29043
29044 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29045 @findex -exec-jump
29046
29047 @subsubheading Synopsis
29048
29049 @smallexample
29050 -exec-jump @var{location}
29051 @end smallexample
29052
29053 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29054 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29055 different forms of @var{location}.
29056
29057 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29058
29059 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29060
29061 @subsubheading Example
29062
29063 @smallexample
29064 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29065 *running,thread-id="all"
29066 ^running
29067 @end smallexample
29068
29069
29070 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29071 @findex -exec-next
29072
29073 @subsubheading Synopsis
29074
29075 @smallexample
29076 -exec-next [--reverse]
29077 @end smallexample
29078
29079 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29080 of the next source line is reached.
29081
29082 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29083 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29084 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29085 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29086 source line where the function was called.
29087
29088
29089 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29090
29091 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29092
29093 @subsubheading Example
29094
29095 @smallexample
29096 -exec-next
29097 ^running
29098 (gdb)
29099 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29100 (gdb)
29101 @end smallexample
29102
29103
29104 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29105 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29106
29107 @subsubheading Synopsis
29108
29109 @smallexample
29110 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29111 @end smallexample
29112
29113 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29114 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29115 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29116 printed as well.
29117
29118 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29119 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29120 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29121 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29122 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29123
29124 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29125
29126 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29127
29128 @subsubheading Example
29129
29130 @smallexample
29131 (gdb)
29132 -exec-next-instruction
29133 ^running
29134
29135 (gdb)
29136 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29137 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29138 (gdb)
29139 @end smallexample
29140
29141
29142 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29143 @findex -exec-return
29144
29145 @subsubheading Synopsis
29146
29147 @smallexample
29148 -exec-return
29149 @end smallexample
29150
29151 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29152 Displays the new current frame.
29153
29154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29155
29156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29157
29158 @subsubheading Example
29159
29160 @smallexample
29161 (gdb)
29162 200-break-insert callee4
29163 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29164 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29165 (gdb)
29166 000-exec-run
29167 000^running
29168 (gdb)
29169 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29170 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29171 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29172 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29173 (gdb)
29174 205-break-delete
29175 205^done
29176 (gdb)
29177 111-exec-return
29178 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29179 args=[@{name="strarg",
29180 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29181 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29182 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29183 (gdb)
29184 @end smallexample
29185
29186
29187 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29188 @findex -exec-run
29189
29190 @subsubheading Synopsis
29191
29192 @smallexample
29193 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29194 @end smallexample
29195
29196 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29197 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29198 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29199 the program has exited exceptionally.
29200
29201 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29202 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29203 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29204 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29205
29206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29207
29208 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29209
29210 @subsubheading Examples
29211
29212 @smallexample
29213 (gdb)
29214 -break-insert main
29215 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29216 (gdb)
29217 -exec-run
29218 ^running
29219 (gdb)
29220 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29221 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29222 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29223 (gdb)
29224 @end smallexample
29225
29226 @noindent
29227 Program exited normally:
29228
29229 @smallexample
29230 (gdb)
29231 -exec-run
29232 ^running
29233 (gdb)
29234 x = 55
29235 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29236 (gdb)
29237 @end smallexample
29238
29239 @noindent
29240 Program exited exceptionally:
29241
29242 @smallexample
29243 (gdb)
29244 -exec-run
29245 ^running
29246 (gdb)
29247 x = 55
29248 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29249 (gdb)
29250 @end smallexample
29251
29252 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29253 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29254
29255 @smallexample
29256 (gdb)
29257 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29258 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29259 @end smallexample
29260
29261
29262 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29263
29264
29265 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29266 @findex -exec-step
29267
29268 @subsubheading Synopsis
29269
29270 @smallexample
29271 -exec-step [--reverse]
29272 @end smallexample
29273
29274 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29275 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29276 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29277 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29278 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29279 previously executed source line.
29280
29281 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29282
29283 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29284
29285 @subsubheading Example
29286
29287 Stepping into a function:
29288
29289 @smallexample
29290 -exec-step
29291 ^running
29292 (gdb)
29293 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29294 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29295 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29296 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29297 (gdb)
29298 @end smallexample
29299
29300 Regular stepping:
29301
29302 @smallexample
29303 -exec-step
29304 ^running
29305 (gdb)
29306 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29307 (gdb)
29308 @end smallexample
29309
29310
29311 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29312 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29313
29314 @subsubheading Synopsis
29315
29316 @smallexample
29317 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29318 @end smallexample
29319
29320 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29321 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29322 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29323 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29324 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29325 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29326 as well.
29327
29328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29329
29330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29331
29332 @subsubheading Example
29333
29334 @smallexample
29335 (gdb)
29336 -exec-step-instruction
29337 ^running
29338
29339 (gdb)
29340 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29341 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29342 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29343 (gdb)
29344 -exec-step-instruction
29345 ^running
29346
29347 (gdb)
29348 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29349 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29350 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29351 (gdb)
29352 @end smallexample
29353
29354
29355 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29356 @findex -exec-until
29357
29358 @subsubheading Synopsis
29359
29360 @smallexample
29361 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29362 @end smallexample
29363
29364 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29365 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29366 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29367 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29368
29369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29370
29371 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29372
29373 @subsubheading Example
29374
29375 @smallexample
29376 (gdb)
29377 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29378 ^running
29379 (gdb)
29380 x = 55
29381 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29382 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29383 (gdb)
29384 @end smallexample
29385
29386 @ignore
29387 @subheading -file-clear
29388 Is this going away????
29389 @end ignore
29390
29391 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29392 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29393 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29394
29395
29396 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29397 @findex -stack-info-frame
29398
29399 @subsubheading Synopsis
29400
29401 @smallexample
29402 -stack-info-frame
29403 @end smallexample
29404
29405 Get info on the selected frame.
29406
29407 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29408
29409 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29410 (without arguments).
29411
29412 @subsubheading Example
29413
29414 @smallexample
29415 (gdb)
29416 -stack-info-frame
29417 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29418 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29419 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29420 (gdb)
29421 @end smallexample
29422
29423 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29424 @findex -stack-info-depth
29425
29426 @subsubheading Synopsis
29427
29428 @smallexample
29429 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29430 @end smallexample
29431
29432 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29433 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29434
29435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29436
29437 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29438
29439 @subsubheading Example
29440
29441 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29442
29443 @smallexample
29444 (gdb)
29445 -stack-info-depth
29446 ^done,depth="12"
29447 (gdb)
29448 -stack-info-depth 4
29449 ^done,depth="4"
29450 (gdb)
29451 -stack-info-depth 12
29452 ^done,depth="12"
29453 (gdb)
29454 -stack-info-depth 11
29455 ^done,depth="11"
29456 (gdb)
29457 -stack-info-depth 13
29458 ^done,depth="12"
29459 (gdb)
29460 @end smallexample
29461
29462 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
29463 @findex -stack-list-arguments
29464
29465 @subsubheading Synopsis
29466
29467 @smallexample
29468 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
29469 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29470 @end smallexample
29471
29472 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
29473 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
29474 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
29475 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
29476 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
29477 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
29478 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
29479 which case only existing frames will be returned.
29480
29481 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29482 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29483 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29484 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29485 structures and unions.
29486
29487 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
29488 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29489
29490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29491
29492 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
29493 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
29494 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
29495
29496 @subsubheading Example
29497
29498 @smallexample
29499 (gdb)
29500 -stack-list-frames
29501 ^done,
29502 stack=[
29503 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29504 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29505 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
29506 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29507 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29508 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
29509 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
29510 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29511 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
29512 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
29513 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29514 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
29515 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
29516 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29517 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
29518 (gdb)
29519 -stack-list-arguments 0
29520 ^done,
29521 stack-args=[
29522 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29523 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
29524 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
29525 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
29526 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29527 (gdb)
29528 -stack-list-arguments 1
29529 ^done,
29530 stack-args=[
29531 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29532 frame=@{level="1",
29533 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29534 frame=@{level="2",args=[
29535 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29536 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29537 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
29538 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29539 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
29540 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
29541 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29542 (gdb)
29543 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
29544 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
29545 (gdb)
29546 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
29547 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
29548 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29549 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
29550 (gdb)
29551 @end smallexample
29552
29553 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
29554
29555
29556 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
29557 @findex -stack-list-frames
29558
29559 @subsubheading Synopsis
29560
29561 @smallexample
29562 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29563 @end smallexample
29564
29565 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
29566 following info:
29567
29568 @table @samp
29569 @item @var{level}
29570 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
29571 @item @var{addr}
29572 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
29573 @item @var{func}
29574 Function name.
29575 @item @var{file}
29576 File name of the source file where the function lives.
29577 @item @var{fullname}
29578 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
29579 @item @var{line}
29580 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
29581 @item @var{from}
29582 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
29583 if the frame's function is not known.
29584 @end table
29585
29586 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
29587 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
29588 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
29589 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
29590 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
29591 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
29592 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
29593
29594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29595
29596 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
29597
29598 @subsubheading Example
29599
29600 Full stack backtrace:
29601
29602 @smallexample
29603 (gdb)
29604 -stack-list-frames
29605 ^done,stack=
29606 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
29607 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
29608 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29609 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29610 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29611 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29612 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29613 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29614 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29615 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29616 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29617 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29618 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29619 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29620 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29621 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29622 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29623 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29624 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29625 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29626 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29627 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29628 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
29629 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
29630 (gdb)
29631 @end smallexample
29632
29633 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
29634
29635 @smallexample
29636 (gdb)
29637 -stack-list-frames 3 5
29638 ^done,stack=
29639 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29640 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29641 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29642 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29643 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29644 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29645 (gdb)
29646 @end smallexample
29647
29648 Show a single frame:
29649
29650 @smallexample
29651 (gdb)
29652 -stack-list-frames 3 3
29653 ^done,stack=
29654 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29655 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29656 (gdb)
29657 @end smallexample
29658
29659
29660 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
29661 @findex -stack-list-locals
29662
29663 @subsubheading Synopsis
29664
29665 @smallexample
29666 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
29667 @end smallexample
29668
29669 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
29670 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29671 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29672 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29673 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29674 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
29675 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
29676 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
29677 more detail.
29678
29679 This command is deprecated in favor of the
29680 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29681
29682 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29683
29684 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
29685
29686 @subsubheading Example
29687
29688 @smallexample
29689 (gdb)
29690 -stack-list-locals 0
29691 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
29692 (gdb)
29693 -stack-list-locals --all-values
29694 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
29695 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
29696 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
29697 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
29698 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
29699 (gdb)
29700 @end smallexample
29701
29702 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
29703 @findex -stack-list-variables
29704
29705 @subsubheading Synopsis
29706
29707 @smallexample
29708 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
29709 @end smallexample
29710
29711 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
29712 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29713 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29714 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29715 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29716 structures and unions.
29717
29718 @subsubheading Example
29719
29720 @smallexample
29721 (gdb)
29722 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
29723 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
29724 (gdb)
29725 @end smallexample
29726
29727
29728 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
29729 @findex -stack-select-frame
29730
29731 @subsubheading Synopsis
29732
29733 @smallexample
29734 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
29735 @end smallexample
29736
29737 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
29738 the stack.
29739
29740 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
29741 option to every command.
29742
29743 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29744
29745 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
29746 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
29747
29748 @subsubheading Example
29749
29750 @smallexample
29751 (gdb)
29752 -stack-select-frame 2
29753 ^done
29754 (gdb)
29755 @end smallexample
29756
29757 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29758 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
29759 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
29760
29761 @ignore
29762
29763 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29764
29765 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
29766 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
29767 used by @code{Insight}.
29768
29769 The two main reasons for that are:
29770
29771 @enumerate 1
29772 @item
29773 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
29774
29775 @item
29776 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
29777 now).
29778 @end enumerate
29779
29780 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
29781 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
29782 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
29783 hints about their use.
29784
29785 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
29786 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
29787 least, the following operations:
29788
29789 @itemize @bullet
29790 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
29791 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
29792 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
29793 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
29794 @end itemize
29795
29796 @end ignore
29797
29798 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
29799
29800 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29801
29802 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
29803 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
29804 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
29805 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
29806 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
29807 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
29808 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
29809 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
29810 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
29811 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
29812 object, or to change display format.
29813
29814 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
29815 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
29816 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
29817 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
29818 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
29819 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
29820 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
29821 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
29822 child will be created.
29823
29824 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
29825 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
29826 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
29827 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
29828 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
29829
29830 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
29831 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
29832 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
29833 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
29834 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
29835 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
29836 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
29837 variables that frontend has created.
29838
29839 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
29840 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
29841 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
29842 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
29843 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
29844 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
29845 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
29846 implicitly updated.
29847
29848 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
29849 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
29850 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
29851 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
29852 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
29853 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
29854 frame. Consider this example:
29855
29856 @smallexample
29857 void do_work(...)
29858 @{
29859 struct work_state state;
29860
29861 if (...)
29862 do_work(...);
29863 @}
29864 @end smallexample
29865
29866 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
29867 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
29868 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
29869 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
29870 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
29871
29872 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
29873 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
29874 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
29875 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
29876 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
29877 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
29878
29879 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
29880 access this functionality:
29881
29882 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
29883 @item @strong{Operation}
29884 @tab @strong{Description}
29885
29886 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
29887 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
29888 @item @code{-var-create}
29889 @tab create a variable object
29890 @item @code{-var-delete}
29891 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
29892 @item @code{-var-set-format}
29893 @tab set the display format of this variable
29894 @item @code{-var-show-format}
29895 @tab show the display format of this variable
29896 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
29897 @tab tells how many children this object has
29898 @item @code{-var-list-children}
29899 @tab return a list of the object's children
29900 @item @code{-var-info-type}
29901 @tab show the type of this variable object
29902 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
29903 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
29904 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
29905 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
29906 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
29907 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
29908 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
29909 @tab get the value of this variable
29910 @item @code{-var-assign}
29911 @tab set the value of this variable
29912 @item @code{-var-update}
29913 @tab update the variable and its children
29914 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
29915 @tab set frozeness attribute
29916 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
29917 @tab set range of children to display on update
29918 @end multitable
29919
29920 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
29921 how it can be used.
29922
29923 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
29924
29925 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
29926 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
29927
29928 @smallexample
29929 -enable-pretty-printing
29930 @end smallexample
29931
29932 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
29933 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
29934 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29935 request that this functionality be enabled.
29936
29937 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29938
29939 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29940 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
29941
29942 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
29943 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
29944
29945 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
29946 @findex -var-create
29947
29948 @subsubheading Synopsis
29949
29950 @smallexample
29951 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
29952 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
29953 @end smallexample
29954
29955 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
29956 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
29957 register.
29958
29959 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
29960 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
29961 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
29962 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
29963 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
29964
29965 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
29966 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
29967 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
29968 object must be created.
29969
29970 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
29971 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
29972
29973 @itemize @bullet
29974 @item
29975 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
29976
29977 @item
29978 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
29979
29980 @item
29981 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
29982 @end itemize
29983
29984 @cindex dynamic varobj
29985 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
29986 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
29987 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
29988 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
29989 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
29990 compatibility for existing clients.
29991
29992 @subsubheading Result
29993
29994 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
29995 are:
29996
29997 @table @samp
29998 @item name
29999 The name of the varobj.
30000
30001 @item numchild
30002 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30003 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30004 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30005
30006 @item value
30007 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30008 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30009 will not be interesting.
30010
30011 @item type
30012 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30013 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30014 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30015 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30016 @emph{declared} one.
30017
30018 @item thread-id
30019 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30020 thread's identifier.
30021
30022 @item has_more
30023 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30024 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30025
30026 @item dynamic
30027 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30028 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30029 then this attribute will not be present.
30030
30031 @item displayhint
30032 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30033 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30034 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30035 @end table
30036
30037 Typical output will look like this:
30038
30039 @smallexample
30040 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30041 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30042 @end smallexample
30043
30044
30045 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30046 @findex -var-delete
30047
30048 @subsubheading Synopsis
30049
30050 @smallexample
30051 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30052 @end smallexample
30053
30054 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30055 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30056
30057 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30058
30059
30060 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30061 @findex -var-set-format
30062
30063 @subsubheading Synopsis
30064
30065 @smallexample
30066 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30067 @end smallexample
30068
30069 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30070 @var{format-spec}.
30071
30072 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30073 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30074
30075 @smallexample
30076 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30077 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30078 @end smallexample
30079
30080 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30081 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30082 for pointers, etc.).
30083
30084 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30085 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30086
30087 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30088 @findex -var-show-format
30089
30090 @subsubheading Synopsis
30091
30092 @smallexample
30093 -var-show-format @var{name}
30094 @end smallexample
30095
30096 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30097
30098 @smallexample
30099 @var{format} @expansion{}
30100 @var{format-spec}
30101 @end smallexample
30102
30103
30104 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30105 @findex -var-info-num-children
30106
30107 @subsubheading Synopsis
30108
30109 @smallexample
30110 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30111 @end smallexample
30112
30113 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30114
30115 @smallexample
30116 numchild=@var{n}
30117 @end smallexample
30118
30119 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30120 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30121 be available.
30122
30123
30124 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30125 @findex -var-list-children
30126
30127 @subsubheading Synopsis
30128
30129 @smallexample
30130 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30131 @end smallexample
30132 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30133
30134 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30135 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30136 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30137 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30138 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30139 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30140 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30141 and unions.
30142
30143 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30144 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30145 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30146 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30147 reported.
30148
30149 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30150 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30151 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30152 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30153 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30154 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30155 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30156 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30157 the visible items.
30158
30159 For each child the following results are returned:
30160
30161 @table @var
30162
30163 @item name
30164 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30165
30166 @item exp
30167 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30168 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30169
30170 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30171 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30172
30173 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30174 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30175 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30176 type and value are not present.
30177
30178 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30179 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30180 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30181
30182 @item numchild
30183 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30184 0.
30185
30186 @item type
30187 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30188 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30189 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30190 @emph{declared} one.
30191
30192 @item value
30193 If values were requested, this is the value.
30194
30195 @item thread-id
30196 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30197 Otherwise this result is not present.
30198
30199 @item frozen
30200 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30201 @end table
30202
30203 The result may have its own attributes:
30204
30205 @table @samp
30206 @item displayhint
30207 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30208 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30209 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30210
30211 @item has_more
30212 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30213 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30214 @end table
30215
30216 @subsubheading Example
30217
30218 @smallexample
30219 (gdb)
30220 -var-list-children n
30221 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30222 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30223 (gdb)
30224 -var-list-children --all-values n
30225 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30226 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30227 @end smallexample
30228
30229
30230 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30231 @findex -var-info-type
30232
30233 @subsubheading Synopsis
30234
30235 @smallexample
30236 -var-info-type @var{name}
30237 @end smallexample
30238
30239 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30240 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30241 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30242
30243 @smallexample
30244 type=@var{typename}
30245 @end smallexample
30246
30247
30248 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30249 @findex -var-info-expression
30250
30251 @subsubheading Synopsis
30252
30253 @smallexample
30254 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30255 @end smallexample
30256
30257 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30258 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30259 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30260
30261 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30262 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30263
30264 @smallexample
30265 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30266 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30267 @end smallexample
30268
30269 @noindent
30270 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30271
30272 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30273 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30274 is of limited use.
30275
30276 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30277 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30278
30279 @subsubheading Synopsis
30280
30281 @smallexample
30282 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30283 @end smallexample
30284
30285 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30286 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30287 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30288 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30289 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30290 watchpoint from a variable object.
30291
30292 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30293 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30294
30295 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30296 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30297 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30298 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30299 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30300 @smallexample
30301 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30302 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30303 @end smallexample
30304
30305 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30306 @findex -var-show-attributes
30307
30308 @subsubheading Synopsis
30309
30310 @smallexample
30311 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30312 @end smallexample
30313
30314 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30315
30316 @smallexample
30317 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30318 @end smallexample
30319
30320 @noindent
30321 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30322
30323 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30324 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30325
30326 @subsubheading Synopsis
30327
30328 @smallexample
30329 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30330 @end smallexample
30331
30332 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30333 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30334 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30335 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30336 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30337 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30338 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30339
30340 @smallexample
30341 value=@var{value}
30342 @end smallexample
30343
30344 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30345 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30346
30347 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30348 @findex -var-assign
30349
30350 @subsubheading Synopsis
30351
30352 @smallexample
30353 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30354 @end smallexample
30355
30356 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30357 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30358 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30359 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30360
30361 @subsubheading Example
30362
30363 @smallexample
30364 (gdb)
30365 -var-assign var1 3
30366 ^done,value="3"
30367 (gdb)
30368 -var-update *
30369 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30370 (gdb)
30371 @end smallexample
30372
30373 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30374 @findex -var-update
30375
30376 @subsubheading Synopsis
30377
30378 @smallexample
30379 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30380 @end smallexample
30381
30382 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30383 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30384 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30385 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30386 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30387 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30388 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30389 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30390 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30391 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30392 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30393 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30394 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30395
30396 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30397 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30398 diagnostic.
30399
30400 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30401 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30402
30403 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30404 @samp{changelist}.
30405
30406 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30407
30408 @table @samp
30409 @item name
30410 The name of the varobj.
30411
30412 @item value
30413 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30414 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30415
30416 @item in_scope
30417 @anchor{-var-update}
30418 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30419
30420 @table @code
30421 @item "true"
30422 The variable object's current value is valid.
30423
30424 @item "false"
30425 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30426 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30427 scope.
30428
30429 @item "invalid"
30430 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30431 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30432 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30433 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30434 objects.
30435 @end table
30436
30437 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30438 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30439
30440 @item type_changed
30441 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30442 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30443 be @samp{false}.
30444
30445 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30446 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30447 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30448 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30449 unset.
30450
30451 @item new_type
30452 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30453 hold the new type.
30454
30455 @item new_num_children
30456 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30457 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30458
30459 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
30460 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
30461 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
30462 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
30463 children which may be available.
30464
30465 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
30466 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
30467 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
30468 only happen at the end of the update range).
30469
30470 @item displayhint
30471 The display hint, if any.
30472
30473 @item has_more
30474 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
30475 available outside the varobj's update range.
30476
30477 @item dynamic
30478 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30479 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30480 then this attribute will not be present.
30481
30482 @item new_children
30483 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
30484 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
30485 be listed in this attribute.
30486 @end table
30487
30488 @subsubheading Example
30489
30490 @smallexample
30491 (gdb)
30492 -var-assign var1 3
30493 ^done,value="3"
30494 (gdb)
30495 -var-update --all-values var1
30496 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
30497 type_changed="false"@}]
30498 (gdb)
30499 @end smallexample
30500
30501 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
30502 @findex -var-set-frozen
30503 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
30504
30505 @subsubheading Synopsis
30506
30507 @smallexample
30508 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
30509 @end smallexample
30510
30511 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
30512 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
30513 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
30514 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
30515 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
30516 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
30517 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
30518 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
30519 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
30520 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
30521 @code{-var-update} does.
30522
30523 @subsubheading Example
30524
30525 @smallexample
30526 (gdb)
30527 -var-set-frozen V 1
30528 ^done
30529 (gdb)
30530 @end smallexample
30531
30532 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
30533 @findex -var-set-update-range
30534 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
30535
30536 @subsubheading Synopsis
30537
30538 @smallexample
30539 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
30540 @end smallexample
30541
30542 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
30543 @code{-var-update}.
30544
30545 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
30546 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
30547 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
30548 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
30549
30550 @subsubheading Example
30551
30552 @smallexample
30553 (gdb)
30554 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
30555 ^done
30556 @end smallexample
30557
30558 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
30559 @findex -var-set-visualizer
30560 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
30561
30562 @subsubheading Synopsis
30563
30564 @smallexample
30565 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
30566 @end smallexample
30567
30568 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
30569
30570 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
30571 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
30572
30573 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
30574 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
30575 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
30576 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
30577 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
30578 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
30579 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
30580
30581 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
30582 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
30583 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
30584 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
30585
30586 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
30587 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
30588 can be used to check this.
30589
30590 @subsubheading Example
30591
30592 Resetting the visualizer:
30593
30594 @smallexample
30595 (gdb)
30596 -var-set-visualizer V None
30597 ^done
30598 @end smallexample
30599
30600 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
30601
30602 @smallexample
30603 (gdb)
30604 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
30605 ^done
30606 @end smallexample
30607
30608 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
30609 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
30610
30611 @smallexample
30612 (gdb)
30613 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
30614 ^done
30615 @end smallexample
30616
30617 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30618 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
30619 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
30620
30621 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
30622 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
30623 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
30624 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
30625
30626 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
30627 @c @subheading -data-assign
30628 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
30629 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
30630 @c set variable
30631 @c @subsubheading Example
30632 @c N.A.
30633
30634 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
30635 @findex -data-disassemble
30636
30637 @subsubheading Synopsis
30638
30639 @smallexample
30640 -data-disassemble
30641 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
30642 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
30643 -- @var{mode}
30644 @end smallexample
30645
30646 @noindent
30647 Where:
30648
30649 @table @samp
30650 @item @var{start-addr}
30651 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
30652 @item @var{end-addr}
30653 is the end address
30654 @item @var{filename}
30655 is the name of the file to disassemble
30656 @item @var{linenum}
30657 is the line number to disassemble around
30658 @item @var{lines}
30659 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
30660 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
30661 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
30662 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
30663 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
30664 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
30665 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
30666 are displayed.
30667 @item @var{mode}
30668 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
30669 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
30670 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
30671 @end table
30672
30673 @subsubheading Result
30674
30675 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
30676
30677 @itemize @bullet
30678 @item Address
30679 @item Func-name
30680 @item Offset
30681 @item Instruction
30682 @end itemize
30683
30684 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
30685 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
30686
30687 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30688
30689 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
30690
30691 @subsubheading Example
30692
30693 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
30694
30695 @smallexample
30696 (gdb)
30697 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
30698 ^done,
30699 asm_insns=[
30700 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30701 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30702 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30703 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30704 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
30705 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
30706 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
30707 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30708 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
30709 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
30710 (gdb)
30711 @end smallexample
30712
30713 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
30714 @code{main}.
30715
30716 @smallexample
30717 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
30718 ^done,asm_insns=[
30719 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30720 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30721 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30722 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30723 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30724 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30725 [@dots{}]
30726 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
30727 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
30728 (gdb)
30729 @end smallexample
30730
30731 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
30732
30733 @smallexample
30734 (gdb)
30735 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
30736 ^done,asm_insns=[
30737 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30738 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30739 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30740 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30741 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30742 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
30743 (gdb)
30744 @end smallexample
30745
30746 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
30747
30748 @smallexample
30749 (gdb)
30750 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
30751 ^done,asm_insns=[
30752 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
30753 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30754 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30755 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30756 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
30757 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
30758 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30759 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30760 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30761 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30762 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30763 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
30764 (gdb)
30765 @end smallexample
30766
30767
30768 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
30769 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
30770
30771 @subsubheading Synopsis
30772
30773 @smallexample
30774 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
30775 @end smallexample
30776
30777 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
30778 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
30779 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
30780
30781 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30782
30783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
30784 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
30785 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
30786
30787 @subsubheading Example
30788
30789 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
30790 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
30791 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
30792 output.
30793
30794 @smallexample
30795 211-data-evaluate-expression A
30796 211^done,value="1"
30797 (gdb)
30798 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
30799 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
30800 (gdb)
30801 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
30802 411^done,value="4"
30803 (gdb)
30804 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
30805 511^done,value="4"
30806 (gdb)
30807 @end smallexample
30808
30809
30810 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
30811 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
30812
30813 @subsubheading Synopsis
30814
30815 @smallexample
30816 -data-list-changed-registers
30817 @end smallexample
30818
30819 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
30820
30821 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30822
30823 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
30824 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
30825
30826 @subsubheading Example
30827
30828 On a PPC MBX board:
30829
30830 @smallexample
30831 (gdb)
30832 -exec-continue
30833 ^running
30834
30835 (gdb)
30836 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
30837 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
30838 line="5"@}
30839 (gdb)
30840 -data-list-changed-registers
30841 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
30842 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
30843 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
30844 (gdb)
30845 @end smallexample
30846
30847
30848 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
30849 @findex -data-list-register-names
30850
30851 @subsubheading Synopsis
30852
30853 @smallexample
30854 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
30855 @end smallexample
30856
30857 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
30858 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
30859 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
30860 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
30861 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
30862 include empty register names.
30863
30864 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30865
30866 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
30867 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
30868 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
30869
30870 @subsubheading Example
30871
30872 For the PPC MBX board:
30873 @smallexample
30874 (gdb)
30875 -data-list-register-names
30876 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
30877 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
30878 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
30879 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
30880 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
30881 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
30882 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
30883 (gdb)
30884 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
30885 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
30886 (gdb)
30887 @end smallexample
30888
30889 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
30890 @findex -data-list-register-values
30891
30892 @subsubheading Synopsis
30893
30894 @smallexample
30895 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
30896 @end smallexample
30897
30898 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
30899 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
30900 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
30901 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
30902
30903 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
30904
30905 @table @code
30906 @item x
30907 Hexadecimal
30908 @item o
30909 Octal
30910 @item t
30911 Binary
30912 @item d
30913 Decimal
30914 @item r
30915 Raw
30916 @item N
30917 Natural
30918 @end table
30919
30920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30921
30922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
30923 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
30924
30925 @subsubheading Example
30926
30927 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
30928 don't appear in the actual output):
30929
30930 @smallexample
30931 (gdb)
30932 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
30933 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30934 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
30935 (gdb)
30936 -data-list-register-values x
30937 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
30938 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30939 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
30940 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
30941 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
30942 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
30943 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
30944 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
30945 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
30946 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30947 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
30948 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
30949 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
30950 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
30951 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
30952 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
30953 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
30954 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
30955 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
30956 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
30957 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
30958 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
30959 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
30960 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
30961 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
30962 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
30963 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
30964 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
30965 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
30966 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
30967 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
30968 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
30969 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30970 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
30971 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
30972 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
30973 (gdb)
30974 @end smallexample
30975
30976
30977 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
30978 @findex -data-read-memory
30979
30980 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
30981
30982 @subsubheading Synopsis
30983
30984 @smallexample
30985 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30986 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
30987 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
30988 @end smallexample
30989
30990 @noindent
30991 where:
30992
30993 @table @samp
30994 @item @var{address}
30995 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30996 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30997 quoted using the C convention.
30998
30999 @item @var{word-format}
31000 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31001 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31002 ,Output Formats}).
31003
31004 @item @var{word-size}
31005 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31006
31007 @item @var{nr-rows}
31008 The number of rows in the output table.
31009
31010 @item @var{nr-cols}
31011 The number of columns in the output table.
31012
31013 @item @var{aschar}
31014 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31015 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31016 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31017 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31018
31019 @item @var{byte-offset}
31020 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31021 @end table
31022
31023 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31024 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31025 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31026 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31027 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31028 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31029 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31030 @samp{addr}.
31031
31032 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31033 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31034 @samp{prev-page}.
31035
31036 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31037
31038 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31039 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31040
31041 @subsubheading Example
31042
31043 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31044 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31045 word. Display each word in hex.
31046
31047 @smallexample
31048 (gdb)
31049 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31050 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31051 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31052 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31053 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31054 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31055 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31056 (gdb)
31057 @end smallexample
31058
31059 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31060 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31061
31062 @smallexample
31063 (gdb)
31064 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31065 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31066 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31067 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31068 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31069 (gdb)
31070 @end smallexample
31071
31072 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31073 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31074 used as the non-printable character.
31075
31076 @smallexample
31077 (gdb)
31078 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31079 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31080 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31081 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31082 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31083 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31084 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31085 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31086 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31087 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31088 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31089 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31090 (gdb)
31091 @end smallexample
31092
31093 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31094 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31095
31096 @subsubheading Synopsis
31097
31098 @smallexample
31099 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31100 @var{address} @var{count}
31101 @end smallexample
31102
31103 @noindent
31104 where:
31105
31106 @table @samp
31107 @item @var{address}
31108 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31109 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31110 quoted using the C convention.
31111
31112 @item @var{count}
31113 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31114
31115 @item @var{byte-offset}
31116 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31117 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31118 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31119 perform address arithmetics itself.
31120
31121 @end table
31122
31123 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31124 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31125 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31126 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31127 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31128 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31129
31130 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31131 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31132 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31133 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31134 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31135 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31136 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31137 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31138
31139 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31140 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31141 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31142 and has the following fields:
31143
31144 @table @code
31145 @item begin
31146 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31147
31148 @item end
31149 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31150
31151 @item offset
31152 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31153 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31154
31155 @item contents
31156 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31157
31158 @end table
31159
31160
31161
31162 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31163
31164 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31165
31166 @subsubheading Example
31167
31168 @smallexample
31169 (gdb)
31170 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31171 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31172 end="0xbffff15e",
31173 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31174 (gdb)
31175 @end smallexample
31176
31177
31178 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31179 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31180
31181 @subsubheading Synopsis
31182
31183 @smallexample
31184 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31185 @end smallexample
31186
31187 @noindent
31188 where:
31189
31190 @table @samp
31191 @item @var{address}
31192 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31193 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31194 quoted using the C convention.
31195
31196 @item @var{contents}
31197 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31198
31199 @end table
31200
31201 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31202
31203 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31204
31205 @subsubheading Example
31206
31207 @smallexample
31208 (gdb)
31209 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31210 ^done
31211 (gdb)
31212 @end smallexample
31213
31214
31215 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31216 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31217 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31218
31219 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31220 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31221
31222 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31223 @findex -trace-find
31224
31225 @subsubheading Synopsis
31226
31227 @smallexample
31228 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31229 @end smallexample
31230
31231 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31232 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31233 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31234
31235 @table @samp
31236
31237 @item none
31238 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31239
31240 @item frame-number
31241 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31242 that index.
31243
31244 @item tracepoint-number
31245 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31246 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31247
31248 @item pc
31249 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31250 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31251 address.
31252
31253 @item pc-inside-range
31254 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31255 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31256 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31257
31258 @item pc-outside-range
31259 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31260 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31261 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31262
31263 @item line
31264 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31265 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31266 the specified location.
31267
31268 @end table
31269
31270 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31271 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31272
31273 @table @samp
31274 @item found
31275 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31276 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31277
31278 @item traceframe
31279 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31280 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31281
31282 @item tracepoint
31283 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31284 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31285
31286 @item frame
31287 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31288 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31289 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31290
31291 @end table
31292
31293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31294
31295 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31296
31297 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31298 @findex -trace-define-variable
31299
31300 @subsubheading Synopsis
31301
31302 @smallexample
31303 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31304 @end smallexample
31305
31306 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31307 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31308 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31309 with the @samp{$} character.
31310
31311 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31312
31313 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31314
31315 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31316 @findex -trace-list-variables
31317
31318 @subsubheading Synopsis
31319
31320 @smallexample
31321 -trace-list-variables
31322 @end smallexample
31323
31324 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31325 table has the following fields:
31326
31327 @table @samp
31328 @item name
31329 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31330
31331 @item initial
31332 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31333 field is always present.
31334
31335 @item current
31336 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31337 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31338 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31339 presently running.
31340
31341 @end table
31342
31343 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31344
31345 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31346
31347 @subsubheading Example
31348
31349 @smallexample
31350 (gdb)
31351 -trace-list-variables
31352 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31353 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31354 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31355 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31356 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31357 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31358 (gdb)
31359 @end smallexample
31360
31361 @subheading -trace-save
31362 @findex -trace-save
31363
31364 @subsubheading Synopsis
31365
31366 @smallexample
31367 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
31368 @end smallexample
31369
31370 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31371 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31372 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31373 to perform the save.
31374
31375 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31376
31377 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31378
31379
31380 @subheading -trace-start
31381 @findex -trace-start
31382
31383 @subsubheading Synopsis
31384
31385 @smallexample
31386 -trace-start
31387 @end smallexample
31388
31389 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
31390 have any fields.
31391
31392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31393
31394 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31395
31396 @subheading -trace-status
31397 @findex -trace-status
31398
31399 @subsubheading Synopsis
31400
31401 @smallexample
31402 -trace-status
31403 @end smallexample
31404
31405 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
31406 the following fields:
31407
31408 @table @samp
31409
31410 @item supported
31411 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
31412 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
31413 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
31414 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
31415 started. This field is always present.
31416
31417 @item running
31418 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
31419 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
31420 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31421
31422 @item stop-reason
31423 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
31424 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
31425 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
31426 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
31427 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
31428 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
31429 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
31430 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
31431 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31432
31433 @item stopping-tracepoint
31434 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
31435 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
31436 @samp{passcount}.
31437
31438 @item frames
31439 @itemx frames-created
31440 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
31441 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
31442 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
31443 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
31444
31445 @item buffer-size
31446 @itemx buffer-free
31447 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
31448 remaining space. These fields are optional.
31449
31450 @item circular
31451 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31452 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31453 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31454 and may fill up.
31455
31456 @item disconnected
31457 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31458 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31459 that the trace run will stop.
31460
31461 @end table
31462
31463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31464
31465 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
31466
31467 @subheading -trace-stop
31468 @findex -trace-stop
31469
31470 @subsubheading Synopsis
31471
31472 @smallexample
31473 -trace-stop
31474 @end smallexample
31475
31476 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
31477 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
31478 @samp{running} fields are not output.
31479
31480 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31481
31482 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
31483
31484
31485 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31486 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
31487 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
31488
31489
31490 @ignore
31491 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
31492 @findex -symbol-info-address
31493
31494 @subsubheading Synopsis
31495
31496 @smallexample
31497 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
31498 @end smallexample
31499
31500 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
31501
31502 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31503
31504 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
31505
31506 @subsubheading Example
31507 N.A.
31508
31509
31510 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
31511 @findex -symbol-info-file
31512
31513 @subsubheading Synopsis
31514
31515 @smallexample
31516 -symbol-info-file
31517 @end smallexample
31518
31519 Show the file for the symbol.
31520
31521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31522
31523 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
31524 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
31525
31526 @subsubheading Example
31527 N.A.
31528
31529
31530 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
31531 @findex -symbol-info-function
31532
31533 @subsubheading Synopsis
31534
31535 @smallexample
31536 -symbol-info-function
31537 @end smallexample
31538
31539 Show which function the symbol lives in.
31540
31541 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31542
31543 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
31544
31545 @subsubheading Example
31546 N.A.
31547
31548
31549 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
31550 @findex -symbol-info-line
31551
31552 @subsubheading Synopsis
31553
31554 @smallexample
31555 -symbol-info-line
31556 @end smallexample
31557
31558 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
31559
31560 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31561
31562 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
31563 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
31564
31565 @subsubheading Example
31566 N.A.
31567
31568
31569 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
31570 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
31571
31572 @subsubheading Synopsis
31573
31574 @smallexample
31575 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
31576 @end smallexample
31577
31578 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
31579
31580 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31581
31582 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
31583
31584 @subsubheading Example
31585 N.A.
31586
31587
31588 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
31589 @findex -symbol-list-functions
31590
31591 @subsubheading Synopsis
31592
31593 @smallexample
31594 -symbol-list-functions
31595 @end smallexample
31596
31597 List the functions in the executable.
31598
31599 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31600
31601 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
31602 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31603
31604 @subsubheading Example
31605 N.A.
31606 @end ignore
31607
31608
31609 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
31610 @findex -symbol-list-lines
31611
31612 @subsubheading Synopsis
31613
31614 @smallexample
31615 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
31616 @end smallexample
31617
31618 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
31619 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
31620 ascending PC order.
31621
31622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31623
31624 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31625
31626 @subsubheading Example
31627 @smallexample
31628 (gdb)
31629 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
31630 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
31631 (gdb)
31632 @end smallexample
31633
31634
31635 @ignore
31636 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
31637 @findex -symbol-list-types
31638
31639 @subsubheading Synopsis
31640
31641 @smallexample
31642 -symbol-list-types
31643 @end smallexample
31644
31645 List all the type names.
31646
31647 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31648
31649 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
31650 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31651
31652 @subsubheading Example
31653 N.A.
31654
31655
31656 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
31657 @findex -symbol-list-variables
31658
31659 @subsubheading Synopsis
31660
31661 @smallexample
31662 -symbol-list-variables
31663 @end smallexample
31664
31665 List all the global and static variable names.
31666
31667 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31668
31669 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31670
31671 @subsubheading Example
31672 N.A.
31673
31674
31675 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
31676 @findex -symbol-locate
31677
31678 @subsubheading Synopsis
31679
31680 @smallexample
31681 -symbol-locate
31682 @end smallexample
31683
31684 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31685
31686 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
31687
31688 @subsubheading Example
31689 N.A.
31690
31691
31692 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
31693 @findex -symbol-type
31694
31695 @subsubheading Synopsis
31696
31697 @smallexample
31698 -symbol-type @var{variable}
31699 @end smallexample
31700
31701 Show type of @var{variable}.
31702
31703 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31704
31705 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
31706 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
31707
31708 @subsubheading Example
31709 N.A.
31710 @end ignore
31711
31712
31713 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31714 @node GDB/MI File Commands
31715 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
31716
31717 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
31718 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
31719
31720 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
31721 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
31722
31723 @subsubheading Synopsis
31724
31725 @smallexample
31726 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
31727 @end smallexample
31728
31729 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
31730 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
31731 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
31732 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
31733 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
31734 notification.
31735
31736 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31737
31738 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
31739
31740 @subsubheading Example
31741
31742 @smallexample
31743 (gdb)
31744 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31745 ^done
31746 (gdb)
31747 @end smallexample
31748
31749
31750 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
31751 @findex -file-exec-file
31752
31753 @subsubheading Synopsis
31754
31755 @smallexample
31756 -file-exec-file @var{file}
31757 @end smallexample
31758
31759 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
31760 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
31761 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
31762 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
31763 notification.
31764
31765 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31766
31767 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
31768
31769 @subsubheading Example
31770
31771 @smallexample
31772 (gdb)
31773 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31774 ^done
31775 (gdb)
31776 @end smallexample
31777
31778
31779 @ignore
31780 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
31781 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
31782
31783 @subsubheading Synopsis
31784
31785 @smallexample
31786 -file-list-exec-sections
31787 @end smallexample
31788
31789 List the sections of the current executable file.
31790
31791 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31792
31793 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
31794 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
31795 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
31796
31797 @subsubheading Example
31798 N.A.
31799 @end ignore
31800
31801
31802 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
31803 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
31804
31805 @subsubheading Synopsis
31806
31807 @smallexample
31808 -file-list-exec-source-file
31809 @end smallexample
31810
31811 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
31812 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
31813 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
31814 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
31815
31816 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31817
31818 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
31819
31820 @subsubheading Example
31821
31822 @smallexample
31823 (gdb)
31824 123-file-list-exec-source-file
31825 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
31826 (gdb)
31827 @end smallexample
31828
31829
31830 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
31831 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
31832
31833 @subsubheading Synopsis
31834
31835 @smallexample
31836 -file-list-exec-source-files
31837 @end smallexample
31838
31839 List the source files for the current executable.
31840
31841 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
31842 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
31843
31844 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31845
31846 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
31847 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
31848
31849 @subsubheading Example
31850 @smallexample
31851 (gdb)
31852 -file-list-exec-source-files
31853 ^done,files=[
31854 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
31855 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
31856 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
31857 (gdb)
31858 @end smallexample
31859
31860 @ignore
31861 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
31862 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
31863
31864 @subsubheading Synopsis
31865
31866 @smallexample
31867 -file-list-shared-libraries
31868 @end smallexample
31869
31870 List the shared libraries in the program.
31871
31872 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31873
31874 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
31875
31876 @subsubheading Example
31877 N.A.
31878
31879
31880 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
31881 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
31882
31883 @subsubheading Synopsis
31884
31885 @smallexample
31886 -file-list-symbol-files
31887 @end smallexample
31888
31889 List symbol files.
31890
31891 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31892
31893 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
31894
31895 @subsubheading Example
31896 N.A.
31897 @end ignore
31898
31899
31900 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
31901 @findex -file-symbol-file
31902
31903 @subsubheading Synopsis
31904
31905 @smallexample
31906 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
31907 @end smallexample
31908
31909 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
31910 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
31911 produced, except for a completion notification.
31912
31913 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31914
31915 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
31916
31917 @subsubheading Example
31918
31919 @smallexample
31920 (gdb)
31921 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31922 ^done
31923 (gdb)
31924 @end smallexample
31925
31926 @ignore
31927 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31928 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31929 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31930
31931 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31932
31933 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31934
31935 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31936
31937 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31938
31939 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31940
31941 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31942
31943 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31944
31945 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31946
31947 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31948 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31949 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31950
31951 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31952
31953 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31954
31955 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31956
31957 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31958 @end ignore
31959
31960
31961 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31962 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31963 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31964
31965
31966 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31967 @findex -target-attach
31968
31969 @subsubheading Synopsis
31970
31971 @smallexample
31972 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31973 @end smallexample
31974
31975 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31976 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31977 group, the id previously returned by
31978 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31979
31980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31981
31982 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31983
31984 @subsubheading Example
31985 @smallexample
31986 (gdb)
31987 -target-attach 34
31988 =thread-created,id="1"
31989 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31990 ^done
31991 (gdb)
31992 @end smallexample
31993
31994 @ignore
31995 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31996 @findex -target-compare-sections
31997
31998 @subsubheading Synopsis
31999
32000 @smallexample
32001 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32002 @end smallexample
32003
32004 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32005 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32006
32007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32008
32009 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32010
32011 @subsubheading Example
32012 N.A.
32013 @end ignore
32014
32015
32016 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32017 @findex -target-detach
32018
32019 @subsubheading Synopsis
32020
32021 @smallexample
32022 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32023 @end smallexample
32024
32025 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32026 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32027 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32028
32029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32030
32031 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32032
32033 @subsubheading Example
32034
32035 @smallexample
32036 (gdb)
32037 -target-detach
32038 ^done
32039 (gdb)
32040 @end smallexample
32041
32042
32043 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32044 @findex -target-disconnect
32045
32046 @subsubheading Synopsis
32047
32048 @smallexample
32049 -target-disconnect
32050 @end smallexample
32051
32052 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32053 generally not resumed.
32054
32055 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32056
32057 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32058
32059 @subsubheading Example
32060
32061 @smallexample
32062 (gdb)
32063 -target-disconnect
32064 ^done
32065 (gdb)
32066 @end smallexample
32067
32068
32069 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32070 @findex -target-download
32071
32072 @subsubheading Synopsis
32073
32074 @smallexample
32075 -target-download
32076 @end smallexample
32077
32078 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32079 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32080
32081 @table @samp
32082 @item section
32083 The name of the section.
32084 @item section-sent
32085 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32086 @item section-size
32087 The size of the section.
32088 @item total-sent
32089 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32090 @item total-size
32091 The size of the overall executable to download.
32092 @end table
32093
32094 @noindent
32095 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32096 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32097
32098 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32099 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32100
32101 @table @samp
32102 @item section
32103 The name of the section.
32104 @item section-size
32105 The size of the section.
32106 @item total-size
32107 The size of the overall executable to download.
32108 @end table
32109
32110 @noindent
32111 At the end, a summary is printed.
32112
32113 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32114
32115 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32116
32117 @subsubheading Example
32118
32119 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32120 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32121
32122 @smallexample
32123 (gdb)
32124 -target-download
32125 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32126 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32127 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32128 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32129 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32130 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32131 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32132 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32133 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32134 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32135 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32136 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32137 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32138 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32139 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32140 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32141 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32142 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32143 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32144 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32145 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32146 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32147 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32148 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32149 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32150 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32151 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32152 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32153 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32154 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32155 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32156 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32157 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32158 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32159 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32160 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32161 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32162 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32163 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32164 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32165 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32166 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32167 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32168 write-rate="429"
32169 (gdb)
32170 @end smallexample
32171
32172
32173 @ignore
32174 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32175 @findex -target-exec-status
32176
32177 @subsubheading Synopsis
32178
32179 @smallexample
32180 -target-exec-status
32181 @end smallexample
32182
32183 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32184 not, for instance).
32185
32186 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32187
32188 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32189
32190 @subsubheading Example
32191 N.A.
32192
32193
32194 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32195 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32196
32197 @subsubheading Synopsis
32198
32199 @smallexample
32200 -target-list-available-targets
32201 @end smallexample
32202
32203 List the possible targets to connect to.
32204
32205 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32206
32207 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32208
32209 @subsubheading Example
32210 N.A.
32211
32212
32213 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32214 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32215
32216 @subsubheading Synopsis
32217
32218 @smallexample
32219 -target-list-current-targets
32220 @end smallexample
32221
32222 Describe the current target.
32223
32224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32225
32226 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32227 other things).
32228
32229 @subsubheading Example
32230 N.A.
32231
32232
32233 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32234 @findex -target-list-parameters
32235
32236 @subsubheading Synopsis
32237
32238 @smallexample
32239 -target-list-parameters
32240 @end smallexample
32241
32242 @c ????
32243 @end ignore
32244
32245 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32246
32247 No equivalent.
32248
32249 @subsubheading Example
32250 N.A.
32251
32252
32253 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32254 @findex -target-select
32255
32256 @subsubheading Synopsis
32257
32258 @smallexample
32259 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32260 @end smallexample
32261
32262 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32263
32264 @table @samp
32265 @item @var{type}
32266 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32267 @item @var{parameters}
32268 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32269 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32270 @end table
32271
32272 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32273 which the target program is, in the following form:
32274
32275 @smallexample
32276 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32277 args=[@var{arg list}]
32278 @end smallexample
32279
32280 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32281
32282 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32283
32284 @subsubheading Example
32285
32286 @smallexample
32287 (gdb)
32288 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32289 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32290 (gdb)
32291 @end smallexample
32292
32293 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32294 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32295 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32296
32297
32298 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32299 @findex -target-file-put
32300
32301 @subsubheading Synopsis
32302
32303 @smallexample
32304 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32305 @end smallexample
32306
32307 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32308 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32309
32310 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32311
32312 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32313
32314 @subsubheading Example
32315
32316 @smallexample
32317 (gdb)
32318 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32319 ^done
32320 (gdb)
32321 @end smallexample
32322
32323
32324 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32325 @findex -target-file-get
32326
32327 @subsubheading Synopsis
32328
32329 @smallexample
32330 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32331 @end smallexample
32332
32333 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32334 on the host system.
32335
32336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32337
32338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32339
32340 @subsubheading Example
32341
32342 @smallexample
32343 (gdb)
32344 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32345 ^done
32346 (gdb)
32347 @end smallexample
32348
32349
32350 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32351 @findex -target-file-delete
32352
32353 @subsubheading Synopsis
32354
32355 @smallexample
32356 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32357 @end smallexample
32358
32359 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32360
32361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32362
32363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32364
32365 @subsubheading Example
32366
32367 @smallexample
32368 (gdb)
32369 -target-file-delete remotefile
32370 ^done
32371 (gdb)
32372 @end smallexample
32373
32374
32375 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32376 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
32377 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32378
32379 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
32380
32381 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
32382 @findex -gdb-exit
32383
32384 @subsubheading Synopsis
32385
32386 @smallexample
32387 -gdb-exit
32388 @end smallexample
32389
32390 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
32391
32392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32393
32394 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
32395
32396 @subsubheading Example
32397
32398 @smallexample
32399 (gdb)
32400 -gdb-exit
32401 ^exit
32402 @end smallexample
32403
32404
32405 @ignore
32406 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
32407 @findex -exec-abort
32408
32409 @subsubheading Synopsis
32410
32411 @smallexample
32412 -exec-abort
32413 @end smallexample
32414
32415 Kill the inferior running program.
32416
32417 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32418
32419 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
32420
32421 @subsubheading Example
32422 N.A.
32423 @end ignore
32424
32425
32426 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
32427 @findex -gdb-set
32428
32429 @subsubheading Synopsis
32430
32431 @smallexample
32432 -gdb-set
32433 @end smallexample
32434
32435 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
32436 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
32437
32438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32439
32440 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
32441
32442 @subsubheading Example
32443
32444 @smallexample
32445 (gdb)
32446 -gdb-set $foo=3
32447 ^done
32448 (gdb)
32449 @end smallexample
32450
32451
32452 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
32453 @findex -gdb-show
32454
32455 @subsubheading Synopsis
32456
32457 @smallexample
32458 -gdb-show
32459 @end smallexample
32460
32461 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
32462
32463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32464
32465 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
32466
32467 @subsubheading Example
32468
32469 @smallexample
32470 (gdb)
32471 -gdb-show annotate
32472 ^done,value="0"
32473 (gdb)
32474 @end smallexample
32475
32476 @c @subheading -gdb-source
32477
32478
32479 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
32480 @findex -gdb-version
32481
32482 @subsubheading Synopsis
32483
32484 @smallexample
32485 -gdb-version
32486 @end smallexample
32487
32488 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
32489
32490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32491
32492 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
32493 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
32494
32495 @subsubheading Example
32496
32497 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
32498 @c box in TeX.
32499 @smallexample
32500 (gdb)
32501 -gdb-version
32502 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
32503 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32504 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
32505 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
32506 ~ certain conditions.
32507 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32508 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
32509 ~ details.
32510 ~This GDB was configured as
32511 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
32512 ^done
32513 (gdb)
32514 @end smallexample
32515
32516 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
32517 @findex -list-features
32518
32519 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
32520 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
32521 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
32522 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
32523 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
32524 startup.
32525
32526 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
32527 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
32528 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
32529 is given below.
32530
32531 Example output:
32532
32533 @smallexample
32534 (gdb) -list-features
32535 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
32536 @end smallexample
32537
32538 The current list of features is:
32539
32540 @table @samp
32541 @item frozen-varobjs
32542 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
32543 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
32544 of @code{-varobj-create}.
32545 @item pending-breakpoints
32546 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
32547 command.
32548 @item python
32549 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
32550 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
32551 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
32552 @item thread-info
32553 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
32554 @item data-read-memory-bytes
32555 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
32556 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
32557 @item breakpoint-notifications
32558 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
32559 CLI will be announced via async records.
32560 @item ada-task-info
32561 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
32562 @end table
32563
32564 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
32565 @findex -list-target-features
32566
32567 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
32568 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
32569 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
32570 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
32571 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
32572 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
32573 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
32574 Example output:
32575
32576 @smallexample
32577 (gdb) -list-features
32578 ^done,result=["async"]
32579 @end smallexample
32580
32581 The current list of features is:
32582
32583 @table @samp
32584 @item async
32585 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
32586 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
32587 while the target is running.
32588
32589 @item reverse
32590 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
32591 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32592
32593 @end table
32594
32595 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
32596 @findex -list-thread-groups
32597
32598 @subheading Synopsis
32599
32600 @smallexample
32601 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
32602 @end smallexample
32603
32604 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
32605 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
32606 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
32607 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
32608 top-level thread groups.
32609
32610 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
32611 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
32612 available on the target.
32613
32614 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
32615 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
32616 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
32617 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
32618 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
32619 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
32620 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
32621 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
32622
32623 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
32624 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
32625 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
32626 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
32627 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
32628 @samp{threads} field.
32629
32630 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
32631 the following caveats:
32632
32633 @itemize @bullet
32634 @item
32635 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
32636 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
32637 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
32638
32639 @item
32640 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
32641 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
32642 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
32643 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
32644 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
32645 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
32646
32647 @end itemize
32648
32649 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
32650 have the following fields:
32651
32652 @table @code
32653 @item id
32654 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
32655 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
32656 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
32657
32658 @item type
32659 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
32660 valid type.
32661
32662 @item pid
32663 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
32664 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
32665
32666 @item num_children
32667 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
32668 absent for an available thread group.
32669
32670 @item threads
32671 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
32672 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
32673 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
32674
32675 @item cores
32676 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
32677 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
32678 such information is not available.
32679
32680 @item executable
32681 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
32682 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
32683 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
32684
32685 @end table
32686
32687 @subheading Example
32688
32689 @smallexample
32690 @value{GDBP}
32691 -list-thread-groups
32692 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
32693 -list-thread-groups 17
32694 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
32695 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
32696 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
32697 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
32698 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
32699 -list-thread-groups --available
32700 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
32701 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
32702 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32703 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32704 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
32705 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
32706 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32707 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32708 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
32709 @end smallexample
32710
32711 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
32712 @findex -info-os
32713
32714 @subsubheading Synopsis
32715
32716 @smallexample
32717 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
32718 @end smallexample
32719
32720 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
32721 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
32722 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
32723 of data of that type.
32724
32725 The types of information available depend on the target operating
32726 system.
32727
32728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32729
32730 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
32731
32732 @subsubheading Example
32733
32734 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
32735 like this:
32736
32737 @smallexample
32738 @value{GDBP}
32739 -info-os
32740 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
32741 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
32742 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
32743 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
32744 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
32745 col2="Processes"@},
32746 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
32747 col2="Process groups"@},
32748 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
32749 col2="Threads"@},
32750 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
32751 col2="File descriptors"@},
32752 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
32753 col2="Sockets"@},
32754 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
32755 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
32756 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
32757 col2="Semaphores"@},
32758 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
32759 col2="Message queues"@},
32760 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
32761 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
32762 @value{GDBP}
32763 -info-os processes
32764 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
32765 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
32766 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
32767 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
32768 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
32769 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
32770 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
32771 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
32772 ...
32773 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
32774 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
32775 (gdb)
32776 @end smallexample
32777
32778 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
32779 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
32780 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
32781 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
32782 @code{info os} omits it.)
32783
32784 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
32785 @findex -add-inferior
32786
32787 @subheading Synopsis
32788
32789 @smallexample
32790 -add-inferior
32791 @end smallexample
32792
32793 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32794 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32795 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32796 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32797 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
32798 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32799
32800 @subheading Example
32801
32802 @smallexample
32803 @value{GDBP}
32804 -add-inferior
32805 ^done,thread-group="i3"
32806 @end smallexample
32807
32808 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32809 @findex -interpreter-exec
32810
32811 @subheading Synopsis
32812
32813 @smallexample
32814 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32815 @end smallexample
32816 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32817
32818 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32819
32820 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32821
32822 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32823
32824 @subheading Example
32825
32826 @smallexample
32827 (gdb)
32828 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32829 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32830 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32831 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32832 ^done
32833 (gdb)
32834 @end smallexample
32835
32836 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32837 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32838
32839 @subheading Synopsis
32840
32841 @smallexample
32842 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32843 @end smallexample
32844
32845 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32846
32847 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32848
32849 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32850
32851 @subheading Example
32852
32853 @smallexample
32854 (gdb)
32855 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32856 ^done
32857 (gdb)
32858 @end smallexample
32859
32860 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32861 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32862
32863 @subheading Synopsis
32864
32865 @smallexample
32866 -inferior-tty-show
32867 @end smallexample
32868
32869 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32870
32871 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32872
32873 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32874
32875 @subheading Example
32876
32877 @smallexample
32878 (gdb)
32879 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32880 ^done
32881 (gdb)
32882 -inferior-tty-show
32883 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32884 (gdb)
32885 @end smallexample
32886
32887 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32888 @findex -enable-timings
32889
32890 @subheading Synopsis
32891
32892 @smallexample
32893 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32894 @end smallexample
32895
32896 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32897 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32898 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32899 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32900
32901 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32902
32903 No equivalent.
32904
32905 @subheading Example
32906
32907 @smallexample
32908 (gdb)
32909 -enable-timings
32910 ^done
32911 (gdb)
32912 -break-insert main
32913 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32914 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32915 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
32916 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32917 (gdb)
32918 -enable-timings no
32919 ^done
32920 (gdb)
32921 -exec-run
32922 ^running
32923 (gdb)
32924 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32925 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32926 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32927 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32928 (gdb)
32929 @end smallexample
32930
32931 @node Annotations
32932 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32933
32934 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32935 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32936 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32937 relatively high level.
32938
32939 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32940 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
32941
32942 @ignore
32943 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32944 @end ignore
32945
32946 @menu
32947 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32948 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32949 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32950 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32951 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32952 * Annotations for Running::
32953 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32954 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32955 @end menu
32956
32957 @node Annotations Overview
32958 @section What is an Annotation?
32959 @cindex annotations
32960
32961 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32962 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32963 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32964 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32965 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32966 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32967 cannot contain newline characters.
32968
32969 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32970 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32971 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32972 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32973 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32974 means those three characters as output.
32975
32976 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32977 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32978 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32979 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32980 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32981 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32982 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32983 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32984 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32985
32986 @table @code
32987 @kindex set annotate
32988 @item set annotate @var{level}
32989 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32990 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32991
32992 @item show annotate
32993 @kindex show annotate
32994 Show the current annotation level.
32995 @end table
32996
32997 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32998
32999 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33000
33001 @smallexample
33002 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33003 GNU gdb 6.0
33004 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33005 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33006 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33007 under certain conditions.
33008 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33009 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33010 for details.
33011 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33012
33013 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33014 (@value{GDBP})
33015 ^Z^Zprompt
33016 @kbd{quit}
33017
33018 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33019 $
33020 @end smallexample
33021
33022 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33023 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33024 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33025 output from @value{GDBN}.
33026
33027 @node Server Prefix
33028 @section The Server Prefix
33029 @cindex server prefix
33030
33031 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33032 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33033 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33034 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33035 a transparent manner.
33036
33037 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33038 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33039 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33040 @code{print} command.
33041
33042 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33043 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33044
33045 @node Prompting
33046 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33047
33048 @cindex annotations for prompts
33049 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33050 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33051 over, etc.
33052
33053 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33054 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33055 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33056 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33057 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33058 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33059 features the following annotations:
33060
33061 @smallexample
33062 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33063 ^Z^Zprompt
33064 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33065 @end smallexample
33066
33067 The input types are
33068
33069 @table @code
33070 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33071 @findex prompt annotation
33072 @findex post-prompt annotation
33073 @item prompt
33074 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33075
33076 @findex pre-commands annotation
33077 @findex commands annotation
33078 @findex post-commands annotation
33079 @item commands
33080 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33081 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33082
33083 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33084 @findex overload-choice annotation
33085 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33086 @item overload-choice
33087 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33088
33089 @findex pre-query annotation
33090 @findex query annotation
33091 @findex post-query annotation
33092 @item query
33093 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33094
33095 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33096 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33097 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33098 @item prompt-for-continue
33099 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33100 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33101 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33102 presence of annotations.
33103 @end table
33104
33105 @node Errors
33106 @section Errors
33107 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33108
33109 @findex quit annotation
33110 @smallexample
33111 ^Z^Zquit
33112 @end smallexample
33113
33114 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33115
33116 @findex error annotation
33117 @smallexample
33118 ^Z^Zerror
33119 @end smallexample
33120
33121 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33122
33123 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33124 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33125 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33126 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33127 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33128 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33129 to the top level.
33130
33131 @findex error-begin annotation
33132 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33133
33134 @smallexample
33135 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33136 @end smallexample
33137
33138 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33139 message.
33140
33141 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33142 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33143 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33144
33145 @node Invalidation
33146 @section Invalidation Notices
33147
33148 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33149 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33150 changed.
33151
33152 @table @code
33153 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33154 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33155
33156 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33157 have changed.
33158
33159 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33160 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33161
33162 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33163 deleted a breakpoint.
33164 @end table
33165
33166 @node Annotations for Running
33167 @section Running the Program
33168 @cindex annotations for running programs
33169
33170 @findex starting annotation
33171 @findex stopping annotation
33172 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33173 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33174
33175 @smallexample
33176 ^Z^Zstarting
33177 @end smallexample
33178
33179 is output. When the program stops,
33180
33181 @smallexample
33182 ^Z^Zstopped
33183 @end smallexample
33184
33185 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33186 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33187
33188 @table @code
33189 @findex exited annotation
33190 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33191 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33192 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33193
33194 @findex signalled annotation
33195 @findex signal-name annotation
33196 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33197 @findex signal-string annotation
33198 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33199 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33200 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33201 annotation continues:
33202
33203 @smallexample
33204 @var{intro-text}
33205 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33206 @var{name}
33207 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33208 @var{middle-text}
33209 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33210 @var{string}
33211 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33212 @var{end-text}
33213 @end smallexample
33214
33215 @noindent
33216 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33217 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33218 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
33219 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33220 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33221
33222 @findex signal annotation
33223 @item ^Z^Zsignal
33224 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33225 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33226 terminated with it.
33227
33228 @findex breakpoint annotation
33229 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33230 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33231
33232 @findex watchpoint annotation
33233 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33234 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33235 @end table
33236
33237 @node Source Annotations
33238 @section Displaying Source
33239 @cindex annotations for source display
33240
33241 @findex source annotation
33242 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33243
33244 @smallexample
33245 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33246 @end smallexample
33247
33248 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33249 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33250 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33251 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33252 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33253 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33254 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33255 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33256 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33257 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33258 depend on the language).
33259
33260 @node JIT Interface
33261 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33262 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33263 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33264
33265 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33266 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33267 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33268 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33269
33270 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33271 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33272 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33273 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33274 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33275 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33276
33277 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33278 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33279 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33280 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33281 LLVM JIT.
33282
33283 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33284 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33285 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33286 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33287 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33288 out about additional code.
33289
33290 @menu
33291 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33292 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33293 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33294 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33295 @end menu
33296
33297 @node Declarations
33298 @section JIT Declarations
33299
33300 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33301 implement the interface:
33302
33303 @smallexample
33304 typedef enum
33305 @{
33306 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
33307 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
33308 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
33309 @} jit_actions_t;
33310
33311 struct jit_code_entry
33312 @{
33313 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
33314 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
33315 const char *symfile_addr;
33316 uint64_t symfile_size;
33317 @};
33318
33319 struct jit_descriptor
33320 @{
33321 uint32_t version;
33322 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
33323 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
33324 uint32_t action_flag;
33325 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
33326 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
33327 @};
33328
33329 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
33330 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
33331
33332 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
33333 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
33334 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
33335 @end smallexample
33336
33337 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
33338 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
33339 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
33340
33341 @node Registering Code
33342 @section Registering Code
33343
33344 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
33345
33346 @itemize @bullet
33347 @item
33348 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
33349 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
33350
33351 @item
33352 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
33353 file.
33354
33355 @item
33356 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
33357
33358 @item
33359 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
33360
33361 @item
33362 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
33363 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33364 @end itemize
33365
33366 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
33367 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
33368 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
33369 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
33370
33371 @node Unregistering Code
33372 @section Unregistering Code
33373
33374 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
33375
33376 @itemize @bullet
33377 @item
33378 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
33379
33380 @item
33381 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
33382
33383 @item
33384 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
33385 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33386 @end itemize
33387
33388 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
33389 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
33390
33391 @node Custom Debug Info
33392 @section Custom Debug Info
33393 @cindex custom JIT debug info
33394 @cindex JIT debug info reader
33395
33396 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
33397 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
33398 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
33399 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
33400 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
33401 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
33402 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
33403 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
33404 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
33405
33406 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
33407 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
33408 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
33409 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
33410 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
33411 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
33412 compiler.
33413
33414 @menu
33415 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
33416 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
33417 @end menu
33418
33419 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33420 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33421 @kindex jit-reader-load
33422 @kindex jit-reader-unload
33423
33424 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
33425 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
33426
33427 @table @code
33428 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader-name}
33429 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader-name}. On a UNIX system, this
33430 will usually load @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/@var{reader-name}}, where
33431 @var{libdir} is the system library directory, usually
33432 @file{/usr/local/lib}. Only one reader can be active at a time;
33433 trying to load a second reader when one is already loaded will result
33434 in @value{GDBN} reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by
33435 first unloading the current one using @code{jit-reader-load} and then
33436 invoking @code{jit-reader-load}.
33437
33438 @item jit-reader-unload
33439 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
33440
33441 @end table
33442
33443 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33444 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33445 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
33446
33447 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
33448 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
33449
33450 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
33451 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
33452 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
33453 the system include directory.
33454
33455 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
33456 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
33457 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
33458
33459 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
33460 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
33461
33462 @findex gdb_init_reader
33463 @smallexample
33464 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
33465 @end smallexample
33466
33467 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
33468
33469 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
33470 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
33471 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
33472 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
33473 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
33474 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
33475
33476 @smallexample
33477 struct gdb_reader_funcs
33478 @{
33479 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
33480 int reader_version;
33481
33482 /* For use by the reader. */
33483 void *priv_data;
33484
33485 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
33486 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
33487 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
33488 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
33489 @};
33490 @end smallexample
33491
33492 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
33493 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
33494
33495 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
33496 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
33497 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
33498 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
33499 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
33500 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
33501 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
33502 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
33503 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
33504 target's address space.
33505
33506 @node In-Process Agent
33507 @chapter In-Process Agent
33508 @cindex debugging agent
33509 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
33510 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
33511 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
33512 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
33513 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
33514 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
33515 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
33516 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
33517 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
33518 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
33519 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
33520 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
33521 behavior without interrupting it.
33522
33523 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
33524 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
33525 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
33526 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
33527 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
33528 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
33529 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
33530 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
33531 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
33532
33533 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
33534 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
33535 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
33536 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
33537
33538 @anchor{Control Agent}
33539 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
33540 debugging with the following commands:
33541
33542 @table @code
33543 @kindex set agent on
33544 @item set agent on
33545 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
33546 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
33547 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
33548 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
33549 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
33550 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
33551
33552 @kindex set agent off
33553 @item set agent off
33554 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
33555 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
33556
33557 @kindex show agent
33558 @item show agent
33559 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
33560 the in-process agent.
33561 @end table
33562
33563 @menu
33564 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
33565 @end menu
33566
33567 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
33568 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
33569 @cindex in-process agent protocol
33570
33571 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
33572 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
33573 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
33574 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
33575 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
33576 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
33577 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
33578 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
33579 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
33580
33581 @menu
33582 * IPA Protocol Objects::
33583 * IPA Protocol Commands::
33584 @end menu
33585
33586 @node IPA Protocol Objects
33587 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
33588 @cindex ipa protocol objects
33589
33590 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
33591 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
33592
33593 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
33594 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
33595 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
33596 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
33597
33598 @enumerate
33599 @item
33600 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
33601 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
33602 @item
33603 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
33604 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
33605 the other one.
33606 @end enumerate
33607
33608 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
33609
33610 @enumerate
33611 @item
33612 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
33613 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
33614 @anchor{agent expression object}
33615 @item
33616 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
33617 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
33618 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
33619 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
33620 @item
33621 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33622 @anchor{tracepoint object}
33623
33624 @end enumerate
33625
33626 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
33627 object:
33628
33629 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
33630 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
33631 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
33632 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
33633 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
33634 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
33635 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33636 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
33637 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
33638 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
33639 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
33640 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
33641 memory address for collecting.
33642 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
33643 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33644 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
33645 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33646 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
33647 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33648 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
33649 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
33650 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
33651 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
33652 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
33653 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
33654 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
33655 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
33656 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
33657 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
33658 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
33659 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
33660 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
33661 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
33662 @ref{agent expression object}
33663 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
33664 @ref{agent expression object}
33665 @item actions @tab variable
33666 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
33667 @end multitable
33668
33669 @node IPA Protocol Commands
33670 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
33671 @cindex ipa protocol commands
33672
33673 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
33674 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
33675
33676 @table @samp
33677
33678 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
33679 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
33680 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
33681 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
33682 in IPA finally.
33683
33684 Replies:
33685 @table @samp
33686 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
33687 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
33688 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
33689 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
33690 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
33691 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
33692 @item E @var{NN}
33693 for an error
33694
33695 @end table
33696
33697 @item close
33698 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
33699 is about to kill inferiors.
33700
33701 @item qTfSTM
33702 @xref{qTfSTM}.
33703 @item qTsSTM
33704 @xref{qTsSTM}.
33705 @item qTSTMat
33706 @xref{qTSTMat}.
33707 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
33708 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
33709
33710 Replies:
33711 @table @samp
33712 @item E @var{NN}
33713 for an error
33714 @end table
33715 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
33716 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
33717 @end table
33718
33719 @node GDB Bugs
33720 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
33721 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
33722 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
33723
33724 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
33725
33726 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
33727 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
33728 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
33729 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
33730
33731 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
33732 information that enables us to fix the bug.
33733
33734 @menu
33735 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
33736 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
33737 @end menu
33738
33739 @node Bug Criteria
33740 @section Have You Found a Bug?
33741 @cindex bug criteria
33742
33743 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
33744
33745 @itemize @bullet
33746 @cindex fatal signal
33747 @cindex debugger crash
33748 @cindex crash of debugger
33749 @item
33750 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
33751 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
33752
33753 @cindex error on valid input
33754 @item
33755 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
33756 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
33757 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
33758
33759 @cindex invalid input
33760 @item
33761 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
33762 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
33763 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
33764 for traditional practice''.
33765
33766 @item
33767 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
33768 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
33769 @end itemize
33770
33771 @node Bug Reporting
33772 @section How to Report Bugs
33773 @cindex bug reports
33774 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
33775
33776 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
33777 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
33778 contact that organization first.
33779
33780 You can find contact information for many support companies and
33781 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
33782 distribution.
33783 @c should add a web page ref...
33784
33785 @ifset BUGURL
33786 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
33787 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33788 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33789 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33790 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33791 be used.
33792
33793 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33794 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33795 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33796 @samp{bug-gdb}.
33797
33798 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33799 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33800 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33801 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33802 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33803 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33804 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33805 bug reports to the mailing list.
33806 @end ifset
33807 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33808 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33809 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33810 @end ifclear
33811 @end ifset
33812
33813 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33814 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33815 fact or leave it out, state it!
33816
33817 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33818 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33819 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33820 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33821 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33822 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33823 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33824 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33825 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33826
33827 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33828 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33829 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33830 self-contained.
33831
33832 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33833 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33834 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33835 bugs properly.
33836
33837 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33838
33839 @itemize @bullet
33840 @item
33841 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33842 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33843 version}.
33844
33845 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33846 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33847
33848 @item
33849 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33850 version number.
33851
33852 @item
33853 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33854 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33855
33856 @item
33857 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33858 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33859 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33860 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33861 those compilers.
33862
33863 @item
33864 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33865 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33866 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33867 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33868
33869 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33870 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33871
33872 @item
33873 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33874 reproduce the bug.
33875
33876 @item
33877 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33878 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33879
33880 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33881 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33882 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33883 a chance to make a mistake.
33884
33885 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33886 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33887 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33888 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33889 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33890 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33891 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33892 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33893
33894 @pindex script
33895 @cindex recording a session script
33896 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33897 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33898 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33899 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33900
33901 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33902 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33903
33904 @item
33905 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33906 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33907 it by context, not by line number.
33908
33909 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33910 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33911
33912 @end itemize
33913
33914 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33915
33916 @itemize @bullet
33917 @item
33918 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33919
33920 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33921 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33922 changes will not affect it.
33923
33924 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33925 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33926 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33927 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33928
33929 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33930 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33931 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33932 less time, and so on.
33933
33934 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33935 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33936
33937 @item
33938 A patch for the bug.
33939
33940 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33941 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33942 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33943 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33944
33945 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33946 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33947 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33948 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33949
33950 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33951 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33952 help us to understand.
33953
33954 @item
33955 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33956
33957 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33958 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33959 @end itemize
33960
33961 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33962 @c and consists of the two following files:
33963 @c rluser.texi
33964 @c hsuser.texi
33965 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33966 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33967 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33968 @include rluser.texi
33969 @include hsuser.texi
33970 @end ifclear
33971
33972 @node In Memoriam
33973 @appendix In Memoriam
33974
33975 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33976 contributors:
33977
33978 @table @code
33979 @item Fred Fish
33980 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33981 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33982 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33983
33984 @item Michael Snyder
33985 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33986 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33987 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33988 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33989 @end table
33990
33991 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33992 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33993
33994 @node Formatting Documentation
33995 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33996
33997 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33998 @cindex reference card
33999 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34000 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34001 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34002 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34003 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34004 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34005
34006 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34007 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34008
34009 @smallexample
34010 make refcard.dvi
34011 @end smallexample
34012
34013 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34014 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34015 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34016 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34017 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34018
34019 @cindex documentation
34020
34021 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34022 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34023 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34024 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34025 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34026 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34027
34028 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34029 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34030 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34031 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34032 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34033 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34034 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34035 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34036
34037 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34038 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34039 @code{makeinfo}.
34040
34041 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34042 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34043 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34044
34045 @smallexample
34046 cd gdb
34047 make gdb.info
34048 @end smallexample
34049
34050 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34051 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34052 Texinfo definitions file.
34053
34054 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34055 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34056 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34057 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34058 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34059 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34060 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34061
34062 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34063 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34064 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34065 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34066 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34067 directory.
34068
34069 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34070 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34071 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34072 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34073
34074 @smallexample
34075 make gdb.dvi
34076 @end smallexample
34077
34078 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34079
34080 @node Installing GDB
34081 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34082 @cindex installation
34083
34084 @menu
34085 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34086 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34087 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34088 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34089 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34090 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34091 @end menu
34092
34093 @node Requirements
34094 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34095 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34096
34097 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34098 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34099
34100 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34101 @table @asis
34102 @item ISO C90 compiler
34103 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34104 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34105
34106 @end table
34107
34108 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34109 @table @asis
34110 @item Expat
34111 @anchor{Expat}
34112 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34113 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34114 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34115 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34116 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34117 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34118
34119 Expat is used for:
34120
34121 @itemize @bullet
34122 @item
34123 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34124 @item
34125 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34126 @item
34127 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34128 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34129 @item
34130 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34131 @item
34132 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34133 @end itemize
34134
34135 @item zlib
34136 @cindex compressed debug sections
34137 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34138 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34139 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34140 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34141 information in such binaries.
34142
34143 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34144 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34145 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34146
34147 @item iconv
34148 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34149 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34150 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34151 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34152
34153 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34154 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34155 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34156 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34157
34158 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34159 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34160 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34161
34162 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34163 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34164 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34165 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34166 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34167 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34168 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34169 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34170 @end table
34171
34172 @node Running Configure
34173 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34174 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34175 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34176 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34177 build the @code{gdb} program.
34178 @iftex
34179 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34180 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34181 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34182 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34183 @end iftex
34184
34185 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34186 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34187 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34188
34189 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34190 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34191
34192 @table @code
34193 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34194 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34195
34196 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34197 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34198
34199 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34200 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34201
34202 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34203 @sc{gnu} include files
34204
34205 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34206 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34207
34208 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34209 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34210
34211 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34212 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34213
34214 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34215 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34216
34217 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34218 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34219 @end table
34220
34221 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34222 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34223 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34224
34225 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34226 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34227 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34228 argument.
34229
34230 For example:
34231
34232 @smallexample
34233 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34234 ./configure @var{host}
34235 make
34236 @end smallexample
34237
34238 @noindent
34239 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34240 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34241 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34242 correct value by examining your system.)
34243
34244 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34245 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34246 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34247 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34248
34249 @need 750
34250 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34251 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34252 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34253
34254 @smallexample
34255 sh configure @var{host}
34256 @end smallexample
34257
34258 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34259 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34260 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34261 @file{configure}
34262 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34263 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34264
34265 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34266 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34267 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34268 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34269 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34270 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34271 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34272 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34273 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34274
34275 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34276 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34277 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34278 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
34279 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
34280
34281 @node Separate Objdir
34282 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
34283
34284 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
34285 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
34286 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
34287 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
34288 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
34289 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
34290 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
34291 program specified there.
34292
34293 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
34294 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
34295 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
34296 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
34297 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
34298 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
34299
34300 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
34301 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
34302
34303 @smallexample
34304 @group
34305 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34306 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
34307 cd ../gdb-sun4
34308 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
34309 make
34310 @end group
34311 @end smallexample
34312
34313 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
34314 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
34315 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
34316 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
34317 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
34318 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
34319
34320 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
34321 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
34322 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
34323 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
34324 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34325
34326 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
34327 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
34328 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
34329 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
34330 You specify a cross-debugging target by
34331 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
34332
34333 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
34334 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
34335 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
34336
34337 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
34338 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
34339 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
34340 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
34341 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
34342
34343 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
34344 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
34345 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
34346 with each other.
34347
34348 @node Config Names
34349 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
34350
34351 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
34352 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
34353 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
34354 of information in the following pattern:
34355
34356 @smallexample
34357 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
34358 @end smallexample
34359
34360 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
34361 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
34362 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
34363
34364 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
34365 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
34366 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
34367 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
34368 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
34369 abbreviations---for example:
34370
34371 @smallexample
34372 % sh config.sub i386-linux
34373 i386-pc-linux-gnu
34374 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
34375 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
34376 % sh config.sub hp9k700
34377 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
34378 % sh config.sub sun4
34379 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
34380 % sh config.sub sun3
34381 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
34382 % sh config.sub i986v
34383 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
34384 @end smallexample
34385
34386 @noindent
34387 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
34388 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
34389
34390 @node Configure Options
34391 @section @file{configure} Options
34392
34393 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
34394 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
34395 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
34396 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
34397
34398 @smallexample
34399 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
34400 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34401 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34402 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
34403 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
34404 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
34405 @var{host}
34406 @end smallexample
34407
34408 @noindent
34409 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
34410 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
34411 @samp{--}.
34412
34413 @table @code
34414 @item --help
34415 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
34416
34417 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
34418 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
34419 @file{@var{dir}}.
34420
34421 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
34422 Configure the source to install programs under directory
34423 @file{@var{dir}}.
34424
34425 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
34426 @need 2000
34427 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
34428 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
34429 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
34430 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
34431 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
34432 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
34433 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
34434 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
34435 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
34436 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
34437 @var{dirname}.
34438
34439 @item --norecursion
34440 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
34441 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
34442
34443 @item --target=@var{target}
34444 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
34445 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
34446 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
34447
34448 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
34449
34450 @item @var{host} @dots{}
34451 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
34452
34453 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
34454 @end table
34455
34456 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
34457 needed for special purposes only.
34458
34459 @node System-wide configuration
34460 @section System-wide configuration and settings
34461 @cindex system-wide init file
34462
34463 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
34464 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
34465 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
34466
34467 Here is the corresponding configure option:
34468
34469 @table @code
34470 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
34471 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
34472 @var{file}.
34473 @end table
34474
34475 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
34476 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
34477
34478 @itemize @bullet
34479 @item
34480 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
34481 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
34482 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
34483 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
34484 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
34485 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
34486
34487 @item
34488 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
34489 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
34490 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34491 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34492 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
34493 @end itemize
34494
34495 @node Maintenance Commands
34496 @appendix Maintenance Commands
34497 @cindex maintenance commands
34498 @cindex internal commands
34499
34500 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
34501 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
34502 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
34503 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
34504 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
34505
34506 @table @code
34507 @kindex maint agent
34508 @kindex maint agent-eval
34509 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34510 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34511 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
34512 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
34513 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
34514 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
34515 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
34516 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
34517 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
34518 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
34519 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
34520 addition and return the sum.
34521 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
34522 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
34523
34524 @kindex maint agent-printf
34525 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
34526 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
34527 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
34528 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
34529 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}.
34530
34531 @kindex maint info breakpoints
34532 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
34533 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
34534 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
34535 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
34536 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
34537 is shown:
34538
34539 @table @code
34540 @item breakpoint
34541 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
34542
34543 @item watchpoint
34544 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
34545
34546 @item longjmp
34547 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
34548 @code{longjmp} calls.
34549
34550 @item longjmp resume
34551 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
34552
34553 @item until
34554 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
34555
34556 @item finish
34557 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
34558
34559 @item shlib events
34560 Shared library events.
34561
34562 @end table
34563
34564 @kindex maint info bfds
34565 @item maint info bfds
34566 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
34567 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
34568
34569 @kindex set displaced-stepping
34570 @kindex show displaced-stepping
34571 @cindex displaced stepping support
34572 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
34573 @item set displaced-stepping
34574 @itemx show displaced-stepping
34575 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
34576 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
34577 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
34578 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
34579 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
34580
34581 @table @code
34582 @item set displaced-stepping on
34583 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
34584 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
34585
34586 @item set displaced-stepping off
34587 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
34588 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
34589
34590 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
34591 @item set displaced-stepping auto
34592 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
34593 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
34594 architecture supports displaced stepping.
34595 @end table
34596
34597 @kindex maint check-symtabs
34598 @item maint check-symtabs
34599 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
34600
34601 @kindex maint cplus first_component
34602 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
34603 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
34604
34605 @kindex maint cplus namespace
34606 @item maint cplus namespace
34607 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
34608
34609 @kindex maint demangle
34610 @item maint demangle @var{name}
34611 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
34612
34613 @kindex maint deprecate
34614 @kindex maint undeprecate
34615 @cindex deprecated commands
34616 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
34617 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
34618 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
34619 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
34620 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
34621 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
34622 the replacement as part of the warning.
34623
34624 @kindex maint dump-me
34625 @item maint dump-me
34626 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
34627 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
34628 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
34629 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
34630
34631 @kindex maint internal-error
34632 @kindex maint internal-warning
34633 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34634 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34635 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
34636 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
34637 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
34638 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
34639 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
34640 @value{GDBN} session.
34641
34642 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
34643 used as the text of the error or warning message.
34644
34645 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
34646
34647 @smallexample
34648 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
34649 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
34650 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
34651 debugging may prove unreliable.
34652 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34653 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34654 (@value{GDBP})
34655 @end smallexample
34656
34657 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34658 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34659
34660 @kindex maint set internal-error
34661 @kindex maint show internal-error
34662 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34663 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34664 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34665 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34666 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34667 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34668 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34669 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34670 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34671 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34672 described in the table below.
34673
34674 @table @samp
34675 @item quit
34676 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34677 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34678
34679 @item corefile
34680 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34681 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34682 @end table
34683
34684 @kindex maint packet
34685 @item maint packet @var{text}
34686 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34687 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34688 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34689 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34690 checksum.
34691
34692 @kindex maint print architecture
34693 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34694 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34695 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34696
34697 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34698 @item maint print c-tdesc
34699 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34700 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34701 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34702
34703 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34704 @item maint print dummy-frames
34705 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34706
34707 @smallexample
34708 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34709 @dots{}
34710 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34711 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34712 58 return (a + b);
34713 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34714 @dots{}
34715 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34716 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
34717 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
34718 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
34719 (@value{GDBP})
34720 @end smallexample
34721
34722 Takes an optional file parameter.
34723
34724 @kindex maint print registers
34725 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34726 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34727 @kindex maint print register-groups
34728 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34729 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34730 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34731 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34732 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34733 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34734 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34735
34736 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34737 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34738 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34739 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34740 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34741 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34742 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34743 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
34744 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
34745
34746 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34747 write the information.
34748
34749 @kindex maint print reggroups
34750 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34751 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34752 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34753 information.
34754
34755 The register groups info looks like this:
34756
34757 @smallexample
34758 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34759 Group Type
34760 general user
34761 float user
34762 all user
34763 vector user
34764 system user
34765 save internal
34766 restore internal
34767 @end smallexample
34768
34769 @kindex flushregs
34770 @item flushregs
34771 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34772
34773 @kindex maint print objfiles
34774 @cindex info for known object files
34775 @item maint print objfiles
34776 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
34777 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
34778 and symtabs.
34779
34780 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34781 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34782 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34783 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34784 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34785 matching @var{regexp}.
34786 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34787 and the full path if known.
34788 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34789
34790 @kindex maint print statistics
34791 @cindex bcache statistics
34792 @item maint print statistics
34793 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34794 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34795 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34796 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34797 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34798 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34799 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34800 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34801 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34802 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34803 lengths.
34804
34805 @kindex maint print target-stack
34806 @cindex target stack description
34807 @item maint print target-stack
34808 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34809 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34810 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34811 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34812 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34813 address.
34814
34815 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34816 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34817
34818 @kindex maint print type
34819 @cindex type chain of a data type
34820 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34821 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34822 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34823 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34824 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34825 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34826
34827 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34828 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34829 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34830 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34831 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34832 information.
34833
34834 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34835 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34836 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34837 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34838 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34839 always see the disassembly form.
34840
34841 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34842
34843 @smallexample
34844 (gdb) info addr argc
34845 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34846 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
34847 @end smallexample
34848
34849 For more information on these expressions, see
34850 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34851
34852 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34853 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34854 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34855 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34856 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
34857
34858 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
34859 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34860 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
34861 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34862 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34863 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34864 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34865 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34866 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34867
34868 @kindex maint set profile
34869 @kindex maint show profile
34870 @cindex profiling GDB
34871 @item maint set profile
34872 @itemx maint show profile
34873 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34874
34875 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34876 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34877 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34878 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34879 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34880 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34881 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34882
34883 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34884 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34885
34886 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34887 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34888 @cindex hardware debug registers
34889 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34890 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34891 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34892 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
34893 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34894 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34895 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34896
34897 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34898 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34899 @item maint set show-all-tib
34900 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34901 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34902 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34903 command.
34904
34905 @kindex maint space
34906 @cindex memory used by commands
34907 @item maint space
34908 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
34909 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34910 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
34911 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
34912 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34913
34914 @kindex maint time
34915 @cindex time of command execution
34916 @item maint time
34917 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
34918 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34919 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34920 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34921 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34922 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
34923 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34924 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34925 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34926 spent by the program been debugged.
34927 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34928 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34929
34930 @kindex maint translate-address
34931 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34932 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34933 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34934 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34935 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34936 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34937 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34938
34939 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34940 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34941 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34942
34943 @end table
34944
34945 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34946 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34947
34948 @table @code
34949 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34950 @kindex set watchdog
34951 @cindex watchdog timer
34952 @cindex timeout for commands
34953 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34954 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34955 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34956
34957 @item show watchdog
34958 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34959 @end table
34960
34961 @node Remote Protocol
34962 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34963
34964 @menu
34965 * Overview::
34966 * Packets::
34967 * Stop Reply Packets::
34968 * General Query Packets::
34969 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34970 * Tracepoint Packets::
34971 * Host I/O Packets::
34972 * Interrupts::
34973 * Notification Packets::
34974 * Remote Non-Stop::
34975 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34976 * Examples::
34977 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34978 * Library List Format::
34979 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34980 * Memory Map Format::
34981 * Thread List Format::
34982 * Traceframe Info Format::
34983 @end menu
34984
34985 @node Overview
34986 @section Overview
34987
34988 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34989 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34990 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34991 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34992
34993 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34994 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34995
34996 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34997 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34998 @cindex remote serial protocol
34999 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35000 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35001 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35002 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35003 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35004
35005 @smallexample
35006 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35007 @end smallexample
35008 @noindent
35009
35010 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35011 @noindent
35012 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35013 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35014 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35015
35016 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35017 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35018
35019 @smallexample
35020 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35021 @end smallexample
35022
35023 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35024 @noindent
35025 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35026 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35027 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35028
35029 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35030 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35031 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35032 retransmission):
35033
35034 @smallexample
35035 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35036 <- @code{+}
35037 @end smallexample
35038 @noindent
35039
35040 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35041 once a connection is established.
35042 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35043
35044 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35045 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35046 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35047 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35048 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35049 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35050 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35051
35052 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35053 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35054 exceptions).
35055
35056 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35057 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35058 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35059 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35060
35061 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35062 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35063 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35064
35065 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35066 @anchor{Binary Data}
35067 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35068 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35069 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35070 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35071 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35072 binary data.
35073
35074 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35075 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35076 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35077 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35078 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35079 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35080 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35081 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35082 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35083 (described next).
35084
35085 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35086 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35087 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35088 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35089 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35090 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35091 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35092 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35093 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35094 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35095 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35096 3}} more times.
35097
35098 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35099 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35100 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35101 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35102 @samp{0*"00}.
35103
35104 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35105 error number. That number is not well defined.
35106
35107 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35108 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35109 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35110 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35111 on that response.
35112
35113 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35114 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35115 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35116 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35117 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35118 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35119
35120 @node Packets
35121 @section Packets
35122
35123 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35124 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35125 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35126 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35127
35128 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35129 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35130 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35131 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35132 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35133 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35134 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35135 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35136 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35137 @var{baz}.
35138
35139 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35140 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35141 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35142 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35143 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35144 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35145 pick any thread.
35146
35147 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35148 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35149 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35150 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35151 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35152 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
35153 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
35154 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
35155 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
35156 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
35157 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
35158 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
35159 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
35160
35161 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
35162 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
35163 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
35164 more information.
35165
35166 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
35167 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
35168
35169 Here are the packet descriptions.
35170
35171 @table @samp
35172
35173 @item !
35174 @cindex @samp{!} packet
35175 @anchor{extended mode}
35176 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
35177 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
35178 debugged.
35179
35180 Reply:
35181 @table @samp
35182 @item OK
35183 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
35184 @end table
35185
35186 @item ?
35187 @cindex @samp{?} packet
35188 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
35189 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
35190 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
35191
35192 Reply:
35193 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35194
35195 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
35196 @cindex @samp{A} packet
35197 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
35198 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
35199 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
35200
35201 Reply:
35202 @table @samp
35203 @item OK
35204 The arguments were set.
35205 @item E @var{NN}
35206 An error occurred.
35207 @end table
35208
35209 @item b @var{baud}
35210 @cindex @samp{b} packet
35211 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
35212 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
35213
35214 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
35215 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
35216 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
35217
35218 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
35219 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
35220 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
35221 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
35222 of view, nothing actually happened.}
35223
35224 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
35225 @cindex @samp{B} packet
35226 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
35227 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
35228
35229 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
35230 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
35231
35232 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
35233 @anchor{bc}
35234 @item bc
35235 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
35236 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35237
35238 Reply:
35239 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35240
35241 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
35242 @anchor{bs}
35243 @item bs
35244 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
35245 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35246
35247 Reply:
35248 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35249
35250 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35251 @cindex @samp{c} packet
35252 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
35253 resume at current address.
35254
35255 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35256 packet}.
35257
35258 Reply:
35259 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35260
35261 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35262 @cindex @samp{C} packet
35263 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
35264 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
35265
35266 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35267 packet}.
35268
35269 Reply:
35270 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35271
35272 @item d
35273 @cindex @samp{d} packet
35274 Toggle debug flag.
35275
35276 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
35277 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
35278
35279 @item D
35280 @itemx D;@var{pid}
35281 @cindex @samp{D} packet
35282 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
35283 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
35284 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
35285
35286 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
35287 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
35288 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
35289 big-endian hex string.
35290
35291 Reply:
35292 @table @samp
35293 @item OK
35294 for success
35295 @item E @var{NN}
35296 for an error
35297 @end table
35298
35299 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
35300 @cindex @samp{F} packet
35301 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
35302 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
35303 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
35304
35305 @item g
35306 @anchor{read registers packet}
35307 @cindex @samp{g} packet
35308 Read general registers.
35309
35310 Reply:
35311 @table @samp
35312 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35313 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
35314 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
35315 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
35316 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
35317 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
35318 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
35319
35320 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
35321 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
35322 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
35323 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
35324 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
35325 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
35326 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
35327 have been collected, and both have zero value:
35328
35329 @smallexample
35330 -> @code{g}
35331 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
35332 @end smallexample
35333
35334 @item E @var{NN}
35335 for an error.
35336 @end table
35337
35338 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
35339 @cindex @samp{G} packet
35340 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
35341 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
35342
35343 Reply:
35344 @table @samp
35345 @item OK
35346 for success
35347 @item E @var{NN}
35348 for an error
35349 @end table
35350
35351 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
35352 @cindex @samp{H} packet
35353 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
35354 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
35355 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
35356 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
35357 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
35358 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
35359 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35360
35361 Reply:
35362 @table @samp
35363 @item OK
35364 for success
35365 @item E @var{NN}
35366 for an error
35367 @end table
35368
35369 @c FIXME: JTC:
35370 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
35371 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
35372 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
35373 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
35374 @c described. For example:
35375 @c
35376 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35377 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
35378 @c otherwise returns current registers.
35379 @c
35380 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35381 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
35382 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
35383
35384 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
35385 @anchor{cycle step packet}
35386 @cindex @samp{i} packet
35387 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
35388 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
35389 step starting at that address.
35390
35391 @item I
35392 @cindex @samp{I} packet
35393 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
35394 step packet}.
35395
35396 @item k
35397 @cindex @samp{k} packet
35398 Kill request.
35399
35400 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
35401 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
35402 thread?)}.
35403
35404 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
35405 @cindex @samp{m} packet
35406 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35407 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
35408
35409 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
35410 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
35411 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
35412 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
35413 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
35414 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
35415 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
35416 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
35417
35418 Reply:
35419 @table @samp
35420 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35421 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
35422 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
35423 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
35424 @item E @var{NN}
35425 @var{NN} is errno
35426 @end table
35427
35428 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35429 @cindex @samp{M} packet
35430 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35431 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
35432 hexadecimal number.
35433
35434 Reply:
35435 @table @samp
35436 @item OK
35437 for success
35438 @item E @var{NN}
35439 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
35440 written).
35441 @end table
35442
35443 @item p @var{n}
35444 @cindex @samp{p} packet
35445 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
35446 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
35447 register value is encoded.
35448
35449 Reply:
35450 @table @samp
35451 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35452 the register's value
35453 @item E @var{NN}
35454 for an error
35455 @item
35456 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
35457 @end table
35458
35459 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
35460 @anchor{write register packet}
35461 @cindex @samp{P} packet
35462 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
35463 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
35464 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
35465
35466 Reply:
35467 @table @samp
35468 @item OK
35469 for success
35470 @item E @var{NN}
35471 for an error
35472 @end table
35473
35474 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35475 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35476 @cindex @samp{q} packet
35477 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
35478 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
35479 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
35480
35481 @item r
35482 @cindex @samp{r} packet
35483 Reset the entire system.
35484
35485 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
35486
35487 @item R @var{XX}
35488 @cindex @samp{R} packet
35489 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
35490 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35491
35492 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
35493
35494 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35495 @cindex @samp{s} packet
35496 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
35497 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
35498
35499 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35500 packet}.
35501
35502 Reply:
35503 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35504
35505 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35506 @anchor{step with signal packet}
35507 @cindex @samp{S} packet
35508 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
35509 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
35510
35511 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35512 packet}.
35513
35514 Reply:
35515 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35516
35517 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
35518 @cindex @samp{t} packet
35519 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
35520 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
35521 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
35522
35523 @item T @var{thread-id}
35524 @cindex @samp{T} packet
35525 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35526
35527 Reply:
35528 @table @samp
35529 @item OK
35530 thread is still alive
35531 @item E @var{NN}
35532 thread is dead
35533 @end table
35534
35535 @item v
35536 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
35537 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
35538
35539 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
35540 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
35541 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
35542 The process ID is a
35543 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
35544 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
35545 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
35546
35547 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35548 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35549 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35550 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35551 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35552 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35553 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35554 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35555
35556 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35557
35558 Reply:
35559 @table @samp
35560 @item E @var{nn}
35561 for an error
35562 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35563 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35564 @item OK
35565 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35566 @end table
35567
35568 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35569 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35570 @anchor{vCont packet}
35571 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35572 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35573 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35574 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35575 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35576 Specifying multiple
35577 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35578 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35579
35580 Currently supported actions are:
35581
35582 @table @samp
35583 @item c
35584 Continue.
35585 @item C @var{sig}
35586 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35587 @item s
35588 Step.
35589 @item S @var{sig}
35590 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35591 @item t
35592 Stop.
35593 @end table
35594
35595 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35596 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35597 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35598
35599 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35600 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35601 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35602 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35603 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35604 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35605 as an implementation detail.
35606
35607 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35608 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35609 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35610 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35611 @var{thread-id}.
35612
35613 Reply:
35614 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35615
35616 @item vCont?
35617 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35618 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35619
35620 Reply:
35621 @table @samp
35622 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35623 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35624 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35625 @item
35626 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35627 @end table
35628
35629 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35630 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35631 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35632 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35633
35634 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35635 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35636 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35637 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35638 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35639 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35640 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35641 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35642 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35643 packet is received.
35644
35645 Reply:
35646 @table @samp
35647 @item OK
35648 for success
35649 @item E @var{NN}
35650 for an error
35651 @end table
35652
35653 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35654 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35655 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35656 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35657 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35658 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35659 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35660 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35661 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35662 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35663 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35664 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35665
35666
35667 Reply:
35668 @table @samp
35669 @item OK
35670 for success
35671 @item E.memtype
35672 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35673 @item E @var{NN}
35674 for an error
35675 @end table
35676
35677 @item vFlashDone
35678 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35679 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35680 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35681 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35682 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35683 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35684 request is completed.
35685
35686 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35687 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35688 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
35689 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35690 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35691 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35692
35693 Reply:
35694 @table @samp
35695 @item E @var{nn}
35696 for an error
35697 @item OK
35698 for success
35699 @end table
35700
35701 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35702 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35703 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35704 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35705 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35706 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35707 state.
35708
35709 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35710
35711 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35712
35713 Reply:
35714 @table @samp
35715 @item E @var{nn}
35716 for an error
35717 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35718 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35719 @end table
35720
35721 @item vStopped
35722 @anchor{vStopped packet}
35723 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35724
35725 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
35726 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
35727
35728 Reply:
35729 @table @samp
35730 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35731 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35732 @item OK
35733 if there are no unreported stop events
35734 @end table
35735
35736 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35737 @anchor{X packet}
35738 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35739 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35740 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
35741 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35742
35743 Reply:
35744 @table @samp
35745 @item OK
35746 for success
35747 @item E @var{NN}
35748 for an error
35749 @end table
35750
35751 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35752 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35753 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35754 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35755 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35756 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35757 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35758
35759 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35760 separately.
35761
35762 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35763 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35764 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35765 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35766 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35767 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35768
35769 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35770 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35771 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35772 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35773 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35774 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35775
35776 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35777 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35778 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35779 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35780 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35781 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35782 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35783 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35784 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35785 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35786
35787 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35788 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35789
35790 @table @samp
35791
35792 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35793 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35794 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35795
35796 @end table
35797
35798 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35799 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35800 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35801 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35802 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35803 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35804 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35805
35806 @table @samp
35807
35808 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35809 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35810 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35811
35812 @end table
35813
35814 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35815
35816 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35817 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35818 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35819 target, is not defined.}
35820
35821 Reply:
35822 @table @samp
35823 @item OK
35824 success
35825 @item
35826 not supported
35827 @item E @var{NN}
35828 for an error
35829 @end table
35830
35831 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35832 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35833 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35834 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35835 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35836 address @var{addr}.
35837
35838 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35839 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
35840 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35841
35842 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35843 movement.}
35844
35845 Reply:
35846 @table @samp
35847 @item OK
35848 success
35849 @item
35850 not supported
35851 @item E @var{NN}
35852 for an error
35853 @end table
35854
35855 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35856 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35857 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35858 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35859 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35860 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35861
35862 Reply:
35863 @table @samp
35864 @item OK
35865 success
35866 @item
35867 not supported
35868 @item E @var{NN}
35869 for an error
35870 @end table
35871
35872 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35873 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35874 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35875 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35876 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35877 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35878
35879 Reply:
35880 @table @samp
35881 @item OK
35882 success
35883 @item
35884 not supported
35885 @item E @var{NN}
35886 for an error
35887 @end table
35888
35889 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35890 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35891 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35892 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35893 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35894 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35895
35896 Reply:
35897 @table @samp
35898 @item OK
35899 success
35900 @item
35901 not supported
35902 @item E @var{NN}
35903 for an error
35904 @end table
35905
35906 @end table
35907
35908 @node Stop Reply Packets
35909 @section Stop Reply Packets
35910 @cindex stop reply packets
35911
35912 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35913 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35914 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35915 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35916 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35917 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35918 @value{GDBN} source code.
35919
35920 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35921 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35922 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35923 components.
35924
35925 @table @samp
35926
35927 @item S @var{AA}
35928 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35929 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35930 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35931
35932 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35933 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35934 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35935 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35936 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35937 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35938 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35939 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35940
35941 @itemize @bullet
35942 @item
35943 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35944 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
35945 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35946 two-digit hex number.
35947
35948 @item
35949 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35950 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35951
35952 @item
35953 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35954 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35955
35956 @item
35957 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35958 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35959 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35960 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35961
35962 @item
35963 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35964 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35965 future.
35966 @end itemize
35967
35968 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35969
35970 @table @samp
35971 @item watch
35972 @itemx rwatch
35973 @itemx awatch
35974 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35975 hex.
35976
35977 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35978 @item library
35979 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35980 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35981 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
35982
35983 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35984 @item replaylog
35985 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35986 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35987 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35988 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35989 for more information.
35990 @end table
35991
35992 @item W @var{AA}
35993 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35994 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35995 applicable to certain targets.
35996
35997 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35998 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35999 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36000 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36001
36002 @item X @var{AA}
36003 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36004 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
36005
36006 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
36007 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36008 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36009 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36010
36011 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36012 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36013 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36014 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36015 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36016
36017 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36018 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36019 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36020 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36021 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36022 system calls.
36023
36024 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36025 this very system call.
36026
36027 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36028 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36029 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36030 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36031 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36032 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36033
36034 @end table
36035
36036 @node General Query Packets
36037 @section General Query Packets
36038 @cindex remote query requests
36039
36040 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36041 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36042 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36043 sending information to and from the stub.
36044
36045 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36046 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36047 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36048 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36049 conventions:
36050
36051 @itemize @bullet
36052 @item
36053 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36054 @item
36055 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36056 letter.
36057 @item
36058 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36059 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36060 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36061 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36062 @end itemize
36063
36064 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36065 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36066 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36067 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36068 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36069 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36070 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36071 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36072 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36073 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36074 packet.}.
36075
36076 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36077 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36078 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36079 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36080 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36081
36082 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36083
36084 @table @samp
36085
36086 @item QAgent:1
36087 @item QAgent:0
36088 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36089 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36090
36091 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36092 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36093 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36094 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36095 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36096 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36097 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36098 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36099 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36100 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36101 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36102
36103 @item qC
36104 @cindex current thread, remote request
36105 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36106 Return the current thread ID.
36107
36108 Reply:
36109 @table @samp
36110 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36111 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36112 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36113 @item @r{(anything else)}
36114 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36115 @end table
36116
36117 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36118 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36119 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36120 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36121 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36122 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36123 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36124
36125 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36126 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36127 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36128 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36129 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36130 detect trailing zeros.
36131
36132 Reply:
36133 @table @samp
36134 @item E @var{NN}
36135 An error (such as memory fault)
36136 @item C @var{crc32}
36137 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36138 @end table
36139
36140 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36141 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36142 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36143 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36144 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36145 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36146 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36147 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36148 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36149 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36150 randomization.
36151
36152 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36153
36154 Reply:
36155 @table @samp
36156 @item OK
36157 The request succeeded.
36158
36159 @item E @var{nn}
36160 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36161
36162 @item
36163 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
36164 by the stub.
36165 @end table
36166
36167 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36168 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36169 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
36170 address space randomization.
36171
36172 @item qfThreadInfo
36173 @itemx qsThreadInfo
36174 @cindex list active threads, remote request
36175 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
36176 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
36177 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
36178 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
36179 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
36180 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
36181 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
36182 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
36183
36184 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
36185
36186 Reply:
36187 @table @samp
36188 @item m @var{thread-id}
36189 A single thread ID
36190 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
36191 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
36192 @item l
36193 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36194 @end table
36195
36196 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36197 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
36198 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
36199 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
36200 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
36201 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
36202 fields.
36203
36204 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
36205 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
36206 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
36207 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
36208 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
36209
36210 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
36211 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36212
36213 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
36214 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
36215 information associated with the variable.)
36216
36217 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
36218 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
36219 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
36220 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
36221 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
36222 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
36223
36224 Reply:
36225 @table @samp
36226 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36227 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
36228 local storage requested.
36229
36230 @item E @var{nn}
36231 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36232
36233 @item
36234 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36235 @end table
36236
36237 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
36238 @cindex get thread information block address
36239 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
36240 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
36241
36242 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
36243
36244 Reply:
36245 @table @samp
36246 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36247 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
36248 thread information block.
36249
36250 @item E @var{nn}
36251 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
36252 address could not be retrieved.
36253
36254 @item
36255 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36256 @end table
36257
36258 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36259 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36260 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36261 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36262 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36263 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36264 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36265
36266 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36267
36268 Reply:
36269 @table @samp
36270 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36271 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36272 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36273 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36274 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36275 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
36276 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36277 @end table
36278
36279 @item qOffsets
36280 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36281 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36282 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36283 image.
36284
36285 Reply:
36286 @table @samp
36287 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36288 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36289 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36290 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36291 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36292 segments by the supplied offsets.
36293
36294 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36295 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36296 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36297
36298 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36299 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36300 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36301 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36302 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36303 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36304 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36305 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36306 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36307 @end table
36308
36309 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36310 @cindex thread information, remote request
36311 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36312 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36313 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36314 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36315
36316 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36317 (see below).
36318
36319 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36320
36321 @item QNonStop:1
36322 @item QNonStop:0
36323 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36324 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36325 @anchor{QNonStop}
36326 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36327 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36328
36329 Reply:
36330 @table @samp
36331 @item OK
36332 The request succeeded.
36333
36334 @item E @var{nn}
36335 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36336
36337 @item
36338 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36339 the stub.
36340 @end table
36341
36342 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36343 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36344 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36345 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36346
36347 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36348 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36349 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36350 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36351 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36352 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36353 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36354 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36355 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36356 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36357 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36358 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36359 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36360
36361 Reply:
36362 @table @samp
36363 @item OK
36364 The request succeeded.
36365
36366 @item E @var{nn}
36367 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36368
36369 @item
36370 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36371 the stub.
36372 @end table
36373
36374 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36375 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36376 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36377 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36378
36379 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36380 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36381 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36382 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36383 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36384 Others should be silently discarded.
36385
36386 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36387 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36388 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36389 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36390 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36391 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36392 signals.
36393
36394 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
36395 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
36396
36397 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36398 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36399 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
36400 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
36401 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36402
36403 Reply:
36404 @table @samp
36405 @item OK
36406 The request succeeded.
36407
36408 @item E @var{nn}
36409 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36410
36411 @item
36412 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36413 by the stub.
36414 @end table
36415
36416 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36417 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36418 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36419 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36420
36421 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36422 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36423 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36424 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36425 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36426 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36427 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36428 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36429 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36430
36431 Reply:
36432 @table @samp
36433 @item OK
36434 A command response with no output.
36435 @item @var{OUTPUT}
36436 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36437 @item E @var{NN}
36438 Indicate a badly formed request.
36439 @item
36440 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36441 @end table
36442
36443 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36444 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36445 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36446 packets.)
36447
36448 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36449 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36450 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36451 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36452 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36453 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
36454 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
36455
36456 Reply:
36457 @table @samp
36458 @item 0
36459 The pattern was not found.
36460 @item 1,address
36461 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36462 @item E @var{NN}
36463 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36464 @item
36465 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36466 @end table
36467
36468 @item QStartNoAckMode
36469 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36470 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36471 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36472 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36473
36474 Reply:
36475 @table @samp
36476 @item OK
36477 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36478 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36479 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36480 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36481 @item
36482 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36483 @end table
36484
36485 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36486 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36487 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36488 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36489 @anchor{qSupported}
36490 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36491 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36492 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36493 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36494 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36495 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36496 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36497 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36498 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36499 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36500 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36501 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36502 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36503 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36504
36505 Reply:
36506 @table @samp
36507 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36508 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36509 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36510 possible forms).
36511 @item
36512 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36513 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36514 @end table
36515
36516 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36517 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36518 are:
36519
36520 @table @samp
36521 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36522 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36523 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36524 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36525 @item @var{name}+
36526 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36527 need an associated value.
36528 @item @var{name}-
36529 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36530 @item @var{name}?
36531 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36532 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36533 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36534 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36535 @end table
36536
36537 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36538 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36539 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36540 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36541 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36542
36543 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36544 are defined:
36545
36546 @table @samp
36547 @item multiprocess
36548 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36549 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36550 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36551 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36552 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36553
36554 @item xmlRegisters
36555 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36556 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36557 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36558 description.
36559
36560 @item qRelocInsn
36561 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36562 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36563 instruction reply packet}).
36564 @end table
36565
36566 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36567 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36568 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36569 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36570 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36571 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36572 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36573 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36574 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36575 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36576 all the features it supports.
36577
36578 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36579 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36580
36581 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36582 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36583 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36584 form response.
36585
36586 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36587 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36588 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36589 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36590
36591 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36592 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36593 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36594 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36595 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36596
36597 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36598
36599 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36600 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36601 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36602 @item Feature Name
36603 @tab Value Required
36604 @tab Default
36605 @tab Probe Allowed
36606
36607 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36608 @tab Yes
36609 @tab @samp{-}
36610 @tab No
36611
36612 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36613 @tab No
36614 @tab @samp{-}
36615 @tab Yes
36616
36617 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36618 @tab No
36619 @tab @samp{-}
36620 @tab Yes
36621
36622 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36623 @tab No
36624 @tab @samp{-}
36625 @tab Yes
36626
36627 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36628 @tab No
36629 @tab @samp{-}
36630 @tab Yes
36631
36632 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36633 @tab No
36634 @tab @samp{-}
36635 @tab Yes
36636
36637 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36638 @tab No
36639 @tab @samp{-}
36640 @tab Yes
36641
36642 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36643 @tab No
36644 @tab @samp{-}
36645 @tab Yes
36646
36647 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36648 @tab No
36649 @tab @samp{-}
36650 @tab Yes
36651
36652 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36653 @tab No
36654 @tab @samp{-}
36655 @tab Yes
36656
36657 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36658 @tab No
36659 @tab @samp{-}
36660 @tab Yes
36661
36662 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36663 @tab No
36664 @tab @samp{-}
36665 @tab Yes
36666
36667 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36668 @tab No
36669 @tab @samp{-}
36670 @tab Yes
36671
36672 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36673 @tab No
36674 @tab @samp{-}
36675 @tab Yes
36676
36677 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36678 @tab No
36679 @tab @samp{-}
36680 @tab Yes
36681
36682 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36683 @tab No
36684 @tab @samp{-}
36685 @tab Yes
36686
36687 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36688 @tab No
36689 @tab @samp{-}
36690 @tab Yes
36691
36692 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36693 @tab No
36694 @tab @samp{-}
36695 @tab No
36696
36697 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36698 @tab No
36699 @tab @samp{-}
36700 @tab No
36701
36702 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36703 @tab No
36704 @tab @samp{-}
36705 @tab No
36706
36707 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36708 @tab No
36709 @tab @samp{-}
36710 @tab No
36711
36712 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36713 @tab No
36714 @tab @samp{-}
36715 @tab No
36716
36717 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36718 @tab No
36719 @tab @samp{-}
36720 @tab No
36721
36722 @item @samp{QAgent}
36723 @tab No
36724 @tab @samp{-}
36725 @tab No
36726
36727 @item @samp{QAllow}
36728 @tab No
36729 @tab @samp{-}
36730 @tab No
36731
36732 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36733 @tab No
36734 @tab @samp{-}
36735 @tab No
36736
36737 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36738 @tab No
36739 @tab @samp{-}
36740 @tab No
36741
36742 @item @samp{tracenz}
36743 @tab No
36744 @tab @samp{-}
36745 @tab No
36746
36747 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36748 @tab No
36749 @tab @samp{-}
36750 @tab No
36751
36752 @end multitable
36753
36754 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36755
36756 @table @samp
36757 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36758 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36759 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36760 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36761 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36762 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36763 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36764 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36765 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36766 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36767
36768 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36769 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36770 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36771
36772 @item qXfer:features:read
36773 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36774 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36775
36776 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36777 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36778 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36779
36780 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36781 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36782 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36783
36784 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36785 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36786 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36787
36788 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36789 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36790 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36791
36792 @item qXfer:spu:read
36793 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36794 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36795
36796 @item qXfer:spu:write
36797 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36798 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36799
36800 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36801 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36802 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36803
36804 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36805 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36806 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36807
36808 @item qXfer:threads:read
36809 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36810 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36811
36812 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36813 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36814 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36815
36816 @item qXfer:uib:read
36817 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36818 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36819
36820 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36821 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36822 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36823
36824 @item QNonStop
36825 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36826 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36827
36828 @item QPassSignals
36829 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36830 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36831
36832 @item QStartNoAckMode
36833 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36834 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36835
36836 @item multiprocess
36837 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36838 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36839 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36840 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36841 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36842 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36843 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36844 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36845 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36846 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36847 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36848
36849 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36850 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36851 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36852
36853 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36854 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36855 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36856 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36857
36858 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36859 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36860 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36861
36862 @item ReverseContinue
36863 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36864 (@pxref{bc}).
36865
36866 @item ReverseStep
36867 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36868 (@pxref{bs}).
36869
36870 @item TracepointSource
36871 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36872 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36873
36874 @item QAgent
36875 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36876
36877 @item QAllow
36878 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36879
36880 @item QDisableRandomization
36881 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36882
36883 @item StaticTracepoint
36884 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36885 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36886
36887 @item InstallInTrace
36888 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36889 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36890
36891 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36892 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36893 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36894 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36895
36896 @item tracenz
36897 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36898 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36899 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36900
36901 @item BreakpointCommands
36902 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36903 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36904 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36905
36906 @end table
36907
36908 @item qSymbol::
36909 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36910 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36911 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36912 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36913
36914 Reply:
36915 @table @samp
36916 @item OK
36917 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36918 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36919 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36920 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36921 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36922 below.
36923 @end table
36924
36925 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36926 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36927
36928 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36929 target has previously requested.
36930
36931 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36932 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36933 will be empty.
36934
36935 Reply:
36936 @table @samp
36937 @item OK
36938 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36939 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36940 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36941 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36942 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36943 @end table
36944
36945 @item qTBuffer
36946 @item QTBuffer
36947 @item QTDisconnected
36948 @itemx QTDP
36949 @itemx QTDPsrc
36950 @itemx QTDV
36951 @itemx qTfP
36952 @itemx qTfV
36953 @itemx QTFrame
36954 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36955
36956 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36957
36958 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36959 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36960 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36961 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
36962 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
36963 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
36964 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36965 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36966 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36967 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36968 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36969
36970 Reply:
36971 @table @samp
36972 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36973 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36974 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36975 the thread's attributes.
36976 @end table
36977
36978 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36979 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36980 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36981 packets.)
36982
36983 @item QTNotes
36984 @item qTP
36985 @item QTSave
36986 @item qTsP
36987 @item qTsV
36988 @itemx QTStart
36989 @itemx QTStop
36990 @itemx QTEnable
36991 @itemx QTDisable
36992 @itemx QTinit
36993 @itemx QTro
36994 @itemx qTStatus
36995 @itemx qTV
36996 @itemx qTfSTM
36997 @itemx qTsSTM
36998 @itemx qTSTMat
36999 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37000
37001 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37002 @cindex read special object, remote request
37003 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37004 @anchor{qXfer read}
37005 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37006 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37007 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37008 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37009 additional details about what data to access.
37010
37011 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37012 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37013 formats, listed below.
37014
37015 @table @samp
37016 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37017 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37018 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37019 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37020
37021 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37022 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37023
37024 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37025 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37026 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37027 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37028 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37029
37030 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37031 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37032
37033 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37034 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37035 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37036 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37037 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37038
37039 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37040 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37041 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37042
37043 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37044 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37045
37046 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37047 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37048 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37049 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37050 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37051
37052 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37053 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37054
37055 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37056 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37057
37058 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37059 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37060 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37061 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37062 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37063
37064 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37065 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37066
37067 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37068 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37069
37070 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37071 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37072 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37073 Action Lists}.
37074
37075 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37076 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37077 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37078
37079 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37080 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37081 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37082 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37083 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37084
37085 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37086 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37087 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37088
37089 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37090 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37091 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37092 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37093 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37094 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37095 in that context to be accessed.
37096
37097 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37098 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37099 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37100
37101 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37102 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37103 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37104 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37105 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37106
37107 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37108 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37109
37110 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37111 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37112
37113 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37114 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37115 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37116
37117 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37118 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37119
37120 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37121 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37122
37123 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37124 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37125
37126 This packet is not probed by default.
37127
37128 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37129 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37130 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37131 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37132 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37133
37134 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37135 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37136
37137 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37138 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37139 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37140 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37141
37142 @end table
37143
37144 Reply:
37145 @table @samp
37146 @item m @var{data}
37147 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37148 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37149 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37150 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37151 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37152 request.
37153
37154 @item l @var{data}
37155 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37156 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
37157 than the @var{length} in the request.
37158
37159 @item l
37160 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37161 There is no more data to be read.
37162
37163 @item E00
37164 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37165
37166 @item E @var{nn}
37167 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37168 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37169
37170 @item
37171 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37172 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37173 @end table
37174
37175 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37176 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37177 @anchor{qXfer write}
37178 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37179 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37180 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
37181 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37182 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37183 to access.
37184
37185 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37186 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37187 formats, listed below.
37188
37189 @table @samp
37190 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37191 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37192 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37193 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37194 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37195
37196 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37197 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37198 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37199
37200 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37201 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37202 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37203 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37204 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37205 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37206 in that context to be accessed.
37207
37208 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37209 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37210 @end table
37211
37212 Reply:
37213 @table @samp
37214 @item @var{nn}
37215 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37216 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37217
37218 @item E00
37219 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37220
37221 @item E @var{nn}
37222 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37223 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37224
37225 @item
37226 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37227 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37228 @end table
37229
37230 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37231 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37232 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37233 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37234 must respond with an empty packet.
37235
37236 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37237 @cindex query attached, remote request
37238 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37239 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37240 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37241 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37242 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37243 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37244 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37245
37246 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37247 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37248 the @code{quit} command.
37249
37250 Reply:
37251 @table @samp
37252 @item 1
37253 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37254 @item 0
37255 The remote server created a new process.
37256 @item E @var{NN}
37257 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37258 @end table
37259
37260 @end table
37261
37262 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37263 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37264
37265 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37266 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37267 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37268
37269 @menu
37270 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37271 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37272 @end menu
37273
37274 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37275 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37276
37277 @menu
37278 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37279 @end menu
37280
37281 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37282 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37283 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37284
37285 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37286
37287 @table @r
37288
37289 @item 2
37290 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37291
37292 @item 3
37293 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37294
37295 @item 4
37296 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37297
37298 @end table
37299
37300 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37301 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37302
37303 @menu
37304 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37305 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37306 @end menu
37307
37308 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37309 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37310 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37311
37312 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37313 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37314 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37315 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37316 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37317 most-significant -- least-significant.
37318
37319 @table @r
37320
37321 @item MIPS32
37322 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37323 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37324 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37325
37326 @item MIPS64
37327 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37328 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37329 as @code{MIPS32}.
37330
37331 @end table
37332
37333 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37334 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37335 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37336
37337 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37338
37339 @table @r
37340
37341 @item 2
37342 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37343
37344 @item 3
37345 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37346
37347 @item 4
37348 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37349
37350 @item 5
37351 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37352
37353 @end table
37354
37355 @node Tracepoint Packets
37356 @section Tracepoint Packets
37357 @cindex tracepoint packets
37358 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37359
37360 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37361 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37362
37363 @table @samp
37364
37365 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37366 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37367 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37368 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37369 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
37370 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37371 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37372 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37373 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37374 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37375 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37376 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37377 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37378 actions.
37379
37380 Replies:
37381 @table @samp
37382 @item OK
37383 The packet was understood and carried out.
37384 @item qRelocInsn
37385 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37386 @item
37387 The packet was not recognized.
37388 @end table
37389
37390 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37391 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
37392 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37393 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37394 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37395 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37396 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37397
37398 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37399 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37400 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37401 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37402 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37403 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37404 tracepoint actions.
37405
37406 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37407 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37408 following forms:
37409
37410 @table @samp
37411
37412 @item R @var{mask}
37413 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
37414 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37415 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37416 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37417 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37418
37419 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37420 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37421 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37422 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37423 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37424 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37425 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37426
37427 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37428 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37429 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
37430 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37431 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37432 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37433 packet).
37434
37435 @end table
37436
37437 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37438 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37439 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37440 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37441 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37442 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37443 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37444 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37445
37446 Replies:
37447 @table @samp
37448 @item OK
37449 The packet was understood and carried out.
37450 @item qRelocInsn
37451 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37452 @item
37453 The packet was not recognized.
37454 @end table
37455
37456 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37457 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37458 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37459 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37460 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
37461 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37462 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37463 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37464
37465 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37466 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37467 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37468 fit in a single packet.
37469 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37470 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37471
37472 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37473 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37474 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37475 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37476
37477 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37478 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37479 query packets.
37480
37481 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37482 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37483 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37484 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37485 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37486 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37487 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37488 be found.
37489
37490 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
37491 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37492 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37493 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37494 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37495 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37496 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37497 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37498 mentioned in expressions.
37499
37500 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37501 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37502 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37503 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37504 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37505
37506 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37507 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37508 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37509 one of the following forms:
37510
37511 @table @samp
37512 @item F @var{f}
37513 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37514 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37515 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37516
37517 @item T @var{t}
37518 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37519 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37520
37521 @end table
37522
37523 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37524 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37525 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37526 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37527
37528 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37529 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37530 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37531 is a hexadecimal number.
37532
37533 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37534 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37535 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37536 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37537 numbers.
37538
37539 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37540 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37541 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37542
37543 @item qTMinFTPILen
37544 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37545 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37546 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37547 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37548 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37549 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37550 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37551 arrange for that.
37552
37553 Replies:
37554
37555 @table @samp
37556 @item 0
37557 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37558 @item @var{length}
37559 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
37560 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
37561 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
37562 @item E
37563 An error has occurred.
37564 @item
37565 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37566 @end table
37567
37568 @item QTStart
37569 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37570 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37571 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37572 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37573 instruction reply packet}).
37574
37575 @item QTStop
37576 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37577 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37578
37579 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37580 @anchor{QTEnable}
37581 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37582 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37583 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37584 of data from it will resume.
37585
37586 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37587 @anchor{QTDisable}
37588 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37589 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37590 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37591 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37592
37593 @item QTinit
37594 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37595 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37596
37597 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37598 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37599 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37600 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37601 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37602
37603 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37604 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37605 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37606 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37607
37608 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37609 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37610 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37611 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37612 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37613 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37614
37615 @item qTStatus
37616 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37617 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37618
37619 The reply has the form:
37620
37621 @table @samp
37622
37623 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37624 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37625 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37626 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37627
37628 @end table
37629
37630 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37631 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37632
37633 @table @samp
37634
37635 @item tnotrun:0
37636 No trace has been run yet.
37637
37638 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37639 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37640 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37641 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37642 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37643
37644 @item tfull:0
37645 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37646
37647 @item tdisconnected:0
37648 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37649
37650 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37651 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37652
37653 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37654 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37655 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37656 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
37657 @var{text} is hex encoded.
37658
37659 @item tunknown:0
37660 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37661
37662 @end table
37663
37664 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37665 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37666 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37667 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37668 trace.
37669
37670 @table @samp
37671
37672 @item tframes:@var{n}
37673 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37674
37675 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37676 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37677 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37678
37679 @item tsize:@var{n}
37680 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37681
37682 @item tfree:@var{n}
37683 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37684
37685 @item circular:@var{n}
37686 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37687 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37688 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37689 and may fill up.
37690
37691 @item disconn:@var{n}
37692 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37693 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37694 that the trace run will stop.
37695
37696 @end table
37697
37698 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37699 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37700 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37701 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37702 address @var{addr}.
37703
37704 Replies:
37705 @table @samp
37706 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37707 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37708 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37709 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37710 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37711
37712 @end table
37713
37714 @item qTV:@var{var}
37715 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37716 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37717 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37718
37719 Replies:
37720 @table @samp
37721 @item V@var{value}
37722 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37723 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37724 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37725 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37726 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37727 program is running.
37728
37729 @item U
37730 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37731 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37732 was not collected.
37733 @end table
37734
37735 @item qTfP
37736 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37737 @itemx qTsP
37738 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37739 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37740 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37741 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37742 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37743 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37744
37745 @item qTfV
37746 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37747 @itemx qTsV
37748 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37749 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37750 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37751 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37752 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37753 trace state variables.
37754
37755 @item qTfSTM
37756 @itemx qTsSTM
37757 @anchor{qTfSTM}
37758 @anchor{qTsSTM}
37759 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37760 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37761 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37762 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37763 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37764 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37765
37766 Reply:
37767 @table @samp
37768 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37769 A single marker
37770 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37771 a comma-separated list of markers
37772 @item l
37773 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37774 @item E @var{nn}
37775 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37776 @item
37777 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37778 stub.
37779 @end table
37780
37781 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
37782 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37783
37784 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37785 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37786 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37787 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37788 @dfn{last}).
37789
37790 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37791 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37792 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37793 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37794 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37795 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37796 tracepoint markers.
37797
37798 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37799 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37800 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37801 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
37802 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37803 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37804
37805 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37806 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37807 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37808 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37809 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37810 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37811 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37812 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37813 available.
37814
37815 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37816 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37817 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37818
37819 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37820 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37821 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37822 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37823 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37824
37825 @end table
37826
37827 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37828 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37829 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37830 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37831 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37832 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37833 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37834 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37835 it had executed in the original location.
37836
37837 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37838 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37839 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37840 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37841 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37842 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37843 format of the request is:
37844
37845 @table @samp
37846 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37847
37848 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37849 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37850 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37851 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37852 memory starting at @var{to}.
37853 @end table
37854
37855 Replies:
37856 @table @samp
37857 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37858 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
37859 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37860 @item E @var{NN}
37861 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37862 relocating the instruction.
37863 @end table
37864
37865 @node Host I/O Packets
37866 @section Host I/O Packets
37867 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37868 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37869
37870 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37871 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37872 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37873 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37874 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37875 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37876 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37877 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37878 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37879 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37880
37881 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37882 its arguments. They have this format:
37883
37884 @table @samp
37885
37886 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37887 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37888 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37889 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37890 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37891 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37892 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37893 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37894 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37895
37896 @end table
37897
37898 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37899
37900 @table @samp
37901
37902 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37903 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37904 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37905 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
37906 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37907 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37908 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37909 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37910 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37911 @var{attachment}.
37912
37913 @item
37914 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37915
37916 @end table
37917
37918 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37919
37920 @table @samp
37921 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37922 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37923 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
37924 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37925 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37926 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37927 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37928
37929 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37930 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37931 -1 if an error occurs.
37932
37933 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37934 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37935 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37936 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37937 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37938 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37939 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37940 @var{count} was zero.
37941
37942 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37943 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37944 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37945 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37946 some characters were escaped.
37947
37948 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37949 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37950 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37951 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37952 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37953 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37954 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37955 error occurred.
37956
37957 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
37958 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
37959 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
37960
37961 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37962 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37963 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37964
37965 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37966 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37967 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37968 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37969 some characters were escaped.
37970
37971 @end table
37972
37973 @node Interrupts
37974 @section Interrupts
37975 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37976
37977 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
37978 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
37979 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
37980 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37981
37982 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37983 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37984 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37985 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37986 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37987
37988 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37989 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37990 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37991 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37992 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37993 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37994 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37995 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37996
37997 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37998 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37999 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
38000
38001 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
38002 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
38003 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
38004 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
38005 currently-executing threads and processes.
38006 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
38007 running program, it should send one of the stop
38008 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
38009 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
38010 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
38011 Interrupts received while the
38012 program is stopped are discarded.
38013
38014 @node Notification Packets
38015 @section Notification Packets
38016 @cindex notification packets
38017 @cindex packets, notification
38018
38019 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
38020 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
38021 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
38022 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
38023 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
38024 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38025 is not a problem.
38026
38027 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38028 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38029 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38030 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38031 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38032 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38033 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38034
38035 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38036 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38037
38038 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38039 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38040 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38041 not they understand it.
38042
38043 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38044 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38045 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38046 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38047 recipients.
38048
38049 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38050 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38051 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38052 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38053 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38054
38055 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
38056 defined:
38057
38058 @table @samp
38059 @item Stop: @var{reply}
38060 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38061 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38062 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38063 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38064 @value{GDBN}.
38065 @end table
38066
38067 @node Remote Non-Stop
38068 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38069
38070 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38071 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38072 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38073 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38074
38075 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38076 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38077 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38078 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38079 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38080 probe the target state after a mode change.
38081
38082 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38083 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38084 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38085 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38086 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38087 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38088 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38089 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38090 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38091 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38092 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38093
38094 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
38095 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38096 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38097 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
38098 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38099 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
38100 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
38101 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
38102 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
38103 sending any queued stop events.
38104
38105 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
38106 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
38107 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
38108 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38109 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38110 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38111 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38112
38113 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
38114 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
38115 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
38116 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
38117 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
38118 process normally.
38119
38120 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
38121 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38122 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
38123 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
38124 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
38125 should process normally.
38126
38127 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
38128 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
38129 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
38130 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
38131 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
38132
38133 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38134 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38135 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38136 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38137 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38138 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38139 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38140 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38141 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38142 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38143 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38144 @samp{OK}.
38145
38146 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38147 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38148
38149 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38150 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38151 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38152 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38153 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38154 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38155 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38156
38157 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38158 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38159 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38160 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38161 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38162
38163 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38164 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38165 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38166 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38167
38168 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38169 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38170 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38171 @pxref{qSupported}.
38172 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38173 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38174 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38175 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38176 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38177 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38178 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38179
38180 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38181 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38182 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38183 connection.
38184 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38185 new connection is established,
38186 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38187 for the current connection, once disabled.
38188
38189 @node Examples
38190 @section Examples
38191
38192 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38193 does not get any direct output:
38194
38195 @smallexample
38196 -> @code{R00}
38197 <- @code{+}
38198 @emph{target restarts}
38199 -> @code{?}
38200 <- @code{+}
38201 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38202 -> @code{+}
38203 @end smallexample
38204
38205 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38206
38207 @smallexample
38208 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38209 <- @code{+}
38210 -> @code{s}
38211 <- @code{+}
38212 @emph{time passes}
38213 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38214 -> @code{+}
38215 -> @code{g}
38216 <- @code{+}
38217 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38218 -> @code{+}
38219 @end smallexample
38220
38221 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38222 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38223 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38224
38225 @menu
38226 * File-I/O Overview::
38227 * Protocol Basics::
38228 * The F Request Packet::
38229 * The F Reply Packet::
38230 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38231 * Console I/O::
38232 * List of Supported Calls::
38233 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38234 * Constants::
38235 * File-I/O Examples::
38236 @end menu
38237
38238 @node File-I/O Overview
38239 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38240 @cindex file-i/o overview
38241
38242 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38243 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38244 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38245 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38246 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38247 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38248
38249 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38250 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38251 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38252 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38253 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38254
38255 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38256 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38257 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38258 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38259 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38260 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38261 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38262
38263 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38264 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38265 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38266 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38267 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38268
38269 @smallexample
38270 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38271 <- target requests 'system call X'
38272 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38273 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38274 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38275 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38276 @end smallexample
38277
38278 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38279 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38280 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38281 system are not supported by this protocol.
38282
38283 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38284
38285 @node Protocol Basics
38286 @subsection Protocol Basics
38287 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38288
38289 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38290 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38291 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38292 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38293 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38294 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38295 to call the appropriate host system call:
38296
38297 @itemize @bullet
38298 @item
38299 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38300
38301 @item
38302 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38303 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38304 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38305 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38306
38307 @end itemize
38308
38309 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38310
38311 @itemize @bullet
38312 @item
38313 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38314 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38315 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38316 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38317 packet.
38318
38319 @item
38320 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38321 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38322
38323 @item
38324 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38325
38326 @item
38327 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38328
38329 @item
38330 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38331 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38332 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38333 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38334 packet.
38335
38336 @end itemize
38337
38338 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38339 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38340
38341 @itemize @bullet
38342 @item
38343 Return value.
38344
38345 @item
38346 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38347
38348 @item
38349 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38350
38351 @end itemize
38352
38353 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38354 the latest continue or step action.
38355
38356 @node The F Request Packet
38357 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38358 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38359 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38360
38361 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38362
38363 @table @samp
38364 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38365
38366 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38367 This is just the name of the function.
38368
38369 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38370 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38371 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38372 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38373 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38374 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38375 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38376
38377 @end table
38378
38379
38380
38381 @node The F Reply Packet
38382 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38383 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38384 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38385
38386 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38387
38388 @table @samp
38389
38390 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38391
38392 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38393
38394 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38395 representation.
38396 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38397
38398 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38399 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38400 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38401
38402 @smallexample
38403 F0,0,C
38404 @end smallexample
38405
38406 @noindent
38407 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38408
38409 @smallexample
38410 F-1,4,C
38411 @end smallexample
38412
38413 @noindent
38414 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38415
38416 @end table
38417
38418
38419 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38420 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38421 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38422
38423 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38424 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38425 the target should behave as if it had
38426 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38427 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38428 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38429 packet.
38430
38431 It's important for the target to know in which
38432 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38433
38434 @itemize @bullet
38435 @item
38436 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38437
38438 @item
38439 The system call on the host has been finished.
38440
38441 @end itemize
38442
38443 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38444 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38445 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38446 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38447 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38448 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38449
38450 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38451 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38452 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38453 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38454 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38455 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38456 or the full action has been completed.
38457
38458 @node Console I/O
38459 @subsection Console I/O
38460 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38461
38462 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38463 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38464 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38465 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38466 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38467 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38468 conditions is met:
38469
38470 @itemize @bullet
38471 @item
38472 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38473 @code{read}
38474 system call is treated as finished.
38475
38476 @item
38477 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38478 newline.
38479
38480 @item
38481 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38482 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38483
38484 @end itemize
38485
38486 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38487 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38488 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38489 is stopped at the user's request.
38490
38491
38492 @node List of Supported Calls
38493 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38494 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38495
38496 @menu
38497 * open::
38498 * close::
38499 * read::
38500 * write::
38501 * lseek::
38502 * rename::
38503 * unlink::
38504 * stat/fstat::
38505 * gettimeofday::
38506 * isatty::
38507 * system::
38508 @end menu
38509
38510 @node open
38511 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38512 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38513
38514 @table @asis
38515 @item Synopsis:
38516 @smallexample
38517 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38518 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38519 @end smallexample
38520
38521 @item Request:
38522 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38523
38524 @noindent
38525 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38526
38527 @table @code
38528 @item O_CREAT
38529 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38530 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38531 are concerned.
38532
38533 @item O_EXCL
38534 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38535 an error and open() fails.
38536
38537 @item O_TRUNC
38538 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38539 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38540 truncated to zero length.
38541
38542 @item O_APPEND
38543 The file is opened in append mode.
38544
38545 @item O_RDONLY
38546 The file is opened for reading only.
38547
38548 @item O_WRONLY
38549 The file is opened for writing only.
38550
38551 @item O_RDWR
38552 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38553 @end table
38554
38555 @noindent
38556 Other bits are silently ignored.
38557
38558
38559 @noindent
38560 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38561
38562 @table @code
38563 @item S_IRUSR
38564 User has read permission.
38565
38566 @item S_IWUSR
38567 User has write permission.
38568
38569 @item S_IRGRP
38570 Group has read permission.
38571
38572 @item S_IWGRP
38573 Group has write permission.
38574
38575 @item S_IROTH
38576 Others have read permission.
38577
38578 @item S_IWOTH
38579 Others have write permission.
38580 @end table
38581
38582 @noindent
38583 Other bits are silently ignored.
38584
38585
38586 @item Return value:
38587 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38588 occurred.
38589
38590 @item Errors:
38591
38592 @table @code
38593 @item EEXIST
38594 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38595
38596 @item EISDIR
38597 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38598
38599 @item EACCES
38600 The requested access is not allowed.
38601
38602 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38603 @var{pathname} was too long.
38604
38605 @item ENOENT
38606 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38607
38608 @item ENODEV
38609 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38610
38611 @item EROFS
38612 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38613 write access was requested.
38614
38615 @item EFAULT
38616 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38617
38618 @item ENOSPC
38619 No space on device to create the file.
38620
38621 @item EMFILE
38622 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38623
38624 @item ENFILE
38625 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38626 has been reached.
38627
38628 @item EINTR
38629 The call was interrupted by the user.
38630 @end table
38631
38632 @end table
38633
38634 @node close
38635 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38636 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38637
38638 @table @asis
38639 @item Synopsis:
38640 @smallexample
38641 int close(int fd);
38642 @end smallexample
38643
38644 @item Request:
38645 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38646
38647 @item Return value:
38648 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38649
38650 @item Errors:
38651
38652 @table @code
38653 @item EBADF
38654 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38655
38656 @item EINTR
38657 The call was interrupted by the user.
38658 @end table
38659
38660 @end table
38661
38662 @node read
38663 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38664 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38665
38666 @table @asis
38667 @item Synopsis:
38668 @smallexample
38669 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38670 @end smallexample
38671
38672 @item Request:
38673 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38674
38675 @item Return value:
38676 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38677 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38678 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38679
38680 @item Errors:
38681
38682 @table @code
38683 @item EBADF
38684 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38685 reading.
38686
38687 @item EFAULT
38688 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38689
38690 @item EINTR
38691 The call was interrupted by the user.
38692 @end table
38693
38694 @end table
38695
38696 @node write
38697 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38698 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38699
38700 @table @asis
38701 @item Synopsis:
38702 @smallexample
38703 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38704 @end smallexample
38705
38706 @item Request:
38707 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38708
38709 @item Return value:
38710 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38711 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38712 is returned.
38713
38714 @item Errors:
38715
38716 @table @code
38717 @item EBADF
38718 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38719 writing.
38720
38721 @item EFAULT
38722 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38723
38724 @item EFBIG
38725 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38726 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38727
38728 @item ENOSPC
38729 No space on device to write the data.
38730
38731 @item EINTR
38732 The call was interrupted by the user.
38733 @end table
38734
38735 @end table
38736
38737 @node lseek
38738 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38739 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38740
38741 @table @asis
38742 @item Synopsis:
38743 @smallexample
38744 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38745 @end smallexample
38746
38747 @item Request:
38748 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38749
38750 @var{flag} is one of:
38751
38752 @table @code
38753 @item SEEK_SET
38754 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38755
38756 @item SEEK_CUR
38757 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38758 bytes.
38759
38760 @item SEEK_END
38761 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38762 bytes.
38763 @end table
38764
38765 @item Return value:
38766 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38767 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38768 value of -1 is returned.
38769
38770 @item Errors:
38771
38772 @table @code
38773 @item EBADF
38774 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38775
38776 @item ESPIPE
38777 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38778
38779 @item EINVAL
38780 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38781
38782 @item EINTR
38783 The call was interrupted by the user.
38784 @end table
38785
38786 @end table
38787
38788 @node rename
38789 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38790 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38791
38792 @table @asis
38793 @item Synopsis:
38794 @smallexample
38795 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38796 @end smallexample
38797
38798 @item Request:
38799 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38800
38801 @item Return value:
38802 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38803
38804 @item Errors:
38805
38806 @table @code
38807 @item EISDIR
38808 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38809 directory.
38810
38811 @item EEXIST
38812 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38813
38814 @item EBUSY
38815 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38816 process.
38817
38818 @item EINVAL
38819 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38820 of itself.
38821
38822 @item ENOTDIR
38823 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38824 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38825 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38826
38827 @item EFAULT
38828 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38829
38830 @item EACCES
38831 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38832
38833 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38834
38835 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38836
38837 @item ENOENT
38838 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38839
38840 @item EROFS
38841 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38842
38843 @item ENOSPC
38844 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38845 directory entry.
38846
38847 @item EINTR
38848 The call was interrupted by the user.
38849 @end table
38850
38851 @end table
38852
38853 @node unlink
38854 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38855 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38856
38857 @table @asis
38858 @item Synopsis:
38859 @smallexample
38860 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38861 @end smallexample
38862
38863 @item Request:
38864 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38865
38866 @item Return value:
38867 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38868
38869 @item Errors:
38870
38871 @table @code
38872 @item EACCES
38873 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38874
38875 @item EPERM
38876 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38877
38878 @item EBUSY
38879 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38880 being used by another process.
38881
38882 @item EFAULT
38883 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38884
38885 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38886 @var{pathname} was too long.
38887
38888 @item ENOENT
38889 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38890
38891 @item ENOTDIR
38892 A component of the path is not a directory.
38893
38894 @item EROFS
38895 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38896
38897 @item EINTR
38898 The call was interrupted by the user.
38899 @end table
38900
38901 @end table
38902
38903 @node stat/fstat
38904 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38905 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38906 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38907
38908 @table @asis
38909 @item Synopsis:
38910 @smallexample
38911 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38912 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38913 @end smallexample
38914
38915 @item Request:
38916 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38917 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38918
38919 @item Return value:
38920 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38921
38922 @item Errors:
38923
38924 @table @code
38925 @item EBADF
38926 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38927
38928 @item ENOENT
38929 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38930 path is an empty string.
38931
38932 @item ENOTDIR
38933 A component of the path is not a directory.
38934
38935 @item EFAULT
38936 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38937
38938 @item EACCES
38939 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38940
38941 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38942 @var{pathname} was too long.
38943
38944 @item EINTR
38945 The call was interrupted by the user.
38946 @end table
38947
38948 @end table
38949
38950 @node gettimeofday
38951 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38952 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38953
38954 @table @asis
38955 @item Synopsis:
38956 @smallexample
38957 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38958 @end smallexample
38959
38960 @item Request:
38961 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38962
38963 @item Return value:
38964 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38965
38966 @item Errors:
38967
38968 @table @code
38969 @item EINVAL
38970 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38971
38972 @item EFAULT
38973 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38974 @end table
38975
38976 @end table
38977
38978 @node isatty
38979 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
38980 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
38981
38982 @table @asis
38983 @item Synopsis:
38984 @smallexample
38985 int isatty(int fd);
38986 @end smallexample
38987
38988 @item Request:
38989 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
38990
38991 @item Return value:
38992 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
38993
38994 @item Errors:
38995
38996 @table @code
38997 @item EINTR
38998 The call was interrupted by the user.
38999 @end table
39000
39001 @end table
39002
39003 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
39004 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
39005 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
39006 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
39007 needed.
39008
39009
39010 @node system
39011 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39012 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39013
39014 @table @asis
39015 @item Synopsis:
39016 @smallexample
39017 int system(const char *command);
39018 @end smallexample
39019
39020 @item Request:
39021 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39022
39023 @item Return value:
39024 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39025 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39026 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39027 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39028 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39029 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39030 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39031
39032 @item Errors:
39033
39034 @table @code
39035 @item EINTR
39036 The call was interrupted by the user.
39037 @end table
39038
39039 @end table
39040
39041 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39042 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39043 the host is simplified before it's returned
39044 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39045 is discarded, and the return value consists
39046 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39047
39048 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39049 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39050 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39051
39052 @table @code
39053 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39054 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39055 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39056 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39057
39058 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39059 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39060 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39061 protocol.
39062 @end table
39063
39064 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39065 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39066 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39067
39068 @menu
39069 * Integral Datatypes::
39070 * Pointer Values::
39071 * Memory Transfer::
39072 * struct stat::
39073 * struct timeval::
39074 @end menu
39075
39076 @node Integral Datatypes
39077 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39078 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39079
39080 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39081 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39082 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39083
39084 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39085 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39086
39087 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39088
39089 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39090 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39091
39092 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39093
39094 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39095 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39096 byte order.
39097
39098 @node Pointer Values
39099 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39100 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39101
39102 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39103 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39104 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39105 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39106
39107 @smallexample
39108 @code{1aaf/12}
39109 @end smallexample
39110
39111 @noindent
39112 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39113 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39114 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39115 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39116
39117 @smallexample
39118 @code{123456/d}
39119 @end smallexample
39120
39121 @node Memory Transfer
39122 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39123 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39124
39125 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39126 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39127 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39128 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39129 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39130 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39131 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39132
39133
39134 @node struct stat
39135 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39136 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39137
39138 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39139 is defined as follows:
39140
39141 @smallexample
39142 struct stat @{
39143 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39144 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39145 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39146 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39147 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39148 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39149 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39150 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39151 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39152 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39153 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39154 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39155 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39156 @};
39157 @end smallexample
39158
39159 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39160 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39161 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39162
39163 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39164 range of values.
39165
39166 @table @code
39167
39168 @item st_dev
39169 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39170
39171 @item st_ino
39172 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39173
39174 @item st_mode
39175 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39176 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39177
39178 @item st_uid
39179 @itemx st_gid
39180 @itemx st_rdev
39181 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39182
39183 @item st_atime
39184 @itemx st_mtime
39185 @itemx st_ctime
39186 These values have a host and file system dependent
39187 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39188 support exact timing values.
39189 @end table
39190
39191 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39192 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39193 continuing.
39194
39195 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39196 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39197 get truncated on the target.
39198
39199 @node struct timeval
39200 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39201 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39202
39203 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39204 is defined as follows:
39205
39206 @smallexample
39207 struct timeval @{
39208 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39209 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39210 @};
39211 @end smallexample
39212
39213 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39214 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39215 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39216
39217 @node Constants
39218 @subsection Constants
39219 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39220
39221 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39222 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39223 values before and after the call as needed.
39224
39225 @menu
39226 * Open Flags::
39227 * mode_t Values::
39228 * Errno Values::
39229 * Lseek Flags::
39230 * Limits::
39231 @end menu
39232
39233 @node Open Flags
39234 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39235 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39236
39237 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39238
39239 @smallexample
39240 O_RDONLY 0x0
39241 O_WRONLY 0x1
39242 O_RDWR 0x2
39243 O_APPEND 0x8
39244 O_CREAT 0x200
39245 O_TRUNC 0x400
39246 O_EXCL 0x800
39247 @end smallexample
39248
39249 @node mode_t Values
39250 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39251 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39252
39253 All values are given in octal representation.
39254
39255 @smallexample
39256 S_IFREG 0100000
39257 S_IFDIR 040000
39258 S_IRUSR 0400
39259 S_IWUSR 0200
39260 S_IXUSR 0100
39261 S_IRGRP 040
39262 S_IWGRP 020
39263 S_IXGRP 010
39264 S_IROTH 04
39265 S_IWOTH 02
39266 S_IXOTH 01
39267 @end smallexample
39268
39269 @node Errno Values
39270 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39271 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39272
39273 All values are given in decimal representation.
39274
39275 @smallexample
39276 EPERM 1
39277 ENOENT 2
39278 EINTR 4
39279 EBADF 9
39280 EACCES 13
39281 EFAULT 14
39282 EBUSY 16
39283 EEXIST 17
39284 ENODEV 19
39285 ENOTDIR 20
39286 EISDIR 21
39287 EINVAL 22
39288 ENFILE 23
39289 EMFILE 24
39290 EFBIG 27
39291 ENOSPC 28
39292 ESPIPE 29
39293 EROFS 30
39294 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39295 EUNKNOWN 9999
39296 @end smallexample
39297
39298 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39299 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39300
39301 @node Lseek Flags
39302 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39303 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39304
39305 @smallexample
39306 SEEK_SET 0
39307 SEEK_CUR 1
39308 SEEK_END 2
39309 @end smallexample
39310
39311 @node Limits
39312 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39313 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39314
39315 All values are given in decimal representation.
39316
39317 @smallexample
39318 INT_MIN -2147483648
39319 INT_MAX 2147483647
39320 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39321 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39322 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39323 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39324 @end smallexample
39325
39326 @node File-I/O Examples
39327 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39328 @cindex file-i/o examples
39329
39330 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39331 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39332
39333 @smallexample
39334 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39335 @emph{request memory read from target}
39336 -> @code{m1234,6}
39337 <- XXXXXX
39338 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39339 -> @code{F6}
39340 @end smallexample
39341
39342 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39343 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39344
39345 @smallexample
39346 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39347 @emph{request memory write to target}
39348 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39349 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39350 -> @code{F6}
39351 @end smallexample
39352
39353 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39354 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39355
39356 @smallexample
39357 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39358 -> @code{F-1,9}
39359 @end smallexample
39360
39361 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39362 host is called:
39363
39364 @smallexample
39365 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39366 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
39367 <- @code{T02}
39368 @end smallexample
39369
39370 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39371 host is called:
39372
39373 @smallexample
39374 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39375 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39376 <- @code{T02}
39377 @end smallexample
39378
39379 @node Library List Format
39380 @section Library List Format
39381 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39382
39383 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39384 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39385 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39386 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39387 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39388 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39389 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39390 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39391 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39392 are loaded.
39393
39394 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39395 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39396 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39397 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39398
39399 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39400 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39401 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39402 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39403 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39404 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39405
39406 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39407 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39408
39409 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39410 offset, looks like this:
39411
39412 @smallexample
39413 <library-list>
39414 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39415 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39416 </library>
39417 </library-list>
39418 @end smallexample
39419
39420 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39421 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39422
39423 @smallexample
39424 <library-list>
39425 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39426 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39427 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39428 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39429 </library>
39430 </library-list>
39431 @end smallexample
39432
39433 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39434
39435 @smallexample
39436 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39437 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39438 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39439 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39440 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39441 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39442 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39443 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39444 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39445 @end smallexample
39446
39447 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39448 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39449 section for each library.
39450
39451 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39452 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39453 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39454
39455 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39456 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39457 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39458 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39459
39460 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39461 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39462 target, the following parameters are reported:
39463
39464 @itemize @minus
39465 @item
39466 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39467 @code{struct link_map}.
39468 @item
39469 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39470 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39471 @item
39472 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39473 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39474 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39475 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39476 @item
39477 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39478 @end itemize
39479
39480 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39481 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39482 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39483
39484 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39485 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39486
39487 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39488 looks like this:
39489
39490 @smallexample
39491 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39492 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39493 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
39494 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39495 l_ld="0x152350"/>
39496 </library-list-svr>
39497 @end smallexample
39498
39499 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39500
39501 @smallexample
39502 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39503 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39504 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39505 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39506 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39507 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39508 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39509 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39510 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39511 @end smallexample
39512
39513 @node Memory Map Format
39514 @section Memory Map Format
39515 @cindex memory map format
39516
39517 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39518 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39519 memory map.
39520
39521 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39522 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39523 lists memory regions.
39524
39525 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39526 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39527
39528 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39529
39530 @smallexample
39531 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39532 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39533 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39534 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39535 <memory-map>
39536 region...
39537 </memory-map>
39538 @end smallexample
39539
39540 Each region can be either:
39541
39542 @itemize
39543
39544 @item
39545 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39546 bytes from there:
39547
39548 @smallexample
39549 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39550 @end smallexample
39551
39552
39553 @item
39554 A region of read-only memory:
39555
39556 @smallexample
39557 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39558 @end smallexample
39559
39560
39561 @item
39562 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39563 bytes in length:
39564
39565 @smallexample
39566 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39567 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39568 </memory>
39569 @end smallexample
39570
39571 @end itemize
39572
39573 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39574 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39575 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39576
39577 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39578
39579 @smallexample
39580 <!-- ................................................... -->
39581 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39582 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39583 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39584 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39585 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39586 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39587 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39588 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39589 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39590 and its type, or device. -->
39591 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39592 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39593 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39594 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39595 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39596 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39597 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39598 @end smallexample
39599
39600 @node Thread List Format
39601 @section Thread List Format
39602 @cindex thread list format
39603
39604 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39605 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39606 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39607 the following structure:
39608
39609 @smallexample
39610 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39611 <threads>
39612 <thread id="id" core="0">
39613 ... description ...
39614 </thread>
39615 </threads>
39616 @end smallexample
39617
39618 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39619 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39620 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39621 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
39622 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
39623
39624 @node Traceframe Info Format
39625 @section Traceframe Info Format
39626 @cindex traceframe info format
39627
39628 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39629 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39630 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39631 collected in a traceframe.
39632
39633 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39634 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39635
39636 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39637 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39638
39639 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39640
39641 @smallexample
39642 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39643 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39644 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39645 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39646 <traceframe-info>
39647 block...
39648 </traceframe-info>
39649 @end smallexample
39650
39651 Each traceframe block can be either:
39652
39653 @itemize
39654
39655 @item
39656 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39657 @var{length} bytes from there:
39658
39659 @smallexample
39660 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39661 @end smallexample
39662
39663 @end itemize
39664
39665 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39666
39667 @smallexample
39668 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
39669 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39670
39671 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39672 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39673 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39674 @end smallexample
39675
39676 @include agentexpr.texi
39677
39678 @node Target Descriptions
39679 @appendix Target Descriptions
39680 @cindex target descriptions
39681
39682 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39683 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39684 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39685 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39686 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39687 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39688 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39689
39690 @itemize @bullet
39691 @item
39692 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39693 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39694 @item
39695 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39696 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39697 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39698 @item
39699 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39700 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39701 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39702 @end itemize
39703
39704 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39705 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39706 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39707 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39708 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39709
39710 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39711 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39712
39713 @menu
39714 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39715 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39716 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39717 descriptions.
39718 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39719 @end menu
39720
39721 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39722 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39723
39724 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39725 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39726 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39727 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39728 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39729 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39730 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39731 Format}.
39732
39733 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39734 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39735 specify a file are:
39736
39737 @table @code
39738 @cindex set tdesc filename
39739 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39740 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39741
39742 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39743 @item unset tdesc filename
39744 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39745 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39746
39747 @cindex show tdesc filename
39748 @item show tdesc filename
39749 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39750 @end table
39751
39752
39753 @node Target Description Format
39754 @section Target Description Format
39755 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39756
39757 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39758 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39759 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39760 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39761 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39762 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39763 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39764
39765 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39766 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39767 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39768 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39769 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39770
39771 Here is a simple target description:
39772
39773 @smallexample
39774 <target version="1.0">
39775 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39776 </target>
39777 @end smallexample
39778
39779 @noindent
39780 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39781 the x86-64 architecture.
39782
39783 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39784 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39785 are explained further below.
39786
39787 @smallexample
39788 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39789 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39790 <target version="1.0">
39791 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39792 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39793 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39794 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39795 </target>
39796 @end smallexample
39797
39798 @noindent
39799 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39800 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39801 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39802 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39803 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39804 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39805 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39806 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39807 the version mismatch.
39808
39809 @subsection Inclusion
39810 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39811 @cindex XInclude
39812 @ifnotinfo
39813 @cindex <xi:include>
39814 @end ifnotinfo
39815
39816 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39817 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39818 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39819 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39820 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39821
39822 @smallexample
39823 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39824 @end smallexample
39825
39826 @noindent
39827 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39828 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39829 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39830 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39831 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39832 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39833 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39834 original description.
39835
39836 @subsection Architecture
39837 @cindex <architecture>
39838
39839 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39840
39841 @smallexample
39842 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39843 @end smallexample
39844
39845 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39846 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39847
39848 @subsection OS ABI
39849 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39850
39851 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39852 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39853
39854 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39855
39856 @smallexample
39857 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39858 @end smallexample
39859
39860 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39861 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
39862
39863 @subsection Compatible Architecture
39864 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
39865
39866 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39867 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39868
39869 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
39870
39871 @smallexample
39872 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
39873 @end smallexample
39874
39875 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39876 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39877
39878 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
39879 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
39880 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
39881 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
39882 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
39883 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
39884 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
39885
39886 @smallexample
39887 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
39888 <compatible>spu</compatible>
39889 @end smallexample
39890
39891 @subsection Features
39892 @cindex <feature>
39893
39894 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
39895 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
39896 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
39897 has this form:
39898
39899 @smallexample
39900 <feature name="@var{name}">
39901 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
39902 @var{reg}@dots{}
39903 </feature>
39904 @end smallexample
39905
39906 @noindent
39907 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
39908 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
39909 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
39910 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
39911
39912 @subsection Types
39913
39914 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
39915 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
39916 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
39917 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
39918 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
39919
39920 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
39921 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
39922 Types must be defined before they are used.
39923
39924 @cindex <vector>
39925 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
39926 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
39927 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
39928 @var{count}:
39929
39930 @smallexample
39931 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
39932 @end smallexample
39933
39934 @cindex <union>
39935 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39936 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39937 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39938 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39939
39940 @smallexample
39941 <union id="@var{id}">
39942 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39943 @dots{}
39944 </union>
39945 @end smallexample
39946
39947 @cindex <struct>
39948 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39949 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39950 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39951 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39952 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39953 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39954 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39955 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39956
39957 @smallexample
39958 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39959 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39960 @dots{}
39961 </struct>
39962 @end smallexample
39963
39964 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39965 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39966
39967 @smallexample
39968 <struct id="@var{id}">
39969 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39970 @dots{}
39971 </struct>
39972 @end smallexample
39973
39974 @cindex <flags>
39975 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39976 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39977 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39978 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39979 are supported.
39980
39981 @smallexample
39982 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39983 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39984 @dots{}
39985 </flags>
39986 @end smallexample
39987
39988 @subsection Registers
39989 @cindex <reg>
39990
39991 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39992
39993 @smallexample
39994 <reg name="@var{name}"
39995 bitsize="@var{size}"
39996 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39997 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39998 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39999 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
40000 @end smallexample
40001
40002 @noindent
40003 The components are as follows:
40004
40005 @table @var
40006
40007 @item name
40008 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
40009
40010 @item bitsize
40011 The register's size, in bits.
40012
40013 @item regnum
40014 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
40015 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
40016 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
40017 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
40018 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
40019 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
40020 in order of increasing register number.
40021
40022 @item save-restore
40023 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
40024 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40025 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40026 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40027 ABI.
40028
40029 @item type
40030 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
40031 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40032 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40033 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40034 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40035 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40036
40037 @item group
40038 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
40039 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40040 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40041 in @code{info registers}.
40042
40043 @end table
40044
40045 @node Predefined Target Types
40046 @section Predefined Target Types
40047 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40048
40049 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40050 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40051 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40052 types. The currently supported types are:
40053
40054 @table @code
40055
40056 @item int8
40057 @itemx int16
40058 @itemx int32
40059 @itemx int64
40060 @itemx int128
40061 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40062
40063 @item uint8
40064 @itemx uint16
40065 @itemx uint32
40066 @itemx uint64
40067 @itemx uint128
40068 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40069
40070 @item code_ptr
40071 @itemx data_ptr
40072 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40073 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40074 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40075 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40076 may be marked as data pointers.
40077
40078 @item ieee_single
40079 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40080
40081 @item ieee_double
40082 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40083
40084 @item arm_fpa_ext
40085 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40086
40087 @item i387_ext
40088 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40089
40090 @item i386_eflags
40091 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40092
40093 @item i386_mxcsr
40094 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40095
40096 @end table
40097
40098 @node Standard Target Features
40099 @section Standard Target Features
40100 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40101
40102 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40103 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40104 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40105 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40106 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40107 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40108 can recognize them.
40109
40110 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40111 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40112 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40113 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40114 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40115 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40116 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40117 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40118
40119 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40120 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40121 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40122
40123 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40124 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40125 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40126 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40127
40128 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40129 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40130 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40131
40132 @menu
40133 * ARM Features::
40134 * i386 Features::
40135 * MIPS Features::
40136 * M68K Features::
40137 * PowerPC Features::
40138 * TIC6x Features::
40139 @end menu
40140
40141
40142 @node ARM Features
40143 @subsection ARM Features
40144 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40145
40146 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40147 ARM targets.
40148 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40149 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40150
40151 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40152 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40153 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40154 and @samp{xpsr}.
40155
40156 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40157 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40158
40159 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40160 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40161 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40162 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40163
40164 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40165 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40166 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40167 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40168 halves of the double-precision registers.
40169
40170 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40171 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40172 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40173 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40174 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40175 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40176
40177 @node i386 Features
40178 @subsection i386 Features
40179 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40180
40181 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40182 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40183
40184 @itemize @minus
40185 @item
40186 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40187 @item
40188 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40189 @item
40190 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40191 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40192 @item
40193 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40194 @item
40195 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40196 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40197 @end itemize
40198
40199 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40200
40201 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40202 describe registers:
40203
40204 @itemize @minus
40205 @item
40206 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40207 @item
40208 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40209 @item
40210 @samp{mxcsr}
40211 @end itemize
40212
40213 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40214 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40215 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40216
40217 @itemize @minus
40218 @item
40219 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40220 @item
40221 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40222 @end itemize
40223
40224 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40225 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40226
40227 @node MIPS Features
40228 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40229 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40230
40231 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40232 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40233 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40234 on the target.
40235
40236 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40237 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40238 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40239
40240 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40241 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40242 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40243 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40244
40245 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40246 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40247 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40248 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40249
40250 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40251 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40252 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40253
40254 @node M68K Features
40255 @subsection M68K Features
40256 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40257
40258 @table @code
40259 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40260 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40261 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40262 One of those features must be always present.
40263 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40264 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40265 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40266 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40267
40268 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40269 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40270 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40271 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40272 @end table
40273
40274 @node PowerPC Features
40275 @subsection PowerPC Features
40276 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40277
40278 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40279 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40280 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40281 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40282
40283 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40284 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40285
40286 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40287 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40288 and @samp{vrsave}.
40289
40290 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40291 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40292 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40293 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40294 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40295 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40296
40297 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40298 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40299 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40300 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40301 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40302 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40303 user.
40304
40305 @node TIC6x Features
40306 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40307 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40308 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40309 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40310 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40311 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40312
40313 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40314 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40315 through @samp{B31}.
40316
40317 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40318 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40319
40320 @node Operating System Information
40321 @appendix Operating System Information
40322 @cindex operating system information
40323
40324 @menu
40325 * Process list::
40326 @end menu
40327
40328 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40329 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40330 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40331 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40332 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40333 on a different aspect of target.
40334
40335 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40336 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40337 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40338 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40339
40340 @node Process list
40341 @appendixsection Process list
40342 @cindex operating system information, process list
40343
40344 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40345 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40346 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40347 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40348
40349 An example document is:
40350
40351 @smallexample
40352 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40353 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40354 <osdata type="processes">
40355 <item>
40356 <column name="pid">1</column>
40357 <column name="user">root</column>
40358 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40359 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40360 </item>
40361 </osdata>
40362 @end smallexample
40363
40364 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40365 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40366 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40367 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40368 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40369 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40370 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40371
40372 @node Trace File Format
40373 @appendix Trace File Format
40374 @cindex trace file format
40375
40376 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40377 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40378
40379 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40380 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40381 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40382 in the future.
40383
40384 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40385 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40386 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40387 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40388 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40389 of this section.
40390
40391 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40392
40393 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40394 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40395 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40396 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40397 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40398 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40399 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40400 endianness.
40401
40402 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40403
40404 @table @code
40405 @item R @var{bytes}
40406 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40407 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40408 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40409 hexadecimal encoding.
40410
40411 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40412 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40413 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40414 @var{length} bytes.
40415
40416 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40417 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40418 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40419
40420 @end table
40421
40422 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40423 of blocks.
40424
40425 @node Index Section Format
40426 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40427 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40428 @cindex index section format
40429
40430 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40431 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40432 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40433 description.
40434
40435 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40436 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40437 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40438 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40439 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40440 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40441
40442 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40443
40444 @enumerate
40445 @item
40446 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40447 unless otherwise noted:
40448
40449 @enumerate
40450 @item
40451 The version number, currently 7. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40452 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40453 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40454 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40455 symbol table. @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40456 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40457
40458 @item
40459 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40460
40461 @item
40462 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40463 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40464 to the next offset.
40465
40466 @item
40467 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40468
40469 @item
40470 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40471
40472 @item
40473 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40474 @end enumerate
40475
40476 @item
40477 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40478 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40479 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40480 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40481 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40482 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40483 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40484 CU indices.
40485
40486 @item
40487 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40488 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40489 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40490 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40491
40492 @item
40493 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40494 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40495
40496 @enumerate
40497 @item
40498 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40499
40500 @item
40501 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40502 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40503
40504 @item
40505 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40506 @end enumerate
40507
40508 @item
40509 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40510 the hash table is always a power of 2.
40511
40512 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
40513 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
40514 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
40515 constant pool.
40516
40517 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
40518 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
40519 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
40520
40521 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
40522 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
40523 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
40524 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
40525 index version:
40526
40527 @table @asis
40528 @item Version 4
40529 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
40530
40531 @item Versions 5 to 7
40532 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
40533 @end table
40534
40535 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
40536
40537 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
40538 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
40539 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
40540 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
40541 collision.
40542
40543 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
40544 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
40545 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40546 the code.
40547
40548 @item
40549 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40550 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40551 strings.
40552
40553 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40554 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40555 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40556 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40557 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40558 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40559
40560 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40561 @end enumerate
40562
40563 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40564 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40565 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40566
40567 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40568 (bit 0 = LSB):
40569
40570 @table @asis
40571
40572 @item Bits 0-23
40573 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40574 @item Bits 24-27
40575 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40576 @item Bits 28-30
40577 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40578
40579 @table @asis
40580 @item 0
40581 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40582 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40583 with previous versions of the index.
40584 @item 1
40585 The symbol is a type.
40586 @item 2
40587 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40588 @item 3
40589 The symbol is a function.
40590 @item 4
40591 Any other kind of symbol.
40592 @item 5,6,7
40593 These values are reserved.
40594 @end table
40595
40596 @item Bit 31
40597 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40598
40599 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40600 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40601 @value{GDBN} sources.
40602
40603 @end table
40604
40605 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40606 global/static attributes in the index.
40607
40608 @smallexample
40609 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40610 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40611 switch (die->tag)
40612 @{
40613 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40614 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40615 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40616 kind = TYPE;
40617 is_static = 1;
40618 break;
40619 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40620 kind = VARIABLE;
40621 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40622 break;
40623 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40624 kind = FUNCTION;
40625 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40626 break;
40627 case DW_TAG_constant:
40628 kind = VARIABLE;
40629 is_static = ! is_external;
40630 break;
40631 case DW_TAG_variable:
40632 kind = VARIABLE;
40633 is_static = ! is_external;
40634 break;
40635 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40636 kind = TYPE;
40637 is_static = 0;
40638 break;
40639 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40640 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40641 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40642 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40643 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40644 kind = TYPE;
40645 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40646 break;
40647 default:
40648 assert (0);
40649 @}
40650 @end smallexample
40651
40652 @include gpl.texi
40653
40654 @node GNU Free Documentation License
40655 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40656 @include fdl.texi
40657
40658 @node Concept Index
40659 @unnumbered Concept Index
40660
40661 @printindex cp
40662
40663 @node Command and Variable Index
40664 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40665
40666 @printindex fn
40667
40668 @tex
40669 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40670 % meantime:
40671 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40672 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40673 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40674 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40675 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40676 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40677 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40678 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40679 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40680 \page\colophon
40681 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
40682 @end tex
40683
40684 @bye
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